65 Comfort Food Recipes to Indulge In All Year Long (2024)

FAQs

What is the ultimate comfort food? ›

The first is obvious—if you're looking to feel all warm and cozy, go for foods that are (literally!) served piping hot, like soups and stews. We've included some of our favorites, like our lasagna soup, our white bean chicken chili, our beef stew, or our chicken matzo ball soup, but really, any will work.

Fried chicken: a classic comfort food because of its crispy texture and the positive memories of picnics and gatherings. Mac and cheese: macaroni noodles in cheese sauce are simple to cook and perfectly balance carbs and proteins. Kebab: meat, veggies, spices, sauces — all mixed on a plate or rolled in a flatbread.

There is a reason why friends, family, and neighbors gravitate toward carb-heavy meals like lasagna, mac n' cheese, pulled pork, and various casseroles for grieving families: they're comforting. Most people are familiar with these dishes, and it reminds them of happier times.

Nearly as versatile a food as rice, potatoes are loved by everyone no matter where they live. They can take many forms: from French fries to mashed potatoes to gnocchi, potato lovers can rest easy knowing their favorite delicacy is incredibly easy to find and eat.

Pizza is the dominant meal, surpassing barbecue in second place and brunch in third. Chinese restaurants are the most common, representing an average of over 9.5% of all restaurants in the top visited cities, followed by Italian restaurants at more than 8.5% and Indian restaurants at 8%.

Pizza, from Italy. Ramen, from Japan. Burger, from the United States. Paella, from Spain.

Comfort foods, the study found, actually do make us feel less sad. So what were the top seven items on my poll? Mac and cheese hit the No. 1 spot, followed by beef stew, apple pie and ice cream, chicken and dumplings/chicken pot pie, meatloaf with mashed potatoes, bread pudding and fried chicken.

What is a comfort food when you are not feeling well? ›

Proteins like chicken and turkey and carbs like noodles and rice provide the energy you need to fight illness. The best comforting soups include: Chicken Noodle Soup. Matzo Ball Soup.

For the main course, there's always pasta: meaty lasagna, baked ziti, stuffed shells, and cheese ravioli. So stay in, grab a Dutch oven, an Instant Pot, slow-cooker, or a basic sheet pan and make one or more of these classic, comfort food recipes.

For instance, the flank steak with cheesy hash brown waffles will be an immediate favorite, along with the pierogi and meatball skillet, French bread pizzas, and creamy cauliflower soup. For Ree Drummond, chicken pot pie is the one comfort food that just can't be beat.

Research has linked foods like avocado, oranges, or oysters to reduced feelings of anxiety. Drinks like water and 100% fruit juice can also be beneficial if you have a lot of anxiety and stress. Those foods and drinks contain antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that help alleviate anxiety symptoms.