Between the shorter days, colder nights, and stresses of everyday life right now, comfort food seems to be the best cure out there. What’s better on a dreary day than a heaping bowl of Chicken & Dumplings or creamy macaroni and cheese? Give yourself something to look forward to after yet another day full of glitchy zoom meetings and never-ending e-learning assignments: Dive into one of these comforting recipes and indulge your taste buds ASAP!

 

Nothing screams comfort food like a classic macaroni and cheese. This stovetop cheddar mac and cheese is both creamy and surprisingly easy, which means it’s one you’ll be making on repeat all winter long. Bye bye, Blue Box!

(image via the kittchen)

 

Keeping on theme, who can resist a grilled cheese sandwich? Cookie + Kate’s favorite sandwich uses shredded cheddar in place of the usual American slices both inside and out for a gooey center and crispy crust. A little Dijon mustard adds a subtle savory note that’ll have diners  thinking…”what is that?” 

(image via cookie + kate)

 

Bored? Snowed in? Just plain hungry for some down home comfort but can’t visit home right now? These award winning Southern Chicken and Dumplings from Grandbaby Cakes are easy to get lost in the process of making. Plus, the leftovers are simply spectacular.

(image via grandbaby cakes)

 

Speaking of chicken, how can you have a comfort food list without fried chicken? This restaurant-level Buttermilk Fried Chicken is admittedly an afternoon project, but nothing will pair better with that quick and easy stovetop macaroni and cheese – so it all balances out, really.

(image via dinner then dessert)

 

One of our favorite recipes right here at Home Chef is Nigel’s Old School Baked Ziti. This Italian-American comfort dish is as good as it gets, and if you add a salad and some garlic bread, it feeds a crowd.

(image via home chef)

 

What’s more comforting than a steaming bowl of soup? With many ingredients you probably already have in the pantry, mix up a pot of Creamy Loaded Potato Soup for a delightful dinner on a cool night.

(image via jo cooks)

 

What’s a Cowboy Casserole, you ask? Only the ultimate comfort food dish complete with cheese, potatoes, beef, and lots of homey flavor. There is no mistaking the heartiness of this dish when you can literally see the layers of ingredients. Part chili and part cheesy potatoes, when all you can think about is a feel good dinner, this will always hit the spot.

(image via the anthony kitchen)

 

We love a good cheeseburger but sometimes we’re too lazy for the real deal. For a quick option that gives you that cheeseburger flavor you crave, Cheeseburger quesadillas are a clever and quick weeknight idea.

(image via iowa girl eats)

 

But if you want the real thing and it’s burger or bust…this Juicy Steakhouse Burger recipe is worth perfecting. Fries optional, but are they, really?

(image via once upon a chef)

 

Feed a crowd with a classic chicken and rice casserole. Cheesy, creamy, and comforting is the name of the game. Better yet, a store-bought Rotisserie chicken or leftovers from the fridge will make it an even easier dinner to get on the table fast.

(image via the food cafe)

 

We’re always in the mood for hearty lasagna but let’s be real –  it’s not the most weeknight-friendly option. Luckily, our very own Chef Dave created a tasty Weeknight Italian Sausage Lasagna that gives all the flavor and comfort without the usual effort and time. The key is skipping all that fussy layering and cooking it all up in the same skillet you sautéed your ingredients in.

(image via home chef)

 

For the final touch, indulge in Crinkle Top Chocolate Peanut Butter Skillet Blondies for a sweet treat that’s easy and worth every ingredient. These blondies could serve several or make for multiple single-servings. We’re not judging if you polish most of it off yourself in one night though; these days, we probably could, too.

(image via half-baked harvest)