19 Comfort Food Dinners for When It’s Been a Long Week

Some weeks call for a dinner that feels a little more comforting than usual. Think creamy casseroles, hearty soups, cheesy pasta, and slow-cooked favorites that give you something good to look forward to at the end of the day. These cozy recipes are just the thing when it’s been a long week and you’re ready to settle in with a satisfying meal.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

A baked casserole topped with breadcrumbs in a white dish, surrounded by cheese, bread, ham, and utensils. — Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

All the flavors of chicken cordon bleu come together in an easier layered casserole. Chicken and ham are covered in a creamy Dijon-Parmesan sauce, then finished with crispy panko for a little crunch.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole

A baked pasta casserole with penne, broccoli, chicken, and melted cheese in a white dish. — Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Juicy chicken and broccoli bake together in a creamy Alfredo sauce with plenty of cheesy goodness. Just mix everything in one pan and let the oven take care of the rest.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole

Ravioli Casserole with Meat Sauce (10 Minutes to the Oven)

Plate of ravioli topped with meaty tomato sauce and fresh parsley, served on a white dish. — Ravioli Casserole with Meat Sauce (10 Minutes to the Oven). Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Skip boiling the pasta and layer the ravioli straight into the casserole with rich meat sauce and plenty of gooey cheese. With about 10 minutes of prep, it’s an especially handy dinner for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Ravioli Casserole with Meat Sauce (10 Minutes to the Oven)

Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta (One Pot)

Creamy orzo with chunks of chicken, garnished with parsley, in a pot with a gold ladle. — Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta (One Pot). Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Bright lemon keeps this creamy chicken and orzo from feeling too heavy. Everything cooks in one pot and takes about 30 minutes, which also means there’s less cleanup after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta (One Pot)

Dutch Oven Beer-Braised Short Ribs

A pot of braised short ribs with carrots, herbs, and rich sauce, viewed from above. — Dutch Oven Beer-Braised Short Ribs. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

These short ribs slowly braise in beer until the beef is fall-apart tender and surrounded by a rich, savory sauce. It’s the kind of cozy dinner that’s worth letting the Dutch oven work its magic.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Beer-Braised Short Ribs

Creamy Egg Noodles with Ground Beef

A skillet of creamy beef and noodle casserole with a wooden spoon, garnished with parsley on the side. — Creamy Egg Noodles with Ground Beef. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Ground beef and tender egg noodles are tossed in a rich stroganoff-style sauce for an easy comfort meal. Even better, you can have it on the table in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Egg Noodles with Ground Beef

Creamy Chicken and Biscuit Casserole (Easy One-Skillet Dinner)

Tender chicken and vegetables simmer in a creamy filling beneath soft, golden biscuit pieces. It all comes together in one skillet for a cozy dinner without a sink full of dishes afterward.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Biscuit Casserole (Easy One-Skillet Dinner)

Chicken Poppyseed Casserole with Buttery Topping

Creamy chicken gets topped with buttery crushed crackers in this old-fashioned casserole. Poppy seeds add a little something extra, while the topping turns crisp and golden as everything bubbles away underneath.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Poppyseed Casserole with Buttery Topping

Classic Beef and Noodle Soup Recipe (Easy Slow Cooker)

Tender beef, soft egg noodles, and a deeply savory broth make this slow cooker soup especially satisfying. It tastes like it’s been simmering away all day, without requiring you to spend all day in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Classic Beef and Noodle Soup Recipe (Easy Slow Cooker)

Hamburger and Hash Brown Casserole Without Canned Soup

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Ground beef and hash browns are baked in a from-scratch creamy, cheesy filling and finished with a crunchy topping. You can also make it ahead when you want dinner ready to go later.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger and Hash Brown Casserole Without Canned Soup

Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole with Golden Puff Pastry

A flaky puff pastry topping makes this creamy chicken and vegetable casserole feel a little special without adding much work. It can be prepared ahead or frozen, making it a useful recipe to keep around for busy days.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole with Golden Puff Pastry

Sausage and Potato Soup That’s Creamy, Cheesy, and Hearty

Tender Yukon gold potatoes and savory sausage fill every bowl of this rich, creamy soup. Melted cheddar makes it even cozier, especially with a piece of warm bread alongside it.
Get the Recipe: Sausage and Potato Soup That’s Creamy, Cheesy, and Hearty

Meatloaf Using Stuffing Mix That’s Tender and Juicy

Boxed stuffing mix is the clever shortcut behind this tender, flavorful meatloaf. A sweet ketchup glaze finishes it off, and all it really needs alongside is a scoop of mashed potatoes or some green beans.
Get the Recipe: Meatloaf Using Stuffing Mix That’s Tender and Juicy

Chunky Chicken Chili with Canned Tomatoes

Cubes of chicken and warming spices simmer in a rich tomato broth for this hearty red chili. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but still delivers plenty of cozy, savory flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chunky Chicken Chili with Canned Tomatoes

Sloppy Joe Casserole with Cornbread

Saucy ground beef meets a layer of homemade buttermilk cornbread in this fun twist on sloppy joes. Everything finishes together in the oven for a hearty dinner you can scoop straight from the pan.
Get the Recipe: Sloppy Joe Casserole with Cornbread

Lasagna with Bechamel Sauce

Layers of pasta and Italian sausage are covered in creamy béchamel for a rich take on homemade lasagna. It’s surprisingly manageable to put together and makes plenty when you have several people to feed.
Get the Recipe: Lasagna with Bechamel Sauce

White Chocolate Chex Mix: Sweet and Salty

Cereal, pretzels, and M&M’s get covered in white chocolate for an easy mix of crunchy, salty, and sweet. There’s no baking required, and a handful of festive sprinkles can dress it up for the holidays.
Get the Recipe: White Chocolate Chex Mix: Sweet and Salty

Cheese and Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce

Rotisserie or leftover chicken makes these cheesy red sauce enchiladas especially convenient. Assemble them in just a few minutes, bake until hot and bubbly, then let everyone pile on their favorite toppings.
Get the Recipe: Cheese and Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce

Simply Delicious Ranch Seasoned Oyster Crackers

Ranch seasoning turns plain oyster crackers into a crispy, savory snack that’s easy to eat by the handful. Serve them on their own, add them to a snack mix, or scatter a few over soup for extra crunch.
Get the Recipe: Simply Delicious Ranch Seasoned Oyster Crackers