For more comforting food ideas, check out our pub food recipes, healthy comfort food recipes, vegan comfort food recipes and pudding recipes.

Best comfort food ideas

Classic lasagne

It doesn't get more comforting than cheesy, bubbly lasagne served with a wedge of garlic bread. Follow our tips for the best homemade lasagne, including how to get the richest ragu, crispiest topping and perfect bechamel sauce every time. Browse more of our pasta bake recipes.

Toad-in-the-hole

Toad in the hole is a great family sharing dish that everyone loves. Here we show you how to make this simple sausage and batter recipe, ready in under an hour. Remember to serve with mustard!

Fish pie

A comforting white fish, smoked haddock, prawns and leek pie, topped with fluffy mash, that you can make in advance and freeze. A classic family dish special enough to serve to guests too.

Yorkshire pudding wrap

This recipe combines all the best elements of a classic British roast wrapped up in a crisp, fluffy, giant Yorkshire pudding. Don’t forget the rich gravy on the side for dipping.

Chicken, kale and cranberry sauce wrapped in a yorkshire pudding next to a pot of gravy

Ultimate truffle mac 'n' cheese

If you can't source fresh truffle, don’t worry – the flavour still really comes through from the double hit of pesto and truffle oil, adding a rich, umami, mushroom-like flavour.

Spinach, chickpea and potato curry

Comfort food doesn't have to be unhealthy. Try our warming and lightly-spiced vegan curry for a wholesome, feel good midweek meal that uses up your storecupboard ingredients such as tomatoes and chickpeas. Try more of our warming vegetarian curries.

Classic mac and cheese

This easy macaroni cheese recipe only needs five ingredients, and hits the spot every time. Perfect when you're in the mood for a warming bowl of comfort food. Also check out our vegan mac and cheese, flavoured with white miso.

Meatball and mozzarella pan bake

This indulgent, cheesy meatball one-pot is perfect for entertaining a crowd. Just place it in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in. We've got plenty more mouthwatering meatball recipes to try.

Chicken and leek pie

Pies are such a classic British comfort food. This easy chicken and leek pot pie makes the most of ready-made puff pastry and is on the table in just 1 hour. It's the perfect comforting family meal for chilly evenings. Treat yourself to even more perfect pie recipes.

Chicken and leek puff pie with section taken out

Slow cooker black bean chilli

Check out our chilli with black beans and fiery chipotle chilli paste. This veggie one-pot is an easy, low calorie recipe the whole family will love. Also try our sweet 'n' smoky vegan chilli with for another hearty meat-free meal. Browse more of our simple slow-cooker recipes.

Classic cottage pie

This is our take on a classic cottage pie. With rich beef and creamy mash, it's a long-standing family favourite and a good one to have in the freezer for emergencies!

Tarka dhal

Make this nourishing, comforting dhal with garlic, ginger, cumin and kashmiri chilli for a punch of flavour that's not too fiery.

Two bowls of dhal next to a plate of rice and a wooden bowl with chilli and herbs

Best ever cauliflower cheese

Is it really a roast dinner if there’s no super cheesy, crispy-topped cauliflower cheese on the table? Read our hints and tips to take this classic vegetable side to the next level

Vegan mushroom risotto

Well known for its comforting and indulgent qualities, we've invented a much lighter (and totally vegan) spin on risotto, teeming with warming veg.

Chicken korma

Ditch the weekend Indian take away and cook this simple, creamy chicken korma. Our vibrant recipe is low in calories yet packed with plenty of flavour. For a lighter version, try our healthy chicken korma or go meat-free with our roast cauliflower korma.

Sausage and mash with quick onion gravy

Onion gravy doesn't have to take for ever. Using a few quick cheats, this simple recipe allows you to make a comforting family favourite in under 30 minutes.

Cheese and balsamic shallot toastie

Seriously slow-cooked shallots, an oozcng three-cheese mix, wedges of sourdough and a little mustard makes for an epic lunchtime or late night toastie. Feast your eyes on more gooey cheese toastie recipes.

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Butternut squash soup

Make this silky smooth butternut squash soup for a satisfying veggie lunch. It's simple to whip up and only needs a handful of ingredients. Finish with toasted seeds and a swirl of Greek yogurt.

A dark grey bowl filled with orange soup with a swirl of yoghurt and toasted pumpkin seeds

Truffled celeriac and cavolo nero lasagne

Layers of celeriac béchamel swirled with a delicious cavolo nero pesto, plus a hint of very good truffle oil to add a note of luxury to this veggie pasta bake.

A whole lasagne with a serving on a side plate

Vegan bolognese

Ditch the meat and stir up this healthy, family-friendly vegan ragu, packed with mushrooms and plenty of veg.

Hunter's chicken

Make this comforting classic by wrapping chicken breast in streaky bacon before smothering it in BBQ sauce and molten cheese – serve with mash and wilted greens for a hearty dinner for two.

Gigantes plaki

Ready in under an hour, this vibrant Greek one-pot is packed with plenty of fresh flavours as well as protein and fibre, making it a healthy vegetarian meal idea with less than 300 calories.

A large dish of Greek baked beans with bread on the side

Mushy pea fish pie

Take your classic fish pie to the next level with our epic recipe complete with a hidden layer of vibrant-green mushy peas buried in the bottom.

Tuna pasta bake

Comfort food at its simplest. This absolute classic of a family recipe, is made even more wonderful with the addition of dried chilli flakes and rosemary. It’s a real crowd-pleaser and will be on the table in 50 minutes.

Sausage and bean casserole

Pack protein into this hearty one-pot with pork sausages, smoked bacon and homemade baked beans. The perfect warming meal for a cold winter's date night.

Shepherd’s pie baked tatties

Check out our mash up of baked potatoes and classic British shepherd's pie. These indulgent 'pies' are easy to make and make ideal comfort food.

Chill con carne

Discover our most popular chilli con carne recipe ever! Made Tex-Mex style with aged minced beef, chipotle powder, red wine, 70% dark chocolate and semi-dried tomatoes.

Wooden bowl of chilli con carne topped with avocado, coriander and lime wedges

Coconut chicken noodle soup

This slurp-able bowl of comforting noodles was inspired by classic Thai red curry. The freshness of the DIY curry paste really sings in this soup, and will help ward off any winter blues.

Bowl of Coconut Chicken Soup with Noodles and Fresh Lime

Poutine

Make this Canadian comfort food of chips topped with gravy and cheese for a crowd – for a cheat's version, use oven chips instead of making your own.

A white platter filled with chips topped with gravy and cheese, next to a small pot of extra gravy

Classic carbonara

Spaghetti carbonara is traditionally made with guanciale (cured pork jowl), but smoked pancetta works well, too. Prep all your ingredients first, as it comes together quickly.

Bowl of spaghetti carbonara topped with grated parmesan

Steak and ale pie

Up your pie game with this epic recipe. Packed with melt-in-the-mouth beef and crunchy pickled onions, serve this dish with creamy mash and leafy greens for a showstopping weekend meal with family and friends.

Coq au vin

Try this simple yet impressive recipe for coq au vin. This classic French dish of tender, slow-cooked chicken is a timeless comfort food rich in flavour.

Yorkshire puddings

Our best recipe for Yorkies. For extra flavour and a light, fluffy texture, try using dripping and make sure the fat is hot before adding your batter.

Chicken stroganoff

This creamy chicken stroganoff is made with soured cream, and flavoured with sweet paprika and a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce. It makes a great jacket potato filling.

Fish and chips

Cooking soft, seasonal cod in lager creates a super crisp, light batter with a deep flavour. Serve our beer-battered cod with chips and peas.

Beer battered cod, chips and peas on a plate dinner plate

Roast chicken with garlic and thyme croutons

Everyone loves a Sunday roast, and this roast chicken with garlic and thyme croutons makes it even better. Big chunky pieces of sourdough make a trivet for roast chicken and soak up all the delicious juices while it cooks

Creamy leek and cheese pie

This creamy leek and cheese pie is a great, comforting veggie main that'll please the whole family. You can also freeze this easily for a stress-free midweek meal.

Classic moussaka

Layers of minced lamb, potato and aubergine, covered in white sauce and baked to make the classic Greek dish moussaka. Greek salad is all you need on the side. For a meat-free version, make our creamy vegetarian moussaka.

Thai green tofu curry

Looking for a quick and easy vegan curry recipe? Try our creamy Thai green curry with smoked tofu and plenty of crunchy veg, ready in 25 minutes and low in calories.

Slow-cooker beef bourguignon

Achieve rich and deep flavours for your beef bourguignon by browning the meat and caramelising the veg. Slow-cooking this dish allows the flavours to melt together, creating an intensely savoury flavour.

Tomato risotto

This comforting dish is packed with simple Italian flavours, and topped with shredded basil and parmesan.

Butter chicken

Make this easy butter chicken using whatever curry paste you have. It’s the combo of butter, almonds and yogurt that magically creates such a creamy sauce.

Harissa meatballs

Sweet and spiced, these lamb meatballs with feta are inspired by classic Middle Eastern flavours, with harissa, pomegranate molasses, dried apricots and fragrant spices. Serve with flatbreads or spoon over buttered couscous for a warming hug in a bowl.

Chicken parmigiana

Our take on a classic comfort food dish, this recipe for chicken parmigiana (or chicken parmesan) is easy and ready in just 30 minutes.

Chicken in parmesan and tomato sauce on a plate with salad

Roast beef with marsala wild mushrooms

This rib of beef is the ultimate showstopper – crisp on the outside and blushing pink on the inside – served with a rich mushroom and marsala sauce for an umami hit.

Spinach rarebit with poached eggs

Give classic Welsh rarebit a special twist with this veggie-packed version, flecked with spinach and topped with with soft runny eggs. The perfect veggie brunch!

Sweet potato jackets with smoked mackerel and dill yogurt

Smoked mackerel and dill yogurt is an easy, healthy way to spice up sweet potato jackets

Seafood chowder

Seafood stew doesn't have to take hours to make. Comforting on colder days but light and quick enough to whip up during the warmer seasons, this is a keeper. Enjoy with torn off chunks of a warm crusty loaf.

Comforting desserts

Rice pudding

This old-fashioned baked rice pudding is a classic dessert – creamy, comforting and infused with vanilla. Here's how to get it spot on every time. For a spiced version, try our cardamom rice pudding.

Apple crumble

Discover for how to make an apple crumble. This classic comforting dessert is a firm family favourite and you won't go wrong with our easiest ever recipe. For a dairy-free, egg-free version try our vegan apple crumble.

Butterscotch self-saucing pudding

This rich pudding is best served with vanilla ice cream. It’s a very easy bake but looks impressive with its layers of soft sponge and sticky butterscotch sauce.

A self-saucing sponge pudding in a rectangular dish

Cherry pie

Combine cherries in kirsch from a jar with fresh black cherries to make a gorgeously rich and jammy filling for this sweet shortcrust pastry pie.

Sticky toffee pudding

With rich butterscotch notes and a soft fruit-studded sponge, this classic pud makes a comforting dessert for the whole family all year round. Best served with a cooling dollop of vanilla ice cream.

Bread pudding

This comforting old-school dessert will never go out of style, plus it's simple to whip up and makes great use of left-over stale bread.

Chocolate sponge with hot chocolate sauce

Make this comforting storecupboard sponge for an easy chocolate dessert for the whole family.

Raspberry jam steamed sponge and custard

This old-school jammy pud has all comfort bases covered - a moist, buttery sponge smothered in raspberry jam and swimming in a pool of custard. A real winter winner for all the family to enjoy. Also try our jam and coconut sponge traybake.

Easy treacle tart

Another comfort food staple, this simple recipe for the classic treacle tart is perfect for Sunday lunch with family and friends. Make it using just five ingredients and serve with a dollop of ice cream.

Baked raspberry cheesecake

A classic and really indulgent dessert, baked cheesecake is a crowd pleaser. The fresh raspberries on top cut through the rich body of the cheesecake.

School cake

Sometimes comfort food is the most nostalgic, and it doesn't get more old-school than this colourful sprinkle cake. Perfect for a celebration or get-together, this classic vanilla sponge traybake is decorated with plain icing and sprinkles – and it's ever so simple to make. Try our Tottenham cake for another retro bake.