It is 6:30 PM, and looking at my phone makes me feel too tired to clean the kitchen. It is easy to order food on an app, but I don't like the plastic containers or the cold meals. I have learned that cutting vegetables or melting butter helps me relax and forget about work. Choosing one of these 27 comfort food recipes isn't about being a perfect cook; it is about making a warm meal for myself and enjoying a quiet night at home.
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Black beans and corn add a nice crunch to these cheesy chicken layers. You don't have to roll anything; just stack the ingredients and bake. It is a very fast way to get a lot of flavor at home.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Sun-dried tomatoes give the cream sauce a sweet and deep flavor. The chicken stays very juicy while it cooks slowly in the pot. It goes perfectly over a warm bowl of rice or bread.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Sweet Potato Ground Beef Casserole
Mashed sweet potatoes make a bright orange topping for seasoned meat. It is a healthy meal that looks very colorful and appetizing. The melted cheese on top ties all the flavors together.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Ground Beef Casserole
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala
Mushrooms and sweet wine turn into a rich sauce while you are away at work. There is no need to stand over a stove or fry anything in a pan. It feels like a fancy night out while you stay in your sweats.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala
Creamy Broccoli Stems Soup
Most people throw away the stems, but they make a very smooth meal when blended. It is a quick way to use what you already have in the crisper drawer. A handful of seeds on top adds a nice crunch.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Stems Soup
Sticky-Tender Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
The ribs cook all day until the meat is soft enough to pull off the bone. A quick trip under the broiler makes the BBQ sauce nice and sticky. It feels like a weekend treat on a simple weekday.
Get the Recipe: Sticky-Tender Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs
These meatballs cook in a dark onion broth until they are very soft. Melted cheese on top makes them taste just like a bowl of French onion soup. They are great served on a crusty roll for a quick dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Layers of corn tortillas and chicken make this a very thick and cheesy bake. It has a little heat from the tomatoes and peppers used inside. It is a classic comfort food that beats any frozen pizza.
Get the Recipe: King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
Red wine and beef cook together until the meat is tender enough to cut with a spoon. The slow cooker does the hard work so you can relax. Carrots and onions grow soft in the sauce for a full, heavy meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara
The chicken sits in tomato sauce all day until it is soft enough to fall apart. You don't have to do anything except boil some pasta at the end. It is the perfect reward for a long day of work.
Get the Recipe: Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara
Cheesy Turkey Burrito Casserole
This bake has all the beans, meat, and cheese of a burrito without the rolling. You just layer the ingredients and bake them until they are hot and bubbly. It is a fun and easy way to skip the drive-thru.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Turkey Burrito Casserole
Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken
Bacon, cheese, and chicken melt together for a very rich and salty dinner. A layer of crushed crackers adds a buttery crunch to every bite. It is a fun meal that makes the kitchen feel bright.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Neiman Marcus Chicken
Vintage Tuna Rice Casserole (No Canned Soup!)
This old-school meal uses rice, tuna, and a crispy breadcrumb top. Since it doesn't use canned soup, the flavor stays very light and fresh. It is a reliable dish that uses what you already have in the cupboard.
Get the Recipe: Vintage Tuna Rice Casserole (No Canned Soup!)
Hearty Tomato Mushroom Stew
Mushrooms and tomatoes cook down into a thick sauce that tastes like the forest. It is a warm, heavy meal that feels great when you need to stay in. Even though it is vegan, it stays very creamy.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Tomato Mushroom Stew
Spicy Moroccan Fish Stew
Chickpeas and fish cook in a red sauce made with peppers and garlic. It fills the kitchen with a great scent that makes you glad you stayed home. This is a very easy way to try something new.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Moroccan Fish Stew
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Enchilada Meatball
You only need four things to make this cheesy Mexican-style dinner. It is the best way to handle a busy week when you don't want to think. The meatballs cook in red sauce until they are ready to be covered in cheese.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Enchilada Meatball
Chicken And Rice Casserole
Everything goes into one pot to cook together. It is a great choice when you want a warm meal without washing lots of dishes. Dinner is on the table in an hour.
Get the Recipe: Chicken And Rice Casserole
Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe)
Three kinds of potatoes melt into the broth to make this soup very thick. It is much more filling than any fast food soup you could order. Serve it with a slice of fresh avocado on top.
Get the Recipe: Ajiaco Colombiano (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup Recipe)
Irish Ground Turkey and Vegetable Stew
Using ground turkey makes this a lighter version of a classic meat stew. It is a sturdy, reliable meal that uses basic pantry staples. A splash of dark stout adds a deep flavor that beats any takeout.
Get the Recipe: Irish Ground Turkey and Vegetable Stew
Pasta e Ceci - Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew
This Italian dish uses small pasta and chickpeas to make a healthy, thick soup. It uses simple things from your pantry like oil and garlic. It is very cheap to make and keeps you full all night.
Get the Recipe: Pasta e Ceci - Italian Pasta and Chickpea Stew
Cheesy Meatball Sub Casserole
Bread, meatballs, and red sauce are all baked together in one pan. It tastes like a giant meatball sandwich but stays much hotter than delivery. The melted mozzarella makes it extra gooey.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Meatball Sub Casserole
Slow Cooker Birria Meatballs
The beef meatballs soak up a red sauce made with smoky peppers and spices. Squeeze a little lime juice on top right before you eat to make the flavors pop. It is a bold meal that is much fresher than a delivery bag.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Birria Meatballs
Amish Country Casserole
Noodles and ground beef come together in a very simple, creamy sauce. It takes almost no time to prep before it goes into the oven. This is a great choice when you need a hot meal right now.
Get the Recipe: Amish Country Casserole
Moqueca Brazilian Fish Stew With Coconut Milk
White fish and fresh cilantro simmer in a bright orange broth. It takes only 30 minutes to make, which is faster than most delivery drivers. The coconut milk keeps the flavors soft and light.
Get the Recipe: Moqueca Brazilian Fish Stew With Coconut Milk
Pillsbury Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Using store-bought dough and a cooked chicken saves you a lot of time. You get a flaky, buttery crust that tastes much better than takeout. It is a hot, fast dinner for any weeknight.
Get the Recipe: Pillsbury Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This soup is full of soft potato dumplings and pieces of rotisserie chicken. It tastes exactly like the restaurant version but stays hot on your own stove. It is a very warm and filling choice for a quiet night.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Taco Casserole
Chips and salsa go on top of this beef bake to give it a salty crunch. It is a fun meal that turns a regular Tuesday into a party. The whole family can help add their favorite toppings at the end.
Get the Recipe: Taco Casserole
Put the phone away and get the stove going because these cozy meals are way better than takeout.
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