(Feature Impact) If a cold snap has you feeling blue, turn back the clock and warm up the kitchen with a kid-friendly favorite the whole family can enjoy. Mac and cheese is a staple in households across the country, and this version with made-from-scratch sauce will leave your loved ones asking for more.

To make it a full-blown meal, pair Simple Skillet Mac and Cheese with grilled or pan-seared chicken to forget about the weather with time together.

Visit Culinary.net to find more comfort food classics.

Simple Skillet Mac and Cheese

Recipe adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

• 3 1/2    cups water, plus extra if needed
  
• 1          can (12 ounces) evaporated milk, divided
  
• 12        ounces pasta shells
• salt, to taste
  
• 1          teaspoon cornstarch
  
• 1/2       teaspoon dry mustard
  
• 1 1/2    cups shredded cheddar cheese
  
• 1 1/2    cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  
• 2          tablespoons butter, cut into small chunks
  
• ground black pepper, to taste

1. In nonstick skillet over high heat, bring water, 1 cup evaporated milk and shells to simmer. Season with salt, to taste. Cook, stirring, until pasta is tender and liquid thickens, 9-12 minutes.
2. In small bowl, whisk remaining evaporated milk, cornstarch and dry mustard. Stir into skillet. Continue simmering until slightly thickened, about 1 minute.
3. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses in batches, adding water to adjust consistency. Stir in butter then season with salt and pepper, to taste.

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Culinary.net

(Feature Impact) Coughs and sniffles don’t have to derail you for long – not with a fresh, homemade stockpot full of Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup. Loaded with rotisserie chicken, celery and carrots, it’s sure to warm you from the inside-out as a warm, comforting meal. Plus, with eight servings, this dish can help solve dinnertime dilemmas throughout the week by storing leftovers in the refrigerator and reheating on the stove.

Warm up your winter meals with more comforting ideas available at Culinary.net.

Sick Day Chicken Noodle Soup

Recipe adapted from Tastes Better from Scratch

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Servings: 8

• 1/2       tablespoon butter
  
• 2          ribs celery, diced
  
• 3-4       large carrots, diced
  
• 1          clove garlic, minced
  
• 10        cups chicken stock or broth
  
• 1/8       teaspoon dried rosemary
  
• 1/8       teaspoon dried thyme
  
• 1/8       teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  
• salt, to taste
  
• pepper, to taste
  
• chicken bouillon cubes (optional)
  
• 4          cups dry egg noodles
  
• 3          cups cooked rotisserie chicken

1. In large stockpot over medium-high heat, saute butter, celery and carrots 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
2. Add chicken stock or broth and season with rosemary, thyme and crushed red pepper. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Taste and add chicken bouillon cubes, if desired, for flavor.
3. Bring to boil. Add noodles and cook until al dente. Remove from heat once noodles are tender.
4. Add chicken. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

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Culinary.net

(Family Features) When cold and flu season calls for savory and satisfying meals, remember you don’t have to be sick to enjoy the best this time of year has to offer. Skip the same old soups and stews, though, and level up your comfort food cache with the flavor and versatility of pearl couscous.

Distinguished from traditional Moroccan couscous by its slightly larger and rounder shape, plus its less dense, firmer consistency, pearl couscous is thoroughly versatile and a perfect fit for cold weather classics. With Success Boil-in-Bag Pearl Couscous, you get high-quality semolina wheat pearl couscous made just right. After the water boils, it’s ready in under 7 minutes and prepared similarly to pasta.

It features a slightly nutty flavor on its own but can absorb any flavors of soups and salads while retaining its density and chewy texture. You can use it in your family’s meals to complement a range of greens, veggies, fish, meats and stews, making it a pantry staple to keep on hand throughout the year.

A hearty solution, this Italian Penicillin Soup is ideal for those feeling under the weather or simply craving a filling meal after a chilly day. It’s loaded with rotisserie chicken, tender veggies and pearl couscous simmered in broth then finished with fresh lemon, Parmesan cheese and parsley for a meal that’s as satisfying as it is appetizing.

Elegant in its simplicity, this Simple Lemon Butter Pearl Couscous is a perfect partner for grilled seafood, chicken or vegetables. Easy to serve as a standalone dish or a savvy side that practically cooks itself, you can add this highly versatile grain to your family’s menu any day of the week – whether you’re cooking for a crew or just two – and enjoy steamy leftovers for a light lunch.

Don’t let the cold sap your creativity in the kitchen; turning to versatile, flavorful ingredients can make winter meals a cinch. Discover more pearl couscous-inspired dinner ideas by visiting SuccessRice.com.

Italian Penicillin Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

• 2          bags Success Pearl Couscous
  
• 4          cups low-sodium chicken broth
  
• 1          cup carrots, sliced
  
• 1          cup celery, sliced
  
• 2          cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1          cup rotisserie chicken, shredded
  
• 1          teaspoon Italian seasoning
  
• 1          teaspoon salt
  
• 1/2       teaspoon pepper
  
• 4          lemon wedges
  
• shredded Parmesan cheese, for garnish
  
• chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

1. Prepare pearl couscous according to package directions.
2. In large pot, bring broth to boil. Add carrots, celery and garlic. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook 5 minutes until vegetables are slightly tender.
3. Add chicken and Italian seasoning; simmer 5 minutes. Add pearl couscous and cook 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Ladle soup into four bowls and squeeze fresh lemon wedge into each bowl. Garnish with Parmesan and parsley.

Simple Lemon Butter Pearl Couscous

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

• 1          bag Success Pearl Couscous
  
• 3          lemons, juice only, plus 1 teaspoon zest
  
• 2          tablespoons butter
  
• 1          small shallot, finely diced
  
• 1          tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped

1. Prepare pearl couscous according to package directions, adding lemon juice to water.
2. In small pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallots and lemon zest. Cook 3 minutes. Stir pearl couscous into pan.
3. Divide pearl couscous into four bowls and top with parsley.

SOURCE:

Success Rice