Chicken and Macaroni Bake Creamy Chicken and Macaroni Cheese Bake with a Golden Crust Ingredients: 2 cups cooked elbow macaroni 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or poached) 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cups milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ½ cup mozzarella cheese ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon paprika Salt and pepper to taste ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese ¼ cup breadcrumbs (optional topping) Chopped parsley for garnish Directions: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour to form a roux and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 3–5 minutes. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and cheese is fully melted. In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni and shredded chicken. Pour the cheese sauce over and mix to coat evenly. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs on top for a crunchy crust. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 6 servings #chickenmacaroni #comfortfood #macandcheese #easybake #cheesybake #pastabake #familydinner #homestylecooking #ovenbakedpasta #chickendinner #bakedmacaroni #cheeselovers #mealprepideas #chickencasserole #simplemeals #weeknightdinner #creamybake #cheeseaddict #parmesancrust #bakedgoodness Creamy, cheesy, golden, and comforting! This Chicken and Macaroni Bake is the weeknight dinner your whole family will devour.

Moussaka Soup Hearty Moussaka-Inspired Soup with Eggplant, Ground Beef, and Creamy Herbs Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 lb ground beef or lamb 1 medium eggplant, peeled and diced 1 medium zucchini, diced 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes 4 cups beef or vegetable broth 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon dried oregano Salt and black pepper, to taste 1/4 cup uncooked orzo or small pasta (optional) 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Grated Parmesan or kefalotyri cheese (optional topping) Directions: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add ground beef or lamb and cook until browned, breaking up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in eggplant and zucchini and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add crushed tomatoes, broth, cinnamon, allspice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes, until vegetables are tender. If using orzo or pasta, add it in the last 10 minutes of cooking until tender. Stir in Greek yogurt just before serving for a creamy texture. Ladle into bowls and garnish with parsley and cheese, if desired. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes Kcal: 390 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #moussakasoup #greeksoup #eggplantsoup #comfortsoup #heartyandhealthy #groundbeefsoup #zucchiniinspired #souprecipeideas #mediterraneansoup #fusioncomfort #greekflavors #soupszn #yogurtsoup #comfortfoodbowl #easyweeknightmeal #herbalsoup #homestylecooking #moussakabowl #southernmedflavors #onepotwonder Cozy up with a bowl of Moussaka Soup — everything you love about the classic Greek dish, transformed into a hearty, spoonable delight!

German Potato and Sausage Salad Warm German Potato Salad with Smoked Sausage and Tangy Mustard Dressing Ingredients: 1 ½ lbs baby red potatoes, halved 8 oz smoked sausage, sliced 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon sugar Salt and black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onions Directions: Boil the potatoes in salted water for 12–15 minutes or until tender. Drain and let cool slightly. While the potatoes are boiling, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from heat. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, both mustards, sugar, salt, and pepper to make the dressing. In a large bowl, combine the warm potatoes, sausage, and sliced red onions. Pour the dressing over the warm ingredients and gently toss to coat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and optional chives or green onions before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes Kcal: 380 kcal | Servings: 4 #potatosalad #germanfood #warmpotatosalad #smokedsausage #comfortfood #heartymeals #mustarddressing #potatorecipes #sausagelovers #rusticdishes #applecidervinegar #easyrecipes #saladwithmeat #fallrecipes #picnicfood #oktoberfestfood #homestylecooking #cozyeats #potatodinner #flavorpacked Smoky, tangy, and totally satisfying! This Warm German Potato and Sausage Salad is everything your comfort food cravings need.

Chicken with Cabbage and Vinegar Braised Chicken with Caramelized Cabbage and Vinegar Glaze Ingredients: 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 1 small green cabbage, thinly sliced 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 3 garlic cloves, minced 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for balance) 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 1/2 cup chicken broth Fresh parsley, for garnish Directions: Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken, skin side down, for 5–7 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip and cook another 3–4 minutes. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, add onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic, then add the sliced cabbage. Sauté for 5 minutes until slightly wilted and browned at the edges. Pour in apple cider vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Stir in brown sugar and red pepper flakes if using. Nestle the chicken back into the pan over the cabbage. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low. Braise for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Uncover, increase heat slightly, and cook 5 more minutes to reduce the liquid and intensify the flavors. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with crusty bread or potatoes. Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes Kcal: 370 kcal | Servings: 4 servings #chickendinner #cabbagerecipes #vinegarchicken #braisedchicken #comfortfood #simpleingredients #heartymeals #homestylecooking #cabbageandchicken #dutchovencooking #savorydinner #fallrecipes #rusticmeals #easyfamilydinner #budgetfriendlyrecipes #weeknightmeals #classicflavors #applecidervinegar #tenderchicken #braisedmeat Cozy up with this rustic Chicken with Cabbage and Vinegar A savory, tangy braised dish perfect for chilly nights or Sunday dinner.

Beef and Potato Pierogi Casserole Cheesy Layered Beef & Pierogi Bake with Caramelized Onions Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 lb (450g) ground beef 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika Salt and pepper, to taste 1 (16 oz) package frozen potato and cheese pierogies 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup beef broth 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/4 cup chopped chives or green onions (for garnish) Butter or oil spray (for greasing) Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or oil spray. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add sliced onions and cook until golden and caramelized, about 10–12 minutes. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, cook ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Add garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook another 2 minutes. Remove from heat. In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream and beef broth until smooth. Arrange half the pierogies in the bottom of the baking dish. Spread half the beef mixture over the pierogies, then spoon over some of the sour cream mixture. Repeat layers with remaining pierogies, beef, and sour cream sauce. Top with caramelized onions and sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly across the top. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly. Garnish with chives or green onions and serve warm. Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 55 minutes Kcal: 410 kcal per serving | Servings: 6 servings #pierogicasserole #beefbake #comfortfoodrecipes #potatopie #cheesybake #heartymeals #familydinnerideas #midwestcooking #easycasserole #homestylecooking #pierogilove #groundbeefrecipe #freezerfriendly #onionandbeef #polishinspired #pierogibake #layeredcasserole #easyweeknightdinners #cheesycomfort #savorypierogi This Beef and Potato Pierogi Casserole is what cozy dinners are made of! Layers of cheesy pierogies, savory beef, and golden onions—pure comfort.