Food is a great comforter. There is just something about the connection between our taste buds and our brain that can do wonders. I don’t pretend to understand it, but the right foods can make us feel better when the rain has spoiled our parade, when the dog has eaten our homework, when no one likes us and we’re tempted to go eat worms.
There are some foods that are generally known to bring comfort, like chicken noodle soup or macaroni and cheese. Usually, “comfort foods” involve a few fattening ingredients and leave your belly feeling full. And they always taste great!
One of my favorites is the Mac and Cheese that FishPapa and I have been making forever. For some odd reason, most of our kids don’t like it – they have melted cheese issues. That’s okay, that leaves lots for FP and me! I make a batch of this for us and a batch of plain noodles for the kids.
If no one in your family has a cheese psychosis, you’re gonna love this! It’s very easy, very make-ahead and it freezes well also.
Macaroni and Cheese
3/4 pound elbow macaroni or penne pasta, cooked according to package directions and drained
8 ounces sour cream
8 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed
salt and pepper to taste.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While pasta is cooking, combine sour cream, cheese cubes and salt and pepper. Stir in drained noodles. Pour into greased, 9 x 13 baking dish.* Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbly.
Updated 12/1/09: For freezer cooking. I wrap and freeze at the asterisk.* Make sure you label the pan with baking directions: bake thawed at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. If it doesn’t thaw completely before you need to bake it, just increase your baking time, checking often.
Updated 12/3/09: When I prepared this dish this week, I used small macaroni instead of the large elbows or penne that I normally use. Somehow it turned out less “saucy,” so I’ve adjusted the quantity of pasta in the recipe above to accomodate a difference of pasta size. Use good judgement and if you want it saucier, add more sour cream and cheese.
How about you? What’s your family’s favorite comfort food. There’s bound to be something you enjoy when you are sick, snowed in, or just need a little pick me up. Today’s the day to share it!
Can’t wait to see what you cook up on a rainy day!
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Nothing says comfort food like mac and cheese. I am posting my favorite version today. And it has sour cream in it like yours.
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I accidentally deleted your comment when I moderated… just wanted to say I hope you enjoy it!! It’s a family favorite lately!
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My kids don't like homemade mac & cheese either. It's not a cheese issue though – I think the powdered kind has some secret addictive ingredient.
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My kids won’t even touch the boxed kind!
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I never thought to put sour cream in my mac n cheese, but I bet that makes it very smooth. I will try it next time.
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Thanks for the swap. I am always looking for more comfort food!
Andrea in NC
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I’m totally down with the mac and cheese. And sometimes we like to do a baked potato bar. We put the potatoes into the crock pot and leave them all day so we don’t find ourselves huddled around the oven at 6pm, starving and asking if they’re done yet! Set out REAL butter, cheese, sour cream, bacon bits or whatever suits you. MMMM
Another thing we like is just a simple vegetable plate with 3 of the 4 following:
1. Sweet potato with maple syrup, butter, and pecans
2. “Hoppin’ john” (open a can of blackeyed peas and a can of diced tomatoes, add both of them to sauteed onion, green peppers, garlic, and cumin)
3. Steamed brocolli or cabbage with butter, of course (Do you sense a butter theme here?)
4. Spaghetti squash with pesto
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My favorite comfort foods? Popcorn and mashed potatoes – but not eaten together!
Chocolate is always a comfort as well!
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I would like to make and freeze this dish… do I bake it before I freeze? Also – when we want to use it – do I thaw first or just bake? Could you please post "directions for dummies"
I am new to this whole make ahead and freeze world – it has already really blessed my family though! Thank you!!!!!
Sally
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