Cooking with Paula Deen Best Comfort Food 2021

Soothe Your Soul Y’all, nothing beats classic Southern comfort food. When it’s been a hard day for me or it’s rainy or cold outside and I want to cozy up to something delicious, I crave things that are creamy, cheesy, crunchy, or chocolaty—and this issue has all of that and more. In the “Creamy” and “Cheesy” chapters, you’ll find soups, casseroles, pastas, pizzas, sandwiches, and more soul-warming favorites. The Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole (page 45) that graces the cover is one I know your family will make on repeat, but there are also stick-to-your-ribs mains like Hamburger Steaks with Mushroom Gravy (page 48) and Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza (page 29). If you need a quick snack, there are endless options in the “Crunchy” chapter. Tempt your family and friends with bites like Parmesan-Garlic…

Herbed Baked Cheese Makes 8 to 10 servings 1 clove garlic, halved2 cups shredded Swiss cheese1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese1 cup shredded fontina cheese4 ounces cream cheese, cut into ½-inch pieces and softened1½ teaspoons cornstarch1½ teaspoons minced fresh rosemary, divided1½ teaspoons minced fresh sage, divided⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepperToasted baguette slices, to serve 1. Preheat oven to 375°. 2. Rub the inside of a 10-inch cast-iron skillet with cut sides of garlic. 3. In a medium bowl, stir together all cheese, cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon each rosemary and sage. Spoon mixture into prepared skillet; sprinkle with remaining ½ teaspoon each rosemary and sage and red pepper. 4. Bake until cheese is melted, about 15 minutes; stir until combined, 2 to 3 times. Serve immediately with baguette. Fried Four-Cheese Balls Makes about 24 Vegetable oil, for frying4 large eggs2 cups…

Ham and Broccoli Alfredo Bake Makes 4 to 6 servings ½ pound wagon wheel (rotelle) pasta3 cups small fresh broccoli florets1 cup frozen sliced carrots2 (15-ounce) jars Alfredo sauce2 cups chopped ham1½ cups shredded whole-milk mozzarella cheese, divided½ cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a shallow 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray. 2. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add pasta; cook for 7 minutes. Add broccoli; cook for 1 minute. Add carrot; cook for 1 minute. Drain well. 3. In a large bowl, stir together pasta mixture, Alfredo sauce, ham, 1 cup mozzarella, and ¼ cup Parmesan until well combined. Spoon mixture into prepared pan. Spray a large piece of foil with cooking spray. Cover casserole with foil, spray side down. 4. Bake…

Crunchy Garlic Bread Makes 6 to 8 servings 2 (16-ounce) loaves Italian five-grain bread1 cup butter, softened½ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese2 tablespoons minced green onion2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley1 tablespoon garlic powder 1. Preheat oven to 400°. 2. Cut bread into 1-inch-thick slices, cutting to but not through bottom of loaves. 3. In a small bowl, stir together butter and all remaining ingredients. Spread butter mixture onto cut sides of each bread slice, taking care not to separate slices from bottom of loaves. Place bread directly on oven rack. 4. Bake until bread is browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Serve warm. Kitchen Tip Make a double batch of this delicious garlic butter to toss it with hot pasta, add it to a baked potato, dollop it on a sizzling steak, or spread it onto bread for…

Chocolate-Banana Pudding Parfaits Makes 6 servings 1 (7.4-ounce) package chocolate chocolate chip muffin mix*1½ cups cold sour cream, divided1⅓ cups plus 2 tablespoons cold whole milk, divided1 (3.4-ounce) package cheesecake instant pudding mix2 medium bananas, slicedWhipped topping, mini chocolate chips, and banana slices, to serve 1. Preheat oven to 425°. Lightly spray 6 muffin cups with baking spray with flour. 2. In a medium bowl, stir together muffin mix, ½ cup sour cream, and ⅓ cup milk just until combined. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups. 3. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes. Remove from pan, and let cool completely on a wire rack. 4. In a medium bowl, whisk together pudding mix, remaining 1 cup sour cream, and remaining…

APPETIZERS AND SNACKS Cheesy Corn Dip 16 Classic Pimiento Cheese 28 Fried Four-Cheese Balls 12 Herbed Baked Cheese 9 Oven-Fried Onion Rings 60 Parmesan-Garlic Potato Chips 65 Spiced Walnuts 72 Spicy Candied Bacon 64 Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts 73 BREADS Bacon-Stuffed Cheesy Garlic Rolls 13 Chocolate-Swirled Banana Bread 88 Crunchy Garlic Bread 57 Grilled Pizza Crusts 29 CONDIMENTS AND TOPPINGS Buttermilk Chocolate Frosting 96 Easy Pizza Sauce 30 Orange-Pepper Jelly Sauce 68 DESSERTS Brownie Pie 92 Chocolate-Banana Pudding Parfaits 81 Chocolate Peanut Butter Blondie 84 Frosted Fudgy Chocolate Cupcakes 96 Fruit and Cream Tart with Sugar Cookie Crust 53 Mocha Chocolate Cake 89 Old-Fashioned Chocolate Pudding 85 Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie 52 Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars 77 S’mores Cereal Bars 76 Triple-Chocolate Brownies 93 MAIN DISHES Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza 29 Biscuits and Savory Sausage Gravy 44 Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole 45 Deep-Fried Cornmeal-Breaded PorkChops 69 Fried Coconut-Orange Shrimp 68 Ham and Broccoli Alfredo Bake 33 Hamburger Steaks with Mushroom Gravy 48 Italian Grilled Cheese Sandwiches 17 Philly…