27 comfort food dinners you won’t regret making

Photo of author

| Published:

These 27 comfort food dinners you won’t regret making bring all the flavors that make comfort food a go-to choice, but with a focus on straightforward preparation and ingredients you may already have on hand. These dishes are hearty and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends.

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with herbs and bacon.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Creamy Italian sausage soup in a pot with a spoon and garnishes on the side.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Italian Sausage Soup features Italian sausage, cream cheese, canned tomatoes, and heavy cream all coming together in 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknights, this soup offers a blend of flavors that make for a comforting dinner without regrets. The creamy texture and meaty ingredients create a warm, filling experience. You’ll find this dish an excellent option when craving both warmth and depth of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

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

This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is a one-pan, 30-minute meal that combines chicken and a sumptuous mushroom sauce. The preparation is easy and the outcome is a dish rich in flavor but not in complexity. This makes it a perfect comfort food dinner that doesn’t require a lot of effort or time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted butternut squash with cauliflower and bacon and dollops of sour cream with a spoon.
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon combines butternut squash, cauliflower, and bacon in a nutrient-dense dish. Oven-baked to perfection, the ingredients blend harmoniously for a filling and comforting dinner. With a hint of wilted spinach and homemade dressing, this dish offers a rich and comforting experience.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with a spatula.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in 30 minutes, the Creamy Dijon Chicken dish features seasoned chicken topped with a creamy dijon mustard sauce, fresh spinach, and crumbled bacon. This one-pan dish makes for a quick, comforting dinner with an elegant touch. Balanced flavors from the dijon and spinach make it a go-to choice for a rewarding dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Crock Pot Taco Soup

A bowl of crock pot taco soup topped with sour cream and cilantro.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Crock Pot Taco Soup can be made with just 20 minutes of prep time, utilizing ingredients that are easy to find. Ground beef, spices, and pantry staples come together in the slow cooker, making this an effortless dinner that offers comforting warmth and depth of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Sausage Curry

Sausage curry in a skillet garnished with herbs.
Sausage Curry. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage Curry features sausages and vegetables bathed in a rich and creamy curry sauce. This one-pan wonder is a straightforward option for weeknight dinners with the family. The blend of curry flavors provides a comforting meal, making it a dinner choice you’ll look forward to making again and again.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Curry

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

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

In just 30 minutes, the Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole combines frozen broccoli, cauliflower, a cheese sauce, and bacon. The result is a hearty dinner that feels both comforting and worthwhile. Cheese and bacon work together to create a rich and comforting meal. This dish is ideal for those looking for an uncomplicated yet hearty dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Cauliflower cheddar cheese bacon soup in a pot with a spoon.
Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup is an ideal choice for a comfort meal. Ready in 30 minutes, it blends cauliflower, chicken broth, and a variety of seasonings. A hearty mix of butter, heavy cream, and cheese thickens the soup, while bacon adds a finishing touch. This soup offers creamy comfort and makes for a filling comfort food meal.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner with a spoon.
Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner includes roasted sausage and vegetables, prepared in one pan in 30 minutes. Ideal for busy weeknights, it offers a filling and flavor-packed meal that is comforting without regret. The straightforward approach minimizes cleanup and kitchen time, leaving more room for enjoying your meal.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Dinner

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Cauliflower risotto in a pan.
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is a one-pot dish that’s ready in 30 minutes. This risotto combines cauliflower, mushrooms, and a variety of seasonings to create a creamy yet light comfort food. It’s a great choice for family dinners or special occasions. The depth of flavors makes this dish a rewarding dinner experience.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

A casserole dish with meat and spinach in it.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This 30-minute Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach combines ground beef, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cheddar. It’s an excellent choice for a quick, comforting dinner that doesn’t compromise flavor. With a variety of ingredients, this casserole offers a balanced meal that is both hearty and flavorful. It’s a filling option that makes dinner preparation easy and worthwhile.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice with a wooden spoon.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice features ground beef, cheddar cheese, cauliflower rice, and mushrooms. Prepared in one pan in 30 minutes, it’s a convenient and comforting choice for dinner. A blend of meat and vegetables ensures a balanced and hearty meal. This dish is an easy route to a warm, comforting dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Spinach Chicken Bake

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

This Spinach Chicken Bake requires only 30 minutes and features chicken thighs, spinach, cream cheese, and mozzarella. The blend of chicken and greens offers a comforting and hearty dinner. Perfect for weeknights, it’s a one-pan dish that makes meal preparation simple and rewarding.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

A pan full of bacon and cabbage with a wooden spoon.
Fried Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 25 minutes, this Fried Cabbage with Bacon features a harmoniously combined dish featuring cabbage, bacon, and onion. Its balance of flavors and textures makes it a warm and filling dinner you’ll happily revisit. The recipe is ideal for those short on time but craving a well-rounded meal. Each ingredient complements the others, culminating in a dish that’s straightforward yet complex in flavor.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

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

This Sun Dried Tomato Chicken features boneless skinless chicken thighs in a sauce infused with heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. You’ll have a quick yet impressiver dinner on the table in just 30 minutes. It’s the kind of meal that warms you up from the inside and leaves you feeling good about your dinner choice. It’s ideal for weeknights but could easily impress at a weekend gathering.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Keto Zuppa Toscana

A bowl of keto zuppa Toscana with a spoon in it.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Keto Zuppa Toscana is the comfort food dinner you won’t regret making. With radishes stepping in for potatoes, this low-carb version retains all the classic flavors. The balance of sausage, radishes, and cream offers a memorable dinner option that makes eating low-carb feel indulgent. Perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you need a hearty meal, it’s ready in just an hour.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Creamy chicken thighs with artichoke hearts in a pan.
Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish is a quick and easy comfort food dinner you won’t regret making. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have juicy chicken thighs bathing in a velvety sauce with artichokes and lemon juice. It’s a heartwarming meal, perfect for any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Skinless Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Cabbage and Sausage

A pan of cabbage and sausage garnished with fresh herbs.
Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Cabbage and Sausage offers a quick, one-pan solution for dinner in under 30 minutes. This dish combines cabbage and sausage in a simple yet hearty way. It’s an excellent choice for those evenings when you want something filling but not complicated, and it ticks all the boxes for comfort food.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Creamy Garlic Chicken

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

When you need a comfort food dinner but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, this Creamy Garlic Chicken is your go-to. Prepared in a single pan and served best over cauliflower rice, this dish comes together in 30 minutes. The garlicky, creamy sauce is flavorful and impressive. Pair it with a green salad to add a refreshing contrast to this rich and satisfying dish.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

A serving of Philly cheese steak casserole being pulled up from a pan.
Philly Cheese Steak Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Philly Cheese Steak Casserole turns a beloved sandwich into a hearty and fulfilling casserole. In less than an hour, you’ll mix sirloin steak, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and provolone cheese to create a comforting dinner.
Get the Recipe: Philly Cheese Steak Casserole

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Bowl of instant pot butter chicken atop cauliflower rice in a bowl.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Here’s an Indian-inspired comfort food dinner that you won’t regret making, especially when time is of the essence. Prepared in an Instant Pot, this Butter Chicken can be on your table in under 40 minutes. The marinade and sauce create a mouthwatering depth of flavors. What’s more, the pressure cooker does all of the cooking, making this dish almost effortless yet incredibly rewarding.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Butter Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

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

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken is a luxurious yet quick comfort food dinner you won’t regret preparing. Featuring sun-dried tomatoes and spinach in a decadent creamy sauce, this one-pan dish takes just 40 minutes from start to finish. The sun-dried tomatoes and spinach offer a memorable burst of flavor and texture. This kind of dinner elevates a weeknight but also impresses when you have guests over.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili

Sweet and spicy bacon and turkey chili garnished with avocado slices, sour cream, and cilantro.
Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili is a one-pot, hearty, comforting meal. It can be prepared in just over an hour, making it a suitable choice for a weeknight dinner. Its nuanced blend of sweet, savory, and spicy elements makes it a comfort food dinner you won’t regret making.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili

Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Bowls of pumpkin soup with sprigs of rosemary.
Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin is a simple four-step process: simmer, blend, simmer again, and serve. This 40-minute recipe provides a comforting and warm soup, making it a fall favorite that fills the home with a sense of well-being.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Spoon scooping up jalapeño popper casserole from a baking dish.
Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Turn up the heat with this Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole, a comfort food dinner you’ll be glad you made. Shredded chicken thighs are combined with crisp bacon, cream cheese, and spicy jalapeños, all topped off with shredded cheese and baked to perfection. The rich, creamy base balances the heat of the jalapeños, resulting in harmonious flavors in every bite. The bubbling, golden-top casserole is a sight to behold and signals that a feast of comfort is ready to be enjoyed.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Instant pot chicken adobo in a bowl atop cauliflower rice.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Instant Pot Chicken Adobo is inspired by Filipino cuisine and provides a nuanced combination of sweetness and depth. Made conveniently in an Instant Pot, you can enjoy this comforting dinner in just 40 minutes. It’s an efficient way to offer your family something different, and it’s a comfort food dinner you’ll want to make again.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Fajita Baked Chicken is an oven-baked delight featuring chicken breasts seasoned with spices and topped with cream cheese, mini sweet peppers, and shredded mozzarella. This dish is a comforting dinner idea, all in just half an hour.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.