Baked Ziti with Sausage and Bechamel
There's a reason baked ziti is such a standby family supper. It's comforting, filling, and all-round delicious. In our ultimate version, the pasta is stirred into a sausage-studded tomato sauce, then layered, like lasagna, between nutmeg-scented béchamel sauce and Parmigiano-Reggiano and mozzarella cheeses.
Meatball Casserole
The ultimate; meatballs, made with ground pork and ground beef, are simmered in a quick tomato sauce, then topped with mozzarella and broiled.
Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Baked French Toast
Is this the ultimate brunch centerpiece? We think so! It's a flavor cross of the world's best breakfast sandwich and a classic egg-and-cheese strata—and you can prep it up to a day in advance. Next morning, slide the whole shebang into the oven and watch it puff up dramatically into a sliceable feast.
Sausage-and-Kale Stuffed Shells
Who doesn't love a baked pasta casserole? Who doesn't love a make-ahead dinner? Here spicy pork sausage and hearty kale come together with creamy cheese for a crowd-pleasing freezer meal. For those who can't wait, the stuffed shells can be baked immediately and enjoyed the day they're made.
Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups
Upgrade the classic American breakfast from basic to impressive in a few simple steps.
Classic Meatloaf
Good meatloaf is about as comforting as comfort food gets. Thankfully, meatloaf doesn't have to be complex to be good. It just needs to be tender (from breadcrumbs soaked in milk and gentle handling) and flavorful (from onion, garlic, and ketchup).
Split Pea Soup with Ham
You'll turn to this split pea soup with ham all winter long—especially when you need to warm up! Use leftover ham to make split pea soup prep even easier.
Bacon-Cheese Quiche
This versatile dish goes from brunch buffet to dinner table in a snap and is great with a leafy green salad. The flaky crust and custard filling make it a perfect vehicle for a variety of mix-ins. Baking the crust before adding the filling, known as blind baking, ensures it won't get soggy. Our favorite pie dough recipe is Basic Pie Crust.
Slow-Cooked Baked Beans
Coated in a glistening sweet-and-spicy sauce, navy beans cook to a creamy consistency while still holding their shape. A bit of bacon lends a rich smokiness to the dish.
Simple Homemade Sausage Patties
Assembling pork sausages is a snap and, as always, if you use best-quality ingredients, it's hard to beat homemade.From the book "Mad Hungry," by Lucinda Scala Quinn (Artisan Books).
Denver Omelet Cups
In place of ham steak, you can use crumbled sausage or diced turkey breast.
Pork Chops with Apples and Onions
Sauteed apples and onion combine with pork chops for a tastiness that never disappoints.