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90+ Comfort Food Recipes Guaranteed To Ease Your Hunger & Your Mind

The three words we all want to hear: Dinner is served.

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mac and cheese with caramelized onions and thyme in ramekins
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Comfort comes in all different forms, shapes, and sizes, but the best type of comfort is served up tableside. Had a bad day? Feeling under the weather? Missing home? We’ve ALL been there. What you need is a little comfort food. We’ve got everything from classics like meatloaf and casseroles to cold weather favorites like chili and soup, and lots in between (like the Internet-famous baked feta pasta). We’ve even got some recipes you can make in one of your trusty kitchen appliances, like your air fryer or Instant Pot (comfort is practically synonymous with convenience in our book). Check out our 92 comfort food recipes for ideas—they’re sure to soothe your soul and nourish your body.

When it comes to comfort food, it’s really all about personal preference. Some of these recipes will speak to you, and some won’t—that’s okay! That said, there are a few tried and true shortcuts to that perfect warm and cozy feeling that comfort food should bring. 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 steak au poivre soup, our white bean chicken chili, our beef stew, or our matzo ball soup, but really, any will work. Weight of the world got you down? Making foods you loved as a kid can help remind you of simpler times and help take the edge off, if even just over dinner. Try our homemade mac & cheese, our goulash, our sloppy Joes, or our copycat Hamburger Helper—we bet you’ll feel a little more relaxed in no time.

Want more comfort food ideas? Check out our favorite slow-cooker recipes, our top pasta recipes, and our favorite desserts too (sometimes all you need is a little sweet treat to pick up your mood!).

1

Chicken Noodle Soup

chicken noodle soup with carrots and egg noodles
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Chicken noodle soup is one of the world’s most beloved comfort foods, and I definitely took that to heart when creating this recipe. Chunks of juicy chicken mingle with carrots, celery, and tender egg noodles in a deep, savory broth for a soup that will transport you right back to Grandma’s table after just one spoonful.

Get the Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.

2

Tater Tot Casserole

tater tot casserole with ground beef, corn, and cheddar cheese
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Midwesterner or not, this tater tot casserole will become a weekly staple meal in your home. This is also great for anyone who loves a few dinner shortcuts, such as old-school cream of mushroom soup. Take the base of the casserole a little further with Worcestershire, sharp cheddar cheese, and mustard, and you’ll never know what hit you.

Get the Tater Tot Casserole recipe.

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3

Shepherd’s Pie Potato Skins

a saucy, red wine spiked ground beef and vegetable mixture gets loaded into hollowed out russet potatoes, topped with parmesan mashed potatoes, and baked until golden brown
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

We’re so obsessed with our new and improved shepherd’s pie recipe that we had to turn it into a potato skin. The saucy, red-wine spiked ground beef and vegetable mixture gets loaded into hollowed-out russet potatoes, topped with Parmesan mashed potatoes, and baked until all of the flavors mingle and meld.

Get the Shepherd’s Pie Potato Skins recipe.

4

Philly Cheesesteak Pasta

cheesy pasta skillet with tender skirt steak, sauteed peppers, onions, and mushrooms, and creamy provolone
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

The Philly cheesesteak is insanely high on my favorite sandwiches list, but worthy cheesesteak spots are few and far between. This pasta is my solution to getting that comforting flavor without suffering through a disappointing take-out sandwich. This cheesy pasta skillet combines skirt steak, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and creamy provolone all in one pan, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Get the Philly Cheesesteak Pasta recipe.

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5

Meatloaf

meatloaf sliced and topped with rosemary
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

The epitome of a classic, reliable dinner, meatloaf can be many things to different people. For some, it's a dependable weeknight dinner; for others, a nostalgic comfort food. Whatever it is for you, one thing is for sure: Your go-to recipe should be simple and dependable but also packed with flavor to keep you coming back for more.

Get the Meatloaf recipe.

6

French Onion Mac & Cheese

mac and cheese with caramelized onions and thyme in ramekins
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

TikTok may be obsessed with French onion pasta, but we added a special Delish twist: French onion mac & cheese. The comfort food classic gets a grown-up upgrade from Gruyère and caramelized onions in this recipe, lending that rich French onion flavor you know and love to extra-cheesy mac & cheese.

Get the French Onion Mac & Cheese recipe.

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7

French Onion Pot Roast

onion seasoned beef is nestled in a bed of cooked onions, red wine, fresh thyme, and beef broth, then braised until ridiculously tender, shredded, and topped with nutty, salty gruyere cheese
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Cold-weather comfort food is all we want on a lazy, long weekend, and this French onion pot roast is the perfect cross between slow-roasted chuck and classic cheesy French onion soup.

Get the French Onion Pot Roast recipe.

8

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

broccoli cheddar soup sprinkled with cheddar cheese
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

It’s difficult to find a soup more comforting than broccoli cheddar. Our recipe is thick, hearty, cheesy, and just rich enough to make it a staple comfort food recipe during cold and chilly nights. You get that stick-to-your bones goodness and the sharp, cheesy flavor from the cheddar, while still getting a good dose of veggies.

Get the Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe.

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9

Steak au Poivre Soup

steak au poivre soup
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Steak au poivre is a French classic (not to be confused with steak Diane), typically made with filet mignon or sirloin steak covered in a creamy, peppery sauce. The sauce is downright drinkable and was made to be eaten with a spoon, so we thought—let’s soup-ify it!

Get the Steak au Poivre Soup.

10

Marry Me Chicken

marry me chicken
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Whenever I’m looking for a chicken dinner that will make jaws drop, I always turn to this go-to recipe: That's right, Delish developed the ORIGINAL viral "Marry Me" chicken. Chicken breasts are seared until golden brown before being baked in a simple cream sauce that results in a chicken that's packed with flavor in every bite.

Get the Marry Me Chicken.

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11

Beef Stroganoff

creamy beef and mushroom mixture with egg noodles
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

With its rich sauce deepened in flavor with red wine, Dijon mustard, and finished with tangy sour cream, beef stroganoff is the dish to keep in your back pocket when you need a reliable, cozy weeknight dinner. While it may be an old-school classic, this is the comfort food we take seriously.

Get the Beef Stroganoff recipe.

12

Creamy Tuscan Orzo

creamy tuscan orzo
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you love creamy risotto, but not the time it takes to make it, this Italian-inspired orzo recipe is for you. It all comes together in one pot to great effect. The prep here is minimal and cleanup is easy, which makes this totally dinner party-worthy, all year round.

Get the Creamy Tuscan Orzo recipe.

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13

Butter Chicken

butter chicken in a bowl topped with cilantro
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: LAURA REGE

In the wide world of comfort food, nothing beats butter chicken. Rich spiced tomato gravy envelopes tender, lightly charred chicken for a meal that’s deeply flavored and incredibly satisfying. If you consider butter chicken a meal reserved for a night out at an Indian restaurant, think again. This delicious dinner is sure to be your newest homemade favorite.

Get the Butter Chicken recipe.

14

Sheet-Pan Quesadillas

tortillas filled with meat and cheese on a sheet pan
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Quesadillas are a classic late-night snack or easy dinner, but when we need to serve a crowd, we bring out the sheet pan. This hack makes cooking quesadillas for a crowd easier than ever. Simply make your desired filling, layer on the cheese, and get to assembling with your tortillas.

Get the Sheet-Pan Quesadillas recipe.

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15

Steak & Potato Skillet

a skillet of crispy potatoes and tender, seared flank steak bathed in a tangy, savory garlic mustard butter sauce
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Meat and potatoes will always be a winning combo, but it is crucial—and I mean very crucial—to keep things interesting. In this simple version of the dynamic duo, a skillet of crispy potatoes and tender, seared flank steak gets bathed in a tangy, savory garlic mustard butter sauce. Now that’s what I mean by interesting.

Get the Steak & Potato Skillet recipe.

16

Oven-Baked Fries

oven baked fries  delishcom
Lucy Schaeffer

Potatoes are so affordable and endearing. You can cook them any which way, manipulate them to no end, and they'll taste comforting and filling in any application. But who wants to deep fry in a huge pot of oil every time they want fries? Not I. It's just not worth it. But these? These are worth it.

Get the Oven-Baked Fries recipe.

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17

Homemade Mac & Cheese

homemade mac and cheese baked with breadcrumbs
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

In my book, the perfect mac & cheese has to nail three things: be extra creamy, plenty cheesy, and paired with a golden, crunchy topping. I tested this recipe over and over to make sure it aces all of these requirements (and more!) with flying colors, so you can put that box back on the shelf.

Get the Homemade Mac & Cheese recipe.

18

Chicken Fajita Casserole

chipotle chile and cumin seasoned chicken breast is nestled into fire roasted tomato rice topped with strips of jalapeno, bell pepper, and sweet red onion then smothered with a three cheese blend and baked
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Chipotle chile- and cumin-seasoned chicken breast is nestled into fire-roasted tomato rice before being topped with strips of jalapeño, bell pepper, and sweet red onion, then smothered with a three-cheese blend and baked to create this chicken fajita casserole.

Get the Chicken Fajita Casserole recipe.

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19

Mujaddara

long grain rice and lentils with crispy onions topped with fresh mint in a bowl
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This cozy and comforting Levantine lentil and rice dish goes by many names and has many variations. Whether you spell it mujaddara, majadra, or mejadra, you can rely on this trusty side dish to shine alongside whatever you're serving. Our version of this classic dish is lightly spiced and pilaf-like, featuring fluffy rice, tender lentils, and sweet caramelized onions.

Get the Mujaddara recipe.

20

Matzo Ball Soup

matzo ball soup with carrots and dill
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

A symbolic dish of past hardships, matzo ball soup may be an essential component of the Passover feast and a recurring Hanukkah dish, but we love to enjoy it all year long. This classic recipe—complete with homemade chicken broth and light and fluffy matzo balls—truly perfects this pinnacle comfort food.

Get the Matzo Ball Soup recipe.

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