This week it was as if Kansas heard everyone’s comments about it not feeling like fall, because sure enough it went from being in the mid eighties to the low sixties this week. While I’d prefer a more gradual temperature drop, I won’t complain about the break from the heat. This weather makes me crave warm, comforting dishes that don’t skimp on the carbs. Here are a few early fall comfort food dishes that I’ve made recently.
{one} cheesy beef and macaroni. This is a homemade take on a classic Hamburger Helper dish that most of us are familiar with. (Did anyone else just love that stuff?) It’s easy to make, hearty, and the best part is that it all cooks in one pot so the clean-up’s a breeze.
{two} pasta with sausage and peppers. To me this is the perfect summer-meets-fall dish. Sweet peppers are combined with flavorful sausage (I used a spicy variety to balance out the sweet peppers) and tossed with pasta in a light but creamy sauce.
{three} sweet and spicy pork tenderloin with mashed potatoes. Meat and potatoes always says “comfort food” to me (and Aaron wholeheartedly agrees). Tender, lean pork tenderloin is glazed with a simple, sweet, and spicy sauce, and doesn’t need much else to go with it. Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes make it a classic pairing.
{four} chicken enchilada rice bake. This is like a delicious combo at a Mexican restaurant combined into one dish. Rice, chicken, corn, and other seasonings are combined with enchilada sauce, topped with cheese, and baked. This type of dish is a lazy cook’s dream: you can use leftover rice, pre-cooked chicken, and enchilada sauce straight from the can.
What comfort foods do you crave when fall hits?