Comfort food has a magical way of making us feel better. But a lot of people assume that comforting dishes are too tricky to make at home. The truth? Many of these classics are easier than you think. Here are 10 dishes that you can whip up in your own kitchen. You’ve got this!
10. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Who said that this combo is too simple to impress? Homemade tomato soup paired with grilled cheese is next-level comfort. The soup is ready under 30 minutes, using basic ingredients like tomatoes, onion, broth, and a little cream. The grilled cheese? Swap butter for mayo on the outside for a crispier crust.
9. Apple Crisp
Apple crisp often gets confused with apple pie. This also means people unnecessarily worry about special tools and crusts. To be clear, apple crisp skips all the fuss. Just slice up the apples, toss with sugar and cinnamon, and then top with a buttery oat crumble. It’s perfect for beginners!
8. Chili
We’re here to tell you that, no, chili isn’t a project that requires hours of simmering and a loaded spice cabinet. It doesn’t have to be complicated; just use ground beef (or turkey), canned beans, tomatoes, and basic seasoning for a one-pot meal. Chili is totally customizable and incredibly forgiving.
7. Sloppy Joes
You might remember sloppy joes from school lunch lines or as something you can only get from a can. But they’re surprisingly great when made at home. All you need is ground beef, mustard, ketchup, and a few seasonings. A little Worcestershire sauce adds a nice depth, too.
6. Biscuits and Gravy
This one feels like a hug on a warm plate. But are they easy to make? Absolutely! Choosing drop biscuits make it easy. Just shape the dough, scoop, and bake. The gravy? Simply make a roux using flour, milk, and sausage, and then stir the mixture until thick and creamy!
5. Meatloaf
If no one’s going to say this, we will: meatloaf gets a bad rap for being boring or dry, and it’s unfair. The trick to keep it juicy is a panade, a blend of milk and breadcrumbs that locks in moisture. Add barbecue sauce or ketchup on top for a flavor boost and a beautiful glaze.
4. Chicken and Dumplings
Dumplings alone can scare off a lot of home cooks, who might imagine they need knead or roll. The secret? Drop dumplings, and they come together just like biscuit dough. Simmer the chicken stew, drop spoonfuls of dough on top, and cover. The simmering liquid will cook the dumplings perfectly.
3. Baked Ziti
Baked ziti is often referred to as lasagna’s time-consuming cousin. But this comforting dish is way more forgiving. It’s as simple as mixing cooked pasta with marinara sauce and adding cheese. Bake until bubbly and golden; no layering needed. Total cook time? Around 45 minutes.
2. Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie sounds like a big project but you can take shortcuts to make it doable on a weeknight. Use store-bought pie crust, frozen mixed veggies, and cooked chicken (rotisserie is great) so you can streamline the process. It comes together in about 45 minutes and perfect for beginner to intermediate-level home cooks.
1. Classic Mac and Cheese
The quintessential comfort food is, of course, on top of the list. And no, you don’t need a roux or five types of cheese. You can keep things simple by choosing a basic stovetop version with elbow pasta, milk, butter, and cheddar cheese. There’s no oven required, and you get satisfying results in under 30 minutes.