Despite the weirdness of the world, we keep cooking. Grab a cozy blanket, fire up Netflix, and wind down with these classic comfort food recipes.
With the weight of the world resting on our shoulders, we're relying even more heavily on the joys of food–making it, enjoying it, and sharing it.
Below is a handful of our favorite comfort food recipes, so that you can fill your belly and your heart with something delicious today.
1. Gnocchi
First up: gnocchi.
Timeless, tasty, and teeny, gnocchi noodles are basically the ultimate comfort food. They require a little bit of prep and attention to detail, which is perfect for getting you out of your head for a few hours. Plus, cooking a homemade meal for yourself can be so fun! Especially if you have the right tools for the job.
There are many gnocchi recipes that we love, but here are a few to help you get started:
2. Lasagna
When in doubt, go with a classic! Lasagna hits all the comfort food requirements: doughy pasta, meaty tomato sauce, melty cheese, all coming together in a rich mouthful that will send you right to the couch after eating.
When times are tough, head to your kitchen, whip up a batch of homemade lasagna, and invite your closest friends over for an Italian themed dinner party. 10/10 would recommend...
Here are a few of our favorite lasagna recipes:
3. Ramen
Everyone knows that a piping hot bowl of ramen is just good for the soul.
Ramen is considered to be traditional Japanese comfort food, and it's quickly becoming American comfort food as well. It's reasonably inexpensive, can be customized in tons of different ways, and it also takes time and dedication to make it right. Taking a little extra time to make homemade ramen will be healing in many different ways.
Here are a few of our favorite ramen recipes:
There’s no denying that polenta is a prime example of comfort food, but the time required to stir it on the stovetop to prevent it from sticking to the pan or bubbling over may not be comforting to all home cooks. The solution? Cook it in your favorite multi-cooker!
5. Dumplings
Dumplings... a beloved comfort food in many, many different cultures and cuisines. Filled with your choice of veggies, meat or cheese, dumplings are quite simply little packages of love–and we could definitely all use a little more of that these days. 🥟
Check out the recipe here if you want to go at it alone, or sign up for one of our online or in-person cooking classes here to learn how to make dumplings like the pros.
Nothing says "comfort food" quite like a hot bowl of gooey macaroni and cheese–right?? Good for the body, mind, and soul, Martha Stewart's mac-and-cheese recipe will be just think to pull you out of a funk tonight.
7. Cacio E Pepe
Cacio e pepe is basically grown-up white cheddar mac and cheese, which is probably why it’s our go-to comfort food for quick weeknight dinners and dinner parties alike.
Want to step up your pasta game? Take a class with us! The Cacio e Pepe online cooking class takes place every third Thursday at 5:00 PM PT. (We require a minimum of 5 guests to make this class happen, tickets will be refunded if we not reach the minimum number–so make sure to invite your friends and make it a party!)
There's something so cozy and comfortable about warm, custardy bread pudding. You'll want to use a brioche or challah that's rich and buttery, to match the sweet-meets-savory-meets-caramelized sauce.
No roundup of comfort food recipes would be complete without a chocolate pie (or two)–and this one is going to taste like a hug in a pie shell.
What's your favorite comfort food? Let us know in the comments below!
