Mom's Meals That Revive Your Childhood Memories

1. Macaroni and Cheese

Image credit: Food Network

Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses combine to create a rich sauce for the pasta that's as gooey as it is flavorful. You'd better top the mac with a final blanket of cheese before moving it to the oven to bake.

What you’ll need:

4 cups (1 pound) elbow macaroni

5 tbsp unsalted butter

4 cups milk

1/2 medium onion, stuck with 1 clove

4 cloves garlic

1 bay leaf

3 sprigs of fresh thyme

1 tsp dry mustard

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

2 cups grated Cheddar, plus 1 cup in big chunks

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Check out the recipe: Macaroni and Cheese 

2. Slow-Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Image credit: Food Network

This slow-cooker version of the classic soup is super easy to make. We used chicken thighs because they're less expensive than breasts and tend not to dry out. If you like, skip the noodles and stir in your favorite cooked grain at the end.

No matter if you have the sniffles or simply a case of the Mondays, this warming bowl will make you feel cozy.

What you’ll need:

8 ounces carrots, sliced 1/4 inch thick (about 3 large carrots)

6 ounces celery, sliced 1/4 inch thick (about 5 large stalks)

1/4 small onion, peeled and root end intact 

2 large sprigs parsley, plus 1/4 cup chopped leaves

2 large sprigs of thyme

1 bay leaf

Kosher salt

2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 6 thighs)

8 cups low-sodium chicken broth

6 ounces wide egg noodles (about 4 cups)

1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Freshly ground black pepper

Check out the recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup 

3. Meatloaf

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Sweet, savory and tangy, the glaze a top Ree Drummond's bacon-wrapped meatloaf comes together with ketchup, brown sugar and a bit of Worcestershire sauce.

What you’ll need:

Meatloaf:

1 cup milk

6 bread slices

2 pounds of ground beef

1 cup grated Parmesan

1 tsp salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/4-1/2 cup minced flat-leaf parsley

4 eggs, beaten

8-12 thin bacon slices

Tomato Sauce:

1/2 cup ketchup

6 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp dry mustard

Dash or 2 hot sauce (more if you like)

Dash or 2 Worcestershire sauce

Check out the recipe: Meatloaf

4. Perfect Pot Roast

Image credit: Food Network

There's no doubt that this recipe deserves its "perfect" name — after all, it's a no-fail meat-and-veggie dinner that delivers comforting results every time.

What you’ll need:

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

3-5 pounds chuck roast 

2 or 3 tbsp olive oil

2 whole onions, peeled and halved

6-8 whole carrots, unpeeled, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 cup red wine, optional

3 cups beef broth

2 or 3 sprigs of fresh rosemary

2 or 3 sprigs of fresh thyme

Check out the recipe: Perfect Pot Roast

5. Chocolate Cake

Image credit: Food Network

Sweet and endlessly comforting, this richly decadent dessert is as beloved as a hug from Mom herself.

What you’ll need:

Cake:

Unsalted butter, for greasing pan

3 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped

1 cup flat cola

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp fine salt

2 cups sugar

3 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

​​Icing:

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice or 1/4 tsp cream of tartar

Pinch fine salt

4 large egg whites

10 ounces (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into small pieces

Check out the recipe: Chocolate Cake

Credit: Clash of the Grandmas