Comfort Food Dinner Recipes for Cozy Nights

There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting meal to bring people together on a chilly evening. For many of us, the thought of a cozy night in with loved ones is a welcome respite from the stresses of everyday life. And what better way to unwind than with a hearty, satisfying meal that’s sure to become a family favorite?

Comfort food dinner recipes are the perfect way to bring people together and create lasting memories. They’re often simple, yet packed with flavor and love, making them the perfect choice for a night in with friends and family. From creamy pastas to rich meat pies, there’s something for everyone in this collection of 12 comforting dinner recipes.

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings

Creamy Chicken and Dumplings is a classic comfort food dinner recipe that’s sure to become a staple in your household. This rich, creamy stew is filled with tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and a hint of herbs that will leave your taste buds feeling warm and fuzzy. It’s the perfect meal for a cozy night in, especially on a cold winter’s evening.

Ingredients

– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 carrots, peeled and diced
– 2 celery stalks, diced
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 2 cups chicken broth
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
– Dumplings (see below for recipe)

Instruction

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until tender.
2. Add chicken, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper, and cook until chicken is browned.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.
4. Add heavy cream and chicken broth, and whisk until smooth.
5. Pour mixture over chicken mixture in pot, and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat, and cook for 10-15 minutes or until dumplings have risen.
7. Remove from heat, and sprinkle with parsley.

Baked Mac and Cheese

Baked Mac and Cheese is a classic comfort food recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. This creamy, cheesy pasta dish is the perfect meal for a cozy night in, and it’s surprisingly easy to make.

Ingredients

– 8 oz macaroni
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 cups milk
– 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instruction

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook macaroni al dente, and set aside.
3. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
4. Add flour, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
5. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese until melted.
7. Add cooked macaroni to cheese sauce, and stir until coated.
8. Transfer to a baking dish, and top with additional cheese.

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie is a classic comfort food recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. This savory pie is filled with tender chicken, flaky crust, and a hint of herbs that will leave your taste buds feeling warm and fuzzy.

Ingredients

– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 carrots, peeled and diced
– 2 celery stalks, diced
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup heavy cream
– 2 cups chicken broth
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
– Pie crust (see below for recipe)

Instruction

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until tender.
3. Add chicken, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper, and cook until chicken is browned.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and heavy cream.
5. Add chicken broth, and whisk until smooth.
6. Pour mixture over chicken mixture in saucepan, and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat, and cook for 10-15 minutes or until filling has thickened.
8. Roll out pie crust, and place in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Fill with chicken mixture, and cover with additional pie crust.

Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff is a classic Russian comfort food recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. This savory beef dish is filled with tender beef, mushrooms, and a hint of herbs that will leave your taste buds feeling warm and fuzzy.

Ingredients

– 1 pound beef strips
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
– 1 cup beef broth
– 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 8 oz sour cream

Instruction

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until tender.
3. Add beef, and cook until browned.
4. Add mushrooms, beef broth, mustard, thyme, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook until liquid has reduced.
5. Stir in sour cream, and cook until heated through.
6. Serve over cooked pasta.

Creamy Chicken Casserole

Creamy Chicken Casserole is a classic comfort food recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. This creamy, cheesy casserole is filled with tender chicken, pasta, and a hint of herbs that will leave your taste buds feeling warm and fuzzy.

Ingredients

– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
– 8 oz pasta
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instruction

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Set aside.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until tender.
4. Add chicken, and cook until browned.
5. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken mixture, heavy cream, cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
6. Transfer to a baking dish, and sprinkle with additional cheese.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie is a classic comfort food recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. This savory pie is filled with tender beef, vegetables, and a hint of herbs that will leave your taste buds feeling warm and fuzzy.

Ingredients

– 1 pound ground beef
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 carrots, peeled and diced
– 2 celery stalks, diced
– 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
– 1 cup beef broth
– 2 tablespoons tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 2 cups mashed potatoes

Instruction

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until tender.
4. Stir in frozen peas and carrots, beef broth, tomato paste, thyme, salt, and pepper.
5. Transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
6. Top with mashed potatoes.

Chicken Alfredo Bake

Chicken Alfredo Bake is a classic comfort food recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. This creamy, cheesy casserole is filled with tender chicken, pasta, and a hint of herbs that will leave your taste buds feeling warm and fuzzy.

Ingredients

– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
– 8 oz pasta
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
– 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instruction

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Set aside.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until tender.
4. Add chicken, and cook until browned.
5. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken mixture, heavy cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheese.
6. Transfer to a baking dish, and sprinkle with additional cheese.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Cheesy Baked Ziti

Cheesy Baked Ziti is a classic comfort food recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. This creamy, cheesy pasta dish is filled with tender ziti, melted mozzarella cheese, and a hint of herbs that will leave your taste buds feeling warm and fuzzy.

Ingredients

– 8 oz ziti pasta
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 cups marinara sauce
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
– 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instruction

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook ziti according to package instructions. Set aside.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until tender.
4. Add marinara sauce, and cook until heated through.
5. In a large bowl, combine cooked ziti, sauce mixture, mozzarella, Parmesan, and cheddar cheese.
6. Transfer to a baking dish, and sprinkle with additional cheese.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Creamy Sausage and Potatoes

Creamy Sausage and Potatoes is a classic comfort food recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. This creamy, cheesy casserole is filled with tender sausage, diced potatoes, and a hint of herbs that will leave your taste buds feeling warm and fuzzy.

Ingredients

– 1 pound sausage
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 cups diced potatoes
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instruction

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook sausage in a large skillet until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add garlic, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add diced potatoes, and cook until tender.
5. In a large bowl, combine cooked sausage mixture, heavy cream, cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
6. Transfer to a baking dish, and sprinkle with additional cheese.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Chicken and Rice Bake

Chicken and Rice Bake is a classic comfort food recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite. This simple, yet satisfying dish is filled with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a hint of herbs that will leave your taste buds feeling warm and fuzzy.

Ingredients

– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
– 2 cups cooked white rice
– 2 tablespoons butter
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– Salt and pepper to taste

Instruction

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook until tender.
3. Add chicken, and cook until browned.
4. In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken mixture, rice, chicken broth, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese.
5. Transfer to a baking dish, and top with additional cheese.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.