Cooking Method: Sautéing
Cheesy French Onion Baked Potatoes
For me, almost every satisfying, savory creation that leaves my kitchen is founded on a great onion. If I’m ever unsure of what to prepare for dinner, I always reach for an onion first.
The good news is that turning an onion into a wonderfully comforting and delicious dinner is straightforward. All it takes is a little butter, a fluffy baked potato, and some time (both the clock time and the herby kind—thyme!).
This recipe perfectly illustrates that point. The French Onion Baked Potato takes the most beloved elements of the classic French onion soup—namely, the sweet caramelized onions and the rich, melted Gruyère cheese—and places them right onto a warm, tender baked potato.
By - Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 2 hrs 15 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Marry Me Soup with Italian Sausage
I know there are lots of “Marry Me” recipes out there, but the base of these recipes happens to be really good. I need to use up some Italian sausage, so I made this Marry Me Soup with Italian Sausage. It carries the signature creamy, flavor-packed base of the original, but the hearty sausage and comforting broth make it a complete, cold-weather meal.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Yields: 6 - 8 Servings
Japanese Curry Chicken Pot Pie
My daughter Grace made this delicious Japanese Curry Chicken Pot Pie. It’s a harmonious marriage of two beloved comfort food icons. The filling takes the soul-warming essence of a traditional pot pie—juicy shredded rotisserie chicken, potatoes, and carrots—and smothers it in a velvety, rich Japanese curry sauce. Using a store-bought Japanese curry mix, which gives a gravy-like thickness, deepened by warm spices and a bright hint of fresh ginger. The entire concoction is then sealed under a buttery, store-bought puff pastry crust, which bakes to a beautiful golden crispness, ready to soak up every drop of that savory, spicy-sweet sauce.
- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 25 mins
- Yields: 4 - 6 Servings
Tuscan Chickpea and Pasta Soup
This recipe for Tuscan Chickpea and Pasta Soup (Pasta e Ceci) is from Trattoria Bel Mi' in Colle di Val d'Elsa, Italy. It's absolutely delicious, though not so soupy. Serve it with a crisp green salad and crusty bread. By the way, I would have been fired from any food magazine for publishing a photo without cleaning the plate!
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 50 mins
- Yields: 4 - 6 Servings
Beef and Tomato Pasta Soup
This deeply comforting and satisfying one-pot Beef and Tomato Pasta Soup is quick, easy, and packed with flavor. It’s simmered in beef broth, and a touch of cream cheese is added to create a luxurious, creamy texture that doesn't overpower the robust tomato and savory ground beef. Essentially, every spoonful combines the hearty meat, tangy tomato base, and tender short pasta (like elbow macaroni) for a full and utterly satisfying meal.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Brothy Sherried Pork Chops with Butter Beans and Almond Gremolata
Brothy Sherried Pork Chops with Butter Beans and Almond Gremolata is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal. Thick, bone-in pork chops are seasoned and seared before being braised. The chops are simmered slowly in a sherry and chicken stock, along with onions, rosemary, and bay leaf. This long simmer ensures the pork is very tender, often described as "nearly falling off the bone," and creates a rich, savory broth. Canned butter beans are added toward the end of the cooking process to warm through and soak up the flavors of the sherry-infused broth, adding a creamy texture to the dish. It’s topped with this bright Gremolata, which is a mix of finely chopped almonds, parsley, lemon zest, and garlic. It adds a crunch and nutty flavor, cutting through the richness of the pork and broth.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 2 hrs 30 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Chicken, Leek and Stuffing Hot Pot
This Chicken, Leek and Stuffing Hot Pot is from Marks & Spencer. Chicken thighs, salty pancetta, leeks, onions, mushrooms with herby stuffing balls topped with sliced potatoes. It's a variation of a classic British hotpot or a deconstructed chicken pot pie, offering a hearty and comforting meal with a clever twist. While traditional hot pots often feature a sliced potato topping, this version incorporates delicious stuffing balls. It's so incredibly comforting.
- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 30 mins
- Yields: 4 - 6 Servings
One-Pan Lemon Sage Chicken and Cauliflower
This One-Pan Lemon Sage Chicken and Cauliflower is a low-carb masterpiece. It features the rich, aromatic flavor of sage, while the cauliflower acts as a versatile base that soaks up all the delicious seasonings. Naturally low in fat and sugar and packed with vitamin C, cauliflower truly is a superfood.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Yields: 4 Servings
Parmesan Tomato Cannellini Bean Soup
I love this recipe for Parmesan Tomato Cannellini Bean Soup because it's so quick and easy. Cannellini beans, also known as white kidney beans, have a nutty, earthy flavor and a smooth, creamy texture.
My secret ingredients elevate this simple soup. I add a tablespoon of red wine vinegar to cut through the sweetness of the tomatoes and add a bright, acidic note. Another trick is to simmer the soup with a parmesan rind. It acts as a natural flavor bomb, giving the soup a deep, salty, and umami flavor. I always keep a bag of leftover rinds in my freezer to toss into soups and broths.
- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Stovetop Bacon Lasagna
This Stovetop Bacon Lasagna is a perfect weeknight meal. It's so good and really easy. It starts with a base of spicy, bacon-infused onions and then builds layers with broken lasagna noodles and basil-infused tomatoes. The finishing touch is generous dollops of ricotta and shredded cheese, creating a dish that's ready in under an hour. Oh, and its all done in one pan for easy cleanup!
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
