Pot Roast with Gravy • Baked Three-Cheese Mac • Southern Greens • Sweet Cornbread
⭐ Recipe Description
This Southern Pot Roast Plate brings together classic comfort-food flavors. Tender, slow-braised beef pot roast cooked with carrots and potatoes in rich brown gravy sits alongside creamy baked three-cheese macaroni, smoky Southern-style greens, and golden sweet cornbread. It’s a hearty, soul-warming meal perfect for Sunday dinner, holidays, or anytime you want a comforting Southern feast.
SERVINGS
6–8 servings
⏱ Total Time
Pot Roast: 3–4 hours
Mac & Cheese: 45–55 minutes
Greens: 45–60 minutes
Cornbread: 25–30 minutes
🍖 PART 1 — Southern Pot Roast with Gravy
Ingredients
3–4 lb chuck roast
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1–2 tbsp cooking oil
1 large onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups beef broth
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
4–5 carrots (or 1 cup baby carrots)
3–4 potatoes, cut in chunks
2–3 bay leaves
1 tbsp dried thyme or a few sprigs fresh
2 tbsp flour (for thickening)
2 tbsp butter (optional for extra richness)
Instructions
Season & Sear
Rub roast with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Heat oil in a Dutch oven and sear roast on all sides until browned.
Build Flavor
Add onions and garlic; cook 2–3 minutes.
Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute.
Add Liquids
Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
Add thyme and bay leaves.
Braise
Cover and simmer on LOW 3–3.5 hours or bake at 300°F.
Add carrots and potatoes for the last 60–75 minutes.
Make Gravy
Remove roast. Mix flour with ⅓ cup broth to make a slurry.
Stir slurry into pot; simmer until thickened.
Whisk in butter for silky texture.
Serve
Shred roast slightly and serve with vegetables and gravy.
🧀 PART 2 — Baked Three-Cheese Macaroni
Ingredients
1 lb elbow macaroni
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded
1 cup Colby Jack
1 cup mozzarella
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp dry mustard (optional)
Instructions
Boil Pasta
Cook macaroni until barely al dente, drain.
Make Cheese Sauce
Melt butter, whisk in flour 1 minute.
Slowly add milk + cream until smooth.
Add seasonings.
Stir in half of each cheese until melted.
Assemble & Bake
Combine pasta with cheese sauce.
Transfer to greased baking dish.
Top with remaining cheeses.
Bake at 350°F for 30–40 minutes until bubbly and golden.
🌿 PART 3 — Southern Greens
Ingredients
2–3 lb collard or mixed greens, washed & chopped
4–6 strips smoked bacon OR 1 smoked turkey leg
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cups chicken broth
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sugar (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Cook bacon or smoked turkey in a pot.
Add onions; sauté until softened.
Add greens a handful at a time until wilted.
Pour in broth, vinegar, sugar, red pepper.
Simmer 45–60 minutes until tender.
Adjust seasoning and serve.
🌽 PART 4 — Sweet Southern Cornbread
Ingredients
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
½ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs
⅓ cup melted butter or oil
Instructions
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
Mix milk, eggs, butter in another.
Combine and pour into greased hot skillet.
Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.
📝 Chef Notes & Tips
For deepest flavor: braise roast overnight in a slow cooker.
Sear well! A dark crust gives the gravy its rich flavor.
Don’t overboil macaroni—it should finish cooking in the oven.
For extra-cheesy mac, add cream cheese or Velveeta.
Add a tsp of hot sauce or smoked paprika to greens for a kick.
Use buttermilk in cornbread for tenderness.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
Serve the pot roast over mashed potatoes or rice for an even more filling plate. Add hot honey or butter to cornbread if desired.
📊 Estimated Nutritional Info (per full plate)
(Approximate — varies by portion size)
Calories: 900–1150
Protein: 45–55g
Carbs: 70–95g
Fat: 45–60g
Fiber: 7–11g
Sodium: 1500–2300mg
⭐ Health Benefits
Greens provide vitamins A, C, K and are rich in antioxidants.
Beef pot roast delivers iron, B12, and high-quality protein.
Carrots & potatoes add fiber and complex carbs.
Balanced plate: combines protein, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy.
Q&A Section
Q: Can I make the pot roast in a slow cooker?
A: Yes! Cook on LOW for 8–9 hours or HIGH for 4–5. Add veggies halfway through.
Q: What cheeses work best in mac and cheese?
A: Sharp cheddar for flavor, mozzarella for melt, Colby Jack for creaminess. Gouda or Gruyère also work well.
Q: Can I use frozen greens?
A: Yes, though fresh gives a richer texture. Frozen chopped collards cook faster.
Q: How do I keep cornbread moist?
A: Add a spoonful of sour cream, buttermilk, or a drizzle of honey to the batter.
Q: How do I thicken pot roast gravy without flour?
A: Use cornstarch slurry or reduce the liquid by simmering.
Q: How early can I prep this meal?
A: Pot roast and greens can be made the day before. Mac and cheese can be assembled and baked when ready.