#comfort-food

#comfort-food

There's something undeniably warm about walking into a Cracker Barrel. The scent of sizzling country-fried steak, stacks of golden pancakes, and biscuits fresh from the oven fills the air before you've even opened the menu. But one of the chain's made-from-scratch dishes keeps customers coming back for more than just nostalgia: the mashed potatoes with gravy. Brown gravy or sawmill gravy, your choice. Both are creamy, perfectly smooth, and deeply flavorful, with that rustic, homemade charm you just don't get from frozen alternatives.

Fine dining and fast food definitely have their place in the foodie world, but there's nothing that hits quite like one of those classic comfort food dishes. We'd go as far as to argue that there's something about a perfectly-made, pillowy, flavorful meatball that makes them kind of the backbone of comfort foods. Whether they're served up in a rustic Italian wedding soup or a classic Swedish meatball dish that's perfect for when the weather starts turning cold, we'll never say no.

It's almost a misnomer to call this recipe simply "pumpkin chili." While there is an entire can of the stuff (the kind you'd use for pumpkin pie) in the hearty stew, it's also chock full of ground beef, canned beans, and enough flavorsome ingredients that any prominent pumpkin flavor all but disappears. What's left is velvety richness, body, and an autumnal hue.

When the weather starts to cool down, nothing warms the soul quite like a steaming bowl of Easy Red Pork Pozole. This traditional Mexican-inspired soup is known for its rich, savory broth, tender pork, and hearty hominy. Best of all, this version is gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free, and soy-free-with an option to keep it dairy-free-making it a comforting dish you can share with everyone around the table.

Hearty fast-food classics like pizza, burgers, and fries are big hits in the States, and Tex-Mex dishes like nachos and chili are incredibly popular, too. Everyday meal choices are also heavily influenced by Asian cuisines, with sushi and Chinese-style noodle dishes being firm favorites. And, let's not forget the tempting selection of sweets that are synonymous with America, from pillowy glazed donuts to creamy cheesecakes and comforting fruit pies.

The Midwest knows its way around comforting, heartwarming food. Though we often associate the South with comfort food, soul food is its own category, reserved for freshly fried chicken, crispy hush puppies, smoked meats, and collard greens. Midwestern comfort food is often casserole-based, filled with inexpensive ingredients like cream cheese, egg noodles, canned tuna, and plenty of potatoes. Each cuisine was born out of culture and necessity, thriving still from the people and environments that make each region unique.

If you find funeral potatoes too grim and a hash brown casserole too boring, it's time to bring a little Mississippi Mud into your kitchen. Mississippi Mud Pie, the dessert, is a rich and decadent chocolate treat, but Mississippi Mud Potatoes are entirely different, so don't let the name confuse you. This casserole is loaded with cheese, bacon, and green onions.

Thinking about the start of autumn, how about kicking off the season with a hearty and warmly spiced pot of chili, featuring fresh, succulent tuna? This twist on a classic comfort dish combines the rich flavors of spices with the tender, texture of fresh tuna. It not only provides a burst of flavor but also offers a nutritious and wholesome option to enjoy.

The skillet, which is filled with comforting aromatic flavors like rosemary, garlic, and thyme, is the ultimate combination of all three comforting chicken dishes in one. Instead of a brothy base, the chicken and vegetables are surrounded by thick, creamy gravy, made thicker by doughy drop dumplings. The dumplings, which are a simple Southern biscuit recipe designed to be boiled in the broth, become both fluffy and creamy while steaming in the warm chicken gravy.

To me, pasta is the most versatile of food types and lends itself perfectly to such seasonal cooking: a walk through damp woodland, say, often makes me crave wild mushrooms, sauteed with garlic and herbs, then tossed with fettuccine, while, as the days shorten and the air cools, a slow-cooked game ragu with penne always hits the spot, as does a warming blast of 'nduja in a creamy sauce.

This is one of the last of the Great American Diners, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in large portions at reasonable prices. This is where you go when you want liver and onions, and your companion craves chicken fried steak. Meatloaf is on the menu, served with mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies and garlic toast for $15.99. Henri's has been around for 53 years - which, in LA terms, approaches forever.

Most people have a favorite comfort food, a dish they turn to for relief after a long, tough week, or just to warm their belly on a cold winter day. Celebrity chefs are no exception. From tried-and-true comfort classics like grilled cheese with tomato soup, mashed potatoes with gravy, or butter noodles, to less common picks like cherrystone clams, celebrity chef comfort food has no rules as long as it's soothing.

All it takes is some shredded chicken, a quick cream sauce made from a good can of condensed soup (like Campbell's Cream of Chicken) plus a bit of sour cream, and of course, poppy seeds, and you've got a comforting classic that can bring everyone to the table, then send them off satisfied. But rather than making it from scratch, if you've got a rotisserie chicken leftover from the other night's dinner, the good news is you can have

Meatloaf. Mashed potatoes. Breakfast all day, every day. A cup of coffee that always seems to be full. These are the menu hallmarks of the American diner. Throw in a countertop with stools, booths with laminate countertops, and a lot of stainless steel, and the nostalgic vibe is complete. The first iterations of diners popped up in the mid-1800s, and have been a national staple ever since.

This spot's cozy leather booths and plentiful wood trim give its dining room an old-school steakhouse vibe that's perfect for date nights. The menu is all about dressed-up comfort food, like the crispy, spiced-just-right curry fried chicken, or the lightly charred petite filet mignon. Steaks are served with your choice of butter or demiglace-go for the miso-honey butter. The bar program showcases housemade syrups, bitters, and tinctures, which make even the simpler cocktails taste elevated.

Don't buy creamed corn in a can-this recipe is easy to make from scratch! It calls for 8 basic ingredients, comes together in a single skillet, and tastes SO much better than any canned cream corn I've tried. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with crisp, juicy sweet corn, it's a delicious, comforting side dish. You can make this recipe with fresh or frozen corn, but through September, while corn is still in season, I'll be making it on repeat with fresh.

If you're searching for perfect September recipes, you're likely looking for something simple and comforting. As the heat of the summer lingers, school restarts, and planning for the fall and holiday season creeps into your day, September is a great last chance for a little relaxation. The grill is still an option, the weather calls for something light, and most importantly, you don't want to be spending all day making something. As it happens, our most popular recipes right now deliver on all those fronts.

Endless options reign supreme - both are bolstered by huge immigrant populations that bring depth of flavor, character, and community to each neighborhood and borough. Their unique characteristics and signature dishes can both be appreciated at the same time; for food-lovers, chefs, and critics alike, both Chicago and New York should be at the top of your list of cities to explore with a healthy appetite.

So, when I happened upon a very similar mac and cheese recipe from Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman, I knew I had to give it a shot. In the recipe post, the celebrity chef describes it as the "best mac and cheese in all eternity." My expectations were high, but to make it taste a bit more like home, I included one additional ingredient that my dad loves. In my humble opinion, I think it made Drummond's recipe even more delicious.

Sodha remembers barely coming up for air between mouthfuls when she first ate this risotto. She describes it as wildly pink, savoury and rich, yet zingy and sweet. Coconut milk and marsala are stirred into the arborio rice to create a creamy base. Sodha recommends making the effort to find fresh curry leaves for their citrus and smoky notes, which she uses in the spiced lime beetroot topping.

Homemade buttery biscuits serve as the base for this hearty breakfast, combined with seared steak, garlic, and fresh herbs to create an indulgent meal.

Cod liver has lived another life: packed in squat tins, as unassuming as a can of shoe polish, layered gently in its own golden, rich omega-3 oil.

Succulent strips of sirloin are seasoned with garlic powder, then slow cooked with onion, green pepper, and stewed tomatoes. Great for anytime.

The Gluten-Free Enchilada Pasta Bake combines creamy, cheesy chicken filling with tangy red enchilada sauce, creating a flavor explosion that is hard to resist.

Metro Diner celebrates National Fried Chicken & Waffle Day on August 8, offering $5 off for patrons and limited edition perks for early visitors.

Shellfish and other seafood can make a delightful swap for red meat in a variety of dishes, whether you're making a batch of slow-cooked carnitas, a hearty lasagna, or grilling food on the barbecue.

Christine Baranski expresses her comfort food as a bowl of cereal with milk, but right before bed, she prefers a glass of ice water.

Naschmarkt features a dimly lit dining room with warm wood and exposed brick, creating an inviting atmosphere reminiscent of an Alpine lodge, ideal for cold weather.