21 comfort food recipes that make you feel like you’re home

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There’s something magical about comfort food that takes you back to the warmth of the kitchen, the laughter at the dinner table, and the simple joy of a home-cooked meal. These 21 comfort foods will make you feel like you are home.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken on a white plate on rice topped with parsley.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Italian Mushroom Stew

Top view of a big pot of mushroom stew with cheese and basil on a cutting board next to the pot.
Italian Mushroom Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Italian mushroom stew is full of pork, earthy mushrooms and tomatoes. Served over a slice of crusty Italian bread, it’s like a hug from your favorite Italian grandma. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to eat with a wooden spoon – just because it feels more authentic that way.
Get the Recipe: Italian Mushroom Stew

Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti

A crock pot filled with spaghetti and chicken.
Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting with this Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti. Cheese, chicken, and pasta come together for comfort food that’ll make you forget all about your to-do list. It’s like that childhood favorite, only now you’re allowed to play with the slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Spaghetti

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf on a plate with mashed potatoes and carrots.
Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Cracker Barrel Meatloaf copycat will transport you straight to the cozy booths of your beloved roadside diner. Each slice is seasoned to nostalgic perfection, making you feel like you’ve just ordered off the menu without leaving your house. It’s Sunday dinner any day of the week, no road trip required.
Get the Recipe: Cracker Barrel Meatloaf

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Pork Chops on a plate covered with a creamy mushroom gravy and served on mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker Pork Chops. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Crock Pot Pork Chops are your one-way ticket to a creamy, mushroomy wonderland. Just toss ’em in and let the slow cooker work its magic, turning simple ingredients into a dish that tastes like home.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Apple Cider Pot Beef Stew

Bowl of Instant Pot beef stew with carrots and potatoes.
Apple Cider Pot Beef Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Who knew apple cider could turn a beef stew into a pot of autumnal gold? This Instant Pot Beef Stew uses the sweet and tangy goodness of cider to make those veggies and beef chunks sing. One spoonful and you’ll feel like you’re apple picking in your grandma’s backyard – even if it’s snowing outside.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cider Pot Beef Stew

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with broccoli and carrots.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Bring the Panera experience home with this Broccoli Cheddar Soup that’s as comfy as your favorite sweater. It’s the kind of soup that makes you want to dip just about anything into it, even if it’s just your spoon.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Chicken Stroganoff

A bowl of chicken and mushroom soup with bread and parsley.
Chicken Stroganoff. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chicken Stroganoff is creamy, it’s chicken-y, and it’s got mushrooms that even fungi skeptics will love. Serve it up and watch everyone come running, because nothing warms you up like a plate of stroganoff.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Stroganoff

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken on a white plate on rice topped with parsley.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

If your slow cooker isn’t your best friend yet, this Creamy Chicken will seal the deal. Spices, cream, and chicken come together in a dish that’s so easy, you’ll have time to actually enjoy your evening. Just set it, forget it, and come back to a meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Air fryer fried chicken legs and thighs in a pile on a wooden cutting board.
Air Fryer Fried Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get that fried chicken fix without the guilt or the oil splatters with this Air Fryer Fried Chicken. It’s crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and it won’t leave your kitchen smelling like a fast-food joint. It’s like Sunday dinner at grandma’s, but your arteries will thank you.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fried Chicken

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Beef tips with mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts.
Slow Cooker Beef Tips. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Slow Cooker Beef Tips are like little meaty bites of comfort swimming in a gravy bath. Throw them in your Crock Pot and let the low and slow magic happen. When it’s time to eat, it’s like your beef will be fork tender and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Air Fryer Frozen Pot Pies

Air fryer frozen chicken pot pie.
Air Fryer Frozen Pot Pies. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

When the craving for pot pie hits and patience is low, the air fryer is your best pal. Frozen pot pies transform into flaky, creamy delights faster than you can say comfort food. It’s an easy dinner, without the wait.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Frozen Pot Pies

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is the stuff of cheesy, creamy dreams. Say adios to that blue box and hello to a slow-cooked wonder that’ll make you feel all kinds of nostalgic.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Walking Taco Casserole

Mexican casserole in a glass dish.
Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Walking Taco Casserole takes all the fun of a taco and gives it a homey twist. It’s a layered fiesta of beef, cheese, veggies, and yes, Fritos, that’ll have you walking to the table instead of down the street. Taco night just got an upgrade, and your casserole dish is the VIP.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Olive garden chicken pasta on a fork.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Olive Garden Chicken Pasta will make you forget about those unlimited breadsticks. Tender chicken bathed in a creamy, cheesy sauce, all without having to find a parking spot.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Buffalo Chicken Chili

Closeup of a bowl of Buffalo chicken chili.
Buffalo Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Turn up the heat on your chili game with this Buffalo Chicken Chili that’s as bold as it is comforting. It’s got chicken, hot sauce, and beans that’ll make you feel like you’re at the tailgate, even if you’re just tailgating on your couch. Game day or not, this chili is a win.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Chili

Instant Pot Potato Soup

Bowl of potato soup with bacon and chives.
Instant Pot Potato Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Instant Pot Potato Soup is like diving into a bowl of creamy, potato-y goodness. It’s got all the toppings of a baked potato, but you can eat it with a spoon, and that’s just fun.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Potato Soup

Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Bowl of copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup in a bowl with breadsticks in the background.
Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

With this Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup, you can skip the wait and still enjoy those soft, pillowy gnocchi in a creamy broth. It’s like Italian comfort in a bowl, and you don’t even have to wear shoes to enjoy it. Just ladle, slurp, and let the coziness wash over you.
Get the Recipe: Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup

Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Instant pot French dip sandwich next to an instant pot.
Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches are the ultimate hands-on comfort food. Tender, juicy beef that falls apart in a rich au jus, all tucked into a crusty roll. It’s the sandwich your family will love.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Mexican chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl.
Chicken Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Get a taste of Chick-fil-A at home with this Chicken Tortilla Soup that’s a dead ringer for the real deal. It’s a bowl of homemade warmth that’ll make you feel like you’re in the drive-thru, but with slippers on.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Plate of spaghetti and meatballs topped with parmesan.
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Who needs a pot of water when you’ve got an Instant Pot for this Spaghetti and Meatballs? It’s a one-pot wonder that brings the Italian restaurant vibe to your kitchen table. Fork twirls and meatball steals are all part of the fun.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

Guinness Beef Stew

Top view of a bowl of Guinness beef stew with a black checked napkin and a spoon.
Guinness Beef Stew. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Guinness Beef Stew is a hearty embrace in a bowl, coated in a rich gravy. The tender beef and veggies are like a parade of comfort marching straight into your mouth. And with a splash of Guinness, it’s not just a stew – it’s a celebration of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Guinness Beef Stew

Zucchini & Summer Squash Casserole

Zucchini and summer squash alternated in a dish topped with breadcrumbs.
Zucchini & Summer Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Zucchini and Summer Squash Casserole has vibrant layers and simple ingredients. It’s like summer decided to stick around for dinner. Plus, it’s pretty enough to impress anyone, even if it’s just your cat judging your plating skills.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini & Summer Squash Casserole

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