Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food
ByLaura Denby
Taste of Home's Editorial Process
Updated: Feb. 05, 2024
Most comfort food is known for utilizing a low and slow cooking technique. But what do you do when you need comfort food in a time crunch? From breakfast to dessert, we've got easy recipes for quick comfort food that can be on the table in under 30 minutes.
1/52
Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
This is the best shepherd’s pie recipe I’ve ever tasted. It’s very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California
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2/52
Beef with Ramen Noodles
I made up this recipe when I was looking for good Chinese food in beautiful Oregon. Each time I make this, I change something slightly. Leftovers heat easily in the microwave or fry pan.
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3/52
4/52
Great Garlic Bread
This tasty garlic bread topped with flavor makes a great side for any pasta dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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5/52
Two-Minute Cookies
My mom used to pack these cookies into our school lunches. They're inexpensive and easy to prepare, so all seven of us children learned to make them. Now they're also a favorite of my two children's.
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6/52
Turkey Biscuit Skillet
My mother always made this skillet while we were growing up. Now I make it for my husband and kids. I use the small-size biscuits because the larger ones don't seem to brown up as nicely on the top. —Keri Boffeli, Monticello, Iowa
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7/52
Tuna Patty
This tasty change-of-pace sandwich is as quick to prepare as your favorite hamburger. My husband likes his topped with melted Swiss cheese and Dijon mustard. Salmon can be substituted for a more ‘elegant’ burger. —Joann Brasington, Sumter, South Carolina
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8/52
Easy Beef Soup
This colorful, easy beef soup comes together in minutes. Even my husband, who admits he’s no cook, makes it on occasion. —Agnes Bierbaum, Gainesville, Florida
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9/52
The Best Ever Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Spreading a mixture of mayo and butter on the bread creates a delightfully crispy crust with the well-loved, wonderful flavor of butter one expects on a grilled cheese sandwich.—Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
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10/52
Skillet Pizza
I created this recipe during a hot spell one summer. With the temperature in the 90’s every day, I didn’t want to turn on the oven. So I decided to make our favorite family pizza in a skillet instead! Anyone who likes pizza, has kids or just wants a quick and simple meal would likely enjoy Skillet Pizza. It’s great to take along to get-togethers, too – you can prepare it at home, then just plug in the skillet when you arrive. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
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11/52
School-Night Sausage Stroganoff
I found this recipe in an old church cookbook about 25 years ago and tweaked it to fit my family's tastes. It's a savory, creamy dish that's quick to fix on a busy school night. —Kristine Chayes, Smithtown, New York
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12/52
Skillet Mac and Cheese
This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
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13/52
Chocolate Marshmallow Peanut Butter Squares
I combined a couple of recipes to create these crunchy, chocolaty bars that burst with peanut butter flavor, marshmallows and pretzel pieces. The bars could also pass for fudge! —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
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14/52
Quicker Chicken and Dumplings
Ready in just 30 minutes, this homey meal relies on convenience items and timesaving drop-style dumplings. It couldn’t be any easier! —Willie DeWaard, Coralville, Iowa
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15/52
Fair-Favorite Corn Dogs
Bring the county fair home to your kitchen with these corn dogs. A tip for dipping: Pour the batter into a tall Mason jar and dunk your dogs for an even all-over coating. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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16/52
Grandma's Swedish Meatballs
My mother made these hearty meatballs when we were growing up, and now I make them for my kids. They love them just as much as we did. My daughter likes to help toss the meatballs in flour. —Karin Ness, Big Lake, Minnesota
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17/52
Mango Avocado Salsa
Mango avocado salsa takes your favorite chip dip and elevates it, thanks to the addition of sweet, tropical mango. You can double or quadruple this recipe to feed a crowd.
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18/52
Chocolate Peanut Cookies
When I want chocolate chip cookies, I bake this variation, which is full of other goodies, such as candy and peanuts. The cookies are crisp on the outside and moist and tender in the middle. —Clara Coulson Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio
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19/52
Trust me when I say this hearty dish can be assembled in minutes, then devoured even quicker with no leftovers. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas
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20/52
Fajita Burger Wraps
This combo gives you a tender burger, crisp veggies and a crunchy shell, plus fajita flavor. Kids love it. —Antonio Smith, Canal Winchester, Ohio
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21/52
Meatball Stroganoff
A quick and delicious twist on the classic, our meatball stroganoff uses frozen meatballs to get dinner on the table in just 30 minutes.
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22/52
Nacho Pie
In place of the ground beef and mozzarella cheese, consider topping this zesty pie with lean ground sausage and cheddar cheese. It tastes just as good.—LaVerna Mjones, Moorhead, Minnesota
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23/52
Waffle-Iron Pizzas
These little pizza pockets put together using the waffle maker are a fun mashup. Try your favorite toppings or even breakfast fillings like ham and eggs. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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24/52
Potato Chip Clusters
Just three offbeat ingredients add up to one unique, delectable, no-bake treat. These super easy, sweet-and-salty candy clusters make for merry munching during holiday trips or parties. They travel well in containers without melting or getting soft. —Donna Brockett, Kingfisher, Oklahoma
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25/52
Shortcut Sausage Jambalaya
Secret ingredient alert: A pinch of coffee crystals gives my jambalaya its roasty, toasty flavor. This quick and easy dinner is one of my husband’s top picks. —Betty Henagin, Medford, Oregon
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26/52
Apple Pancakes with Cider Syrup
Tender pancakes are filled with minced apple and raisin, and drizzled with apple cider syrup. They're wonderful in the summer or on a cool fall morning. —April Harmon, Greeneville, Tennessee
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27/52
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
A batch of this creamy chicken noodle soup is our answer to soup season or flu season. The soup's satiating nature and wholesome taste will deliver warmth and coziness when you need it most.
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28/52
Chicken Parm Sandwich
Coat tender chicken breasts with seasoned bread crumbs and smother in marinara sauce. Served on a hoagie, it’s a real treat! —Sue Bosek, Whittier, California
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29/52
Oreo Fudge
This cookies and cream fudge combines the creamy sweetness of white chocolate with the crunchy texture of Oreo cookies. Make this Oreo fudge recipe for dessert or use it to create edible gifts.
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30/52
White Cheddar Mac and Cheese
Here's a recipe for white cheddar mac and cheese that's better than any box. The secret: a dash of garlic powder and chipotle powder for a savory kick.
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31/52
Italian Sausage with Bow Ties
We often have our favorite pasta when company comes over, and I’ve shared this Italian sausage recipe several times. Now many of my friends make it for their families, too. —Janelle Moore, Auburn, Washington
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32/52
Breakfast Pizza
Pizza for breakfast is a delicious idea, especially when it's a savory breakfast pizza topped with eggs, bacon and melted cheese.
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33/52
Big Soft Ginger Cookies
These ginger cookies are soft, easy to make and loaded with the flavors of fall.
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34/52
Weekday Beef Stew
Beef stew capped with flaky puff pastry adds comfort to the weeknight menu—my family is always glad to see this meal. Make a salad and call your crowd to the table. —Daniel Anderson, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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35/52
Saucy Skillet Lasagna
Thanks to no-cook noodles, this skillet lasagna makes a fresh, filling, flavorful and fast entree for any Italian meal. —Meghan Crihfield, Ripley, West Virginia
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36/52
Smothered Burritos
My brother-in-law teased that I only knew five ground beef recipes. I proved him wrong with my inventive spicy burritos. —Kim Kenyon, Greenwood, Missouri
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37/52
Spanish Rice with Ground Beef
For a fast and flavorful dinner, look no further than this Spanish rice with ground beef—it's the ultimate one-skillet dinner when you only have 20 minutes to cook.
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38/52
Oatmeal Waffles
These healthful, good-tasting waffles are a tried-and-true family favorite—even with our two children. My husband and I have a small herd of beef cattle and some pigs. A hearty breakfast really gets us going! —Marna Heitz, Farley, Iowa
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39/52
Meatball Pizza
Meatballs, tomato sauce, cheese, pizza dough—a recipe for meatball pizza heaven.
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40/52
Healthy Apple Crisp
This easy dish is a tradition in my family. It's as quick as a boxed cake mix but it's a healthier dessert choice. It's ideal in fall when it seems that everyone has a bag or two of fresh apples to give away! —Terri Wetzel, Roseburg, Oregon
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41/52
Southwestern Goulash
I had some extra cilantro in the fridge and didn't want to throw it away. Instead, I came up with this delightful and filling family recipe. Everyone just loved it! —Vikki Rebholz, West Chester, Ohio
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42/52
Muffin-Tin Lasagnas
This is a super fun way to serve lasagna for make-ahead lunches, potlucks or other fun get-togethers. My daughter took some of these to work and by noon was emailing me for the recipe. —Sally Kilkenny, Granger, Iowa
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43/52
Italian Steak Sandwiches
My sister came up with these quick sandwiches that use minced garlic and other seasonings to bring pizzazz to deli roast beef. Add some carrot sticks or a tomato salad for a fantastic lunch in no time. —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts
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44/52
Egg Burritos
Zap one of these frozen burritos in the microwave and you'll stave off hunger all morning. This recipe is my family’s favorite combo, but I sometimes use breakfast sausage instead of bacon. —Audra Niederman, Aberdeen, South Dakota
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45/52
Easy Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
One time when making sloppy joes, I wanted mine spicy, so I doused it in hot sauce. After that, my mind went wild and I made it Buffalo chicken-style with ground chicken, diced celery and blue cheese crumbles. I've been making it this way ever since. —Jennifer Nielson, Spanish Fork, Utah
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46/52
BLT Waffle Sliders
Craving a BLT for breakfast? Try a deliciously different version that features crisp bacon and fresh tomatoes between two golden cornmeal waffles. Prepare the waffles ahead of time and reheat in the toaster for quick assembly. —Stacy Joura, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania.
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47/52
Shakshuka
This easy shakshuka recipe features eggs gently poached in a simmering mixture of tomatoes, onions, garlic and a few warm spices.
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48/52
Nutella-Stuffed Strawberries
Gourmet strawberries are pricey to order but easy to make. We serve strawberries with hazelnut spread as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or dessert. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
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49/52
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip
This slightly spicy dip cleverly captures the flavor of Buffalo chicken wings. Using canned chicken eases preparation. —Allyson DiLascio, Saltsburg, Pennsylvania
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50/52
Quick Chili Mac
This combines chili with one of my favorite pasta dishes. I often serve it for company or potlucks and occasionally add taco seasoning or use beanless chili and add black beans. —Lee Steinmetz, Lansing, Michigan
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51/52
Pot of S'mores
Mom’s easy Dutch-oven version of the popular campout treat is so good and gooey. The hardest part is waiting for this to cool so you can devour it. Yum! —June Dress, Meridian, Idaho
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52/52
Chicken Gnocchi Pesto Soup
After tasting a similar soup at a restaurant, I created this quick and tasty version. It’s rich and creamy, and couldn’t be easier to make! —Deanna Smith, Des Moines, Iowa
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Originally Published: February 03, 2022
Author
Laura Denby
Laura is a New York-based freelance food writer with a degree in culinary arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and a degree in journalism from Penn State. Her work has appeared in Taste of Home, Food & Wine, Better Homes & Gardens and The Culture Trip.
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