Comfort foods are classic American meals that always hit the spot. They’re quick to make, easy to please a crowd, and generally deliver good leftovers, too.
From fried chicken to creamy baked potatoes, here are some of the best comfort foods recipes around! They’ll satisfy those chilly fall and winter cravings!
Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is a deliciously satisfying dish that’s been enjoyed by families around the world since thousands of years. From street corner stalls to fast food restaurants, there are many unique styles of fried chicken to enjoy.
Unlike other fried dishes, fried chicken is seasoned and breaded before being deep fried or pan-fried. This process results in a crispy, well-seasoned skin and a moist interior.
The earliest known recipe for fried chicken is thought to have originated in Scotland, but it’s likely that African people brought the dish with them when they were enslaved in the United States. The dish became a staple of Southern cuisine, and is still an icon of American cooking today.
Whether you enjoy it piled high on a platter or stuffed into a warm buttermilk biscuit, fried chicken is an essential comfort food for Southerners and beyond. In fact, it’s an American icon that’s cherished all over the world.
Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese
Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese is a rich and creamy comfort food dish made with perfectly cooked macaroni pasta. This one pot pasta casserole is loaded with three different kinds of cheese and topped with crispy bacon bites for a hearty dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or holiday side dish!
Gouda is a mild, semi-soft, Dutch-style cheese that melts beautifully. It’s similar to Gruyere in flavor, but it’s much smoother and richer with an almost nutty or caramel-like aroma.
It’s also a very smooth cheese that has a good amount of moisture, making it easy to melt in a sauce. Young, Young Matured, and Matured gouda all have the right amount of moisture to make a cheese sauce that will melt well.
For this recipe, I’ve smoked the gouda in my smoker to add some smokiness to the cheese that complements the creamy mac and cheese. The smokiness will also help the cheese absorb the sauce better.
Cheeseburger Fries
If you’re looking for a fast, easy snack that’s also a comfort food, then these loaded cheeseburger fries are the perfect recipe! They are super easy to make and are a delicious appetizer that you can serve at parties or get-togethers.
To make these cheeseburger fries, you’ll first need to prepare the french fries and shredded cheddar. Next, you’ll need to make the ground beef and onions.
Then, you’ll need to add a layer of cheese on top of the fries to prevent them from getting soggy. Once you’ve done that, you can add the ground beef and cheese on top of the fries.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association hopes this new snack can rekindle the American public’s love for red meat. The group’s goal is to emulate the success of Chicken McNuggets and fried mozzarella sticks at fast-food chains.
Chicken Pot Pie
One of the most classic comfort foods recipes, chicken pot pie is an addictive blend of tender pieces of chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce. This recipe is simple and easy to make, so it’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner.
Start with a whole chicken, simmering it with water and vegetable until the meat is cooked through. When you pull it out, reserve the broth for the filling.
Combine the broth, flour, and milk to thicken the filling. Stir in shredded chicken or turkey and frozen peas.
If the sauce seems runny, add cornstarch a little at a time to thicken it. You can also try baking the crust a few minutes before adding the filling to help it set up properly.