17 Comfort Food Cravings That Don’t Care That It’s Spring

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This time of year, your dinner plans deserve a little drama—equal parts bubbling casserole and zippy stir fry, with a detour through nostalgia and nap territory. Cozy up with Dutch Oven Baked Ziti or sink into the saucy comfort of One Pot Cheesy Beef and Shells, then surprise your tastebuds with the bold layers of a Muffaletta Sandwich. Feeling classic? Chicken Pot Pie has your back (and your carb cravings), while Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears scream “I cook with feelings now.” Toss in Aloo Tikki for a crispy, spicy hug and maybe some Skillet Baked Beans and Bacon for balance (read: more bacon). No matter the weather, these meals are here to warm bellies and spark joy—with zero regard for seasonal appropriateness.

Sautéed Chicken Breast with Shallot and Cider

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Golden pan-fried chicken topped with caramelized onions and herbs in a savory sauce, served on a white plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

One Skillet Chicken with Shallot and Cider is tonight’s hero—simple, sassy, and full of cozy flavor, all in one pan with minimal fuss.

To learn more: Sautéed Chicken Breast with Shallot and Cider

Muffaletta Sandwich

A cross-section of a sesame seed sandwich layered with meats, pickles, and vegetables, garnished with a pickle and olive on top.
Image Credit: Savor The Flavour

Muffaletta Sandwich brings bold, briny flavor in every bite—stacked high and unapologetically delicious, it might just ruin all other sandwiches for you.

To learn more: Muffaletta Sandwich

Baked Spaghetti Casserole

A cheesy baked pasta dish topped with fresh basil leaves, served in a cast iron skillet, with parmesan nearby and uncooked spaghetti on the side.
Image Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Baked Spaghetti Casserole is lasagna’s laid-back cousin—ooey, gooey, and way less fuss, but every bit as comforting.

To learn more: Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken

A vibrant bowl of sweet and sour chicken with colorful peppers, served with rice, noodles, sesame seeds, and a drink.
Image Credit: Savor The Flavour

Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken is finally happening in your kitchen—our copycat recipe nails that sweet, crispy magic you’ve been craving in every bite.

To learn more: Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken

Skillet Baked Beans and Bacon

A plate of succulent, glazed ribs over a bed of baked beans, garnished with fresh cilantro, against a rustic wooden background.
Image Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Skillet Baked Beans and Bacon serve up Southern comfort in every spoonful—molasses-rich, bacon-topped, and baked right in your trusty cast iron.

To learn more: Skillet Baked Beans and Bacon

Thai Vegetable Stir Fry

A colorful stir-fry of vegetables with cashews, served in a bowl with chopsticks, accompanied by white rice and mushrooms on the side.
Image Credit: Savor The Flavour

Thai Vegetable Stir Fry is a colorful explosion of fresh veggies, bold spices, and crunchy cashews—this one’s as vibrant as it is tasty!

To learn more: Thai Vegetable Stir Fry

Dutch Oven Baked Ziti

A close-up of cheesy baked pasta topped with fresh parsley and meat sauce, showcasing a golden-brown, bubbly cheese texture.
Image Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Dutch Oven Baked Ziti in cast iron amps up the flavor—cheesy, saucy, and baked to perfection in a skillet that makes every bite extra special.

To learn more: Dutch Oven Baked Ziti

Cheesy Hasselback Potatoes

Three baked, sliced potatoes topped with melted cheese and green chives, arranged neatly on a white serving platter.
Image Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Cheesy Hasselback Potatoes put a fun twist on classic gratin—crispy, cheesy, and decadently delicious, they’re the perfect sidekick to any main dish.

To learn more: Cheesy Hasselback Potatoes

Vegan Lasagna

A hand holds a spatula with a slice of lasagna on it. The rest of the dish is behind it.
Photo credit: Namely Marly

This Vegan Lasagna is comfort food without all the fuss! Using only 10 ingredients and no-boil lasagna noodles, this recipe is a simple way to get a cheesy, delicious lasagna without all the hassle. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Vegan Lasagna

One Pot Cheesy Beef and Shells

a bowl with cheesy beef and shells and a fork
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

This One Pot Cheesy Beef and Shells recipe is the ultimate quick and easy comfort food! Ground beef and pasta shells are cooked in one pot with Velveeta cheese for a creamy, cheesy, and satisfying meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. It’s sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike!
Get the Recipe: One Pot Cheesy Beef and Shells

Chicken Pot Pie

A close-up of a baking dish filled with a savory pie, topped with golden-brown biscuits. The pie has visible chunks of chicken, carrots, and peas. Two hands, one wearing rings, are holding the dish. A spoon rests on the edge.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

This comforting Chicken Pot Pie recipe by Feasting at Home features a flaky biscuit crust and a creamy filling loaded with tender chicken and vegetables. Perfect for a cozy night in or a potluck, this one-pot meal is easy to prepare and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, there’s a video to guide you through the process!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie

Italian Wedding Soup

Italian wedding soup in a white bowl.
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

This Italian Wedding Soup recipe is the ultimate comfort food! Homemade meatballs, kale, and pasta simmer in a flavorful broth for a cozy and satisfying meal. It’s easy to make and perfect for a chilly day.
Get the Recipe: Italian Wedding Soup

Shrimp and Grits

a plate of southern grits topped with cajun shrimp
Photo credit: The Cookie Rookie

This classic Shrimp and Grits recipe is the ultimate comfort food that’s ready in just 30 minutes! Creamy, cheesy grits are topped with perfectly pan-seared Cajun shrimp for a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner. It’s a flavorful, filling, and easy dish that brings a taste of the South to your table.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Grits

Hamburger Steak

Rice topped with hamburger steaks and sautéed onions, drenched in a rich onion gravy. The dish is accompanied by a fork, and there’s a skillet and a striped towel in the background
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

This Hamburger Steak recipe is the ultimate comfort food! Seasoned ground beef patties are simmered in a rich beef gravy with onions, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner. It’s sure to become a family favorite!
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Steak

Aloo Tikki (Indian Potato Cakes with Green Chutney)

Stack of gluten-free vegan Samosa-Inspired Potato Cakes
Photo credit: Minimalist Baker

These Aloo Tikki, or Indian Potato Cakes, are crispy, savory, and full of flavor! Paired with a vibrant green chutney, they make for a delicious appetizer or side dish that will transport your taste buds. Plus, they’re gluten-free, vegan, and require just 10 ingredients or less!
Get the Recipe: Aloo Tikki (Indian Potato Cakes with Green Chutney)

Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears

Close-up of roasted potatoes coated in a savory mustard herb glaze with garlic and spices, served on a white plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears are an autumn dream—perfectly seared pork, sweet pears, and that irresistible maple glaze, all wrapped up in harvest goodness.

To learn more: Pan Seared Pork Chops with Maple Roasted Pears

French Canadian Meat Pie: Tourtière

Savory meat pie slice on a white plate with ketchup and parsley, alongside the whole pie in a dish and leafy greens.
Image Credit: Savor The Flavour

French Canadian Meat Pie (Tourtière) is a savory Christmas Eve tradition—packed with flavorful meat and spices, it’s best served with mashed potatoes and a generous dollop of ketchup.

To learn more: French Canadian Meat Pie: Tourtière

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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