Here are the 20 comfort foods we wish we’d tried sooner

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Comfort foods are the best, right? We love them. These 20 recipes are ones that you’ll wish you’d tried way earlier. They’re all about big flavors and easy steps, perfect for any day of the week. Whether you’re cooking solo or for a crowd, these dishes are going to become your new go-tos. After you try them, you’ll ask yourself how you ever got by without these recipes in your life.

Twice baked potato casserole with bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

A pot of soup with parmesan cheese and parsley.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

When you’re in the mood for something warming and hearty, try this soup that comes together in only 30 minutes. This particular recipe is reminiscent of a creamy tomato soup with added flavor from the Italian sausage and shredded Parmesan. This simple yet delicious recipe is a great way to enjoy a cozy dinner with your family without spending too much time cooking.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

A bowl of chicken pot pie soup being scooped with a spoon.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

You’ll love turning this classic dish into a new family favorite. Ready in just an hour, it combines the creamy, comforting tastes of the chicken pot pie into a convenient one-pot soup. It’s easy to make and combines chicken, vegetables, and a creamy broth for a comforting meal. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner, especially when you need a hearty but uncomplicated dish to share with your loved ones.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a gold spoon.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Hungarian Mushroom Soup is your answer for a warming, flavorful meal that comes together in just 45 minutes. This dish features mushrooms simmered in a creamy and savory broth, making it a great option for a cozy family meal any day of the week. It also stores well in the refrigerator and can be frozen later, making it a great meal prep option for busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This casserole is a great way to enjoy a warm meal on a chilly night. Featuring broccoli, cauliflower, cheese, and bacon, it’s a great way to introduce more vegetables to your meals that everyone will love. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect recipe for those days when you need a hearty dinner on the table quickly.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in just half an hour, this dish is a perfect choice for a hearty and cozy family dinner. It’s a one-pan meal that features the comforting flavors of chicken thighs and mushrooms in a creamy sauce. Whether it’s a chilly night or a casual family gathering, this meal is perfect for those times when you want a special dinner that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This soup is a great way to enjoy a cozy, homemade dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. Ready in just an hour, it’s an easy recipe that combines sweet potatoes and red peppers into a smooth, creamy and comforting dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a great way to warm up your family dinners with an effortless and delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice baked potato casserole dish with cheese, bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

You can serve this warm and hearty casserole that features a combination of comfort foods like potatoes, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and bacon, baked together until perfectly golden. This is a version of the classic twice baked potatoes but saves you the fuss of stuffing the skins, making it a great option for busy family weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

A bowl of wild rice mushroom soup with a spoon.
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Wild Rice Mushroom Soup is a must-try for a cozy family dinner. It features a comforting blend of nutty wild rice and earthy mushrooms, creating a rich flavor profile that’s sure to warm everyone up. You’ll appreciate how the rice and other ingredients cook together, saving you time and effort. It’s ready in just over an hour, making it a practical choice for busy evenings.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted cubed butternut squash and spinach with sour cream.
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sheet pan dinners are a lifesaver for busy families. In this dish, cubed butternut squash, cauliflower, and bacon are all roasted together for a flavorful and easy dinner. You can also customize it based on your preference or the vegetables you have to save you even more time. Ready in under an hour, this dish is a great way to enjoy a cozy dinner with your family.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Chicken Corn Soup

Two bowls of chicken corn soup garnished with parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In under an hour, you can enjoy a cozy and hearty meal that’s perfect for family dinner nights. This soup is a comforting blend of tender chicken, corn, and a medley of vegetables, all simmered in a creamy and savory broth. It’s a perfect option for busy evenings when you want a hearty homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan with chicken, spinach and bacon in it.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, you can serve a cozy family dinner that’s flavorful and easy to make. This dish features juicy chicken thighs and fresh spinach cooked in a rich, creamy Dijon sauce, then topped with crispy bacon for added flavor. It’s an impressive dish perfect for date nights or gatherings, yet simple enough to prepare to serve on busy weeknights at home.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Crock Pot Taco Soup

Two bowls of Crock Pot taco soup with cheese and sour cream.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Crock Pot Taco Soup only needs 20 minutes of prep time, then the slow cooker takes over, simmering all the wholesome ingredients to perfection. Featuring pantry staples like ground beef, onions, cream cheese, and canned diced tomatoes, it’s a practical and effortless dinner perfect for busy families. Prep everything in the morning, go on with your day as the soup slowly cooks, and come back to a hearty and delicious meal ready to serve by dinnertime.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, you can bring to the table a dish that’s filled with the comforting flavors of chicken, spinach, and cheese. This casserole is perfect for those nights when you need a warm, home-cooked meal for the family. It’s practical, easy to make, and delicious — and might just become a new go-to dinner for your busy weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed bell pepper casserole in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

We love making this Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. It’s a delicious one-pot cozy comfort food dinner idea that is easy enough for beginner cooks to make — no stuffing vegetables required. The best part? It comes together in just 45 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice garnished with fresh herbs with a fork.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet is a quick, 30-minute comfort meal that combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, and cheese in a hearty dish. It’s very easy to make and uses ingredients you may already have on hand, making it a great choice for busy evenings when you need a cozy and filling family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun dried tomato chicken served on a plate.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish brings a touch of Italian warmth to your dinner table with its rich blend of sun-dried tomatoes, Italian spices, and creamy sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, this one-pan meal is a time-saver and a surefire way to impress your loved ones with minimal effort. Serve it as is or alongside your favorite veggies for a comforting and hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Keto Zuppa Toscana

Two bowls of soup with bacon and kale.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

In just an hour, you can enjoy this modern take on Olive Garden’s classic soup. This dish uses radishes as a clever substitute for potatoes, giving you a similar flavor and texture but with lower carbs. The radishes simmer along with sausage, garlic, radish, and kale in a creamy broth, making it perfect for those busy weeknights when everyone craves something hearty and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

All cooked in one pan and ready in 40 minutes, this dish cooks chicken thighs in a creamy sauce loaded with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach for a warming family meal. This one-pan recipe is great for those cozy evenings when you crave something hearty yet easy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Cheesy beef casserole with cauliflower rice and spinach being spooned out of a baking dish.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This casserole is a great way to bring warmth and comfort to your family dinner table. Combining ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar cheese, this dish is a clever way to incorporate more vegetables into your family meals without compromising on taste. This dish is ready in 30 minutes and made in just one pan for convenience, making it a great choice for those busy evenings when you want a meal that will keep everyone happy and full.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish features chicken breasts cooked in a rich, creamy garlic sauce. It’s a one-pan recipe that’s impressive enough for special occasions but easy enough for weeknight cooking. Serve it over rice or alongside your favorite side for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

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