Your Comfort Food Recipes

Comfort Food for the Soul

When the weather is cold or you're feeling blue, what foods warm your soul and delight your palate?

We asked our readers to share the simple and easy recipes they turn to on days when only a delicious homemade dish can soothe the soul. Whether macaroni and cheese, peanut butter-banana-bacon sandwiches, meat loaf, or mashed sweet potatoes, these recipes connect our readers to happiness and comfort.

Tortellini Soup

One of the things I love about this soup is you can make it as easy or complicated as you'd like. You can use homemade broth, lots of veggies and spices, and let it simmer all day. Using mostly pre-packaged ingredients, I had a comforting meal in about 20 minutes.

The Elvis Sandwich

Recently, I read that a team of Canadian explorers set a speed record reaching the South Pole by eating a diet of mainly bacon and butter.

The Elvis Sandwich is a classic named after the famous singer because he loved fried sandwiches with peanut butter and bananas. Some versions include bacon. I think bacon is the perfect comfort food when the temperature is cold. Be sure you have a safe brand of peanut butter.

Dave's Rutabaga-Leek Soup

Someone gave me a box of vegetables. I gave some to the llamas--they loved the kale--and I ate some myself. I was left with a large leek and two rutabagas. I said, "Ok, let's make soup.” This is what I came up with and I think you'll find this to be a great comfort food on a cold day. If you want to make Vichyssoise, follow the instructions but serve the soup cold.

Cheese Risotto

Here's a recipe an ex-girlfriend gave me a long time ago. My family loves it.

Heart-Stopping Macaroni and Cheese

Set the table, grab a glass of wine, claim your spot on the couch, eat, and nap. Wake me up in March.

Smoked Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

In Philadelphia, where I live, I am very fortunate to have the Reading Terminal Market, a huge farmer's market in the center of the city. Several of the stands have a great selection of cheeses, and one stand sells applewood smoked cheddar, which is what I usually use in this recipe. Any good cheddar will be good in this dish, but if you can find a good smoked cheddar, it gives an unusual flavor, along with the Tabasco, to make a mac and cheese that is very different and really delicious.

Comfort Chili

I must have this comfort food at least once a month. Make the chili in a large pot, pan, dutch oven, etc. This is the same recipe I use for pasta dishes, minus the beans.

Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes with Gravy

My family's favorite. This is not a turkey loaf--something has to moo or oink. You can make sandwiches with leftovers. Call friends and family to the table and serve everything together.

Barbeque Meatloaf

I have a little spin on meatloaf you might like. Yummmmm.

Simple Spaghetti

You can eat this dish right away, but I think it’s better the next day after all the flavors mix together. The dish is also great as a lasagna sauce. All you need is a nice Chianti or Pinot Noir, some wonderful fresh bread, and a nice green salad.

Mother's Pot Roast

Cold weather and comfort means pot roast in my house. I make great pot roast, something I learned from my mother.

Camotes, or Mexican Sweet Potatoes

The most delicious way to eat sweet potatoes is the way Mexicans eat them. In the winter, my mother always makes warm, sweet, and very comforting camotes (pronounced cah-moe-tes). The flavors take me back to my childhood. Delicioso!

Related Posts by Category