The 14 Easiest Comfort Food Dishes For Beginner Cooks

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Doing a roundup of easy comfort food recipes begs the question — what exactly is comfort food? To many, it means meals that are simple to make, with basic ingredients and familiar tastes. For us, comfort food is the equivalent of a hug. These are the dishes we lean on when the weather turns or when our energy runs low. For times when cooking needs to ground you rather than impress, the mind automatically gravitates toward creamy pastas, slow-cooked stews, casseroles, and soups. Dishes that warm you, from the inside out.

This list of recipes is all about ease and simplicity. Some of these dishes play on nostalgia, while others push you to think just a little bit outside of the box. All of them deliver on the promise of familiar textures and flavors. Whether you are cooking for one or feeding a family, these recipes are designed to fit into real life anytime you want dinner to feel like a small act of self-care.

A delicious, high-protein recipe that needs only 10 minutes of active mixing time? Sign us up already. If you've always associated meatloaf with dry, dense cakes of mystery meat from your school cafeteria, we're here to assure you this turkey and crispy bacon recipe is the complete opposite. With cheeky strips of crispy bacon, ground turkey meat, and a mock BBQ sauce made from ingredients we bet you already have in your kitchen, save this one for the next time you're yearning for a slice of nostalgia (with none of the high school drama).

Enjoy it with mac and cheese or steamed veggies, or do as we do and slap a slice between some bread for an easy, on-the-go lunch sandwich. Get the recipe for Turkey and Crispy Bacon Meatloaf here. 

Casseroles give the impression that you've been slaving over a hot stove for ages. While some recipes do demand extra attention, this creamy, cheesy cowboy casserole is a breeze to whip up in no time at all.

The "cowboy" in the title is a nod to the kick of chilies and chili powder and the genius tater tot topping hack will save you from all that mashed potato palaver. Swap the ground beef for a lower-fat option, like ground chicken or turkey, or use kidney beans to go fully vegetarian. Minimize or maximize the heat depending on your crowd, and serve with a salad for a complete, no-fuss meal. Get the recipe for Creamy and Cheesy Cowboy Casserole here.

If you think making a grilled cheese is as far as you're willing to go for a quick snack, let us convince you otherwise. This smoky pulled pork grilled cheese nudges you just slightly out of your comfort zone. All it takes is some store-bought pulled pork or any leftovers you have lying around, such as Hamburger Helper, taco filling, or BBQ chicken. These are stuffed into the sandwich before adding the cheese.

The real clincher here is the compound butter, which is just a fancy name for softened butter mixed with flavorings, in this case, salt and smoked paprika. Combined with the melty goodness of three cheeses, this sandwich is destined to become your new go-to comfort food. Get the recipe for Smoky Pulled Pork Cheese Grilled here. 

The humble tuna casserole has long been derided and looked down upon, and through no fault of its own. A family staple for generations, it's a recipe that can be jazzed up or pared back, made more "expensive" or trimmed to fit just about any budget. That said, the basics shouldn't be messed with if you're after the authentic comfort food experience. By that, we mean sticking to that can of cream of mushroom soup, frozen peas, canned tuna, and a crunchy topping for texture.

This tuna casserole is all about buttery vegetables, crispy breadcrumbs, and a rich, cheesy sauce that holds everything together. Get the recipe for Tuna Casserole here.

Soup may be a universal comfort food. Who doesn't crave a piping bowl of chicken noodle or something creamy and comforting when the weather turns cold or rainy? But, have you ever tried Parmesan cheese soup? If you've been chucking those hard cheese rinds in the bin, we implore you to start saving them and turn them into this aromatic, flavorful broth.

All you need are a couple of Parmesan rinds (yes, not even the actual cheese), some leeks, and simple seasoning. The result is a silky broth that can be savored as-is or used as a base for a more filling pasta soup or even a risotto. Get the recipe for Parmesan Broth here.

Imagine your favorite one-dish, Italian comfort meal, but in soup form. That's exactly what you get with this lasagna soup. Yes, you read that right: all the goodness of a lasagna — the savory ground beef, silky tomato sauce, and creamy ricotta — punctuated with pasta noodles for the perfect bite. Use store-bought chicken broth and canned tomatoes to make it even simpler, and don't forget to shower the grated Parmesan on top before serving. 

Serve with some freshly torn herbs and toasted slices of bread for a heartier meal. Get the recipe for Lasagna Soup here.

Before we move forward, a quick disclaimer: The vodka in this recipe is essential to the sly bit of chemistry that makes this fabulously easy, deeply delicious, creamy pasta work by adding a subtle richness to the simple tomato sauce. That said, not all of it will cook off, so this dish may not be suitable for young kids, those who are breastfeeding, or those in recovery. 

You can go all out and make it from-scratch with fresh, ripe tomatoes, or take the easier route and use the best-quality canned version you can find. This is the very definition of a pantry dinner, but a word of warning, don't even think about swapping the heavy cream for a lighter alternative. It just won't work. Get the recipe for Vodka Cream Pasta here.

Sophia Loren is known for many things, including her beauty, her acting chops, and her pasta. Her lemon spaghetti recipe, in particular, stands out for its irresistible combination of garlic, lemon, and cream.

The original is indulgent as-is, but we like ours extra lemony, with both juice and zest, and heavy-handed with the Parmesan and basil. What's most surprising is how quickly this dish comes together. You can make the entire sauce while the pasta water boils, just keep an eye on the butter and garlic. Once the cream goes in, everything melds effortlessly. Be prepared to make more than you think you need, or be ready to fight for a bowl. Get the recipe for Lemon Spaghetti here. 

We absolutely love this recipe, born from a wild kitchen experiment. When the author decided to push the envelope with slow-cooker combinations, even he wasn't expecting to land on something this good.

Inspired by Vietnamese pho (hence the tongue-in-cheek name), his Pho King beef layers warmth from a broth laced with notes of clove and nutmeg, savoriness from onion soup mix, gentle heat from pickled jalapeños, and richness from butter. Everything goes straight into the slow cooker — no browning, no fuss. Five hours later, you're rewarded with something far more interesting than the effort suggests. Get the recipe for Pho King Beef here. 

By applying the genius tip of using a slow cooker for a notoriously time-consuming dish, this rural baked bean version becomes a nod to the author's grandmother and her legacy. While she may have spent hours stirring and baking for optimal softness, this method delivers the same tender results by simply chucking everything into the slow cooker. A more generous hand with bacon and molasses deepens the flavor, while a few extra spices add warmth and complexity without any extra effort. 

The result is a cauldron of rich, comforting baked beans that is perfect for feeding a crowd or bringing along to a gathering. Get the recipe for Rural Baked Beans here. 

When you think of comfort food, odds are a creamy, warm dish comes to mind. Something you can spoon over rice or mop up with a chunk of bread. If that's the case, this instant pot recipe for Indian butter chicken ticks every box. Plus, it's a breeze to make with the help of your trusty cooker.

The recipe is from "The Complete Indian Instant Pot Cookbook: 130 Traditional & Modern Recipes" by Chandra Ram, and has some great tips regarding what spices to use and how to modify it if you are working with a vegan or vegetarian crowd, such as swapping the cream with coconut milk. The addition of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce is a genius way to add that much needed smoky flavor without too much effort. Get the recipe for Indian Butter Chicken here.

Traditionally a Hungarian winter dish, chicken paprikash is one of those meals that warms your insides while fortifying you for the cold day ahead. But, that's not to say you can't have it year-round. This recipe is the author's twist on a family favorite. She shaves off precious time by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken (don't forget to save the bones for a stock later on) and premade chicken stock. All that's left to do is simmer the two with butter, a dash of smoked paprika, and a swirl of cream. 

Enjoy with noodles or rice for a hearty main. Get the recipe for Chicken Paprikash here.

An Indian takeout order almost always includes dal — that creamy, soupy lentil dish that's a staple in South Asian households. While a traditional dal does require a fair bit of simmering and stirring, you can cut the cooking time in half with this genius (if slightly unconventional) hack: starting with a can of lentil soup. 

Simply add lightly sautéed onions and garlic, along with a spoonful or two of garam masala, for an easy, satisfying shortcut that delivers big flavor and helps keep your takeout bill in check. Get the recipe for Dal here.

With the wide variety of boxed mac and cheese available, you might wonder if it's even worth making from-scratch. The answer is a resounding yes. Don't be put off by recipes that mention a roux. This is just a fancy word for a simple base made from butter and flour. 

This incredibly creamy mac and cheese adds a touch of onion for extra flavor and uses a blend of Colby, Gouda, and cheddar for a triple hit of melted cheesiness. Make this once and we promise it'll become your go-to comfort food classic. Get the recipe for Classic 3-Cheese Mac and Cheese here.