Delicious Comfort Food Dinner Ideas to Satisfy Your Cravings

Whether you want to warm up on a cold day or you’re just in the mood for some comfort food, there’s something to love about hot, hearty dishes. Having a few favorite recipes on hand will make it easier to whip up something that’s sure to hit the spot.

From traditional recipes with a focus on flavor to quick and easy twists on classic comfort foods, there are plenty of options to choose from. If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out these 20 delicious comfort food recipes.  

Classic comfort food ideas

Traditional comfort food is rich, hearty, and bursting with taste. These ten ideas will surely hit the spot.

1. Bacon explosion

Bacon, ground pork, barbecue sauce, and cheese combine to create the ultimate comfort food. Serve it with a side of mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese. 

2. Garlic and chive mashed potatoes

Garlicky and super fluffy, these mashed potatoes are the ideal side to serve with a wide variety of meat dishes. 

3. Three-cheese mac and cheese

Mac and cheese is classic comfort food. This recipe combines swiss, cheddar, and gouda for a cheesy, gooey flavor that everyone is sure to love. 

4. Creamy baked potato soup

A thick and creamy baked potato soup is an excellent starter or can be served on its own with a side salad. Top it with sour cream and cheese, then garnish with some green onions and bacon. 

5. Beef stew and garlic mash

Potatoes, chunks of beef, and mixed vegetables make this dish super easy, and the addition of garlic mashed potatoes creates the perfect comfort food. 

6. Shrimp gumbo

When you want your comfort food with a bit of a kick, you can’t go wrong with some homemade shrimp gumbo. Serve it over a generous helping of white rice. 

7. Fettuccine alla carbonara

If you’re craving pasta, you’ll love this dish that’s made with a rich, creamy sauce. The bacon and prosciutto add an unforgettable flavor that will make this one of your favorite comfort food dishes. 

8. Sunday oven pot roast

When you have a few hours to make a hearty homemade dinner, an oven-baked pot roast with gravy and vegetables is always a great idea. 

9. Irish broiled dinner

You don’t have to wait for St. Patrick’s Day to enjoy Irish comfort food. This recipe includes corned beef, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage, all cooked in one pot. Serve it with a side of homemade Irish soda bread.   

10. Dark Guinness brownies

Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? You can’t go wrong with dark, rich chocolate brownies that include beer as the special secret ingredient. 

Healthy comfort food dinner ideas

If you’re watching your calories, you’ll be glad to know you won’t have to miss out on enjoying your favorite comfort foods. Take a look at these healthy alternatives.

1. Air fryer “fried” chicken

Fried chicken is a delicious comfort food, but it’s often heavy in fat and calories. You can lighten it up by coating chicken with buttermilk and breadcrumbs and cooking it in the air fryer. 

2. Cauliflower mac and cheese

Craving mac and cheese but don’t want to derail your diet? Try this lightened-up cauliflower mac and cheese instead. It’s so delicious you’ll forget it’s meant to be healthy. 

3. Grilled veggie pizzas

A veggie pizza is a great way to enjoy pizza while cutting down on calories. The gorgonzola or blue cheese adds full flavor, while the portabella mushrooms, zucchini, squash, and broccoli give it a healthy twist. 

4. Instant Pot vegetable soup 

Soup is the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold day. This recipe is also one of the best ways to make sure you get your daily helping of veggies without packing in extra calories. 

5. Skillet gnocchi with shrimp and asparagus

A simple skillet dish, this recipe combines craving-worthy gnocchi along with healthy ingredients like shrimp and asparagus. It’s the perfect compromise for days when you need a bit of extra comfort. 

Quick comfort food dinner ideas

While many comfort foods take some time to make, it’s quick and easy to whip up soups, casseroles, and other one-dish recipes. These easy comfort food dinner ideas will satisfy your cravings even on busy nights.

1. “Pizza” Shepard’s pie

Beef, cheese, and tomatoes packed inside pizza dough create a delicious and easy comfort food recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. 

2. Bacon cheeseburger soup

This thick, creamy soup made with meat and potatoes tastes just like a cheeseburger, but you can eat it with a spoon. Top it with tomatoes, scallions, and crumbled bacon for a delicious dish you won’t soon forget. 

3. Cheddar bacon casserole

Breakfast-for-dinner is a popular trend, and this quick-baking casserole is the perfect solution. Whip it up in the morning and it will be ready to pop in the oven when dinner time rolls around. 

4. One-dish chicken tamales

This delicious chicken casserole uses boxed cornbread as its base. It also combines creamed corn, chicken, and your favorite enchilada sauce. 

5. Saucy skillet chicken

A rich and savory dish, this skillet chicken features a sauce made of butter, white wine, and shallots. It’s a simple weeknight dinner that always hits the spot.

Grocery delivery is the perfect complement to comfort foods!

When you’re in the mood for comfort food, the last thing you want to do is fight the crowds at the grocery store. Instead, just head over to Instacart.com, create your shopping list, and wait for a professional shopper to bring your grocery delivery right to your home. It doesn’t get any easier than that!

Grab it now on Instacart:

Ground Pork (1 lb)

Daisy Sour Cream (8 oz)

Usda Beef Chuck Pot Roast (1.99 lb)

Sara Lee Premium Meats Corned Beef (10 oz)

Athenos Crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese (4.5 oz)

Owens Hickory Smoked Thick Sliced Bacon (24 oz)

Cinch Corn Bread Mix, Quick N' Easy (15 oz)

You may also want to check out our convenience and ready meals to have your comfort food delivered right to your door!

Instacart

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.