Top 20 comfort foods
Look forward to these classic comfort foods, from warming stews to hearty pasta bakes, after a hard day’s work. Most of these recipes can be made in batches and frozen
Some days you want to whip up an exciting new culinary experience and travel to foreign lands with exotic spices and fresh flavours, but sometimes it’s the comforting old classics that call your name. We’ve got everything you could wish for, from creamy pasta bakes, comforting pies and warming soups, to appease that need for the familiar.
For more inspiration, check out our comfort food recipes, vegetarian comfort food recipes and vegan comfort food recipes. Why not try our comforting dessert recipes if you’re craving something sweet?
1. One-pot paneer curry pie
What’s more comforting than a curry in pie form? This one-pot paneer pie is filled with a makhani-style filling and topped with a crisp puff pastry lid. The filling is also freezable, so it’s the perfect make-ahead weeknight meal or fuss-free dinner party main.
Discover more paneer recipes.
2. Next level ratatouille
This next-level ratatouille is made by slow-cooking red peppers, courgettes and aubergines in a tomato sauce. It’s the perfect healthy, comforting supper as it’s vegan, gluten-free and packs in four of your five-a-day. To make it more substantial, pair it with our easy white bread.
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3. Italian veggie cottage pie
This Italian veggie cottage pie is a twist on an old English classic. With sundried tomato, spinach and aubergine, this veggie pie makes a super budget supper. It can be on your table in only 40 minutes, and nothing needs to be wasted as the whole thing is freezable.
Discover more cottage pie recipes.
4. Triple cheese & aubergine lasagne
This vegetarian lasagne made with aubergine, tomato and ricotta is the perfect crowd-pleasing main for meat-eaters and vegetarians. Sit down and enjoy the most satisfying of cheese pulls.
Discover more lasagne recipes.
5. Best ever macaroni cheese
This perfect baked macaroni cheese recipe comes with a creamy cheese sauce and a hint of mustard, and uses leftover baguette for its crunchy topping. You can walk through the recipe with our helpful video tutorial, which is perfect for both budding chefs and seasoned pros.
Discover more pasta bake recipes.
6. Spicy chicken & chickpea curry
Try our high-in-fibre chicken and chickpea curry for a dish that packs in punchy flavour but doesn’t require a lot of effort to make. It’s great to freeze for busy days.
Discover more chicken curry recipes.
7. Easy sausage casserole
This comforting and hearty one-pot sausage casserole takes only 15 minutes to prepare. Made with spicy chorizo, smoked paprika and plenty of vegetables, it’s perfect for a filling family meal.
Discover more sausage casserole recipes.
8. Mexican bean soup with guacamole
This healthy spiced soup is low in calories and fat. It’s a great way to use up storecupboard ingredients like canned tomatoes, beans and bouillon powder.
Discover more bean soup recipes.
9. Big-batch bolognese
Whip up a massive batch of bolognese that’s fit to feed a hungry crowd, or freeze half for a speedy midweek meal. This recipe makes 12 servings but can easily be halved.
Check out our review of the best food storage containers for your kitchen.
10. Green spinach & lemon risotto with crispy prosciutto
Our vibrant green spinach risotto with crispy strips of prosciutto makes an indulgent dinner for two. It’s fresh and full of spring flavours. Spinach also boasts many health benefits.
Read up on the health benefits of spinach.
11. Breton braised lamb & haricot beans
Our warming braised lamb and bean stew uses everyday ingredients, such as haricot beans, a can of cherry tomatoes and carrots, to create a hearty family-sized dinner. This easy recipe is perfect for cold nights.
Discover more lamb shoulder recipes.
12. Tuna & sundried tomato pasta bake
Raid the food cupboard for this chunky tuna & sundried tomato pasta bake. Use up cans of chopped tomatoes, sweetcorn and tuna, and a jar of sundried tomatoes. The bake is rich and creamy with cheddar, parmesan and double cream.
Discover more tuna pasta bake recipes.
13. Vegetarian quesadillas
These vegetarian quesadillas make a tremendously comforting family dinner for those on a budget. It takes only 5 minutes to prepare and uses only five ingredients, three of which are general storecupboard staples, so it won’t break the bank.
Discover more quesadilla recipes.
14. Chicken noodle soup
This recipe mirrors the classic Chinese soup with ginger, chicken and sweetcorn, bringing inspiration to your mid-winter meals. As a low-fat, low-calorie, high-protein meal, this lighter soup can relieve excessive yuletide feasting, and the aromatic flavours are perfect for clearing out blocked sinuses.
Discover more Chinese recipes.
15. Spicy fish stew
Stews are a great, simple, comforting dinner as they often require the minimal use of pots and steps. This three-step fish stew is brimming with omega fats and provides four of your 5-a-day. It’s also high in fibre and protein.
Discover more frozen fish recipes.
16. Duck ragu with pappardelle & swede
Replace your regular wheat pasta with ribbons of root vegetables tossed in a rich and hearty sauce. With our duck ragu, we use shavings of lightly cooked swede along with pappardelle pasta – it makes this delicious dish a low-calorie and low-fat meal.
Discover more swede recipes.
17. Vegan shepherd’s pie
We’re about to blow your mind if you think a pie can’t be a pie without meat. Our vegan shepherd’s pie is sure to be a hit, dished out warm from the oven with a squirt of ketchup for good measure. Topped with crisp roasties, it’s a dreamy, low-fat bake.
Discover more vegan pie recipes.
18. Vegan toad-in-the-hole with red onion & balsamic gravy
Looking for vegan comfort food on a cold winter’s evening? This plant-based toad-in-the-hole is just the ticket. Replace cow’s milk with soy milk (or any alternative milk of your choice) and eggs with aquafaba. Coat everything with brilliant balsamic gravy to serve.
Discover more toad-in-the-hole recipes.
19. Beetroot & squash wellingtons with kale pesto
Nothing beats a vast roast spread for a lovely Sunday lunch, and these beetroot & squash wellingtons are the perfect vegetarian centrepiece. Enjoy alongside our ultimate roast potatoes, braised red cabbage and honey-roasted carrots for a colourful plate.
20. Chilli con carne
Chilli is the perfect dish for a casual get-together – it takes only 10 minutes to prepare. And, making use of simple storecupboard ingredients, it doesn’t cost the world. It’s also freezable, so you could make it the day before you need it to save on stress.
Discover more chilli con carne recipes.
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