37 smothered recipes

Italian-style baked cod smothered in a rustic tomato, mushroom, and white wine sauce with Parmesan. A Livorno-inspired weeknight fish dinner ready in 40 minutes.

Chicken fried steak done Southern style: steaks dipped in buttermilk, dredged in seasoned flour and crumbs, pan-fried crispy, then smothered in a from-scratch milk gravy made right from the pan drippings.

Loaded baked potatoes smothered in a creamy cheddar broccoli sauce with sour cream and Dijon mustard. A 20-minute weeknight side dish using just 5 simple ingredients.

A from-scratch red chile sauce made with dried chile pods, cumin seeds, garlic, and oregano pureed smooth. The essential building block for enchiladas, tamales, and smothered burritos.

Loaded Mexican potato wedges smothered in refried beans, salsa, green chilies, tri-color peppers, corn, and cilantro. A colorful, crowd-friendly Tex-Mex platter ready in 45 minutes.

Slow-roasted beef brisket brushed with soy sauce and smothered in onion soup mix. Four hours in the oven yields fork-tender, deeply savory meat that practically carves itself.

Mushroom beef patties smothered in a basil cream sauce, topped with melted cheese and onions. Salisbury steak taken up a notch with a hot-pepper kick and fresh mushrooms.

Irish potato stew with coarsely chopped potatoes, onion, and bacon smothered in a roux and simmered in boiling water. A simple, three-ingredient comfort stew that's ready in 25 minutes.

Layers of steamed cauliflower, sliced tomatoes, and water chestnuts smothered in a homemade cheddar cheese sauce with basil and a hint of cayenne. Topped with seasoned breadcrumbs and baked until bubbly and golden.

An incredibly tasty gravy, you can use the giblets or just some chicken stock if your prefer. My mother likes to use both beef and chicken stock to improve the color of the gravy.

This was the side-dish my mother-in law made for Easter dinner, and my favorite. Freshly homemade pasta was mixed with basil pesto, sun-dried tomato, arugula and chunks of fresh mozzarella cheese. It was so delicious and flavorful. Here it is...

Eat heartily, accompanied by much loud Italian conversation. In fact, I typed this accompanied by much loud Italian conversation. My parents were here, and both were shouting instructions over my shoulder. They disagreed about the arrangement of the lettuce - my mother said that the hole in the middle of the platter was necessary; my father insisted that it wasn't, saying you can just dump the tuna on top of the lettuce. I finally had to give up on this reply until they went home. So now, in the peace and quiet of the aftermath, I've finished it. Hope you had a wonderful holiday.

Microwave oatmeal with soy or regular milk, mashed banana, raisins, and a drizzle of maple syrup. Ready in five minutes, naturally sweetened, vegan-friendly breakfast bowl.

Very delious pie came from Missouri mother in law used to make it.

Bordelaise sauce is the classic French red wine reduction with shallots, bouquet garni, bone marrow, and veal stock. The mother sauce companion to a perfect steak. Restaurant-grade in 30 minutes.

Lentil stew recipe from my German mother! One of my favorites German dishes ever. Pour over spaetzle, noodles, or rice.