20 Classic Comfort Foods That Never Go Out of Style

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sitting down to a meal that brings back a flood of good memories. These timeless comfort foods are more than just recipes; they’re the meals that make everything feel a little bit better. With each bite, they wrap us in familiarity, making them dishes we turn to again and again.

Baked Ziti

This Italian-American favorite combines ziti pasta, ricotta, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Cook the pasta, mix with marinara and ricotta, and layer with mozzarella in a baking dish. Bake until bubbly and golden. The combination of gooey cheese and tangy tomato sauce makes it irresistible for weeknight dinners​.

Tuna Casserole

You’ll need canned tuna, egg noodles, cream of mushroom soup, peas, and breadcrumbs. Mix the ingredients, top with breadcrumbs, and bake until golden. This dish is an easy, comforting meal that combines creamy textures and the mild flavor of tuna​.

Shepherd’s Pie

Ground lamb or beef, onions, carrots, peas, and mashed potatoes are layered in this savory dish. Cook the meat and vegetables, top with mashed potatoes, and bake until golden. This hearty meal is a British classic that never goes out of style​.

Sloppy Joes

Ground beef, tomato sauce, onions, and spices create the filling for these sandwiches. Simmer the beef mixture until thick and serve on soft buns. The sweet, tangy sauce makes this a childhood favorite that’s easy to whip up for dinner​.

Chicken Alfredo

This creamy pasta dish features fettuccine, chicken breasts, heavy cream, Parmesan, and butter. Cook the chicken and make a rich Alfredo sauce with cream and cheese, then toss with the pasta. It’s a decadent, comforting meal perfect for a cozy night in​.

Goulash

A one-pot meal with ground beef, macaroni, tomatoes, and spices, American goulash is a simple but flavorful dish. Cook everything together in a large skillet until the pasta is tender. This affordable, filling meal is a hit with families​.

Chicken Fried Steak

This Southern classic features cube steak breaded and fried, served with creamy gravy. Coat the steak in seasoned flour, fry until crispy, and top with gravy made from pan drippings. It’s a comfort food staple, often served with mashed potatoes​.

Jambalaya

A Creole favorite, jambalaya includes rice, sausage, shrimp, tomatoes, and Cajun seasoning. Cook the sausage, add the rice and spices, then simmer with shrimp. This spicy, flavorful dish is perfect for feeding a crowd​.

Shrimp and Grits

This Southern dish requires shrimp, grits, butter, and cheese. Cook the grits until creamy, sauté the shrimp with garlic and spices, and serve together. The creamy grits and savory shrimp make a comforting meal perfect for brunch or dinner​.

Meatball Subs

For this sandwich, use meatballs made from ground beef, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan, simmered in marinara sauce, and served in a hoagie roll with melted mozzarella. It’s a comforting, hearty sandwich perfect for a quick meal​.

Clam Chowder

This creamy soup combines clams, potatoes, onions, bacon, and cream. Sauté the onions and bacon, add the potatoes and clams, and simmer with cream. The rich, velvety broth is perfect for cold weather​.

BBQ Pulled Pork

This slow-cooked dish requires pork shoulder, barbecue sauce, and spices. Cook the pork low and slow until tender, then shred and mix with sauce. Serve on buns for a satisfying, smoky sandwich that’s perfect for gatherings​.

Chicken Marsala

You’ll need chicken breasts, Marsala wine, mushrooms, and butter for this Italian-American dish. Cook the chicken, then sauté the mushrooms and deglaze with wine to make a rich sauce. This restaurant-style meal is surprisingly easy to make at home​.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Made with chicken breasts, bell peppers, pineapple, vinegar, and sugar, this dish balances tangy and sweet flavors. Fry the chicken, then simmer in the sauce with vegetables. It’s a takeout favorite that’s easy to recreate at home​.

Beef Tacos

Season ground beef with cumin, chili powder, garlic, and onions, and serve in soft or crispy tortillas with lettuce, cheese, and salsa. These customizable tacos are a family favorite that can be prepared quickly​.

Eggplant Parmesan

Layer breaded, fried eggplant slices with marinara sauce and mozzarella, then bake until bubbly. This vegetarian dish is hearty, cheesy, and full of rich flavors, making it a comforting option for dinner​.

Chicken Rice Casserole

You’ll need chicken breasts, rice, cream of chicken soup, and spices. Mix the ingredients and bake until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through. This simple, satisfying casserole is a comforting one-dish meal​.

Corn Chowder

This hearty soup includes corn, potatoes, onions, and cream. Sauté the vegetables, simmer with broth, and finish with cream for a rich, comforting soup that’s perfect for fall and winter meals​.

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Make flaky biscuits and serve with a rich gravy made from sausage, flour, and milk. This Southern breakfast favorite is a comforting way to start the day, offering a creamy, flavorful meal​.

French Onion Soup

This classic soup is made with caramelized onions, beef broth, and topped with crusty bread and melted Gruyère cheese. Simmer the onions until golden, then deglaze with broth and top with cheese for a savory, comforting dish​.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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