75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (2024)

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (1)

We’ve all been there — bad days, breakups or just feeling a little bit down, it happens to everyone! Luckily, there is an easy (and delicious!) way to cure any case of the blues: Warm and cozy comfort food. We rounded up our best comfort food recipes that soothe the soul with hearty portions, nourishing ingredients and lots (and lots!) of cheese. From easy comfort food casseroles — cheesy baked pasta, chicken pot pie and all the lasagna — to classic Southern comfort food (our best-ever fried chicken, lots of BBQ and gooey mac n’ cheese), we’re sharing all of our favorite mouthwatering mains that will turn even the grumpiest frown upside down. Ready to get in a great mood?

There’s just no reason to be sad when slurping on a bowl of steaming hot chicken pho or ultra creamy risotto (both of which you can make in the Instant Pot!). Just try getting upset while biting into any one of our classic American comfort food recipes, whether it’s a melty Philly cheesesteak or a cheesy patty melt. Browse through our examples of main dishes to find something delicious to make for dinner tonight; we guarantee that you’ll find your new number one comfort food.

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1

Crispy Pork Noodles

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (2)

Inspired by Szechuan cuisine, this recipe features ramen noodles tossed in a creamy peanut sauce and topped with crispy, pan-fried pork.

Get the recipe for Crispy Pork Noodles »

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2

Mushroom and Brussels Sprouts Pizza

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The mushrooms and Brussels sprouts are tossed in balsamic vinegar before topping off this restaurant-worthy pie.

Get the recipe for Mushroom and Brussels Sprouts Pizza »

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3

Instant Pot Pho With Chicken

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Pho, traditional a Vietnamese soup, usually takes hours to simmer on the stove. In this recipe, the Instant Pot does all the work for you, creating a warm and comforting bowl of noodles, chicken and broth in no time.

Get the recipe for Instant Pot Pho With Chicken »

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4

Lemon-Thyme Butterflied Roasted Chicken

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Learn the simple steps to spatchco*cking (a.k.a. butterflying) a chicken, and you’ll become an expert at perfectly roasting the bird— in a lot less time than it normally takes.

Get the recipe for Lemon-Thyme Butterflied Roasted Chicken »

RELATED: 60+ Chicken Breast Recipes That Are Anything But Boring

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5

Mushroom Chicken Skillet With Herbed Cream Sauce

The sauce made from white wine, chicken broth, miso (for extra umami) and heavy cream makes a silky pairing to crispy chicken thighs.

Get the recipe for Mushroom Chicken Skillet with Herbed Cream Sauce »

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6

Lasagna With Meat Sauce

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Save loads of time by simply baking dry lasagna noodles in this easy ground pork meat sauce. Make this casserole ahead of time or on any weeknight — it's ready in just one hour.

Get the recipe for Lasagna With Meat Sauce »

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7

Philly Cheesesteak

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (8)

Sandwiches for dinner are the best. Pile Italian bread high with freshly sautéed steak, peppers, and onions, and top with gooey cheese for a real family favorite.

Get the recipe for Philly Cheesesteak »

RELATED: 40 Easy, Delicious Family Dinner Ideas For Any Day of the Week

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8

Chicken Mole

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This version of chicken mole features succulent, dark-meat chicken simmered in a rich, savory sauce of onions, tomatoes, chili powder and a touch of chocolate (yes, really!).

Get the recipe for Chicken Mole »

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9

Chicken Suizas Nachos

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Shredded chicken and salsa verde make a fresh — but plenty cheesy— version of your typical nachos.

Get the recipe for Chicken Suizas Nachos »

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10

French Onion Soup

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Cheese-topped bread broiled until melty makes the ultimate topper to this deeply flavorful soup.

Get the recipe for French Onion Soup »

RELATED: 34 Best Fall Soups for Chilly Autumn Nights

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11

Chicken Bolognese

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Instead of marinara sauce, this simple pasta dish gets tossed in white wine and chicken broth, then flavored with lemon zest and spicy red pepper flakes.

Get the recipe for Chicken Bolognese »

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12

Mussels

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Learn the simple steps to cooking mussels and you'll add it to your regular dinner rotation. Don't forget to serve it with crusty bread for dunking in the delicious white wine sauce.

Get the recipe for Mussels »

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13

Instant Pot Risotto With Parmesan

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Easiest-ever risotto, here we come! Just cook onion, garlic and rice in your Instant Pot with white wine and broth, close the lid and let your hands-off dinner happen.

Get the recipe for Instant Pot Risotto With Parmesan »

RELATED: 22 Best Instant Pot Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners

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14

Classic Patty Melt

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It's a mashup of grilled cheese and a cheeseburger— does it get more comforting than that?

Get the recipe for Classic Patty Melt »

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15

Triple-Cheese Skillet Shells

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The secret to this grown-up macaroni and cheese? We caramelize chopped onions to use as the base of this velvety, rich sauce.

Get the recipe for Triple-Cheese Skillet Shells »

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16

Creamy Lemon Pasta With Chicken and Peas

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Introduce the kids to a more refined pasta shape with gemelli, which is coated in creamy pan sauce. They'll love chasing peas around their plate as they spear this spiral-shaped pasta.

Get the recipe for Creamy Lemon Pasta with Chicken and Peas »

RELATED: 30 Best Kids' Dinner Ideas for When Your Picky Eater Just Won’t Try Anything

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17

Traditional Chicken Curry

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Our Indian-style chicken curry is savory and complex: Garlic, ginger, onion and spices all contribute to the flavor, yet you can still get it on the table in 30 minutes.

Get the recipe for Traditional Chicken Curry »

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18

Roasted Cauliflower Pizza

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You just need a few ingredients — pizza dough, cauliflower, onion, parsley and Gruyère cheese— to make this pizza night favorite.

Get the recipe for Roasted Cauliflower Pizza »

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19

Chicken, Sausage and White Bean Stew

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Great for cozy Sunday afternoons, this warming stew comes together in one pot.

Get the recipe for Chicken, Sausage and White Bean Stew »

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20

Totchos

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Here's an idea for comfort food in a pinch: Roast up store-bought tots with dried spices and a generous sprinkling of cheese for the easiest app ever.

Get the recipe for Totchos »

RELATED: 51 Easy Appetizers and Snacks to Get the Party Started

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (2024)

FAQs

What are comfort foods when feeling down? ›

Comfort foods, the study found, actually do make us feel less sad. So what were the top seven items on my poll? Mac and cheese hit the No. 1 spot, followed by beef stew, apple pie and ice cream, chicken and dumplings/chicken pot pie, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, bread pudding and fried chicken.

What to eat when you want comfort food? ›

The first is obvious—if you're looking to feel all warm and cozy, go for foods that are (literally!) served piping hot, like soups and stews. We've included some of our favorites, like our lasagna soup, our white bean chicken chili, our beef stew, or our chicken matzo ball soup, but really, any will work.

What is the ultimate comfort food? ›

For instance, the flank steak with cheesy hash brown waffles will be an immediate favorite, along with the pierogi and meatball skillet, French bread pizzas, and creamy cauliflower soup. For Ree Drummond, chicken pot pie is the one comfort food that just can't be beat.

What is the best comfort food of all time? ›

Our 20 all-time favorite comfort foods
  • 1 of 20. Chicken noodle soup. Joshua Resnick / shutterstock.com. ...
  • 2 of 20. Chicken pot pie. Charles Brutlag / shutterstock.com. ...
  • 3 of 20. Chicken tenders. ...
  • 4 of 20. Chili. ...
  • 5 of 20. Chocolate chip cookies. ...
  • 6 of 20. Cinnamon buns. ...
  • 7 of 20. Cornbread. ...
  • 8 of 20. Fries.
2 days ago

What to make for dinner when you're sad? ›

6 Easy Meals When You're Feeling Low
  • Goats Cheese and Bean Salad. Goats Cheese and Bean Salad. ...
  • Spaghetti Bolognese. Spaghetti Bolognese. ...
  • Haloumi and Mango Salad. Mango and Haloumi Salad. ...
  • Salmon with Asian Greens and Rice. Salmon with Asian Greens and Rice. ...
  • Toasted Smoked Salmon Wrap. ...
  • Toasted Pine Nut and Chicken Pasta.
May 15, 2023

What is a comfort food easy on your stomach? ›

What foods can provide relief from an upset stomach?
  1. Steamed or boiled vegetables.
  2. Low-fiber starches such as white bread, saltine crackers or cream of wheat.
  3. Skinless baked chicken or turkey.
  4. Oatmeal.
  5. Potatoes.
Nov 28, 2022

Is comfort food good for mental health? ›

A little comfort food might improve or sustain your mood in the short term. But eating too many foods that are high in sugar, fat, and salt can also put you at risk for health problems over time. Paying attention to physical and emotional cues can help you find the right balance when it comes to enjoying comfort food.

Does eating comfort foods make you happier? ›

Comfort foods improve mood, reduce loneliness and connect us to cherished memories, often linked to childhood.

What food is loved by all? ›

popularity is the % of people who have a positive opinion of a american dish. Find out more
  • 1 Mashed potatoes86%
  • 2 French Fries86%
  • 3 Hamburgers85%
  • 4 Cheeseburger83%
  • 5 Grilled Cheese82%
  • 6 Steak and Baked potato82%
  • 7 Hash browns82%
  • 8 Fried Chicken82%

What is a food that everyone loves? ›

Here is the top 10:
  • Pizza.
  • Burger.
  • Ramen.
  • Paella.
  • Pierogi.
  • Moussaka.
  • Boeuf Bourgignon.
  • Eisbein.
May 24, 2023

What is the most loved meal in the world? ›

Pizza is ranked as the most popular food in the world, according to a survey by TasteAtlas. On average, Americans eat 18 acres of pizza a day, highlighting its popularity in the USA. Pasta is the second most popular food globally, after pizza.

Why do I crave comfort food? ›

But what exactly makes them so irresistible? According to research, our cravings for comfort food are deeply rooted in psychology. These foods often trigger feelings of nostalgia and emotional comfort, providing a sense of security and familiarity in times of stress or sadness.

Why does your body crave comfort food? ›

“When we experience stress, our body releases stress hormones like cortisol. Cortisol can increase our appetite and drive cravings for calorie-dense 'comfort' foods, particularly those high in sugar and fat,” said Dr. Johannes Uys, a General Practitioner at Broadgate General Practice based in London.

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