We would mix up our fresh dough, from scratch, chop our pepperoni and veggies, and grate our mozzarella. My Dad’s favorite was pepperoni, mushroom, green pepper, so that was everyone else’s fave too. To this day, my Dad won’t eat any other kind of pizza! We’d put our pizzas in the oven and wait and wait until finally the bottom was golden and crispy. I remember how much I loved using that huge rotary pizza cutter. It’s no wonder I worked at Little Caesar’s as a teen, or that I love my quilting rotary cutter so much now. We’d all gather in front of the television and watch our favorite shows of the evening together as a family.   

A couple of weeks ago, my Dad called. They are beginning renovations on the house, and it is time to get rid of some stuff. In fact it is time to be rid of the pizza oven. It hasn’t been used in years, and did we want it? he asked. Happy memories quickly flooded into my mind, as I considered the offer. Would my husband and I enjoy such a tradition with our children? I think so! I took him up in his offer, and we still have to pick it up. It requires  220V wiring but my Hubby is more than capable in that regard, and my Dad still has the 220 outlet to hook up. We are super excited to get our hands on that oven!   

All of this inspired me to share some of our family favorite comfort foods. You know the foods that nobody ever gets sick of, even the picky one! These are the meals that the kids can help out with. We will cut, chop, and prepare twice as much so we can enjoy another serving later in the week.     

The first dish I would like to share with you is our Best Scalloped Potatoes . We will plan this for a Sunday night with a nice big ham to serve with creamed corn and a fresh green salad. This is also a perfect dish for events when you need to bring a meal. Scalloped potatoes go pretty far, and I’m sure everyone on the planet loves them!   

Next to pizza, my favorite meal has got to be lasagna. Everytime my birthday came around, my Mother would dutifully whip up my annual lasagna. Once, my parents went on a vacation and left us brats home alone. Guess what the freezer was full of? You got it! Lasagna. Nowadays, my second oldest daughter is the same as I. That girl could eat lasagna for days. I’ve recently added my Homemade Lasagna Recipe to the collection on Foodiemama.   

Lastly I would like to tell you about is Homemade Macaroni and Cheese . Over the centuries there has been much debate about the origins of mac and cheese, but one thing I know, is how to make a pretty good version whithout any bright orange powder! This recipe has really evolved for me, as I began with my parents version of just noodles, cheddar, and milk. Slowly, we tried other cheeses, more milk, less milk, and finally have settled on a mixed cheese sauce that is poured over the noodles before baking. I’ll admit, it is a little more labour intensive, but truly worth it!   

I hope that you will use these recipes to create your own family memories. Just remember that having fun is the most important part. I often remind myself that happy memories usually don’t include a red faced, screaming, impatient Mommy!  So relax, let go, and make some happy childhood memories!

** A special thanks goes out to Deb Roby, Mayabella, and Knittwit for sharing their childhood memories with me.