What is Comfort Food?

Comfort food brings back memories of home and moments we hold dear. These dishes are often hearty, rich, and deeply satisfying, offering a sense of warmth and contentment. They remind us of simpler times, creating feelings of happiness and comfort.

Whether you’re dealing with stress, feeling down, or just craving familiar flavors, comfort food recipes are the perfect choice to lift your spirits.

Six image collage for comfort food recipes.

Comfort food holds a special place in our hearts and our diets for several reasons:

  • Emotional Connection: Comfort food often reminds us of family, cultural roots, or meaningful celebrations, creating a deep emotional tie.
  • Stress Relief: Preparing or eating favorite comfort food recipes can be soothing. They may even boost dopamine, bringing feelings of happiness.
  • Simplicity and Familiarity: These dishes are usually easy to make, using basic ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.
  • Nostalgia: Enjoying these meals can bring back memories of happy times, offering a sense of warmth and connection.

Here are some beloved comfort food recipes that can warm anyone’s heart and lift your spirits when you’re having a bad day:

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese – easy stove top recipe that is as creamy and cheesy as you remember from childhood, but without any additives.
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Homemade Macaroni and Cheese in a blue serving bowl.
Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
A delicious home-style Skillet Chicken Pot Pie that is simple to prepare is the perfect comfort food that the entire family will enjoy!
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Looking down on a Skillet Chicken Pot Pie recipe with plates and forks in the background.
Beef Stew with Guinness Biscuits
A big bowl of this hearty Beef Stew with Guinness Biscuits makes the coldest winter night more enjoyable!
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A big white bowl of Beef Stew with Guinness Biscuits sitting on a beige napkin
Classic Shepherd’s Pie with Lamb
Classic Shepherd’s Pie with Lamb and fluffy mashed potatoes is comfort food at it’s finest! This isn’t just food to serve for St. Patrick’s Day, this is a soul soothing meal the whole family will love. 
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Classic Shepherd's Pie in a cast iron skillet with a scoop out of the lower right corner.
Beer Chili
Beer chili combines ground beef with beans, tomatoes, and a blend of chili spices, all simmered with beer to add a distinct depth of flavor.
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A bowl of beer chili topped with cheddar cheese, green onions, and sliced jalapeños.
Classic Diner Burger
A Classic Diner Burger is guaranteed to bring back fond memories of a bye gone era, and a way to share those memories with the next generation!
Check out this recipe
A Classic Diner Burger is a bit of nostalgia that I hope never goes out of style | cookingwithcurls.com
Instant Pot French Onion Soup
Instant Pot French Onion Soup is a modern twist on an old classic recipe!
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Instant Pot French Onion Soup topped with melted cheese bread.
Apple Crisp
Old-fashioned Apple Crisp with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla topped with a crunchy oat crumble is the perfect family dessert.
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A white bowl with apple crisp topped with vanilla ice cream sitting on a white fringed napkin with an apple and baking dish in the background.
Pizza Margherita Grilled Cheese
Pizza Margherita Grilled Cheese is an easy, and flavorful sandwich prepared using delicious Italian bread, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce and fresh basil.
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one and a half Pizza Margherita Grilled Cheese sandwiches stacked on top of each other with a fourth sitting next to the stack.
Instant Pot Tomato Basil Soup
Instant Pot Tomato Basil Soup is a quick and easy meal ready in 30 minutes using canned tomatoes, basil, carrots, onions, garlic, and stock.
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Looking down on a bowl of tomato soup topped with shaved parmesan and shredded basil.
Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
These light and fluffy, Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits are easy enough to whip up for any meal! Top them with butter and honey, jam or sausage gravy.
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Southern Sausage Gravy
This Southern Sausage Gravy recipe is made from scratch and perfectly tops fluffy buttermilk biscuits for a classic breakfast meal.
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thick, creamy sausage gravy in a white serving bowl with a plate of biscuits and gravy in the background.
Guinness Pot Roast
Guinness Pot Roast is a delicious, falling apart tender pot roast recipe that is made with Guinness stout beer, onions, carrots and potatoes.
Check out this recipe
Chunks of beef roast, potatoes, and carrot slices in a Guinness stout gravy with buttered bread on the edge of the bowl.
Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Manicotti
Your family is going to love this creamy and delicious Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Manicotti recipe, it is definitely a keeper!
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Two Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Manicotti on a dark blue plate.
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is an easy and healthy recipe that uses leftover or rotisserie chicken! This delicious dinner is the perfect way to sneak in extra veggies into your diet.
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Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup | cookingwithcurls.com
Chocolate Chip Cookies
My World Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies have literally traveled around the world, but you can make them quite easily at home!
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Chocolate Chip Cookies cookingwithcurls.com
Tuna Noodle Casserole
This classic Tuna Noodle Casserole is a quick and easy meal made from scratch with no canned soup, just fresh ingredients and pantry staples!
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Looking down on Tuna Noodle Casserole topped with crispy panko crumbs in an oval baking dish.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Learn how to make creamy and delicious homemade mashed potatoes from scratch with our easy step-by-step guide for the perfect texture.
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A black bowl filled with creamy mashed potatoes topped with butter.
Homemade Chocolate Pudding
There is nothing more comforting, than a bowl of thick, rich, and creamy Homemade Chocolate Pudding made from scratch and cooked on the stove.
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Rich, decadent Homemade Chocolate Pudding just like our grandmothers used to make! cookingwithcurls.com
The Best Cinnamon Rolls
The best cinnamon rolls made with a soft and fluffy dough filled with cinnamon, butter and sugar topped with a silky cream cheese icing.
Check out this recipe
Two cinnamon rolls topped with cream cheese icing on small plates.

Comfort food is more than a meal, it’s the warmth of your grandma’s kitchen or the joy of sharing a cozy dinner while watching your favorite feel-good movie. These comfort food recipes are packed with love, tradition, and a sense of home. Try the recipes above and treat yourself to flavors that not only satisfy your hunger but also bring joy to your life.

Enjoy!!