The pandemic made me depressed about dinner. I’m not alone.

I had made macaroni and cheese. Not blue-boxed cheese and macaroni, but pasta, bathed and baked in a creamy, cheddar-laced bechamel, topped with crunchy, golden, buttery breadcrumbs. I was extra pleased with myself for having pulled this off in the brief time after work and before my kids got home from school. I patted myself on the back for thinking ahead, timing it so that we could all enjoy a warming homemade meal before we headed out to see the holiday lights.