20 Winter to Spring Comfort Food Dishes We Deserve

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Spring says “lemony greens,” but your soul still says “cheese, meat, and something baked until bubbling.” This collection is for the in-between days—when the sun is shining but your thermostat still clicks on at night. Enter Lemon Chicken and Rice Casserole, bringing sunny vibes in casserole form, and Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash for mornings that start cold but end in tank tops. Pecan Sticky Buns don’t care what the weather’s doing—they’re here to make your kitchen smell like happiness. Got spring fever? Satisfy it with Bacon and Asparagus Pasta Salad, then sneak back under a blanket with Whiskey Pot Roast because we all know winter’s not done being dramatic. Whether you’re craving Baked Chicken Empanadas, Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls, or the irresistible crunch of Oven ‘Fried’ Chicken Drumsticks, these recipes are the edible equivalent of layering a sweatshirt over your sundress—just right for the seasonal limbo.

Pecan Sticky Buns

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Golden pecan sticky buns with caramel glaze, partially served on a baking tray, surrounded by green leaves. Deliciously tempting!
Image Credit: Savor The Flavour

Pecan Sticky Buns are a beloved family classic—don’t worry if you’re new to baking; this sweet, nutty treat is easier than it looks and worth every sticky bite.

To learn more: Pecan Sticky Buns

Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls.

Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls | halfbakedharvest.com
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

These Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls are the perfect quick and easy weeknight meal! This recipe uses lean ground beef and fresh vegetables, making it a healthy and delicious option for the whole family. Best of all, it only takes 20 minutes to make!
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Beef and Lemongrass Rice Bowls.

Cheddar Bacon Portobello Mushroom Burger.

Cheddar Bacon Portobello Mushroom Burger | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest
Photo credit: Half Baked Harvest

This Cheddar Bacon Portobello Mushroom Burger is the perfect easy and delicious summer meal. The balsamic marinated portobello mushroom is topped with sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, fried egg, and a fig preserve for a sweet and savory flavor. Served on a brioche bun with your favorite toppings, this burger is sure to be a hit!
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Bacon Portobello Mushroom Burger.

Dutch Oven Sausage Tortellini Casserole

A bowl of cheesy tortellini pasta in marinara sauce, topped with parsley and Parmesan, served with garlic bread on the side.
Image Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Dutch Oven Sausage Tortellini Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—rich, cheesy, and packed with hearty sausage, this dish will have you cozying up for seconds.

To learn more: Dutch Oven Sausage Tortellini Casserole

Creamy Sherry Chicken

creamy sherry chicken in a skillet
Photo credit: Salt and Lavender

Ready in just 30 minutes, this Creamy Sherry Chicken recipe features a rich and silky sauce that tastes like it came straight from a restaurant. The combination of dry sherry, mushrooms, and cream creates an impressive and easy-to-make meal. Perfect for a quick yet special weeknight dinner!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sherry Chicken

Lemon Chicken and Rice Casserole

Once chicken thigh on a plate surrounded by baked lemon rice on a white plate with a red fork nearby
Photo credit: Grandbaby Cakes

This Lemon Chicken and Rice Casserole is a simple one-pot dish that’s bursting with citrus and herb flavors. Featuring juicy chicken thighs and creamy rice, this recipe is sure to be a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken and Rice Casserole

Chicken and Leek Pie Recipe

A slice of savory chicken pot pie on a white plate, garnished with parsley, alongside the whole pie, set against a lush green backdrop.
Image Credit: Savor The Flavour

Chicken and Leek Pie is a flavor-packed British classic you’ll crave—tender chicken and leeks wrapped in flaky pastry, perfect for your next family dinner!

To learn more: Chicken and Leek Pie Recipe

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin

Sliced meat dish featuring layers of crispy bacon and tender meat, garnished with herbs and a glossy sauce on a white plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin delivers a knockout combo of smoky bacon and sweet maple—guaranteed to have your taste buds cheering for more!

To learn more: Smoked Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin

Stuffed Mushrooms

stuffed mushrooms on marble tray with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
Photo credit: Two Peas and Their Pod

These bite-sized Stuffed Mushrooms are the perfect appetizer for any occasion! This classic recipe is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. Filled with a savory mixture of parmesan cheese, herbs, and spices, they’re a guaranteed hit!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushrooms

Cast Iron Steak

A plate featuring a juicy steak, a baked potato topped with sour cream and green onions, and sweet corn on the cob.
Image Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Cast Iron Steak brings steakhouse quality to your kitchen—simple ingredients, sizzling in a cast iron, for a tender, juicy masterpiece every time.

To learn more: Cast Iron Steak

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Tender zucchini is stuffed with a savory vegetarian filling of mushrooms, bell pepper, olives and spinach, topped with ricotta & baked in a marinara sauce.
Photo credit: Feasting at Home

These vegetarian Stuffed Zucchini Boats are an easy 30-minute meal packed with savory flavors from mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers, and olives! Feel free to customize the fillings to your liking for a simple, healthy, and delicious dinner. Perfect as a main course or side dish!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash

Cubed sweet potato and vegetables in a skillet with eggs.
Photo credit: Downshiftology

This Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash is the perfect way to start your day, especially during the colder months! This hearty skillet recipe combines sweet potatoes, bacon, and kale, topped with perfectly cooked eggs. It’s a delicious and nutritious breakfast that’s both easy to make and packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash

Baked Chicken Empanadas

A hand reaches for a golden-brown empanada on a plate, surrounded by fresh greenery and textured fabric.
Image Credit: Savor The Flavour

Baked Chicken Empanadas are your make-ahead or freezer-friendly saviors—deliciously crispy, always ready to save the day whenever hunger strikes!

To learn more: Baked Chicken Empanadas

Skillet Italian Meatballs

A close-up of succulent meatballs topped with rich tomato sauce and garnished with fresh cilantro on a white plate.
Image Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Cast Iron Meatballs are the perfect weeknight win—effortless to make and packed with Italian flavor, these juicy meatballs will be a hit with your whole family!

To learn more: Skillet Italian Meatballs

Bacon And Asparagus Pasta Salad

Close-up of a Bacon and Asparagus Pasta Salad with rotini pasta, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, bacon, and grated Parmesan cheese, all tossed in a light dressing, served in a large white bowl.
Photo credit: Erren’s Kitchen

This Bacon and Asparagus Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or a light lunch. The combination of crispy bacon, fresh asparagus, and a tangy vinaigrette makes it a flavorful and satisfying meal. It’s a versatile recipe that can be enjoyed any time of year!
Get the Recipe: Bacon And Asparagus Pasta Salad

Baked Salmon Filets

Salmon filets in a white baking dish after being baked.
Photo credit: Culinary Hill

These baked salmon filets are roasted over lemons and ready in 20 minutes or less! Flavored with butter, honey, garlic, and herbs such as oregano, thyme and dill, this dish will be a new staple in your household. It’s also gluten-free and paleo-friendly.
Get the Recipe: Baked Salmon Filets

Chipotle Carne Asada Copycat

A plate of sliced, grilled steak garnished with parsley and lime, surrounded by bowls of guacamole, salsa, and sautéed peppers.
Image Credit: Savor The Flavour

Chipotle Carne Asada Copycat by Savor The Flavour brings bold, smoky flavor that cuts through all the burrito bowl extras—bonus: it’s totally keto and Whole30-approved!

To learn more: Chipotle Carne Asada Copycat

Fried Rice Recipe

Plate of flavorful fried rice with a mix of vegetables, egg, and seasonings.
Photo credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Need a quick and easy dinner? This fried rice recipe is ready in 20 minutes and packed with veggies. Perfectly cooked eggs and a flavorful sauce make this a satisfying and healthy meal.
Get the Recipe: Fried Rice Recipe

Whiskey Pot Roast

Sliced roast beef topped with creamy gravy, served with colorful vegetables and potatoes on a white plate.
Image Credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Whiskey Pot Roast takes the classic comfort dish up a notch—rich, tender, and deceptively easy, it’s your new go-to for both busy weeknights and impressing dinner guests.

To learn more: Whiskey Pot Roast

Oven ‘Fried’ Chicken Drumsticks

The image shows two chicken drumsticks on a bed of mashed potatoes, garnished with dill, alongside a fork on the plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Who needs a deep fryer when oven-fried chicken drumsticks come out crispy, golden, and ready to fuel your crunch-loving soul—no splatter zone required? Just brine, bake, and gloat. Same shatter with every bite, minus the greasy aftermath. Bonus: kids go wild for it!

To learn more: Oven ‘Fried’ Chicken Drumsticks

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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