25 Comfort Foods That Remind You Why Grandma’s Cooking Was the Best

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Brace yourself—this lineup is pure cozy chaos in the best way. We’re talking Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole that knows how to comfort, Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole that brings the retro vibes, and Chicken on the Ritz Casserole that’s practically begging for a second helping. Toss in a hearty serving of Traditional Irish Cottage Pie, a pile of Creamy White Beans with Toasted Breadcrumbs, and a fork-tender Dutch Oven Pork Roast, and you’ve got dinner handled every night of the week—plus a few bonus lunches if you’re lucky. And don’t even try to pretend you’re skipping dessert when there’s Homestyle Cast Iron Apple Pie and a gooey Skillet Cookie (Pizookie) in the mix.

Ukrainian Holubtsi (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

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Stuffed cabbage rolls in a decorative bowl, surrounded by a textured red candle and autumn decor, with a fork on the side.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Ukrainian Holubtsi (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls) wrap up all the best parts of comfort food in one perfect little package. Tender cabbage leaves hug a savory filling of beef and rice, then simmer in a rich tomato sauce until they’re melt-in-your-mouth good. Your grandma would definitely approve.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Holubtsi (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Close-up of a cheesy spinach and pasta bake with melted cheese being lifted by a spoon, revealing its creamy texture and golden-brown top.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole turns a pasta night into an event with layers of chicken, gooey cheese, and a velvety Alfredo sauce. Every forkful delivers the kind of comfort food that makes you forget about anything else. If you’re looking for leftovers, good luck—this one disappears fast.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

A close-up of baked pasta with melted cheese and ground meat in a white casserole dish.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole is pure carb-filled comfort food with a creamy, beefy twist. Tangy sour cream, tender pasta, and rich tomato sauce combine for a dish that’s impossible to stop eating. Don’t even think about skipping the extra cheese on top.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Sour Cream Noodle Casserole

Chicken on the Ritz Casserole

A white oval baking dish filled with casserole, topped with crushed crackers and herbs, on a wooden board next to a glass of water.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Chicken on the Ritz Casserole is what happens when creamy, cheesy chicken meets a buttery, crispy topping that steals the show. This comfort food favorite comes together fast, making it perfect for busy nights when you need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Just be warned—once you start, stopping is not an option.
Get the Recipe: Chicken on the Ritz Casserole

Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

The image shows a rectangular dish on an orange patterned cloth. Inside, there are mashed potatoes divided into two halves: one side is white, and the other is orange. Both halves have a wavy texture.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average

Traditional Irish Cottage Pie is pure comfort food, packed with seasoned ground beef, rich gravy, and a thick layer of golden mashed potatoes. Every forkful feels like a warm, homemade hug, making it the perfect dish for any cozy night in. Bonus: leftovers taste even better the next day.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Irish Cottage Pie

Dutch Oven Pork Roast

A bowl filled with pulled pork, garnished with rosemary, next to diced potatoes and carrots. The vegetables are seasoned and cooked to a golden brown. The dish is on a wooden table with a spoon nearby.
Photo credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Dutch Oven Pork Roast brings comfort food to the table with melt-in-your-mouth pork that practically falls apart. Slow-cooked to perfection, this dish is rich, hearty, and perfect for both cozy Sunday dinners and easy weeknight meals. Serve it with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up all those flavorful juices.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Pork Roast

Spiced Apple Streusel Coffee Cake with Dulce de Leche

A round cake with a textured surface sits on a patterned plate as caramel drizzle is poured onto it.
Photo credit: A Latin Flair

Spiced Apple Streusel Coffee Cake with Dulce de Leche is the ultimate excuse to eat cake for breakfast. Loaded with warm cinnamon, tender apples, and a buttery crumb topping, this comfort food is finished with a drizzle of dulce de leche that takes it over the top. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy every sweet, cozy bite!
Get the Recipe: Spiced Apple Streusel Coffee Cake with Dulce de Leche

Homestyle Cast Iron Apple Pie 

A freshly baked lattice-topped pie in a black cast iron skillet on a dark wooden table. The crust is golden brown and flaky. A striped cloth and a wooden rolling pin are nearby.
Photo credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Cast Iron Apple Pie is what happens when classic comfort gets a little upgrade. Think tender, spiced apples tucked into a buttery, golden crust with perfectly caramelized edges you can only get from a cast iron skillet. It’s cozy, unfussy, and straight-up Nanna approved.
Get the Recipe: Homestyle Cast Iron Apple Pie 

Creamy White Beans with Toasted Breadcrumbs

The image features a bowl of creamy white bean soup topped with breadcrumbs and herbs. There is also a separate bowl of breadcrumbs present. A wooden board and gray cloth are partially visible in the background.
Photo credit: Balancing Bowls

Creamy White Beans with Toasted Breadcrumbs is proof that simple ingredients can create big flavor. These rich, velvety beans are the kind of comfort food that sticks to your ribs, while crispy, golden breadcrumbs add the perfect crunch. Whether served as a side or a main, this dish delivers cozy satisfaction in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Creamy White Beans with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Easy Sausage Gravy

A bowl of lasagna soup topped with herbs and grated cheese, accompanied by a slice of bread and parsley on a white surface.
Photo credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Sausage Gravy doesn’t get easier—or more satisfying—than this. Crumbled sausage and rich, peppery white gravy come together for a breakfast that means business. Spoon it over warm, flaky biscuits and you’ve got yourself a classic Southern start to the day.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sausage Gravy

Pork Chops and Apples

A close-up of a skillet with cooked pork chops topped with caramelized apple slices and herbs. A serving spoon holds one portion above the pan. The dish is set on a table with plates in the background.
Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight

Pork Chops and Apples bring sweet and savory together for a meal that screams fall. Juicy pork chops get topped with cinnamon-spiced apples, creating comfort food that feels fancy but takes just 30 minutes. Serve it up with mashed potatoes, and you’re all set for a cozy night in.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops and Apples

Oven Baked Tostones (Crispy Baked Green Plantains)

A plate of fried plantain slices served with a bowl of guacamole garnished with a lime wedge and cilantro. The dish is presented on a woven circular placemat, placed on a rustic white wooden table.
Photo credit: A Latin Flair

Oven Baked Tostones deliver all the crispy goodness of traditional fried plantains—without the extra oil. These golden, crunchy bites are the ultimate comfort food when you need a little crunch with your meal. Dip them in garlic sauce or guacamole for a seriously addictive side.
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Tostones (Crispy Baked Green Plantains)

Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

Three bowls of creamy soup topped with avocado, sliced scallions, shredded cheese, and herbs on a white surface. Tortilla chips are scattered around, with a halved avocado and a small bowl of chopped herbs nearby. A striped cloth is on the side.
Photo credit: Pink Owl Kitchen

Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings is comfort food at its finest. Fluffy dumplings soak up a rich, creamy broth filled with tender chicken and hearty vegetables. Whether it’s a chilly evening or just a long day, this dish is the cure for everything.
Get the Recipe: Southern Homemade Chicken and Dumplings

Cabbage and Ground Beef Casserole (without rice)

The image shows a skillet filled with baked pasta, topped with melted cheese and herbs. A wooden spoon rests on the side.
Photo credit: Flavor the Moments

Cabbage and Ground Beef Casserole delivers all the comfort of a home-cooked meal without the extra fuss. Layers of tender cabbage, seasoned ground beef, and gooey cheese make this a low-carb, flavor-packed dinner. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a dish that feels like a warm hug.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Ground Beef Casserole (without rice)

Italian Beef Stew

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of meat, carrots, and herbs is served over creamy mashed potatoes. It is garnished with chopped parsley and accompanied by a slice of crusty bread. A spoon is placed in the bowl on a blue tiled surface.
Photo credit: xoxoBella

Italian Beef Stew brings all the cozy, slow-simmered goodness you need after a long day. Tender beef, rich tomatoes, and fragrant herbs cook down into a deep, velvety broth that practically hugs you from the inside. This comfort food classic proves that patience pays off—especially when there’s crusty bread involved.
Get the Recipe: Italian Beef Stew

Close-up of a dessert featuring two scoops of vanilla ice cream topped with glossy chocolate sauce, placed on a baked cookie base. The cookie has visible chocolate chunks, and additional chocolate drizzle decorates the surface.
Photo credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Skillet Cookie (aka the beloved Pizookie) takes everything you love about warm, gooey cookies and supersizes it—in the best way possible. Baked in a cast-iron skillet for crispy edges and a soft, melty center, it’s the kind of dessert that’s made for sharing… but no judgment if you don’t.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Cookie (Pizookie)

Ground Beef Stew

A bowl containing chunks of meat and various vegetables.
Photo credit: Dutch Oven Daddy

Ground Beef Stew delivers all the warmth and heartiness of a classic beef stew without the long cook time. Rich broth, tender veggies, and well-seasoned beef come together in a one-pot wonder that makes any meal feel like home. It’s comfort food that fills your bowl—and your soul.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Stew

The Best Steak Stroganoff with Buttered Noodles

The image includes plates of beef stroganoff with mushrooms and parsley over pasta, a fork, a knife, and a glass of iced tea.
Photo credit: Little Black Skillet

Steak Stroganoff with Buttered Noodles is where silky, rich sauce meets juicy steak, and your fork meets happiness. Every bite of buttery noodles coated in creamy mushroom gravy proves why this comfort food favorite never goes out of style. Bonus points if you double the sauce for extra dipping.
Get the Recipe: The Best Steak Stroganoff with Buttered Noodles

Slow Cooker Asian Meatballs

A plate of rice topped with glazed meatballs, garnished with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Forks are placed beside the plate, and another bowl of meatballs is visible in the background.
Photo credit: xoxoBella

Slow Cooker Asian Meatballs are the ultimate hands-off comfort food—you just toss everything in the crockpot and let the magic happen. These juicy, flavor-packed bites soak up a sweet-savory glaze that keeps you coming back for more. Try not to eat them all straight from the slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Asian Meatballs

Healthy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

A bowl of creamy potato soup topped with crispy bacon bits, sliced green onions, and shredded cheese. It is placed on a pink napkin next to a spoon. A small wooden bowl with sour cream is visible in the background.
Photo credit: Haute & Healthy Living

Healthy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup is like a warm hug in a bowl but without the guilt of a heavy cream overload. Creamy potatoes, crispy bacon, and sharp cheddar melt together into comfort food bliss with zero effort. Let your slow cooker handle dinner while you handle doing absolutely nothing.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Crock Pot Corned Beef

A plate of sliced corned beef topped with whole grain mustard, accompanied by boiled cabbage, potatoes, and carrots. The meal is garnished with parsley and served with a small bowl of mustard on the side.
Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky

Crock Pot Corned Beef makes life easy—just set it, forget it, and come back to tender, fall-apart beef swimming in its own savory juices. Potatoes, carrots, and cabbage soak up all that slow-cooked goodness, making every bite packed with flavor. If comfort food had a holiday, this would be on the menu.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Corned Beef

Homemade Garganelli Pasta with Sausage Ragu

A white plate with decorative patterns holds a serving of pasta with a tomato-based sauce and meat. A fork rests on the plate, and it is placed on a woven placemat on a marble surface.
Photo credit: The Pasta Project

Homemade Garganelli Pasta with Sausage Ragu is proof that a little extra effort pays off in the most delicious way. These ridged pasta tubes catch every drop of the rich, meaty ragu, making it the kind of comfort food you’ll want to savor slowly. Serve with plenty of Parmesan, and don’t skimp on the garlic bread.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Garganelli Pasta with Sausage Ragu

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Frozen Veggies

A bowl containing macaroni and cheese mixed with broccoli and carrots, garnished with parsley. A black fork is placed in the bowl.
Photo credit: Hungry Whisk

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Frozen Veggies is your cheat code for getting a bowl of creamy, cheesy comfort food on the table in no time. The veggies sneak in without a fight, blending perfectly into the rich sauce. Fast, easy, and impossible to resist—just how mac and cheese should be.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese with Frozen Veggies

Air Fryer Herby Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Pasta

A bowl of pasta with meatballs, garnished with herbs and grated cheese. Slices of bread on the side.
Photo credit: Laura the Dietitian

Air Fryer Herby Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Pasta delivers juicy, golden meatballs with a fraction of the effort. Paired with a bed of luscious, cheesy pasta, this meal brings the kind of comfort food satisfaction that only carbs and protein can. Consider making extra—leftovers won’t last.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Herby Chicken Meatballs with Creamy Pasta

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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