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.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

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 »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

2

Mushroom and Brussels Sprouts Pizza

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (3)

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 »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

3

Instant Pot Pho With Chicken

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (4)

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 »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

4

Lemon-Thyme Butterflied Roasted Chicken

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (5)

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

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

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 »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

6

Lasagna With Meat Sauce

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (7)

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 »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

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

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

8

Chicken Mole

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (9)

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 »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

9

Chicken Suizas Nachos

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (10)

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

Get the recipe for Chicken Suizas Nachos »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

10

French Onion Soup

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (11)

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

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

11

Chicken Bolognese

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (12)

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 »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

12

Mussels

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (13)

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 »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

13

Instant Pot Risotto With Parmesan

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (14)

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

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

14

Classic Patty Melt

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (15)

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

Get the recipe for Classic Patty Melt »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

15

Triple-Cheese Skillet Shells

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (16)

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 »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

16

Creamy Lemon Pasta With Chicken and Peas

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (17)

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

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

17

Traditional Chicken Curry

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (18)

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 »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

18

Roasted Cauliflower Pizza

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (19)

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 »

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

19

Chicken, Sausage and White Bean Stew

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (20)

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

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

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

20

Totchos

75 Ultimate Comfort Food Recipes To Eat When You're in the Mood for Something Cozy (21)

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 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 do you consider the ultimate comfort food? ›

What Are the Top 10 Comfort Foods?
  • Burgers & French fries.
  • Cake and cheesecake.
  • Candy.
  • Chicken soup.
  • Grilled cheese.
  • Grits.
  • Ice cream.
  • Mac 'n' cheese.
Apr 11, 2023

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 are comfort foods when feeling down? ›

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 America's #1 comfort food? ›

Become a Jetsetter
  • 1 Chicken and Waffles.
  • 2 Spaghetti and Meatballs.
  • 3 Chicken Fried Steak.
  • 4 Mac and Cheese.
  • 5 Hotdish.
  • 6 Chicago Deep Dish Pizza.
  • 7 Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup.
  • 8 Matzo Ball Soup.
Mar 1, 2020

What comfort food boosts mood? ›

12 Mood-Boosting Foods: Eat Your Way to Happiness!
  • Dark chocolate. Rich in flavonoids, dark chocolate has been linked to increased serotonin levels which may help alleviate symptoms of depression. ...
  • Bananas. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Oily fish. ...
  • Nuts and seeds. ...
  • Oats. ...
  • Spinach. ...
  • Avocados.
Oct 12, 2023

What's your go to comfort food best answer? ›

Fried chicken: a classic comfort food because of its crispy texture and the positive memories of picnics and gatherings. Mac and cheese: macaroni noodles in cheese sauce are simple to cook and perfectly balance carbs and proteins. Kebab: meat, veggies, spices, sauces — all mixed on a plate or rolled in a flatbread.

What is a food item that brings you comfort or joy? ›

Comfort foods are meals that are uniquely nostalgic and sentimental to a person. As the name suggests, it provides a sense of comfort. Common American comfort foods include chicken pot pie, mac & cheese, chocolate, and chicken noodle soup.

What is Gordon Ramsay's comfort food? ›

Potato and Butternut Squash Gratin with Crispy Shallots

Butternut squash lends an autumn twist to this comforting, classic dish. Steeping the cream in aromatics imparts an exciting depth of flavor, while Gruyere cheese leaves a nutty, savory finish to this creamy, decadent dish.

What is the most relaxing food? ›

9 foods that help reduce anxiety
  1. Fatty fish. Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, and herring, are high in omega-3s. ...
  2. Eggs. Egg yolks , especially from pasture-raised hens, are another good source of vitamin D. ...
  3. Pumpkin seeds. ...
  4. Dark chocolate. ...
  5. Turmeric. ...
  6. Chamomile. ...
  7. Yogurt. ...
  8. Green tea.

What is the number 1 most loved food? ›

Pizza has rightfully earned its place as the world's most beloved food. This Italian creation has become a staple in numerous countries, with endless variations to suit every taste bud. Whether you prefer thin crust or deep dish, classic Margherita, or loaded pepperoni, pizza has something for everyone.

What are feel good foods for anxiety? ›

Research has linked foods like avocado, oranges, or oysters to reduced feelings of anxiety. Drinks like water and 100% fruit juice can also be beneficial if you have a lot of anxiety and stress.

What is the best thing to eat when your sad? ›

Foods That Help Fight Depression
  • Milk. 1/10. It's a good source of vitamin D. ...
  • Turkey. 2/10. The traditional Thanksgiving bird has the protein building-block tryptophan, which your body uses to make serotonin. ...
  • Brazil Nuts. 3/10. ...
  • Carrots. 4/10. ...
  • Clams and Mussels. 5/10. ...
  • Coffee. 6/10. ...
  • Leafy Greens. 7/10. ...
  • Salmon. 8/10.
Mar 11, 2024

What is the most soothing food? ›

Research has linked foods like avocado, oranges, or oysters to reduced feelings of anxiety. Drinks like water and 100% fruit juice can also be beneficial if you have a lot of anxiety and stress. Those foods and drinks contain antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that help alleviate anxiety symptoms.

What are the best foods to eat for ultimate health? ›

Top 10 Foods for Health
  • Whole grains. ...
  • Beans and lentils. ...
  • Fish. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Winter squash. ...
  • Soy. ...
  • Flaxseed, nuts and seeds. ...
  • Organic yogurt. Men and women between 19 and 50 years of age need 1000 milligrams of calcium a day and 1200 milligrams if 50 or older.

What comfort food makes you feel good? ›

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.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Moshe Kshlerin

Last Updated:

Views: 6185

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Moshe Kshlerin

Birthday: 1994-01-25

Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697

Phone: +2424755286529

Job: District Education Designer

Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.