When it comes to (savory) comfort foods, nothing holds a candle to pasta and melted cheese — in any form, really (hello, ziti), but especially traditional macaroni and cheese.

Deb Perelman, the voice and hands behind Smitten Kitchen, would know. Her “comfort food stepped up a bit” recipes, paired with her lighthearted, always honest commentary, have made the Smitten Kitchen website and cookbooks accessible, go-to resources for countless home cooks over the years — and especially now, when the craving