At the time of writing this, fall is fully here. Snappy cold mornings burning off to warmer cotton candy sunsets each evening puts the beauty of life on high alert. If I haven't already said this a million times, I LOVE this time of year. Colder weather makes me crave soups, casseroles, pasta, gratins, root vegetables and hearty stews. Bring on the comfort food!
Cooking brings me such contentment and happiness. Perhaps it's the ability to create something complex from separate simple ingredients, a much-needed creative outlet. Maybe it's knowing I'm nourishing the people I love - that I'm giving them something crafted from my hands that brings them fulfillment and satisfaction. Words (verbal ones) don't come easily to me when I want to express my feelings, so showing my gratitude and appreciation for my friends and family through food is my non-verbal "I Love you". Working and crafting with food allows me to show my sincere love in a very quiet, humble, and understated way. If I set a plate of food in front of you, you are my people.
I compiled a varied and delicious collection of Fall and Winter comfort food recipes to inspire your seasonal meal plans that hopefully even the pickiest of eaters will love! There are so many genius cooks out there with endless ideas... these are just some of my tried and true favorites in the colder season.
Tender chicken and perfectly cooked veggies are smothered in a rich, creamy white sauce, topped with a buttery, flaky pastry crust, and baked to golden perfection—a meal the whole family will adore!
Dive into The Food Network's hearty dish with this delightful butternut squash lasagna! Layers of tender roasted butternut squash, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures that will make your taste buds dance. Enhanced with aromatic herbs and a rich marinara sauce, this vegetarian lasagna is as comforting as it is satisfying.
Ikea has some darn good swedish meatballs, but this recipe is super easy and pairs so well with egg noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes. My family loves this comfort dish after a day on the slopes. Hearty and satisfying.
I'm the vegetarian in our family so I'm often looking for meatless Monday inspiration that we all can enjoy. I didn't tell anyone this reciepe didn't have meat and no one was the wiser. Chalk full of healthy ingredients, this is a great way pack in some much needed veggies.
My aunt used to make something called John Wayne Eggs when we would all come together at our family cottage every summer in Mid-Michigan. This is a dinner version that holds some serious nostalgia for me. Kids love this one!
I can't hear "Sloppy Joes" without thinking about Adam Sandler and the movie Billy Madison. (Come on my elder millenial friends - you know what I'm referring to!) This sloppy joe recipe is going to please everyone in your group. Trust me.
This white bean chicken chili is creamy, comforting, and a breeze to make. Just toss all the ingredients into the pot, and with minimal effort, you’ll come home to a cozy, satisfying dinner.
I make this all year round. BUT - I got a little heavier on the cheese, enchilada sauce and throw in beans for good measure during the colder months. This is requested OFTEN in our home.
I make this one more than I should. It's probably not exactly low-calorie, but who cares. We're hibernating in winter, right? Full of cream, potatoes and a bit of kick from the jalapenos, I bet you'll have this on repeat as well as it's so dang easy.
This chicken taco spaghetti is a budget-friendly, quick-and-easy dinner that'll be your new go-to! Packed with cheesy goodness and all the zesty flavors of chicken tacos, it's a playful twist on Taco Tuesday—tacos and pasta just made friends!
This is the ultimate meatloaf recipe! Incredibly tender, packed with flavor, and perfectly juicy inside, it’s topped with a tangy, sticky glaze that’s irresistibly good. Plus, it’s easy to make and absolutely delicious!
Whip up this cheesy ravioli bake with only 5 ingredients in just 5 minutes! It's an easy, no-fuss meal that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy.
I normally make eggplant in September when the fresh eggplant is readily available at the farmers market. However, I have so many meat based dishes listed that it felt like i needed to list a veggie parmesan dish vs. chicken parm. Both are equally delish; I wish you could meet my son's Italian grandpa, who makes the BEST eggplant parm I've ever had.
I remember my great-grandmother making this for us when I was growing up. Both my parents worked when I was little in the late '80s and she made some old school easy delicious casseroles when she knew my parents were busy. As a mom myself, now, I appreciate her thoughtfulness even more than ever. This one sticks out in my memory as being a dish "G.G." made that made us so happy.
I don't eat beef. But my husband LOVES this recipe. What's that saying? The best way to a man's heart (or any partner!) is through their stomach? This one will not disappoint - a hearty and stick-to-your-ribs kinda meal.
Get ready for a comfort food makeover—Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole is here to blow your taste buds away! Picture this: all the juicy, cheesy goodness of your favorite burger, mashed up with crispy, golden tater tots, and baked into one ridiculously delicious dish. It's like your favorite diner meal got cozy in a casserole, and the whole family will be begging for seconds!
Last but not least, the fan favorite: Mac and Cheese. This is one I make on a weeknight and it's also on my Thanksgiving table. Every time someone new tries this specific reciepe they ask me for it. (And it's really super duper easy!)
Enjoy this comfort food, my friends!