22 Grandma-Approved Dinners To Turn To When You're Hungry For Comfort

This casserole is a total guilty pleasure. If you're trying to lighten it up, ground turkey or chicken would be a delicious swap out for the beef. If you're really being good (we're impressed!), top the casserole with zucchini tater tots in place of the potato variety.

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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.

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Grandma pizza has a thin, crispy crust topped first with cheese, then dolloped with a garlicky tomato sauce. It's not the usual way of assembling pizza, but the cheese melting right into the crust really makes some magic happen, and we have first-generation Italian grandmas to thank!

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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.

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For tips on perfecting classic chicken and dumplings, Senior Food Editor Makinze Gore called her mom, who ended up giving me her grandma's recipe. It’s as hand-me-down as it comes, and this comfort food recipe is perfect on a cold night, and simple enough to whip up when you don't feel like making anything.

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In England, the birthplace of this hearty dish, shepherd's pie is most often made with a ground lamb filling. In the States, it's more common to use ground beef. Both are delicious, so use whichever you prefer.

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This chicken recipe uses deeply flavored chicken thighs, simmered in an ultra-silky and aromatic sauce of tomatoes, cream, and cashews. Spoon this dish over steamed rice or serve with warm naan for the perfect dinner.

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Among the likes of Chinese dumplings and Polish pierogi come these Siberian pelmeni, little pouches of dough that are usually stuffed with ground beef, finely chopped onions, and warm spices like cumin. There are many variations, but ours somewhat resemble tortellini and are served tossed in butter with sour cream and dill.

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Hamburger Helper comes in a wide variety of flavors, but for this recipe we’re keeping it classic with the original cheeseburger macaroni. This one is a whole ‘nother level; handmade cavatelli pasta, freshly ground beef straight from the butcher’s block, decadent sour cream, and you can't forget the sharp cheddar cheese.

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When you're looking for something warm, comforting, and carb-y, do Polish pierogi come to mind? We think they should. Loaded with sharp white cheddar, sweet caramelized onions, and creamy mashed potatoes, the only thing more gratifying than making them from scratch is stuffing them in your mouth. 😋

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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.

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Empanadas come in many different forms with many different fillings. This version is a flavor bomb, with tender chicken thighs, peppers, and olives, bolstered by tomato paste and paprika. Yum!

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While the combination of broccoli and cheese is a classic for a reason, this is not your Grandma’s casserole. With crunchy, fresh broccoli, a creamy garlic and shallot béchamel sauce, and a crunchy panko topping, this is sure to make you want to eat your veggies.

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Take your time and give this homemade dumpling process lots of love—餃子 (jiao zi) are often made in the company of loved ones around Chinese New Year to celebrate families gathering together. Their shape resembles Chinese gold ingots, a currency that was used during the Ming dynasty, and are meant to represent prosperity, wealth, and health. May each one bring you a bite-sized pocket of blessing!

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Swedish meatballs can do it all. They're as comforting in a blanket of gravy as they are doused in a creamy broth, like in this Swedish meatball soup. Sometimes you just want a bowl of something really rich and balanced with a few vegetables and some starch. If you love Italian wedding soup, then you’ll appreciate this twist on the classic.

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After 5 rounds of testing, we finally found the ideal combination of flavors and effort for this baked ziti—it’s got rich ricotta and a meaty, tomato-based sauce, thrown together in a dish and baked with your pasta.

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This recipe is based on gołąbki, a Polish dish in which parboiled cabbage leaves encase a minced meat filling of either pork or beef with onions and rice. What we love most is that the meat and the rice cook in the cabbage itself, meaning less work!

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A staple from the bygone era of box TV dinners in the living room and microwave dinners, this meal takes seasoned and browned ground beef patties and smothers them in a rich mushroom gravy. The result is a dinner that’s as heartwarming as an at-home Saturday movie night, but simple to make.

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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.

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In our book, the perfect mac & cheese has to nail three things: be extra creamy, plenty cheesy, and paired with a golden, crunchy topping. We 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.

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