20 Rainy Day Comfort Food Recipes That’ll Brighten Your Mood

Close

Photo: Meredith Food Studios

When you pull back the curtains and see the beginnings of a rainy, foggy day, there's only one thing to do: cook comfort food. Curl up on the sofa with a big bowl of goulash or shepherd's pie to warm you up from the inside out. Use your day indoors to make a more intensive dish like lasagna, or keep things simple with chicken noodle soup. Either way, these 20 recipes are sure to improve your day, gloomy weather or not.

01
of 21

Chef John's Chicken a la King

Chef John

Perfect for using leftover chicken, this comforting dish features a creamy sauce and plenty of veggies. Chef John suggests, “Serve over pasta, toast, rice, or mashed potatoes.”

View Recipe

02
of 21

Mom's Favorite Baked Mac and Cheese

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

You'll never go back to the blue box after whipping up a batch of this baked macaroni and cheese. Featuring two types of cheese, the end result is irresistibly creamy and rich.

View Recipe

03
of 21

World's Best Lasagna

Based on the thousands of five-star ratings, this recipe's title is no exaggeration. Layers of noodles, beef, homemade tomato sauce, and lots of gooey cheese are all baked together to create the perfect lasagna.

View Recipe

04
of 21

Broccoli, Rice, Cheese, and Chicken Casserole

Genna1118

Broccoli and cheese rice may be a childhood favorite of yours and this recipe upgrades it into an all-in-one meal with the addition of chicken. BuffaloGal says, “This recipe was delicious and extremely easy! If you’re in a hurry, this is the casserole for you.”

View Recipe

05
of 21

Veggie Chili Cornbread Casserole

Chef Mo

Chili and cornbread are meant for each other and this dish combines the two into one easy casserole. Veggie-packed chili is topped with jalapeño-infused cornbread and baked to golden perfection. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or guacamole to cool things down.

View Recipe

06
of 21

Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Allrecipes Magazine

It's hard to beat the classic choice of chicken noodle soup on a dreary day. This recipe is ready in just 30 minutes, meaning you'll be spending less time on the kitchen and more time cozy on the couch.

View Recipe

07
of 21

Unstuffed Cabbage Roll

Cabbage rolls are a beloved comfort food, but require quite a bit of effort. Instead, make this Dutch oven dinner that combines all the staple ingredients of cabbage rolls for an easy dish. Serve over rice or noodles to soak up the extra sauce.

View Recipe

08
of 21

Buffalo Chicken and Roasted Potato Casserole

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

If your version of comfort food is something you'd snack on during a game day, then this is the casserole for you. Chicken and roasted potatoes are tossed in a spicy buffalo sauce then baked with cheese, bacon, and green onions for a decadent meal.

View Recipe

09
of 21

Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini

Photo by Allrecipes.
Allrecipes

"This soup embodies all the wonders of Italian cooking: Italian sausage, garlic, tomatoes and red wines," says recipe creator Mary P. "Serve with hot bread and salad for a delicious meal. Garnish with Parmesan cheese."

View Recipe

10
of 21

Chef John's American Goulash

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

This Americanized version of goulash is still packed with all the comforting flavors of the Hungarian original. “This is one of those very simple dishes that does not taste simple—perfect for your weeknight dinner rotation,” says Chef John.

View Recipe

11
of 21

Mom's Chicken Pot Pie

KGora

With a creamy gravy, tender pieces of chicken, and a buttery crust, who can resist a freshly baked pot pie? Since this recipe uses canned veggies, it's a snap to prepare.

View Recipe

12
of 21

Absolutely Ultimate Potato Soup

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

Using a whopping one pound of bacon, this potato soup is packed with layers of savory flavor. Set a few pieces aside after frying and crumble on top of the creamy soup for a tasty contrast of textures.

View Recipe

13
of 21

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Beth

This comforting shepherd's pie has a meat-free twist with lentils, walnuts, and barley standing in for the ground lamb or beef. It's a casserole fit for both vegans and meat-eaters to enjoy.

View Recipe

14
of 21

Instant Pot Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

The Instant Pot takes all the hassle out of making a classic Sunday roast with carrots and potatoes. If you prefer your vegetables to be on the firmer side, some reviewers recommend adding them in the last 30 minutes of cooking to retain a more toothsome texture.

View Recipe

15
of 21

Easy Meatloaf

Meredith Food Studios

Whip up a meatloaf just like mom used to make. This recipe has the classic flavorings of chopped onions and bell pepper, perfect for leftover sandwiches the next day.

View Recipe

16
of 21

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Let the slow cooker do the work for you in this easy recipe. Simply mix together chicken, butter, an onion, and cream of chicken soup. Then half an hour before serving drop in pieces of pre-made biscuit dough to create the dumplings. "It is wonderful on a cold, snowy day," says recipe creator Janiece Mason.

View Recipe

17
of 21

My Chili

Sue Anne S

It doesn't get much simpler than this cozy chili made with fewer than 10 ingredients. Plus, it's easy to customize with ingredients you have on hand.

View Recipe

18
of 21

Classic, Hearty Beef Stew

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

“This classic beef stew recipe makes sure you really make the most of each step of the cooking process to end up with a beautiful, rich, and hearty beef stew,” says recipe creator Matthew Francis.

View Recipe

19
of 21

Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese
View Recipe

Photo: Kimberly Holland.

Combine two classic comfort foods (garlic bread and grilled cheese) to make the ultimate rainy day recipe. Pair this sandwich with homemade tomato soup to make it a meal.

20
of 21

Skillet Chicken Pasta

Allrecipes

This 35-minute dinner “is a tasteful combination of vegetables, chicken, and pasta prepared in a cast iron skillet,” says recipe creator scotty.h.

View Recipe

21
of 21

More Inspiration

Melissa Goff

Try one of Our Best Quick and Easy Comfort Food Recipes. Plus, explore our entire collection of Comfort Food Recipes.

  • Easy Tuna Casserole
  • Six Can Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Simple Hamburger Stroganoff

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!
Other

Submit

Rate article
Add a comment