Take comfort in these easy, cheesy dishes
When it comes to comfort food, macaroni and cheese tops the popularity charts for many, so it’s not surprising that there were many scrumptious recipes in reply to a request from B.H. of Chicago.
Mary Kay Reynolds of Worth shares her favorite Easy Crock-Pot Macaroni and Cheese (which she discovered in the cookbook Company’s Coming: Slow Cooker Recipes), and Lorraine C. Donegan of La Grange Park recommends her Deluxe Macaroni and Cheese.
Mary Alice Lehman of Northlake sends her classic Mac ’n Cheese recipe, which serves 5:
Cook 1 to 1½ cups uncooked elbow macaroni (or 6 ounces rigatoni or spinach egg noodles) as directed; drain.
In medium to large saucepan, melt ¼ cup margarine or butter, then stir in ¼ cup chopped onions, 1/2 teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper; cook over medium heat until onion is slightly tender. Turn heat to low and blend in ¼ cup all-purpose flour, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly; remove from heat.
Stir in 1¾ cups milk; heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in 8 ounces process sharp American or Swiss cheese, process American cheese loaf or process cheese spread (cut into 1/2-inch cubes) until melted.
Pour macaroni into ungreased 1½-quart casserole; stir cheese sauce into macaroni; bake uncovered in 375-degree oven for 30 minutes.
Lehman also suggests adding one of these optional ingredients to the cheese sauce before baking:
1 (10-ounce) package of frozen green peas or green beans.
1 cup cut-up, fully cooked smoked ham.
1 cup (about 3) sliced frankfurters or cut-up luncheon meat.
¼ cup chopped pimiento-stuffed olives.
1/3 cup chopped green and/or red peppers or 1 (4-ounce) can green chiles (drained and chopped).
1/3 cup sliced ripe olives (to cheese sauce) plus 5 slices of tomato around edges of casserole.
1 (6½-ounce) can drained tuna.
About 15 years ago, my mom was given a recipe for a very good yellow summer squash and tiny shrimp casserole. She can’t find the recipe. Does anyone have such a recipe?
P.B., Chicago
I would appreciate recipes for beer barbecue sauce and tamale pie.
C.B., Chicago
I would like a recipe for potato bacon soup for our cold winter months.
J.G., Lombard
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