The temperatures are just starting to fall here in Southern Oregon, and after a tough season of wildfires, I am craving plenty of comfort foods. Comfort foods are something that typically take a bit more time than traditional cooking, but I’ve learned there are plenty of awesome recipes that still work on the busiest of evenings. As a mom, I find some nights, I am just too tired to spend several hours cooking something that won’t be done at dinner time. At the same time, I’ve found my slow cooker to be a bit ambiguous when it comes to flavors, and some of the meat comes out lacking the delicious color or textures by the end of the cooking time. So, I’ve been putting together some great recipes for comfort food that my family loves, AND that saves me a little bit of meal planning, too.
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Zuppa Toscana in the crock pot: This is one of the best, simple recipes for nights when our family is out right until dinnertime, or when we have a busy day. I can throw everything in the crock pot in the morning, and by later afternoon, my house smells amazing, and I add a nice loaf of crusty bread and a big salad to make it a filling and comforting meal. I like this recipe from The Chunky Chef: HERE. It has tons of flavor and doesn’t dissolve into mushy soup by the time you serve it. Be sure to watch it closely after you add the kale, and serve when it’s soft but still bright green.
Stuffed Pasta Bolognese: This flavor packed recipes is a bit more time consuming than a crock pot meal, but it’s made my list because it can be prepped ahead of time and popped in the fridge until it’s time to bake it. Try to do this the night before or the morning of, and undercook your pasta just slightly, so it will be perfectly al dente after simmering during the baking time. Add breadsticks and a nice veggie on the side for a dinner everyone will gobble up. Recipe HERE.
Instant Pot Macaroni and Cheese: This is a family favorite for a reason: everyone loves macaroni and cheese, and it’s even better when I can use the quick miracle that’s the Instant Pot. For a healthier twist, add pureed butternut squash to the macaroni and cheese, and stir it in until it’s smooth and combined. It adds a nice fall flavor, and of course, gets more veggies in. You can bake it real quick to get it nice and browned on top once you pull it out of the instant pot, but it’s delicious by itself! Recipe HERE
Malaysian Chicken Noodles: This is an asian dish, but is spicy and can be just as comforting. This recipe that we love from Jamie Oliver has plenty of spice, a smooth and delicious sauce, and chicken for added protein. It comes together in less than 30 minutes, and you could even cook the chicken ahead of time. It’s inexpensive, delicious, and you can adjust the spice level if your little ones aren’t into the heat from Sambal. Check out the recipe HERE.
Another time saving dinner idea that doesn’t involve a recipe is to buy pre-made quiche at the grocery store, and add slices of fresh tomato and shredded cheese on top, broil briefly and warm through, add a huge salad, and voila! Easy, filling dinner that is on the table in minutes (We like the quiche that you can find at Costco in the cold section). Hopefully, these ideas will help you save time on the nights when you just need something warm and cozy!
