A delicious, homecooked meal hits the spot better than ever when you’re down in the dumps. From warm soups to sweet treats, food can be the key to turning your day around.
These comforting recipes will boost your mood:
Chicken Noodle Soup
Nothing is better for the soul than a big bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup. Forget store-bought cans and make a batch from scratch the next time you feel blue. Slurping on the savory broth, fresh vegetables, and flavorful chicken will instantly lift your spirits.
Truly Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Carbonara
A hearty serving of carbonara feels like a hug from within. This Italian classic consists of pasta tossed in a creamy sauce. Pan-fried bacon bits tie the flavors together, making this dish irresistibly salty and cheesy.
Beef Stew
Cozy up with this comforting beef stew and forget all your troubles. It features tender beef and vegetables stewed in a rich wine sauce. Your first bite of this French-inspired meal will transport your tastebuds to heaven.
Grilled Cheese
Revisit your most cherished childhood memories with a grown-up grilled cheese. Why stick to boring white bread and sliced cheese when a world of flavor possibilities is waiting to be discovered? These gourmet grilled cheese ideas elevate the old-fashioned favorite with unique tastes and textures.
Three Gourmet Grilled Cheese Recipes
Mashed Potatoes
A bowl of rich, buttery mashed potatoes will make your worries disappear. Nailing the right consistency can be tricky, but this recipe makes it easy. You’ll be rewarded with light yet creamy potatoes, perfect for topping with butter or gravy.
The Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Chicken Pot Pie
This chicken pot pie is so good that it might give your grandma’s recipe a run for the money. It has everything you crave from a traditional pot pie: juicy chicken pieces, a velvety filling, and a flaky crust. After one bite, you’ll be adding the chicken pot pie to your weekly dinner rotation.
Chili
Say goodbye to waiting hours for your chili to simmer on the stove. With this recipe, you can have a big batch ready to serve in under an hour. It’s a crowd-pleaser, especially served with toppings like cornbread, avocado, and sour cream.
Baked Mac and Cheese
You’ll never return to boxed mac and cheese after learning how to make it at home. Instead of powdered artificial cheese, this version uses cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan for tons of flavor. It’s creamy, cheesy, and rich—what’s not to love?
Best Homemade Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a batch of made-from-scratch chocolate chip cookies. These indulgent cookies blow store-bought options out of the water. They’re perfectly soft yet chewy, buttery, and chocolatey.
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Cornbread
Return to your roots with this authentic Southern cornbread recipe. Its moist texture and subtly sweet flavor are the perfect companion to savory soups and meats. You can also enjoy a slice alone topped with butter, honey, or jam.
Best Super Moist Cornbread Recipe
Beef Stroganoff
It makes sense that many folks grew up eating beef stroganoff, as it’s a surprisingly easy one-pan meal. This simple recipe starts with top sirloin prepared with mushrooms in a thick gravy. Serve it over noodles for a filling dinner that’s ready in less than 30 minutes.
Taco Casserole
Casseroles are an excellent option for no-fuss meals the entire family will enjoy. Try a taco casserole next time you’re short on time and creativity. With beef, beans, salsa, and cheese, it combines your favorite Mexican ingredients into one tasty dish.
Fantastic Taco Casserole Recipe
Chicken and Dumplings
Make your mama proud with these unbeatable chicken and dumplings. This classic Southern recipe satisfies every craving for comfort food. From the tender chicken to the fluffy dumplings, every aspect of it is swoon-worthy.
The Best Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Apple Pie
Regardless of the season, apple pie is always a hit. Instead of buying a bland, mushy pie at the store, challenge yourself to bake this all-American dessert at home. Everyone will be impressed by the buttery crust, gooey filling, and spiced apple flavor.
Best Apple Pie Recipe from Scratch
Take the stress out of cooking
After a long day, spending hours in the kitchen is the last thing you want to do. These one-pot meals get dinner on the table quicker, so you can relax sooner.
14 Surprisingly Easy One-Pot Recipes for When Cooking Feels Like a Chore
Satisfy your cravings without overindulging
Cold weather is the perfect time to enjoy hearty meals and decadent desserts. These lighter alternatives help you enjoy yourself without going overboard.
15 Healthy Recipes for Cozy, Guilt-Free Satisfaction
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
