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

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese

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.