27 Hearty, Nostalgic Comfort Food Classics for the Whole Family

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Craving a trip down memory lane with a warm, delicious meal? Look no further! This collection features 27 comfort food classics guaranteed to satisfy everyone at the table. From cheesy pasta casseroles to slow-cooked stews, these nostalgic dishes will satisfy your belly and your soul. Get ready to rediscover the simple pleasures of home cooking with these family-favorite recipes!

Turkey Meatloaf with Mushroom and Onion Gravy

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A wooden platter with a meatloaf topped with gravy beside a dollop of orange mashed potatoes.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

This turkey meatloaf with mushroom and onion gravy offers a delicious and healthy twist on a classic comfort food. A savory gravy featuring tender mushrooms and caramelized onions adds the finishing touch. Simply pair it with your favorite vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal!

Get the recipe: Turkey Meatloaf with Mushroom and Onion Gravy

Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese

A stacked halved grilled cheese sandwich with pickles in it.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

Ditch the ordinary and elevate your grilled cheese game with this flavor-packed goat cheese grilled cheese! Toasted bread sandwiches a tangy combination of melty mozzarella, creamy goat cheese, and pickles, perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner.

Get the recipe: Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese

Stovetop Mac and Cheese

A close up of macaroni and cheese, garnish with fresh herbs.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

This stovetop macaroni and cheese is the cheesiest, creamiest mac and cheese you’ll ever make at home! It’s got the comfort factor and it’s easy to make. Want to take your mac and cheese game to the next level? Try optional add-ins like sweet corn, caramelized onions, and a kick of pickled jalapenos.

Get the recipe: Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Spicy Mac and Cheese

Macaroni and cheese in a skillet and bowl drizzle with red sauce.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Creamy, cheesy perfection awaits in this ultra-comforting mac and cheese dinner. With a luscious sauce made extra flavorful from two types of ooey-gooey melted cheese, fresh jalapeños for some kick, and a punch of savory-sweet heat from gochujang paste, these perfectly cooked noodles get smothered in an irresistible blend that’s easy to whip up in under 30 minutes.

Get the recipe: Spicy Mac and Cheese

Loaded Potato Bowl

A bowl with potatoes, black beans, corn, jalapenos, lemon wedges, fresh parsley, and a drizzle of sauce.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for My Plant-Based Bowl

This vegan loaded mash bowl combines the best of all worlds, delivering a bold blend of flavors and textures in every bite. Creamy mashed potatoes (microwaveable for ultimate ease!) are the base for a fiesta of toppings. Charred corn adds a smoky sweetness, jalapeños bring a touch of heat, and a tangy-spicy chipotle lime sauce ties it all together. ️

Get the recipe: Loaded Potato Bowl

Chicken Noodle Soup

Bowl of soup with noodles, chicken, carrots, and celery garnished with fresh herbs.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Craving soul-warming chicken noodle soup but short on time? This homemade version is your hero! No need for canned broth – simple ingredients come together in a snap for a delicious and comforting meal that will leave you feeling nostalgic and satisfied.

Get the recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

Bagel Grilled Cheese

A stacked halved grilled cheese on a bagel.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

Upgrade your grilled cheese routine with this delicious twist! This recipe replaces traditional bread with chewy and flavorful bagels, creating a textural and taste sensation. Melted cheese adds the perfect gooey element, making this a satisfying and fun take on a classic. It’s easy to make and perfect for a quick and delicious lunch or snack.

Get the recipe: Bagel Grilled Cheese

Roasted Green Beans

Green beans in a bowl topped with shredded cheese and slivered almonds.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Level up your weeknights with these green beans almondine! Crispy, roasted green beans get a luxurious touch with toasted almonds and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. This 5-ingredient wonder takes just 15 minutes, making it the perfect easy side dish for any occasion. Simple and elegant, it’s a weeknight win that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen!

Get the recipe: Roasted Green Beans

Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes in a bowl topped with a swirl of brown sauce.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

These aren’t your average mashed potatoes! Brown butter and fresh thyme add a touch of gourmet to this creamy and comforting dish. With just 4 ingredients, it’s easy enough for a weeknight meal but special enough to grace your holiday table.

Get the recipe: Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes

Stovetop Chicken and Rice

Two white soup pots filled with rice and chicken.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Craving chicken pot pie but short on time? This one-pot chicken, rice, and mushroom recipe will be your new weeknight fave! Made entirely on the stovetop, it delivers all the cozy comfort vibes you love in a fraction of the time. Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and savory mushrooms come together in a single pot for a hassle-free and delicious dinner.

Get the recipe: Stovetop Chicken and Rice

Sausage Curry

A bowl beside a skillet, filled with mashed potatoes and topped with carrots, sausage, and a light brown sauce.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

These curried sausages with mashed potatoes are the ultimate cozy meal. Packed in a single pot, juicy sausages simmer in a flavorful curry gravy with tender vegetables. Top it all off with creamy mashed potatoes for a satisfying and delicious dinner that’s easy on you and loved by all.

Get the recipe: Sausage Curry

Lima Bean Soup

Two stacked bowls with soup in it with beans, potatoes, carrots, celery, and herbs.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

Escape the chill with this incredibly comforting lima bean soup! It’s a hearty vegan dream, perfect for a one-pot meal on any day of the week. This satisfying soup features creamy lima beans and tender potatoes swimming in a flavorful vegetable broth, all seasoned with a touch of dried herbs for an extra depth of flavor. Easy to make and packed with plant-based goodness!

Get the recipe: Lima Bean Soup

Potato Soup

Two blue bowls with beige soup with chunks of potatoes topped with fresh thyme.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Dinner doesn’t get much easier (or more delicious) than this creamy potato soup! Made with just 4 ingredients in 20 minutes, it’s the perfect budget-friendly, vegetarian meal that’s bursting with comfort food vibes. Serve it up with some crackers or crusty bread for a cozy and satisfying dinner the whole family will love.

Get the recipe: Potato Soup

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

A casserole dish with tomatoes, peppers and rice, topped with parsley, melted cheese and a drizzle of sauce.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Ditch the stuffing! This stuffed bell pepper casserole delivers all the deliciousness of the classic dish, but in a deconstructed, easy-to-make way. No need to boil – a simple no-boil method cuts down on prep time, making this a weeknight dinner hero. Just toss everything together and bake – it’s that simple!

Get the recipe: Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Ham Gravy and Biscuits

A plate with biscuits topped with scrambled eggs and a thick sauce.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Southern breakfast isn’t complete without a comforting combo of flavors, and smoky southern ham gravy plays the lead role! This rich and savory sauce is the perfect complement to fluffy, cheesy biscuits and soft scrambled eggs. Every decadent bite is a tribute to Southern comfort food at its finest.

Get the recipe: Ham Gravy and Biscuits

Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

A casserole dish with pasta, meatballs, red sauce, and melted cheese.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

This cheesy meatball pasta bake is a one-pot wonder that’s perfect for busy families. Made with simple ingredients and minimal prep, it delivers a satisfying and comforting meal everyone will love. Tender meatballs, pasta bathed in cheesy goodness – all baked together for a stress-free dinner that’s big on flavor and fun!

Get the recipe: Cheesy Meatball Pasta Bake

Lasagna Stuffed Chicken

A stuffed chicken breast on a plate in a circle of tomato sauce.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Craving both lasagna and chicken parmesan? This recipe is your dream come true! Juicy chicken breasts are filled with a creamy blend of ricotta, spinach, and rich tomato sauce, capturing the essence of classic lasagna. This dish is a flavor explosion that combines the best of both worlds: lasagna’s comforting layers and chicken parmesan’s cheesy goodness.

Get the recipe: Lasagna Stuffed Chicken

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

A stacked halved toasted sandwich filled with melty white cheese.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Whip up air-fryer grilled cheese sandwiches with sourdough bread and Havarti cheese in just 5 minutes! Perfect for a quick work-at-home lunch or a fast dinner on busy nights.

Get the recipe: Air Fryer Grilled Cheese

Scalloped Potatoes

A plate with sliced potatoes in a creamy sauce topped with green onions.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

Craving classic comfort food without the dairy? This vegan scalloped potato recipe is your answer! Tender sliced potatoes are bathed in a rich and creamy vegan white sauce, and then baked to golden perfection. A sprinkle of fresh green onions adds a delightful pop of color and freshness. This plant-based dish delivers all the nostalgic flavors you love, making it the perfect addition to any holiday spread (or cozy weeknight dinner!).

Get the recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Vegetable Grilled Cheese

Two stacked toasted sandwiches with cheese, lettuce, and tomato.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Take the classic grilled cheese sandwich to the next level by stuffing it with fried onions and mushrooms, crispy lettuce, and juicy tomato. This delicious twist is makes a vegetable grilled cheese an exceptional breakfast or lunch.

Get the recipe: Vegetable Grilled Cheese

Pizza Grilled Cheese

A toasted sandwich stuffed with melty cheese and pepperoni slices.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Elevate your weekend lunch or snack with a pizza grilled cheese, combining delicious pizza toppings with a crispy grilled cheese. This irresistible combination will have you craving more!

Get the recipe: Pizza Grilled Cheese

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Closeup of orange soup in a bowl.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Who says delicious has to be complicated? This broccoli cheese soup proves otherwise! With just 5 ingredients (including frozen broccoli!), you can whip up a creamy and flavorful masterpiece. This easy recipe is perfect for busy home cooks who crave comfort food without the fuss!

Get the recipe: Broccoli Cheese Soup

Chicken and Dumplings

Closeup of a bowl with chicken, carrots, and dumplings.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Need a quick and comforting weeknight meal that satisfies everyone? Look no further than this chicken and dumplings recipe! This Southern-style classic features tender chicken simmering in a flavorful broth, topped with fluffy drop dumplings made from simple ingredients.

Get the recipe: Chicken and Dumplings

Creamy Tomato Pasta with Chicken

A plate of pasta with tomato-based sauce, topped with sliced grilled chicken and garnished with chopped parsley. A fork rests on the plate's edge.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

Craving a comforting pasta dish that’s both delicious and quick? This creamy tomato pasta with chicken and spinach comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breast and fresh spinach are nestled in a rich and creamy tomato sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked linguine pasta.

Get the recipe: Creamy Tomato Pasta with Chicken

Beef Stew

Closeup of a bowl of stew with beef, carrot, and potatoes.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Craving a taste of Southern comfort with a twist? This farm-to-table thick beef stew boasts classic ingredients simmered to perfection in a red wine and whole-grain mustard-infused broth. Get ready for a heartwarming and delicious experience that’s perfect for any occasion.

Get the recipe: Beef Stew

Vegan Pierogi

Dumplings in a bowl with fired onions, green onions, sour cream, and a fork.
Image Credit: Erika Piper for The Veggie Yaya

Looking for a satisfying vegan meal that’s bursting with flavor? Try a vegan pierogi! These delightful dumplings are filled with a creamy vegan potato mixture and wrapped in soft dough. Boil them or pan-fry them with onions for a crispy twist, the choice is yours! The best part? They’re freezer-friendly, so you can have a delicious and satisfying vegan meal ready in no time.

Get the recipe: Vegan Pierogi

Jackfruit Pot Pie with Biscuits

A cast iron skillet with potato mixture topped with browned biscuits.
Image Credit: Jacqueline Piper for PiperCooks

This plant-based twist on a classic delivers all the nostalgic comfort, with hearty veggies simmered in a rich broth and topped with fluffy vegan biscuits. It’s a flavor explosion that’s perfect for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone who loves delicious food! Topped with soft and flaky vegan biscuits, this pot pie with biscuits is a complete meal that will satisfy everyone at the table, vegan or not!

Get the recipe: Jackfruit Pot Pie with Biscuits

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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