#comfort-food

#comfort-food

All it takes is some shredded chicken, a quick cream sauce made from a good can of condensed soup (like Campbell's Cream of Chicken) plus a bit of sour cream, and of course, poppy seeds, and you've got a comforting classic that can bring everyone to the table, then send them off satisfied. But rather than making it from scratch, if you've got a rotisserie chicken leftover from the other night's dinner, the good news is you can have

Meatloaf. Mashed potatoes. Breakfast all day, every day. A cup of coffee that always seems to be full. These are the menu hallmarks of the American diner. Throw in a countertop with stools, booths with laminate countertops, and a lot of stainless steel, and the nostalgic vibe is complete. The first iterations of diners popped up in the mid-1800s, and have been a national staple ever since.

You know that warm comfort from grandma-style cooking - where the biscuits are fluffy, the fried chicken's crisp and golden, and your sweet tea arrives in a Mason jar? That's the charm of a place called PoFolks, a Southern‑style chain of family restaurants founded in Anderson, South Carolina. The year was 1975, and the PoFolks clan expanded to about 170 locations in less than a decade, spreading the love with down-home country fare like chicken‑and‑dumplings, fried catfish, turnip greens, kuntry-fried steaks, and cornbread.

This spot's cozy leather booths and plentiful wood trim give its dining room an old-school steakhouse vibe that's perfect for date nights. The menu is all about dressed-up comfort food, like the crispy, spiced-just-right curry fried chicken, or the lightly charred petite filet mignon. Steaks are served with your choice of butter or demiglace-go for the miso-honey butter. The bar program showcases housemade syrups, bitters, and tinctures, which make even the simpler cocktails taste elevated.

Don't buy creamed corn in a can-this recipe is easy to make from scratch! It calls for 8 basic ingredients, comes together in a single skillet, and tastes SO much better than any canned cream corn I've tried. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with crisp, juicy sweet corn, it's a delicious, comforting side dish. You can make this recipe with fresh or frozen corn, but through September, while corn is still in season, I'll be making it on repeat with fresh.

If you're searching for perfect September recipes, you're likely looking for something simple and comforting. As the heat of the summer lingers, school restarts, and planning for the fall and holiday season creeps into your day, September is a great last chance for a little relaxation. The grill is still an option, the weather calls for something light, and most importantly, you don't want to be spending all day making something. As it happens, our most popular recipes right now deliver on all those fronts.

Endless options reign supreme - both are bolstered by huge immigrant populations that bring depth of flavor, character, and community to each neighborhood and borough. Their unique characteristics and signature dishes can both be appreciated at the same time; for food-lovers, chefs, and critics alike, both Chicago and New York should be at the top of your list of cities to explore with a healthy appetite.

So, when I happened upon a very similar mac and cheese recipe from Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman, I knew I had to give it a shot. In the recipe post, the celebrity chef describes it as the "best mac and cheese in all eternity." My expectations were high, but to make it taste a bit more like home, I included one additional ingredient that my dad loves. In my humble opinion, I think it made Drummond's recipe even more delicious.

Sodha remembers barely coming up for air between mouthfuls when she first ate this risotto. She describes it as wildly pink, savoury and rich, yet zingy and sweet. Coconut milk and marsala are stirred into the arborio rice to create a creamy base. Sodha recommends making the effort to find fresh curry leaves for their citrus and smoky notes, which she uses in the spiced lime beetroot topping.

Homemade buttery biscuits serve as the base for this hearty breakfast, combined with seared steak, garlic, and fresh herbs to create an indulgent meal.

During the hot summer months, the slow cooker is the perfect alternative for warm meals without heating the kitchen. It allows for ‘fix-it-and-forget-it’ cooking while enjoying the outdoors or relaxing at home.

Cod liver has lived another life: packed in squat tins, as unassuming as a can of shoe polish, layered gently in its own golden, rich omega-3 oil.

"We're doing classic dishes, I call it traditional because it's what people crave. People crave grandma's dishes."

Succulent strips of sirloin are seasoned with garlic powder, then slow cooked with onion, green pepper, and stewed tomatoes. Great for anytime.

The Gluten-Free Enchilada Pasta Bake combines creamy, cheesy chicken filling with tangy red enchilada sauce, creating a flavor explosion that is hard to resist.

Metro Diner celebrates National Fried Chicken & Waffle Day on August 8, offering $5 off for patrons and limited edition perks for early visitors.

Goulash is not just a dish but a cultural symbol originating from Hungary, crafted by gulyás, or cattle herders, who made hearty stews to sustain their travels.

Shellfish and other seafood can make a delightful swap for red meat in a variety of dishes, whether you're making a batch of slow-cooked carnitas, a hearty lasagna, or grilling food on the barbecue.

Christine Baranski expresses her comfort food as a bowl of cereal with milk, but right before bed, she prefers a glass of ice water.

Naschmarkt features a dimly lit dining room with warm wood and exposed brick, creating an inviting atmosphere reminiscent of an Alpine lodge, ideal for cold weather.

Elevating a box of Hamburger Helper offers a way to enhance simple, inexpensive meals while fostering culinary confidence and creativity in the kitchen.

The cheesy jalapeño popper tater tot casserole brings together crispy tater tots, creamy cheeses, smoky bacon, and spicy jalapeños for an elevated comfort food experience.

Chickpeas are the primary ingredient in this chickpea potato stew, complemented by potatoes, onion, and bell pepper, making it a flavorful one-pot dish that is simple and customizable.

Virginia tops the charts as the Fry Capital of the U.S., with the average person consuming 21 pounds of fries a year. Alabama, Georgia, and Maryland follow close behind.

Rocco DiSpirito calls pasta with butter and Parmesan cheese "the best comfort meal ever invented," celebrating its nostalgic and straightforward appeal.

According to the USDA, on any given day, about 11% of all Americans eat pizza, which translates to around 37 million people enjoying this favorite dish.

The best cheese to use is gruyere or emmentaler. For a budget option, alpine-style cheeses like fontina or gouda are great alternatives. Avoid pre-shredded cheese.

Pastitsio is a baked pasta dish with ground meat and a béchamel sauce. It's creamier than a baked ziti and meatier than your classic lasagna.

"If you're American, you probably grew up having a sloppy joe in grade school. I thought it was weird you can't just go into a restaurant and get them; love them or hate them, it's a strong part of American culture."

Curried Chicken Fried Rice with Chilies is a flavorful weeknight dish made easy by using chilled, cooked rice and a variety of vegetables and seasonings.