I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to dive headfirst into fall and all its warm-and-fuzzy trappings. Of course, maximum coziness calls for comfort food (and sure, your favorite chunky cardigan). Here, you’ll find seven dinners that fit the bill, ranging from a hands-off slow cooker pasta Bolognese to a veggie-heavy twist on a Philly cheesesteak. Light a fire and fetch your stretchy pants—you’re about to treat yourself.
Here’s What to Cook Every Night This Week (October 14 – 20)
Sunday supper—slow cooker-style
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Updated Oct 10, 2024
Katherine Gillen
Oscar Wong/Getty Images
Shopping List
Produce
4 large portobello mushrooms
1 green bell pepper
5 yellow onions
8 garlic cloves
1 pound russet potatoes
12 ounces cabbage
4 medium carrots
4 celery stalks
1 pint cremini mushrooms
3 ounces arugula
1 bunch parsley
1 bunch chives
1 bunch thyme
1 bunch rosemary
Meat
1 pound skirt or flap steak
Two 2-inch-thick bone-in pork chops (about 1¼ pounds)
1 rotisserie chicken
3 ounces prosciutto
1 pound ground beef
Dairy
4 slices provolone cheese
20 ounces ricotta cheese
2 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
3 large eggs
2 sticks unsalted butter
6 ounces shredded fontina cheese
8 ounces Gruyère cheese
4 ounces heavy cream
2 ounces crumbled blue cheese
8 ounces milk
Grains
8 slices sourdough bread
1 pound pappardelle or other long pasta
Canned and Packaged Goods
5 ounces buckwheat flour
32 ounces chicken broth
6 ounces frozen peas
2 sheets frozen store-bought puff pastry
Instant yeast
4 ounces pumpkin purée
6 ounces white wine
16 ounces chicken stock
Pantry Ingredients: extra-virgin olive oil, kosher salt, tapioca flour, freshly ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, garlic powder, Dijon mustard, coconut aminos or soy sauce, fish sauce, all-purpose flour, nutmeg, semolina or cornmeal, cumin seeds, chili powder, paprika, dried epazote or oregano, cacao powder, cinnamon, avocado oil, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste
Monday: Philly Cheesesteak-Stuffed Mushrooms
Trust me: You won’t miss the bread (er, hoagie). Instead of the traditional roll, the essential fillings are served in broiled portobello mushroom caps. Dijon mustard, coconut aminos (which can be substituted with soy sauce, if you eat gluten) and fish sauce are added to the steak and veggies for extra umami. I won’t judge you if you top ’em with whiz.
Tuesday: Buckwheat Gnocchi with Cabbage, Potatoes and Fontina
Homemade gnocchi? You’ve outdone yourself this time. A tasty spin on a traditional dish from Northern Italy starring buckwheat pasta, this recipe is sure to satiate even the pickiest eaters at your table. Serve it with mulled wine to drive the comfort theme home.
Wednesday: Cast-Iron Pork Chops with Cacao-Spiced Rub
Warning: You’ll want the spicy dry rub on hand 24/7 once you taste it. It can upgrade every protein from beef to salmon to chicken thighs, if you want to branch out. Salt the pork chops 45 minutes before cooking and bring them down to room temp for a melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone will rave about.
Thursday: French Onion Grilled Cheese
Jammy onions, buttery bread and a generous dose of Gruyère, aka all the fixings of your favorite soup, only in a sandwich. This indulgent meal only needs seven ingredients and a single pan to come together, so it’s just right for a lazy night in. The toughest step is letting the onions caramelize without devouring them straight from the skillet.
Friday: The Ultimate Chicken Potpie
A timeless crowd-pleaser that bakes to golden-brown, creamy perfection in your trusty cast iron? Sounds like an easy home run. The frozen store-bought puff pastry can stay between us…as will the chopped rotisserie chicken in the filling. (But even if your secret got out, I’m betting no one would mind.)
Saturday: Pumpkin Pizza Crust with Arugula and Prosciutto
The dough requires a bit of forethought, since it needs to rise for an hour—but I promise it’ll be well worth the wait. Caramelized onions, apple butter or dollops of fig jam would be heavenly matches for the tender prosciutto, sharp arugula and creamy blue cheese, if you feel like going the extra mile.
Sunday: Slow Cooker Bolognese
This meaty classic requires minimal hands-on work. Thanks to the fuss-free slow cooker, you won’t have to babysit a pot of sauce all day to make it delectable. Crown your bowl of set-it-and-forget-it pasta with plenty of freshly grated Parm and crushed red pepper flakes (and wash it down with a glass of red while you’re at it).
