17 Comfort Foods to Warm You Up This Winter
Jessica Smith
Jessica Smith
Jessica is a blogger and professional pastry cook in San Francisco. When not whipping up desserts, you can usually find her tackling DIY projects with her husband, entertaining for a crowd, or running around the neighborhood with her rambunctious puppy, Rebel. Jessica believes in using seasonal and wholesome ingredients as much as possible and you can check out more of her recipes at her blog: By Guess And By Golly.
When the temperature drops, everyone loves a big heaping plate of homemade comfort food. We're referring to those hearty dishes that make your mouth water as soon as you read the title of the recipe. Perhaps you're looking for a festive holiday entrée or maybe just a cozy night of cooking in your sweatpants. Whatever your motivation, Brit + Co has you covered with plenty of our very own make-at-home comfort meal recipes. Click through for the very best from the archives.
Beef Chili Skillet Lasagna: We love homemade lasagna, but we love this one-pan version even more. It only requires 30 minutes and some delicious Mexican-inspired spices, and you're ready to eat.
Mexican BLT: We've heard of throwing an avocado on our BLTs, but this goes all the way with creamy guacamole, cheddar cheese, a chipotle spread, and even a fried egg. You can thank us later.
Gnocchi Mac and Cheese: This cheesy gnocchi mac is next-level on the cozy scale. The creamy sauce is made of Gruyere, Parmesan, and fontina cheeses, and the whole thing gets topped in crispy breadcrumbs before heading into the oven.
Stuffed Artichokes: Stuffed with couscous, Parmesan, and garlic, and topped with festive pomegranate seeds, this dish would make a pretty offering at a potluck or on a holiday table. And, while they may look impressive, they're actually pretty easy to make.
Single-Serve Vegetarian Enchilada Lasagna: Check out this individual enchilada lasagna if you're looking for a perfectly portioned serving of comfort. It's easy to throw together for weeknight dinners or lunch at home.
Smashed Potato Nachos: These little babies have the heartiness of crispy mashed potatoes and all the fun that comes with topping your own nachos. It's a true mashup of everyone's favorite comfort foods.
Popcorn Fried Chicken: These crispy fried chicken bites are what fast food fantasies are made of, but the homemade version is even better. Juicy chicken thighs get rubbed in a spicy herb mix and then battered in buttermilk and breadcrumbs. There's even a honey-Sriracha sauce, for all your dipping needs.
Pizza Nachos: When you need a little extra crunch on that pizza, just add nachos! Yes, you read that correctly. Feel free to get crazy with your nacho/pizza toppings.
Mason Jar Lasagna: These sweet little single-serve lasagnas get the award for cutest comfort food. We think they would be perfect for a dinner party. Assemble the jars ahead of time and pop them in the oven before serving.
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwich: This pulled pork sandwich is not messing around. The super flavorful pork filling is marinated in Dr. Pepper and dark rum. Add some crusty white bread and strong cheddar cheese, and we're in business.
Black Bean Chili: Everyone needs a great vegetarian chili recipe in their back pocket, and this might be yours. Loaded with mushrooms and sweet potatoes, it's a healthy spin on a classic. Pile on sour cream, avocado, and cheese for extra comfort.
Pizza Fries: Looking for a perfect party appetizer? Thick-cut potato wedges sub in for the pizza crust and get topped in sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. These are definitely a crowd-pleaser, though they're so tasty that you may not want to share.
Grilled Cheese Tacos: Taco shells made out of grilled cheese sandwiches? Sign us up. This is literally a marriage between tacos and our favorite sammy. All you need is a margarita to round out this meal.
Shepherd's Pie: Shepherd's pie might be the ultimate in cold-weather comfort. Creamy red potatoes blanket a rich lamb filling, and there's a delicious gravy to smother over the top. This one takes us right back to childhood (but we'll have this grown-up version with a glass of wine).
Chili Mac and Cheese: It's hard to go wrong with piles of pasta and cheese. This recipe only requires one pan, so you'll have less cleanup. That means more time under a blanket with your favorite show.
Brie,
Bacon, and Squash Risotto: This loaded risotto is best eaten from a big, warm bowl on the couch, preferably while Netflix binging. It tastes like it's straight from your favorite local Italian restaurant, but you can enjoy it in your jammies.
Creamy Egg and Bacon Carbonara: Sometimes it's best not to mess with the classics, like this carbonara dish. If a warm bowl of pasta is what speaks to you, save this recipe. With a silky sauce and plenty of savory bacon bits, it comes together quickly and is super satisfying.
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Jessica Smith
Jessica is a blogger and professional pastry cook in San Francisco. When not whipping up desserts, you can usually find her tackling DIY projects with her husband, entertaining for a crowd, or running around the neighborhood with her rambunctious puppy, Rebel. Jessica believes in using seasonal and wholesome ingredients as much as possible and you can check out more of her recipes at her blog: By Guess And By Golly.