Top 10 Comfort Foods You Can Make in Under an Hour

Craving something warm and comforting, but don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen? These ten easy comfort foods are perfect for busy weeknights, chilly weekends, or whenever you need a delicious meal to soothe the soul. Best of all, each recipe can be whipped up in less than 60 minutes!

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1. Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Ingredients:

• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1 minute.
3. Add the sliced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden, about 6-8 minutes.
4. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened.
5. Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.

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2. Classic Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of bread
• 4 tbsp butter
• 8 slices of cheddar cheese
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté onions until soft, about 5 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. In the meantime, make grilled cheese by buttering the outside of the bread slices. Place cheese between two slices and cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.
3. Blend the soup until smooth, serve hot with grilled cheese on the side.

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3. Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef strips or ground beef
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp butter
• 8 oz egg noodles
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook egg noodles according to package instructions.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and mushrooms, sauté until soft.
3. Add beef strips and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir to combine.
4. Pour in beef broth and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream and cook until sauce thickens, 2-3 minutes.
5. Serve over egg noodles for a hearty, comforting meal.

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4. Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5-6 minutes.
2. Stir in diced chicken and cook until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes.
3. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and chicken, stirring to coat. Pour in chicken broth and milk, stirring until the soup thickens, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in frozen peas and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for another 5 minutes and serve hot.

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5. Baked Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a pot, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until thickened.
4. Stir in shredded cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Mix the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni and pour into a baking dish. Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 15 minutes until golden.

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6. Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, garlic, and bell pepper for 5 minutes.
2. Add chili powder and cumin, and cook for 1 minute. Stir in black beans, kidney beans, and diced tomatoes.
3. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

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7. Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or lentils (for vegetarian option)
• 2 cups mashed potatoes (pre-made or freshly made)
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a skillet, cook ground beef (or lentils) with onions until browned. Stir in tomato paste and broth. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Add frozen peas and carrots and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
4. Spread mashed potatoes over the top and bake for 20 minutes until golden and bubbly.

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8. Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 8 oz spaghetti or linguine
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup white wine or vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. In a large pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
3. Stir in shrimp and cook until pink, about 3-4 minutes. Add white wine (or broth) and lemon juice, simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Toss shrimp with cooked pasta and garnish with fresh parsley.

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9. Beef or Lentil Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef or lentils
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• 4 hamburger buns

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, cook ground beef (or lentils) with onions and bell peppers until softened.
2. Stir in tomato sauce, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Serve the mixture on hamburger buns for a classic, messy comfort food.

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10. Chicken and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 1 cup rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large ovenproof skillet, sauté onion and chicken until cooked through, about 8 minutes.
3. Stir in rice, chicken broth, and broccoli. Bring to a simmer, then cover and bake for 20 minutes.
4. Uncover, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.