Comfort Food Dinner Recipes

Chicken and Dumplings Comfort Food Recipe

Photo: Randy Mayor

Our Favorite Dinner Comfort Food

Nothing quite compares to the comforting abilities of a piping hot dinner pulled from the oven after a long day or the soothing effects of a steaming bowl of soup to warm you from the inside out. We've gathered a few of our favorite comfort food dinner recipes that we are sure will become comfort classics in your home too—if they're not already!

This generous serving of soup is chock-full of vegetables and is hearty enough to be a complete meal.

View Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings

Photo: Randy Mayor

Italian Beef Stew

Bites of meat cook low and slow with hearty vegetables, bubbling away until the flavors meld and the meat gains a buttery texture.

View Recipe: Italian Beef Stew

Photo: John Autry

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

A bubbling hot casserole is the quintessential comfort food. They are welcome at just about every occasion. And talk about convenient: Most of the prep can be done in advance. This Chicken Enchilada Casserole is no exception. Prep ahead and bake when you're ready to eat.

View Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Although the recipe calls for egg noodles, you can use any short pasta to make this retro comfort food dish.

View Recipe: Tuna Noodle Casserole

Photo: Randy Mayor

Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

A low-country classic comfort food is now a beloved meal all over the country, regardless of geographic location. This meal comes together in 30 minutes.

View Recipe: Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Bacon, Ranch, and Chicken Mac and Cheese

Dress up classic macaroni and cheese with applewood-smoked bacon, chicken, and Ranch dressing-inspired seasonings for a delicious twist on this classic dish.

View Recipe: Bacon, Ranch, and Chicken Mac and Cheese

Photo: John Autry

Italian-Seasoned Roast Chicken Breasts

Lean breast meat needs to be shielded as it cooks, so leave the skin on. Serve with steamed spinach and mashed potatoes.

View Recipe: Italian-Seasoned Roast Chicken Breasts

Photo: Becky-Luigart Stayner

Pan-Fried Chicken

Pan-fried chicken is a healthy alternative to traditional fried chicken. Replacing some of the salt with spices like ginger, paprika, cinnamon, and nutmeg reduces the amount of sodium and pumps up the flavor.

View Recipe: Pan-Fried Chicken

Photography: Nina Choi

Beef Pot Roast with Turnip Greens

Cipollini onions are small, flat Italian onions. If you can't find them, substitute pearl onions. Other large full-flavored greens like mustard greens or kale will work, as well. Slow cookers promise easy prep, but achieving delicious, picture-perfect comfort food results relies on heeding three principles: Don't skip the browning step; use a cautious hand with added liquid; and, finally, let the slow cooker do its work slowly.

View Recipe: Beef Pot Roast with Turnip Greens

Photo: John Autry

Cheesy Meat Loaf Minis

Substitute mozzarella or provolone for white cheddar, if you prefer. Serve with steamed fresh broccoli spears and mashed potatoes. Make sandwiches with leftover meat loaf; serve on an onion roll.

View Recipe: Cheesy Meat Loaf Minis

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Beer-Braised Beef with Onion, Carrot, and Turnips

Ask your butcher to cut a 1-pound roast for you, or buy a larger one (especially if it's on sale) and freeze the rest for later. Use a dark beef that's not too strong and it will balance the sweet root vegetables.

View Recipe: Beer-Braised Beef with Onion, Carrot, and Turnips

Photo: John Autry

Beef Tagine with Butternut Squash

Looking for a satisfying dinner that will leave you feeling warmed from the inside out? Look no further. For a pop of freshness, sprinkle with cilantro before serving.

View Recipe: Beef Tagine with Butternut Squash

Photo: John Autry

Green Chile Chili

This hearty meal is also easy on your budget. You can make it for less than $10. Serve with warm corn bread or muffins. Leftovers are also good reheated the next day.

View Recipe: Green Chile Chili

Photo: Randy Mayor

Eggplant Parmesan

Traditional eggplant Parmesan packs the calories. We remade the recipe using whole-wheat panko; the regular type became soggy in a test. It barely browns but creates a perfectly crisp coating.

View Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan

Photo: John Autry

Pork Posole

Fragrant spices infuse this stew with extra warmth. Originating in Mexico's Pacific Coast region, this soup is a Christmas tradition, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying a bowlful year round.

View Recipe: Pork Posole

Photo: John Autry

Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream

Avocado cream provides a cooling counterpoint to the spicy ancho chicken in this recipe. We love what the cilantro slaw does to the texture of the dish.

View Recipe: Ancho Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Slaw and Avocado Cream

Photo: Randy Mayor

Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli

Our recipe has a fraction of the sodium and fat found in the typical takeout version. We guarantee, this healthier version is just as crave-worthy.

View Recipe: Stir-Fried Beef with Broccoli

Photo: John Autry

Lemon Chicken Piccata

Briny capers and bright lemon really make this bird sing. Serve this tangy chicken with mashed potatoes or roasted seasonal root vegetables to make an even more comforting plate.

View Recipe: Lemon Chicken Piccata

Photo: John Autry

Pasta Puttanesca

Anchovy paste in a tube is convenient if you don't have fillets. Try 2 teaspoons in place of fillets in this dish. Serve with a salad of green leaf lettuce, red onion, and fresh parsley, dressed with 1 tablespoon olive oil and fresh lemon juice.

View Recipe: Pasta Puttanesca

Photo: Romulo Yanes

Pepperoni Deep-Dish Pizza

This Chicago-style classic features pepperoni, America's favorite pizza topping. Quick tip: Refrigerate leftover Basic Pizza Sauce. Serve as a dipping sauce with warm breadsticks for an appetizer.

View Recipe: Pepperoni Deep-Dish Pizza

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Stilton Burgers

Golden, sweet sautéed onions and pungent crumbled Stilton cheese top lean sirloin burgers on toasted French rolls for a simple, easy-to-make burger with big flavor.

View Recipe: Stilton Burgers

Photo: John Autry

Garlicky Leg of Lamb with Yogurt Sauce

Place the leg of lamb on a rack in a heavy roasting pan so air circulates and it browns and cooks evenly. The tangy yogurt sauce is the perfect finishing touch to the delicious lamb.

View Recipe: Garlicky Leg of Lamb with Yogurt Sauce

Photo: Con Poulos

Chicken-Matzo Ball Soup

For a shortcut version of this recipe, use store-bought, unsalted chicken stock instead of making your own. (Adapted from a recipe from AndrewZimmern.com.)

View Recipe: Chicken-Matzo Ball Soup

Photo: Con Poulos

Gnocchi with Browned Butter

This healthy adaptation of gnocchi is served in a rich browned butter sauce and topped with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and toasted walnuts.

View Recipe: Gnocchi with Browned Butter

Photo: Con Poulos

Dak Bokkeum with Spinach (Korean Stewed Chicken with Spinach)

Gochujang is an indispensable Korean sauce based on fermented soybeans and chiles. You'll find it in Asian markets, or seek out Annie Chun's brand, which is more widely available.

View Recipe: Dak Bokkeum with Spinach (Korean Stewed Chicken with Spinach)

Photo: Con Poulos

Lebanese Peppers

The Lebanese often use ground lamb, but our version calls for ground beef, and the grains are precooked to ensure there are no crunchy bits in the flavorful meat mixture.

View Recipe: Lebanese Peppers