Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to wait until the middle of winter to cook up your favorite comfort food classics! Here, we've rounded up the absolute best comfort food recipes around so that you can satisfy your most tantalizing cravings all year long. Whether it's winter, spring, summer, or fall, giving into your guiltiest pleasures is always fun. Here we come, mashed potatoes!
First things first, though, you'll want to identify what it is exactly that you're craving. Are you looking for something hearty to fill you (and your whole family) up? Check out our queso mac and cheese recipe, which features tomatoes, slightly spicy green chiles, and crunchy corn chip pieces. Alternatively, opt for something vegetable-focused and healthy—yes, healthy!—like a lightened-up Instant Pot soup recipe or a mini carrot pot pie. Not only will you delight your vegetarian guests, but you'll be surprised to find that these dishes are also delicious and indulgent enough for meat lovers to devour too.
Of course, you haven't truly experienced Southern comfort food until you've had a taste of one of the desserts on our list. From a double-crust apple pie featuring the surprising addition of cheddar cheese to an upgraded pecan slab pie, there's something here to appeal to everyone in your family. Now, all you have to worry about is making enough for leftovers!
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1
Corn Salad with Bacon and Honey
This salad is part sweet, part savory, and all-around delicious. You simply can't go wrong with bacon and honey!
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2
Scalloped Oysters
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3
Jalapeño-Green Chile Spoonbread
Whether you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner or just need a crowd-pleasing side dish, this homemade cornbread is your new secret weapon. A fuss-free cast-iron skillet preparation makes it easy to serve.
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4
Double-Crust Apple-Cheddar Pie
Apple pie is one of the quintessential comfort foods. Here, it's livened up with the addition of cheddar cheese and a sophisticated double crust.
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5
Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin
Best way to get your kids to eat their veggies? Cover said veggies in a thick coating of cheese.
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6
Squash Casserole
Ooey-gooey cheese meets buttery crackers in this easy casserole recipe. Fair warning: It just might steal your main dish's thunder.
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7
Pecan Slab Pie
Pecan pie is such a popular dessert—why not make an entire cookie sheet of it? There'll be more than enough to go around with this larger-than-life recipe.
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8
Savory Pumpkin Soup
On cool fall days and frigid winter nights alike, a bowl of pumpkin soup is always a good idea. Warm all your guests up with this easy appetizer—then enjoy the leftovers all week long.
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9
Sweet Potato Casserole with Homemade Marshmallow
Homemade marshmallow and whipped sweet potatoes are two of our favorite things. Just be sure to make enough for seconds (and thirds)!
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10
Mini Carrot Pot Pies
Got vegetarian family members or guests? They'll adore this entrée option. It happens to be hearty enough for meat lovers to devour too.
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11
Fresh Herb Stuffing
A stuffing recipe that comes together in less than an hour? Count us in. Flavorful ingredients like fresh thyme and flat-leaf parsley add to the appeal.
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12
Queso Mac and Cheese
Tomatoes, slightly spicy green chiles, and crunchy corn chip pieces make this homemade mac pretty extraordinary.
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13
Corn Chowder
Turn this creamy soup into a savory dish by adding crispy bacon slices.
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14
Erin Napier's Skillet Cornbread
Buttery cornbread tastes even better when it's made in a cast iron skillet.
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15
Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup
Nothing says comfort like a bowl of homemade chicken soup.
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16
Cheddar Apple Pie
Cheddar cheese baked right into the dough adds a delicious savory touch,
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17
Texas-Style Pimento Cheese
With mayonnaise, pimentos, chipotles, scallions, Worcestershire, chili powder, and cumin, this is one flavor-packed spread.
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18
Buttermilk and Hatch Chile Grits
Hatch chiles give these creamy grits extra kick.
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19
Creamy Mac-and-Cheese Chicken Soup
Dijon mustard gives this creamy and cheesy hybrid dish some tang.
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20
Cheesy Rice
Velveeta cheese is the secret ingredient behind this ooey, gooey homemade rice bake.
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