Simple recipes for your favorite hearty dishes

Votes: 3

Enjoy your favorite soul food with these easy recipes. Craving something warming, cheesy, or carb-heavy? You're sure to find everything you need here.

How to Cook - Simple Recipes for Your Favorite Hearty Dishes

All your favorite dishes

We all have our own ideas about what makes a dish nutritious. For some, it's tender chicken under a Parmesan crust; for others, it's a big mound. hearty potatoesHowever, one thing we can all agree on is the idea that comfort food shouldn't be a hassle. That's why we love these simple recipes. They're delicious and filling (and exactly what you want to eat when you're in the mood for some good old comfort food), but they're also easy to make. pasta casseroles And meatloaf to fried chicken and pizzas — you'll quickly make everything you love. Wondering where to start? We recommend this version of macaroni and cheese. It has all the elements of the classic dish, but with a healthy dose of hot sauce to make you feel extra warm and cozy with every bite!

Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

This amazing, nutritious dish has the flavor of traditional Buffalo wings, but without the meat. Serve with hot sauce for friends and family who love a little heat.

Recipe: Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Breakfast burgers with bacon, egg, and cheese

Pair a delicious burger with your favorite breakfast combo (bacon, egg, and cheese) for a truly comforting meal.

Recipe: Breakfast burgers with bacon, eggs, and cheese

Chicken in a creamy sauce with spinach and artichokes

A favorite hot appetizer is easy to prepare on a weekday. This creamy dish is quick and easy, and it's loaded with vegetables.

Recipe: Chicken in a creamy sauce with spinach and artichokes in a frying pan

Oven-Baked Ranch Chicken

Love crispy fried chicken but don't want to mess around with frying? Roast your chicken on metal racks for an incredibly crispy crust.

Recipe: Oven-Baked Ranch Chicken

Breadsticks with cheese and garlic

This cheese bread is a real treat: crispy edges, a toasted top, and a soft, buttery center. Yummy!

Recipe: Cheese and garlic sticks (toasts)

Bacon-wrapped meatloaf

To prevent the meatloaf from becoming too dry, Ree combines ground beef with bread soaked in milk. Topping it with a layer of thin bacon, you get a flavorful and sophisticated dish.

Recipe: Meatloaf in the oven

Potato casserole

For an incredibly cozy side dish, layer potato slices, butter, and a creamy milk mixture with a hint of warming nutmeg—then bake until golden brown.

Recipe: Potato casserole

Fried Chicken with Parmesan

This recipe combines crispy, delicious Southern-style fried chicken with the cheesy richness of Parmigiana. To save time, use your favorite marinara sauce.

Recipe: Chicken thighs in cheese breading (Parmesan)

The best chicken noodle soup

For this popular soup, we used chicken legs instead of a whole chicken: it reduces cooking time without sacrificing flavor, and the dark meat adds richness. Simple, delicious, and comforting.

Recipe: The best chicken noodle soup ever

Shells stuffed with spinach and artichokes

Pair your favorite spinach and artichoke dip with tender pasta shells and you'll find yourself in cheesy heaven.

Recipe: Pasta Casserole with Artichokes and Spinach

Chicken with dumplings

Spicy chicken and fluffy dumplings will leave you feeling full, warm, and cozy on any cold day.

Recipe: Chicken in broth with dumplings

Potato casserole with bacon

For those days when you especially crave something cozy! This tender potato dish contains two types of cheese: cheddar and Jack.

Recipe: Mashed baked potatoes

Tex-Mex Chicken Parmigiana

We've replaced all the classic Italian ingredients with tortilla chips, sharp cheese, and salsa for a Tex-Mex version. But if you're still craving Parmesan, add a couple pinches to the finished dish.

Recipe: Tex-Mex Chicken Parmesan

Spaghetti squash carbonara pasta

Take a break from your usual pasta. Spaghetti squash is a delicious substitute, especially in this creamy egg and pancetta sauce.

Recipe: Spaghetti squash carbonara pasta

Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp

This version of a classic Italian-American dish is incredibly easy to make. Simply reduce the cream slightly and add a generous amount of cheese, and you'll have no need for flour to thicken the sauce.

Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp

Sloppy Joe's Savory Buns

This is a neater version of Sloppy Joe's. Instead of spooning the meat and sauce onto buns, fill circles of store-bought scone dough with the classic mixture.

Recipe: Sloppy Joes

French fries in a multi-oven

No more processed foods! Homemade French fries turn out golden and crispy and require only 1 teaspoon of oil—another advantage of the air fryer.

Recipe: French fries in an air fryer

Chicken enchiladas

The key to this convenient enchilada is the layering. Start by pouring your favorite jarred salsa into the bottom of a baking dish. Arrange the rolled tortillas in a row before adding the salsa and cheese on top.

Recipe: Quick Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken in Marsala sauce with mustard and mascarpone

Top fettuccine pasta with juicy chicken breast and cremini mushrooms cooked in a mustard-mascarpone sauce. Giada recommends using a touch of dry Marsala wine for a subtle sweetness.

Recipe: Noodles and chicken in Marsala sauce with mascarpone

Lasagna rolls with pesto

Each of these rolls contains the perfect amount of filling and bakes much faster than traditional deep-dish lasagna.

Recipe: Spring pasta rolls baked with béchamel sauce

Broccoli Stem Gratin

This tender casserole is a thoughtful and economical dish, the perfect use for those often-discarded broccoli stems. Use a vegetable peeler to cut the stems; it'll speed up the process.

Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Stem Gratin

Buffalo-Style Chicken Wings

Buffalo wings are hard to imagine without a cool, creamy dipping sauce to cut through the heat. This recipe features a savory blue cheese dressing that perfectly complements the meat.

Recipe: Buffalo-Style Chicken Wings

Shakshuka

Eggs pair beautifully with a spicy, chunky tomato sauce. Serve with pita or naan (to catch any excess sauce) for a simple yet delicious dish.

Recipe: Shakshuka (scrambled eggs with tomatoes)

Penne alla vodka

Ree Drummond's simple pasta, topped with a creamy tomato sauce, is ready in just 25 minutes.

Recipe: Penne alla vodka pasta

Shrimp and corn grits with cowboy butter

The delicious combination of butter with garlic, lemon, and parsley (called cowboy butter) makes everything better, including shrimp and corn grits.

Recipe: Corn porridge with shrimp in cowboy butter

Spicy Turkey and Spaghetti Meatballs

Stuffed with sweet Italian sausage and prosciutto, Ina's large meatballs are so full of flavor you'll hardly believe they're made with lean ground turkey.

Recipe: Spicy Turkey Meatballs with Spaghetti

Baked ziti pasta in white sauce

This is a sophisticated baked ziti pasta with a classic béchamel-based sauce, but with the addition of Parmesan. Cubes of mozzarella are stirred into the pasta before baking, ensuring you'll find melted cheese in every bite. A touch of red pepper flakes adds the perfect amount of heat to balance the flavor.

Recipe: Cheese pasta casserole

Baked chicken with lemon in a frying pan

Ina's pan-roasted chicken is even more delicious thanks to the rich juices created by the white wine, onion, garlic, lemon, and herbs that infuse the meat in the oven. After baking, the lemons become sweet, almost caramelized, making them perfect for eating.

Recipe: Lemon Chicken in a Skillet in the Oven

Turkey and Artichoke Stuffed Shells

Giada's recipe puts a new spin on the classic childhood casserole, with a hearty ricotta and artichoke filling and a spicy red sauce.

Recipe: Shells stuffed with turkey and artichokes in arrabbiata sauce

Spätzle

Serve tender spaetzle with main courses and sauces, or even with baked chicken.

Recipe: Spätzle

Chicken Parmesan

Giada's Italian-American classic is incredibly simple. She coats chicken tenders in a homemade tomato sauce, but your favorite store-bought marinara sauce would also work.

Recipe: Chicken Parmesan

Chocolate Banana Pancake Casserole

Fill your morning with golden-brown goodness by serving this pancake, banana, and chocolate chip treat.

Recipe: Banana Chocolate Pancake Breakfast Casserole

Pasta with shrimp scampi in Alfredo sauce

Place the pasta, a package of shrimp, and a few pantry ingredients into a baking dish and bake. Just before serving, stir in some heavy cream, sprinkle with grated cheese, and fresh parsley for a quick, filling weeknight dinner.

Recipe: Shrimp Alfredo Casserole

Beef stew

Feed a crowd with this warming, hearty stew of beef, potatoes, carrots and celery.

Recipe: Beef stew in the oven

Chicken Parma Lasagna

This chicken Parma lasagna hybrid features layers of crispy chicken cutlets, tomato sauce, and three types of cheese. We love this dish hot out of the oven, but reheated leftovers are just as delicious. Sprinkle with another pinch of Parmesan before serving.

Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Lasagna

Pasta with white Bolognese sauce

It might seem odd to make Bolognese sauce without tomatoes, but this version is packed with depth of flavor thanks to aromatics, herbs, and white wine. Cream adds richness and volume.

Recipe: Pasta "Bolognese-Bianco"

Shells stuffed with chicken and cheese

Cooked chicken fingers make a quick filling for pasta shells. Save this recipe for when you want to make chicken Parma in a hurry.

Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells

Oven-fried potatoes

Instead of deep-frying, try oven-fried potatoes. All you need is a little olive oil, salt, and an oven preheated to 230°C.

Recipe: French fries in the oven

Chicken cutlets stuffed with stuffed jalapeños

Stuffed jalapeños (plus a little cream cheese) transform these chicken tenders into crispy, tender, and tangy rolls. Serve with ranch dressing to complete the dish.

Recipe: Jalapeño and Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken

Chili Cornbread Casserole

Cornbread is pierced and then filled with rich red chili, creating layers of meat and sweetness. Top with a classic combination of cheese, sour cream, jalapeño, and green onions.

Recipe: Cornbread with chili topping

Alfredo Pasta with Chicken and Garlic

This rich, creamy pasta, perfect for two, will delight garlic lovers. Enjoy it with your loved one—and you'll be safe from vampire attacks.

Recipe: Pasta Alfredo with Chicken and 40 Cloves of Garlic

Pasta with Chicken and Alfredo Sauce

This simple version of classic Alfredo sauce is flourless, and the mixture is simmered briefly with a generous helping of cheese to thicken it.

Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken

Baked Potatoes Stuffed with Cheese

Try this easy four-ingredient side dish: baked Russet potatoes stuffed with butter, sour cream, and sharp cheddar.

Recipe: Potato boats baked with cheese in the oven

Fried rice

Comfort food doesn't have to rely on cheesy, creamy sauces. This recipe combines tender pieces of meat with eggs and vegetables cooked in peanut oil to create a hearty and delicious fried rice.

Recipe: Fried rice

Shrimp with corn porridge

This classic Southern dish combines some of the most delicious ingredients: bacon, cheddar, and cornmeal.

Recipe: Shrimp with Corn Grits

Meat muffins with barbecue sauce

Rachel puts a twist on the classic treat with a unique presentation. Individual muffin-shaped portions cook in the oven faster than regular meatloaf—and they're perfect for kids.

Recipe: Meat muffins with barbecue sauce

Baked pork tenderloin in cider marinade

A maple syrup and cider marinade ensures a juicy and tender pork tenderloin. This simple main course takes only about 30 minutes.

Recipe: Pork tenderloin in cider marinade

Mashed potatoes with herbs and olive oil

Although this puree is lighter and healthier, it's no less delicious and comforting. Olive oil replaces butter, and the mixed greens add a spring-like freshness.

Recipe: Mashed potatoes with olive oil and herbs

Fettuccine with Alfredo Sauce

Giada recommends using homemade fettuccine: it's fresher and cooks faster than dry pasta. Finish cooking in a creamy sauce to allow the pasta to infuse with its flavor.

Recipe: Fettuccine "Alfredo"

Baked chicken

Ree makes a simple spread using butter, rosemary, and lemon zest. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves: Ree says the chicken is most effectively coated with your hands.

Recipe: Perfect Oven-Baked Chicken

Tetrazzini with chicken

A white béchamel sauce base makes this baked dish from Giada especially tender. It's sure to be a hit with guests: fried chicken paired with pasta and mushrooms, then topped with breadcrumbs.

Recipe: Tetrazzini with chicken and mushrooms

Detroit-Style Pizza

A savory cheese mixture that crisps up at the edges, a spongy dough, and a runny sauce that's spooned on after baking are all telltale signs that you're looking at a Detroit-style rectangular pizza.

Recipe: Detroit-style pizza

Plain calzones

Ree uses sausage for the calzone filling, but you can customize the recipe and add your favorite toppings. Ultimately, "the beauty of calzones is that you can customize them to your liking," Ree says.

Recipe: Italian Calzones made from yeast dough in the oven

Roast for a large company

This dish is simple enough for everyday dining, yet delicious and perfect for entertaining. Aina's classic roast features vegetables, a can of whole plum tomatoes, and plenty of red wine.

Recipe: Pot-roast for the company

Enchiladas with Lasagna Pasta

Can't decide between lasagna and enchiladas? No problem—these simple rolls have both.

Recipe: Enchiladas with lasagna dough

Baked ziti pasta with mushrooms and spinach

Some of the most delicious dishes are made in the oven in one pot—like this baked pasta loaded with mushrooms, herbs, and melted cheese.

Recipe: Pasta casserole with spinach and mushrooms

Sausages with mashed potatoes

Aina prepares her own interpretation of the classic British treat – bangers and mash.

Recipe: Sausages with mashed potatoes

Garlic bread with herbs

This quick and easy garlic bread is the perfect combination of buttery flavor and crispy texture. Serve with your favorite cold-weather soups and stews.

Recipe: Garlic croutons with herbs

Pasta Carbonara with Chicken

The best thing about this delicate dish is that it's quick to make at home. But since the sauce is egg yolk-based, Giada recommends eating the pasta right away. "Otherwise, it'll be almost like an omelet made the day before," she says.

Recipe: Spaghetti Carbonara with Chicken

Chicken Stuffed Shells in Alfredo Sauce

These stuffed shells with ricotta and tender chicken are the perfect base for your favorite creamy Alfredo sauce!

Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Chicken Alfredo

Baked spare ribs in beer glaze

Amy's beef short ribs are incredibly simple: just bake them in the oven and top them with a sticky dark porter glaze. The glaze adds a deep, almost chocolatey flavor, while the cilantro and lime add a subtle balance.

Recipe: Beef ribs with beer glaze in the oven

Baked new potatoes with garlic

The secret to crispy baked potatoes is in the cooking fat. In this recipe, we use butter, plus garlic and parsley for flavor.

Recipe: Country-style potatoes with garlic in the oven

Broccoli-stuffed chicken with tomato rice

Combine broccoli and cheese spread with garlic and herbs to transform chicken breasts into a beautiful and delicious main dish. Score the chicken, stuff the breasts with cheese, and bake.

Recipe: Chicken breast stuffed with broccoli and cheese and tomato rice

Penne pasta with mozzarella, tomatoes and herbs

This dish requires very little effort. Simply toss cooked pasta with tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and other fresh ingredients. We recommend using bocconcini (mini mozzarella) to evenly distribute the creamy cheese throughout the pasta.

Recipe: Penne pasta with bocconcini mozzarella, tomatoes and herbs

Fried pork cutlets

If you're cooking for a large crowd, Ree recommends using a large skillet to fry three patties at a time. Serve the pork with mashed potatoes for a simple yet delicious meal.

Recipe: Fried pork cutlets

Beef Stroganoff

When the cold weather sets in, treat yourself to a generous serving of this meat dish. Tender slices of beef and mushrooms with pasta are sure to warm you up.

Recipe: Beef Stroganoff with Mushrooms

Spaghetti Carbonara

This recipe has just about everything you could want: bacon bits, melted Parmesan, and Pecorino cheese.

Recipe: Real pasta Carbonara

Breaded steak with gravy

To achieve optimal flavor, Ree coats the steak in a flour mixture with paprika and cayenne pepper. Adding a creamy gravy takes this cowboy classic to a whole new level.

Recipe: Crispy breaded beef chops with gravy

Mashed Potatoes with Bacon and Cheddar

Give mashed potatoes a new twist: add bacon for a crispy, smoky flavor, cheddar for a tangy kick, and green onions for a tasty garnish.

Recipe: Mashed potatoes with cheddar cheese

Hot cheese sandwich with caramelized onions

There's nothing more satisfying than tearing into a hot, gooey cheese sandwich. This recipe, in addition to the cheese, includes sweet caramelized onions for an extra kick.

Recipe: Hot sandwich with cheese and caramelized onions

Chicken Parma

This version of chicken Parma is super quick. Top the breaded, golden-brown chops with a thick slice of mozzarella and pop them in the oven at high heat.

Recipe: Angelfish pasta with chicken cutlets and mozzarella

Pasta with chicken in a creamy sauce

This pasta with a thick, creamy sauce is seasoned with fresh thyme and a pinch of nutmeg. You'll never want to use store-bought sauce again!

Recipe: Creamy pasta with chicken

Linguine pasta with clam sauce

Use the remaining white wine to make a clam sauce for this cozy pasta. For a richer, saltier flavor, you can also use the clam juice.

Recipe: Linguine pasta in white sauce with clams

Steak with creamy sauce

A chicken-fried steak wouldn't be complete without a generous helping of rich, creamy sauce. Luckily, this version comes with a recipe for a rich, delicious, and incredibly simple gravy.

Recipe: Cornflake-crusted beef chop with creamy sauce

Stuffed shells with bolognese sauce

This juicy, comforting, and filling dish can be easily prepared in 35 minutes. Ricotta and roasted bell peppers add a wonderfully rich, creamy flavor.

Recipe: Stuffed pasta shells in Bolognese sauce

Classic Banana Bread

Got a couple of overripe bananas? Place them in a zip-lock bag and freeze. (They'll keep for up to 1 month.) When you have enough bananas, use them for this simple recipe. Bring them to room temperature, then peel and mash.

Recipe: The best banana cake

Slow Cooker Chicken Ranch Pasta

This quick dish is popular online. But various versions often turn out too soup-like, and the sauce can be lumpy. In this recipe, we use chicken thighs because they stay juicy and tender; we stir them into the cheese mixture after it's cooked: this savory, creamy mixture is perfect with pasta.

Recipe: Penne pasta with chicken in ranch sauce in a slow cooker

Classic French Toast

How to make great French toast: Use stale bread, cut into slices at least 2 cm thick (they'll soak better, resulting in a moist center), and pay attention to the soaking time. Less soaking will result in a slightly drier toast, while more soaking will result in a softer toast.

Recipe: Cinnamon French Toast

Cheddar Fondue with Grilled Tomatoes, Bacon, and Onions

Throw a fondue party! Amy Thielen serves aged cheddar and Gruyere dip with gourmet skewers for dipping: grilled tomatoes, onions, bacon, and ciabatta.

Recipe: Aged Cheddar Fondue with Tomatoes, Bacon, and Grilled Onions

French Onion Dip

For this caramelized onion dip, Amy fries fresh onions in ghee. The melting of the butter (removing some of the water and protein from the butterfat) prevents the onions from burning.

Recipe: Fried Onion Dip

Baked chicken with bread stuffing

Amy uses country bread, sausage, and fresh sage for the stuffing, which she serves with baked chicken—an impressive dinner for family and friends.

Recipe: Oven-baked chicken with bread stuffing, sausage, and herbs

Sloppy Joe's Sandwiches

These sandwiches are a classic kids' treat, but Ree's recipe is savory enough that adults will appreciate it too.

Recipe: Sloppy Joe's Hamburger Mix

Bread pudding with French toast

Sunday breakfast will be exquisite with this wonderful bread pudding, featuring the familiar flavors of French toast. Thick slices of challah provide volume, while honey, orange zest, and maple syrup add subtle nuances of flavor.

Recipe: French Toast Bread Pudding

Meatloaf Lasagna

Two favorite treats, meatloaf and lasagna, combine into a unique new dish. To save time, use a cup of your favorite ready-made red sauce.

Recipe: Meatloaf with lasagna

Spicy Spaghetti with Meatballs

This is anything but a boring dish: large beef and pork meatballs top a serving of spaghetti with a spicy tomato sauce. Cayenne pepper and hot sauce provide the heat.

Recipe: Spicy Spaghetti with Mega Meatballs

Meatloaf with spicy ketchup

Treat your guests to a hearty meatloaf. Sriracha sauce and apple cider vinegar add a vibrant flavor to Sunny Anderson's unique spicy ketchup.

Recipe: Meatloaf with hot ketchup sauce

Open-faced fried egg sandwich

To assemble this delicious open-faced sandwich, place a yolk-side-up fried egg on a juicy smoked beef patty, a quick garlic-lemon mayo, and finally a thick slice of Texas toast.

Recipe: Burger with fried eggs

Boiled potatoes with butter

This recipe is simple yet foolproof. Golden tubers are simmered in a fragrant mixture of garlic, bay leaf, and peppercorns, then finished with butter and a generous pinch of salt.

Recipe: Boiled new potatoes with butter

Baked potatoes

These baked potatoes are filled with sour cream, crispy bacon, and fresh chives.

Recipe: Baked potatoes with sour cream

Patty Melt Sandwich

These hearty grilled sandwiches are filled with caramelized onions, beef, and Swiss cheese that melts like lava.

Recipe: Patti-melt sandwiches

Beef Stroganoff with pasta

Tyler's creamy meat dish requires minimal prep and practically cooks itself. The ribs are baked at a low temperature, resulting in tender, melt-in-your-mouth comfort.

Recipe: Beef Stroganoff with Noodles in Butter

Oven-roasted chicken

This juicy breaded chicken is a great alternative to traditional deep-fried chicken. For a spicy Tennessee-style flavor, use paprika and cayenne pepper in the breading and hot sauce in the batter.

Recipe: Oven-fried chicken pieces

Rotini with Chicken Ragout in Marsala Sauce

Trisha uses chicken thighs in her Chicken Marsala recipe.

Recipe: Chicken Marsala Stew with Rotini Pasta

Sausages in dough

This original recipe features a bagel spice mix. These mini sausage rolls, with a hint of onion and cream, make a great snack or quick breakfast.

Recipe: Sausages in shortcrust pastry

Patti Melt Sandwiches

Serve these sandwiches straight from the oven—guests will enjoy layers of warm, melted Swiss cheese.

Recipe: Patty Melt Sandwiches

Pasta with pepper and pecorino cheese

Ina Garten uses melted pecorino and heavy cream in a rich, incredibly flavorful pasta.

Recipe: Pasta with black pepper and pecorino cheese

Turkey Meatloaf with BBQ Sauce

Patrick and Gina Neely make meatloaf by roasting ground turkey with a variety of aromatic spices and then tossing it with their famous barbecue sauce.

Recipe: Turkey Meatloaf with BBQ Sauce

Parma Eggplant Sandwich

A quick marinara sauce gives the sandwich a wonderfully chunky texture. Even better, it doesn't require many ingredients, and you probably already have most of them.

Recipe: Eggplant sandwich

Hearty lasagna

Ri's lasagna is a very filling meat and cheese dish. It contains 900 grams of ground beef and 450 grams of sausage, as well as three types of cheese.

Recipe: Lasagna with meat sauce and cottage cheese

Chicken Pot Pie Sandwiches

Jeff makes a quick and easy roux to thicken the sauce for the creamy filling. Then he combines toasted pine nuts and thawed peas in a food processor for a simple pesto—a vibrant and flavorful topping.

Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Sandwiches

Sloppy Joe's Burgers

In his version of this family favorite, Tyler makes a zesty sauce from familiar ingredients like ketchup, mustard, and red wine vinegar. For a refreshing twist, he adds homemade pickles to his burgers.

Recipe: Sloppy Joe Ground Turkey Hamburger Mix

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