30 Days of Happiness, Day 15: Comfort Food on a Cold Day

It has already snowed here. Snowed! It's October for heavens sake. That's Central Oregon for you, but I'm still somehow not used to it. Yesterday was so cold and rainy/slushy/snowy outside that I was craving comfort food all day. I've really been trying hard to make things from scratch lately. It's cheaper and so much better, but it's time consuming and I'm a busy girl! I decided to make my old standby, macaroni and cheese with tomatoes. This is by far Dustin's favorite dinner, and it is so. good. It's pretty quick to make, too.

By the way Liesl, I use your potholders almost every day! I adore them. :)

Here's the recipe:

Macaroni and Cheese with Tomatoes, serves 4

Ingredients:

• 8 oz., or 2 1/2 cups, of pasta. I like the short fat ones. Macaroni, rotini, etc.
• 4 tsp. cornstarch
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard (I've also used regular, they're both good)
• Salt and Pepper
• 4 oz. Velveeta, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup of romano or parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbsp. Plain dried bread crumbs
• 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat broiler. With nonstick cooking spray, grease shallow 1 1/2 quart broiler-safe baking dish.
2. Heat large saucepot of salted water to boiling over high heat. Add pasta and cook as label directs.
3. Meanwhile, in saucepan, whisk cornstarch into milk; heat to boiling over medium heat, whisking occasionally. Boil 1 minute. Remove saucepan from heat; whisk in mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir in Velveeta, cheddar, and 1/4 cup romano. Cheese does not need to melt completely. In small bowl, combine bread crumbs with remaining romano.
4. Drain pasta; return to saucepot. Stir cheese sauce into pasta; spoon into prepared baking dish. Arrange tomato slices on top; sprinkle with crumb mixture.
5. Place baking dish in broiler, about 6 inches from source of heat (or farther if you are one of those people who burns things, like me). Broil macaroni mixture 2 to 3 minutes or until top is lightly browned. Let macaroni and cheese stand 5 minutes to set slightly for easier serving.

This is seriously the best dinner ever! Probably not very good for you, but that's the point of comfort food. Try it, you won't be sorry. :) It's a favorite around here.

Comments

[Agnes]

Well it isn't very cool here in Austin, but I do love comfort food!! Nice shot, it looks yummers!

[Liesl]

Snow? Already? I'm thoroughly jealous!
Why are cheesy dishes the perfect comfort food? Being a vegan, I haven't had any cheese in over three years. But we make an veggie lasagna with a creamy sauce that is so good. It's my ultimate comfort food.

[our little love nest]

We did this for lunch today and the kids and myself loved it!! xoxo

[Dustin]

It's the best dinner ever!!! I can seriously easy a whole casserole dish by myself. I'm not exaggerating either! I did once. Best wife ever!