16 Beloved Comfort Food Recipes Passed Down Through Generations

Nothing feels quite like the warmth of comfort food. These are the dishes that carry memories and fill homes with familiar, welcoming smells. From hearty stews to classic casseroles, these recipes aren’t just about food; they’re about family, love, and tradition. So here’s a lineup of cherished recipes, each one handed down and perfected over generations—ready to bring that cozy feeling straight to your table.

Chicken and Dumplings

A classic Southern dish, chicken and dumplings combine tender chicken pieces with soft, pillowy dumplings in a savory broth. To prepare, you’ll need 1 whole chicken, 6 cups of chicken broth, 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup of shortening, 1 cup of milk, salt, and pepper. Begin by boiling the chicken in the broth until cooked, then remove and shred the meat. For the dumplings, mix flour, shortening, and milk to form a dough, roll it out, cut into strips, and drop them into the simmering broth. Add the shredded chicken back into the pot, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the dumplings are tender.

Meatloaf

Meatloaf is a hearty dish made from ground meat mixed with various seasonings, and baked into a loaf shape. You’ll need 2 pounds of ground beef, 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1/2 cup of chopped onion, 1/2 cup of milk, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of ketchup. Combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, milk, salt, and pepper in a bowl, mixing thoroughly. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a baking dish, topping with ketchup. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about an hour, or until fully cooked.

Macaroni and Cheese

This creamy pasta dish is a favorite among all ages, featuring tender macaroni enveloped in a rich cheese sauce. Ingredients include 2 cups of elbow macaroni, 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup of butter, 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, 2 cups of milk, salt, and pepper. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions and set aside. In a saucepan, melt the butter, stir in the flour to create a roux, then gradually add milk, stirring until thickened. Add the cheese, stirring until melted, then combine with the cooked macaroni, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Beef Stew

A comforting meal, beef stew consists of tender beef chunks simmered with vegetables in a flavorful broth. You’ll need 2 pounds of beef stew meat, 4 cups of beef broth, 4 potatoes (cubed), 4 carrots (sliced), 1 onion (chopped), 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of flour, salt, and pepper. Begin by browning the beef in a pot, then remove and set aside. In the same pot, sauté the onion, add the flour and tomato paste, then gradually stir in the broth. Return the beef to the pot, add the potatoes and carrots, season with salt and pepper, and simmer until the meat and vegetables are tender.

Chicken Pot Pie

This savory pie features a creamy chicken and vegetable filling encased in a flaky crust. Ingredients include 2 cups of cooked, diced chicken, 2 cups of mixed vegetables (peas, carrots), 1/3 cup of butter, 1/3 cup of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 3/4 cups of chicken broth, 2/3 cup of milk, and 2 pie crusts. Melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and seasonings to form a roux, then gradually add the broth and milk, cooking until thickened. Stir in the chicken and vegetables, pour the mixture into a pie crust, cover with the second crust, seal the edges, and bake at 425°F (220°C) for about 30 minutes, or until golden brown.

Lasagna

Lasagna is a layered pasta dish featuring rich meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender noodles. You’ll need 1 pound of ground beef, 4 cups of marinara sauce, 12 lasagna noodles, 15 ounces of ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, salt, and pepper. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions and set aside. Brown the ground beef in a skillet, drain excess fat, and add the marinara sauce, simmering for a few minutes. In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. In a baking dish, layer the meat sauce, noodles, and cheese mixture, repeating the layers, and top with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 45 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.

Shepherd’s Pie

A traditional British dish, shepherd’s pie consists of a flavorful meat filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Ingredients include 1 pound of ground lamb or beef, 1 onion (chopped), 2 cups of mixed vegetables (peas, carrots), 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 cup of beef broth, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 4 cups of mashed potatoes, salt, and pepper. Brown the meat and onion in a skillet, drain excess fat, then stir in the flour, tomato paste, and broth, cooking until thickened. Add the vegetables, season with salt and pepper, and transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Spread the mashed potatoes over the top, creating an even layer, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.

Chicken Noodle Soup

A timeless remedy for cold days, chicken noodle soup combines tender chicken, hearty noodles, and vegetables in a savory broth. You’ll need 1 whole chicken, 8 cups of chicken broth, 2 cups of egg noodles, 3 carrots (sliced), 3 celery stalks (sliced), 1 onion (chopped), 2 cloves of garlic (minced), salt, and pepper. Begin by boiling the chicken in the broth until cooked, then remove, shred the meat, and set aside. In the same pot, sauté the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened. Add the shredded chicken and noodles to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and simmer until the noodles are tender.

Beef Stroganoff

Originating from Russia, beef stroganoff features tender beef strips in a creamy mushroom sauce, typically served over noodles or rice. Ingredients include 1 pound of beef sirloin (sliced into thin strips), 1 onion (chopped), 2 cups of mushrooms (sliced), 1 cup of beef broth, 1 cup of sour cream, 2 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of butter, salt, and pepper. In a skillet, melt the butter and sauté the onions and mushrooms until softened. Add the beef strips, cooking until browned, then sprinkle with flour and stir well. Pour in the beef broth, bring to a simmer, then stir in the sour cream, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the stroganoff over cooked noodles or rice.

Pot Roast

A hearty meal, pot roast involves slow-cooking a beef roast with vegetables until tender and flavorful. You’ll need a 3-pound beef chuck roast, 4 cups of beef broth, 4 potatoes (quartered), 4 carrots (cut into chunks), 1 onion (quartered), 2 cloves of garlic (minced), 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Season the roast with salt and pepper, then sear it in a hot skillet with olive oil until browned on all sides. Place the roast in a slow cooker, add the garlic, onion, potatoes, and carrots, then pour in the beef broth. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the meat is tender.

Baked Ziti

Baked ziti is a comforting Italian-American casserole featuring pasta baked with a rich tomato sauce and melted cheese. Ingredients include 1 pound of ziti pasta, 4 cups of marinara sauce, 2 cups of ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 egg, salt, and pepper. Cook the ziti according to package instructions and set aside. In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. In a baking dish, layer the cooked ziti, marinara sauce, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella cheese, repeating the layers. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.

Chicken Fried Steak

A Southern classic, chicken fried steak involves breading and frying beef cutlets, then topping them with creamy gravy. You’ll need 4 beef cube steaks, 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 eggs, 1 cup of milk, salt, pepper, and oil for frying. Season the steaks with salt and pepper. In one bowl, place 1 cup of flour; in another, whisk together the eggs and milk. Dredge each steak in flour, dip in the egg mixture, then coat with the remaining flour. Fry the steaks in hot oil until golden brown on both sides. For the gravy, use the drippings in the pan, add 1/4 cup of flour, cook for a minute, then whisk in 2 cups of milk, cooking until thickened.

Tuna Casserole

A staple in many households, tuna casserole combines pasta, canned tuna, and a creamy sauce, often topped with breadcrumbs. Ingredients include 2 cups of egg noodles, 2 cans of tuna (drained), 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup of frozen peas, 1/2 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions and set aside. In a bowl, mix the cream of mushroom soup, milk, tuna, and peas. Combine the cooked noodles with the tuna mixture and pour into a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, then bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan features breaded chicken cutlets topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese, typically served over pasta. You’ll need 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 2 eggs, 2 cups of marinara sauce, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, and oil for frying. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, then season with salt and pepper. In one bowl, place the breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese; in another, whisk the eggs. Dip each chicken breast in the egg, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Fry the chicken in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through. Place the fried chicken in a baking dish, top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Cornbread

Cornbread is a traditional, slightly sweet bread that pairs well with hearty stews and soups. For a simple recipe, mix 1 cup of cornmeal, 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a bowl. Add 1 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of vegetable oil, and 1 egg, stirring just until combined. Pour into a greased baking pan and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden. This versatile bread is beloved for its crumbly texture and mild sweetness.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes, a quintessential comfort food, are rich and creamy, perfect as a side dish for any meal. Boil 4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed, in salted water until tender, then drain. Mash with 1/4 cup of butter and 1/2 cup of milk, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. For extra creaminess, add a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese. This fluffy, buttery dish complements a wide range of savory mains.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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