20 Easy Comfort Food Dinner Recipes For A Family

Some nights, we just want good old fashioned comfort food. This collection of classic comfort food recipes is packed with hearty, satisfying favorites like slow cooker pot roast, chicken pot pie, beef stew, chili, casseroles, and cozy soups.

Whether you’re planning a Sunday dinner, feeding a hungry family on a weeknight, or just craving something warm and filling, these timeless comfort food meals are simple, dependable, and always hit the spot. You’ll want to save these so you can make your way through the list! 

Salisbury Steak 

There’s something about Salisbury steak that just feels like home! These seasoned beef patties are quickly browned, then slow cooked over sliced onions and mushrooms until everything turns melt-in-your-mouth tender and deeply savory. Spoon that gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or buttery noodles and you’ve got a true comfort food classic.

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie 

When you’re craving something cozy but don’t want to fuss with pie crust, this slow cooker chicken pot pie delivers all the comfort without the extra work! The chicken, potatoes, and vegetables go straight into the slow cooker, get covered in a creamy, savory sauce, and simmer together until everything is tender and flavorful. Spoon it into bowls and serve with warm biscuits on the side for that classic, stick-to-your-ribs comfort food feel.

Beef & Barley Soup

Some soups are light and brothy — this is not that soup. Slow cooked until the beef is fork-tender and the barley is perfectly hearty, this classic beef and barley soup is rich, savory, and deeply satisfying.

Homemade Classic Chili

There’s nothing quite like a pot of chili slowly simmering away all afternoon! This classic version is loaded with seasoned ground beef, beans, and a rich tomato base that thickens and deepens as it cooks low and slow. Ladle it into bowls and top with shredded cheese, sour cream, or green onions for a hearty, no-fuss comfort food favorite.

Beef Stroganoff 

Tender beef, earthy mushrooms, and a rich, creamy sauce all come together in this slow cooked beef stroganoff that feels like pure comfort in a bowl. As it simmers low and slow, the flavors deepen and the beef turns perfectly tender. Serve it over buttery egg noodles for a classic, hearty dinner.

Homestyle Catalina Roast Beef

If you love a slow cooker dinner that basically takes care of itself, this crockpot Catalina roast beef is one to keep on repeat. Tender chuck roast cooks low and slow with hearty vegetables in a tangy Catalina dressing that hits that perfect sweet-and-savory balance. It’s easy, comforting, and a little different from your usual pot roast, in the best way.

The Best Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

This slow cooked version lets the chicken, vegetables, and herbs gently simmer together until the broth is rich and flavorful and the chicken is perfectly tender. Add in hearty egg noodles at the end and you’ve got a simple, soothing comfort food.

Comfort Food Classic Chicken Pot Roast

This chicken pot roast brings all the cozy, Sunday dinner vibes without the heavy lift. Chicken thighs simmer low and slow with carrots, celery, and onion until everything turns wonderfully tender and full of flavor. It’s hearty, comforting, and perfect for when you want a classic roast-style dinner with minimal effort.

Grandma’s Cozy Chicken Stew

This chicken stew is thick, creamy, and exactly what you want on a cold night. Tender chicken thighs cook low and slow with soft potatoes, carrots, celery, and peas in a rich broth seasoned with ranch and gravy for extra flavor. A splash of cream stirred in at the end brings it all together and makes it feel even cozier.

Old-Fashioned Chicken and Stuffing

When dinner needs to be easy but still feel like a proper meal, this slow cooker chicken and stuffing delivers. It’s a true dump-and-go option that takes just a handful of ingredients. Minimal effort, maximum comfort.

The Best Classic Pot Roast

This is the kind of dinner that makes the house smell amazing by mid-afternoon. The beef cooks low and slow with carrots and potatoes until everything is tender and soaked in those rich, savory juices. It’s simple, filling, and exactly what you want when you’re craving a real comfort food dinner.

Slow Cooked Ham With Green Beans & Potatoes

This slow cooked ham with green beans and potatoes lands somewhere between a soup and a stew, and that’s part of its charm. It’s a great way to use up leftover ham, letting everything simmer together until the flavors blend into something simple and satisfying. Budget-friendly, hearty, and quietly comforting.

Cozy Slow-Cooked Beef Bourguignon

This slow-simmered beef bourguignon is the kind of comfort food that feels a little special without being fussy. Tender chunks of beef cook low and slow with carrots, onions, and a rich, savory sauce until everything is deeply flavorful and fall-apart tender. Serve it over mashed potatoes or crusty bread for a classic, cozy dinner that’s worth taking your time with.

Hearty Homemade Cowboy Soup

This cowboy soup is the kind of big, hearty dinner that feeds everyone and then some. Packed with seasoned ground beef, beans, and plenty of goodness in every spoonful, it cooks into a rich, satisfying bowl that feels filling without being fussy. Serve it with cornbread or crackers for a comfort food win.

Sweet and Savory Slow-Cooked Bourbon Chicken

This bourbon chicken is all about that sweet and savory sauce that clings to every bite. The chicken cooks until tender in a rich glaze with just the right balance of sweetness and depth, making it perfect for spooning over a bowl of warm rice. It’s simple, satisfying, and one of those dinners everyone quietly hopes there will be leftovers of.

Sunday Roast Chicken

A proper Sunday roast chicken is hard to beat. This classic family favorite comes out with perfectly crispy skin and tender, juicy meat every time, thanks to a simple method that really works. Serve it with roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and plenty of pan juices for spooning over everything. 

Slow Cooked Pork Roast With Potatoes & Carrots

This slow cooked pork roast is the kind of dinner that makes Sunday feel like Sunday. The pork cooks down until it’s tender and juicy, nestled in with carrots and potatoes that soak up all those savory drippings along the way. It’s simple, hearty, and always a favorite at my house!

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients:

• 4 lb boneless pork shoulder (butt) roast

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ½ teaspoon dried parsley

• 2 lbs yellow baby potatoes, halved

• 1 lb baby carrots

• 1 onion, sliced

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup chicken broth

• ½ cup white wine (optional, sub with more broth)

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch (to thicken broth)

Instructions:

1. Place the roast into the Crockpot and season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.

2. Add the baby potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic around the roast.

3. Pour in the chicken broth. Mix the wine with the cornstarch until dissolved, then stir it into the Crockpot.

4. Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours, until the roast reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F and is fall-apart tender.

5. Serve warm with the broth from the Crockpot. Top with fresh herbs before serving, if desired.

Chicken & Green Bean Casserole

This chicken and green bean casserole turns a classic side dish into a full, comforting dinner. Tender chicken breasts cook low and slow under a creamy mixture of mushroom soup, green beans, and simple seasonings until everything is warm and flavorful. It’s an easy shortcut meal that still feels like proper comfort food on the table.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 6 oz boxes chicken stuffing mix
• 1 12 oz jar chicken gravy
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 10 oz cream of mushroom soup
• 1 12 oz bag frozen green beans
• Crispy fried onions, for topping

Instructions:

 1. Spray a 8 quart crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Lay the chicken breasts on the bottom and season with the garlic salt, onion powder and paprika. 

 2. In a large size bowl add the chicken broth, stuffing and gravy, stir until combined. Spread all over top of the chicken. 

 3. In a medium size bowl add the sour cream and cream of mushroom soup and stir. Spread over the stuffing. 

 4. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. The last hour add the bag of green beans and spread around. Once done, scoop and plate, sprinkle the crispy fried onions right on top. Enjoy! 

Root Beer Beef Stew

This root beer beef stew is a fun twist on a classic comfort food favorite. The beef cooks low and slow with vegetables in a rich sauce that gets a subtle sweetness from the root beer, creating deep flavor without tasting sugary. It’s a great way to change things up a little — and an easy way to get fussy kids to try something different while still keeping dinner cozy and familiar.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced into 1-inch chunks
• 1 ½ pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 (12-ounce) can root beer (not diet)
• 1 ½ cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Place the beef cubes in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add the diced onion, carrots, and potatoes on top.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the tomato paste, flour, root beer, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, thyme, and smoked paprika until well combined.
3. Pour the sauce mixture over the beef and vegetables. Add the bay leaves, then cover and cook on Low for 8 hours or High for 4 hours, until the beef and potatoes are tender.
4. In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir into the stew, cover, and cook on High for another 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Remove the bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Old-Fashioned Classic Chicken Pot Pie

If you’re craving that golden, flaky crust moment, this classic chicken pot pie delivers without making things complicated. A ready-made pastry crust keeps it simple, while the creamy chicken and vegetable filling bakes up rich and comforting underneath. It’s the kind of cozy, slice-and-serve dinner that feels traditional but is surprisingly easy to pull together.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked chicken, diced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• ½ cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 refrigerated pie crusts

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until softened.
3. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
4. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk until the mixture thickens.
5. Add the chicken, salt, black pepper, and dried thyme, stirring to combine.
6. Transfer the filling to a pie dish lined with one pie crust.
7. Top with the second crust and crimp the edges to seal.
8. Cut small vents in the top crust.
9. Bake at 400°F for 35–40 minutes, until the crust is golden.
10. Allow the pie to cool fully before slicing for clean cuts.
11. Garnish with fresh thyme before serving.

I hope you love this collection of comfort food recipes, and that some of them will earn a spot in your regular rotation! You can share your thoughts in the comments section below, and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @slimmingviolet and #slimmingviolet.