Mac and cheese. The ultimate comfort food classic. A pasta dish made of elbow macaroni and a cheese sauce, usually cheddar. It’s a dish that evokes memories of childhood and simpler times. To make a delicious mac and cheese, start with cooking 1 pound of elbow macaroni according to the package directions. Drain, reserving some of the cooking water.
In a saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in 2 1/2 cups of milk and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper until the cheese melts and is well combined.
Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked macaroni, adding a splash of the reserved cooking water as needed to create a creamy consistency. Stir to combine and serve hot. For extra decadence, top with more cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and bread crumbs.
Chicken noodle soup. Another dish that brings back memories of being cared for as a child. Egg noodles, chicken, and vegetables in a broth. To make chicken noodle soup, place 3 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, 1 chopped onion, 3 carrots, 3 celery stalks, and 6 cups of low-sodium chicken broth in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
Remove chicken and set aside to cool. Add 1 cup of egg noodles, 1 cup of chopped spinach, and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley to the pot. Simmer until noodles are tender, about 8 minutes. Shred or dice the chicken and add it back to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with a simple salad or crusty bread.
Grilled cheese sandwiches. The classic grilled cheese sandwich is comfort food at its finest. White bread, butter, and melted cheese — so simple yet so satisfying. To make grilled cheese sandwiches, butter the outside of 4 slices of bread. Place 2-3 slices of cheddar cheese between 2 slices of bread to make a sandwich.
Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sandwich and cook, turning once, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side. Cut in half and serve warm. For extra flavor, add sliced tomato, bacon, or caramelized onions to the sandwich before grilling.
Chocolate chip cookies. Warm, chewy chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven. Is there anything more comforting? To make classic chocolate chip cookies, preheat the oven to 350 F. In a bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
In a separate large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened butter with 3/4 cup packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until creamy. Beat in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, then beat in 2 eggs one at a time until combined.
Gradually stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Fold in 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until light brown around the edges but still soft in the center. Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy!
Chicken pot pie. Chicken, vegetables and gravy topped with a flaky pastry crust. Chicken pot pie is the epitome of comfort food. To make chicken pot pie, place 2 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, 2 chopped carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 diced onion, and 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth in a Dutch oven. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
Remove chicken and set aside to cool. Add 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, 2 tablespoons flour, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley to the pot. Simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce has thickened, about 10 minutes. Shred or dice the chicken and add it back to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the mixture into a 9-inch pie dish.
Roll out 1 pie crust and cut into circles to cover the top of the pie dish. Crimp edges and cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape. Bake at 425 F for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 350 F and bake 30 more minutes or until the filling is bubbling and the crust is golden brown. Allow to stand 10 minutes, then serve.
Mashed potatoes. Fluffy mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food side dish. To make mashed potatoes, peel and chop 2 pounds russet potatoes. Place in a pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes.
Drain and return to the pot. Mash with a potato masher, then stir in 1/2 cup milk, 4 tablespoons butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Use an electric mixer on low speed to whip until smooth and fluffy. For extra decadence, stir in 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, chives or grated cheese. Serve hot.