Comfort Food Season Has Arrived
After months and months of grilled meats, pastas, salads, and frozen treats, comfort food season has finally arrived. We're talking soups, spiced baked goods, and hearty dishes that warm you up from the inside. From casseroles to slow-cooked meals, we're here to remind you of all the amazing American classics you can enjoy when fall finally comes around the corner. These 20 dishes will have you excited about getting cozy and comfortable.
1. Chicken Pot Pie
You might be thinking about apple and pecan pie the moment fall weather comes to mind, but don't forget about the savory chicken pot pie, too. This might just be the most comforting American dish to enjoy once the temperature starts dropping! It's familiar, warm, and hearty—everything you want out of a delicious fall dinner.
Jessica Kantak Bailey on Unsplash
2. Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Loaded baked potatoes are already super hearty, but when the weather gets colder, it becomes an even more comforting dish when you turn it into a soup. With all that potato, cheese, bacon, green onions, and sour cream mixed in, it makes for the ultimate filling fall soup to have on rotation.
3. Baked Macaroni And Cheese
Honestly, macaroni and cheese is perfect year-round and we just couldn't leave it off this list. Whether it's cold outside, your mood is down, or you simply want dinner that feels like a hug, baked macaroni and cheese with the perfect toasted breadcrumb top will always feel so cozy.
Sophie Lee-Tin-Yien on Unsplash
4. Cincinnati Chili
Cincinnati knew what it was doing when it combined two comforting dishes, chili and spaghetti, into one. Just one bite of this meat and bean sauce traditionally served over spaghetti will immediately set you into "relax and enjoy" mode. It might be unusual, but it's certainly a comforting American specialty to try this fall.
5. Chicken And Dumplings
There aren't many American comfort dishes more closely associated with chilly weather than chicken and dumplings. Coming from the South, who does comfort food best, the mix of savory chicken with broth, veggies, and dumplings is enough to make anyone forget about how gloomy it is outdoors.
6. Minnesota Tater Tot Hotdish
Another amazing regional specialty, Minnesota certainly got cozy right when they created this concoction of a casserole! Featuring ground beef, vegetables, and a creamy sauce that's topped with crispy tater tots, this hotdish is built for the colder weather in the most delicious of ways.
7. New England Clam Chowder
For the seafood lovers, it doesn't get much better than New England clam chowder when there's a slight breeze outside. It's got a bit of everything you want in the fall: a creamy soup base, tons of clams, and hearty vegetables like potatoes and onions.
Jon SullivanThe original uploader was Y6y6y6 at English Wikipedia. on Wikimedia
8. Salisbury Steak
Sometimes, you just want something a bit more classic and old-fashioned. And when you're craving that in the fall, salisbury steak is the perfect recipe to bring back. It's filling and heartwarming, with that savory gravy really making it ideal for the cold weather.
9. Cornbread
Cornbread might be a simple and straightforward side, but when it's made fresh, it's the best accompaniment to any hearty fall dinner. Cornbread served next to a big bowl of chili, soup, or casserole? If you weren't excited for the coming fall, we bet you are now.
10. Green Bean Casserole
Although green bean casserole is strongly associated with Thanksgiving, there's no reason to save it for one meal in November. Because if you're craving this creamy, savory dish for the coming fall season, you can definitely make it at any time and it'll perfectly compliment whatever it's served alongside.
11. Buttermilk Biscuits And Sausage Gravy
Another tasty Southern dish that screams "fall" is biscuits and gravy. Despite how heavy and rich it is, it's actually served in the morning for breakfast, which means you can enjoy cozy goodness as soon as you wake up. It's best enjoyed on days when you know you can just lounge around and relax after such a big meal.
12. Chicken Divan
Chicken Divan is a classic American casserole that combines chicken and broccoli with a rich, creamy sauce. Just hearing those ingredients is likely already getting you into the fall mood! Toss on a cheese topping that becomes bubbly and golden after baking, and this dish is certainly even heartier than you thought possible.
tengrrl from Blacksburg, VA, United States on Wikimedia
13. Apple Crisp
Sure, apple pie is a beloved American fall dessert, but don't forget about the apple crisp which is just as delicious! That combination of apple, cinnamon, and sugar is to die for, and perfectly captures the warm and comforting feeling that comes with fall weather. It's the kind of dessert we know you'll be having on repeat.
14. Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli cheddar soup might not feature any fancy or complicated ingredients, but the dish somehow comes together to create the most rich and hearty soup that feels like instant comfort. It's thick and filling, making it great for both lunch or dinner.
15. Shepherd's Pie
What's better than mashed potatoes and gravy on its own? Well, shepherd's pie is definitely the answer. Taking this beloved dish and combining it with ground beef and vegetables, it's baked together to form the most heartwarming of foods.
16. Chicken Noodle Soup
Although chicken noodle soup is commonly associated with being a food you eat when you're sick or feeling under the weather, it doesn't mean it's any less perfect for the fall season. After all, you know how comforting it is with its straightforward flavors designed to be enjoyable on any given day.
17. Sloppy Joes
Definitely a messier and more casual option, but one bite of the flavors and you'll see why sloppy joes are perfect for fall. The beef is hearty with its slightly sweet and tangy tomato-based flavor, and being served in soft hamburger buns makes it satisfying and filling enough for any weeknight meal.
18. Pumpkin Bread
At this point, hearing the word pumpkin should automatically get you excited for fall! One of the most delicious baked treats to make for the season is pumpkin bread spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warm spices. When you enjoy a slice every morning with your coffee, it helps you appreciate the season's flavors even more.
19. Bread Pudding
Bread pudding might not be the first dessert you think of when fall comes around the corner, but this traditional American sweet treat is inherently built for the season. It's warm, satisfying, and features familiar ingredients that up its comfort levels even further.
20. Pecan Pie
Of course, we can't talk about fall desserts without bringing up the American favorite: pecan pie. Capturing a kind of rich sweetness that makes you think of holiday gatherings with just one bite, this sweet treat reminds you of everything you love about fall right away.
KEEP ON READING
The Best Gifts to Give To Any Baking Lover
10 Iconic Australian Foods You Need to Try
