Two Generations, Plenty Of Comfort Food
Comfort food has a funny way of reflecting the time when people grew up, including the ingredients that were affordable, the meals families made at home, and the foods that became popular through restaurants and advertising. Older generations often gravitated toward hearty casseroles, simple meat-and-potato dinners, and dishes that could feed a whole family without requiring a complicated recipe. Millennials grew up with a wider mix of convenience foods, international flavors, brunch culture, and internet-famous dishes, so their comfort foods can look quite different even when the basic goal is the same.
1. Boomer: Meatloaf
Meatloaf is always a go-to for American diners. You can use ground beef with various ingredients and form it into a loaf shape. Many recipes will call for a type of sauce that goes on top as well. It can be cheap and easy to make, and leftovers can be turned into meatloaf sandwiches.
2. Millennial: Avocado Toast
Avocado toast has become known as a millennial food. There are now tons of coffee shops that sell this and charge ridiculous amounts for what should be a cheap meal. All you need is toast and avocado.
3. Boomer: Tuna Casserole
Another cheap meal is tuna casserole. This is typically made with tuna, noodles, and some sort of cream soup. Some recipes will also include peas. There is usually some kind of crunchy topping that you can add to the dish as well.
4. Millennial: Mac And Cheese With Upgrades
Millennials love their mac and cheese but like to take it one step further. By adding extra ingredients like bacon, hot sauce, pulled pork, or vegetables, you can make it a fancy meal. Add as many types of cheese as you like to elevate your meal even more.
5. Boomer: Pot Roast
If you cook a pot roast, your whole house will smell like dinner hours before you sit down to eat. You can slow-cook beef with your choice of vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and onions. Pot roast can feed your whole family and is a fairly simple meal to make.
6. Millennial: Ramen
Ramen is always a good meal to have if you're feeling lazy. You can buy cheap packets of ramen and add toppings such as egg, vegetables, and meat. For many people, ramen manages to be both a budget meal and a restaurant experience depending on which version ends up in the bowl.
7. Boomer: Green Bean Casserole
Canned green bean casserole became a hit during holidays when it was first created. You can use canned green beans with cream of mushroom soup and crispy fried onions to complete this dish. Not only is it delicious, but it will satisfy you.
8. Millennial: Chicken And Waffles
Chicken and waffles can be sweet or spicy depending on what toppings you decide to put on it. There are now tons of restaurants that offer this food, which is great if you want to indulge in a tasty meal. It can be a fun and delicious meal.
9. Boomer: Salisbury Steak
Salisbury steak is like a fake version of steak. It can be filled with meat and served with your favorite sides. Ground beef is shaped into patties and typically served with gravy, onions, and side dishes such as mashed potatoes or vegetables. It became a familiar comfort food because it was inexpensive, filling, and easy to prepare for a family.
10. Millennial: Loaded Sweet Potato
Everyone loves sweet potatoes, and they never get old. If you want to spice things up, you can load your sweet potato with your favorite toppings. It works particularly well as comfort food when you want something warm and filling without an especially heavy meal.
11. Boomer: Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is another easy meal to prepare that many families have grown up eating. You can fill it with chicken and vegetables, then surround it with a dough crust. If made correctly, it will be a comforting meal that will last your whole family.
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12. Millennial: Burrito Bowls
There are so many burrito bowls that can be made if you know what you like. You can have rice, beans, meat, salsa, cheese, and many more toppings that you enjoy. It's a great way to meal prep for the week as well.
13. Boomer: Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are typically found at many holiday meals. These can be mixed with anything you would like and are always enjoyable to eat. They're inexpensive to make, easy to serve, and somehow disappear from the plate much faster than anyone expects.
14. Millennial: Grilled Cheese And Tomato Soup
It's not just us that love grilled cheese and tomato soup. It's a good comfort meal to have if you're not feeling very hungry. You can grill cheese as long as you want and dip it in the tomato soup to give it more flavor.
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15. Boomer: Beef Stroganoff
Beef stroganoff is always a good dinner to cook for your family. You can add tender cuts of beef with your choice of toppings. It feels substantial without requiring the complicated preparation associated with some other classic beef dishes.
16. Millennial: Korean Fried Chicken
With all the different types of food we can eat as millennials, we can never run out of good meals. Korean fried chicken is always delicious no matter what sauce you decide to put on top. For millennials who grew up with a much wider range of international food options, it fits naturally into the modern comfort-food lineup.
17. Boomer: Creamed Corn
Creamed corn is a side that everyone seems to enjoy. You can buy cans of corn and make this meal at your home. If you grow up eating this, it can be a comfort food that you want to continue eating.
18. Millennial: Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast burritos are always a great meal if you want to grab and go in the morning. You can pack eggs, potatoes, cheese, and bacon inside of them and head out the door. They're especially suited to busy mornings because the entire meal can be wrapped up and taken with you.
19. Boomer: Mashed Potatoes And Gravy
Mashed potatoes with gravy might be one of the simplest combinations on this list, but simplicity doesn't make it any less comforting. Creamy potatoes provide the base while gravy adds richness and plenty of flavor. Whether they're served alongside turkey, roast beef, or another main course, they're a familiar part of many traditional American dinners.
20. Millennial: Pizza With Creative Toppings
Pizza has been a comfort food for generations, but millennials have had access to an enormous variety of toppings and styles. Beyond pepperoni and cheese, modern menus can feature ingredients such as hot honey, arugula, barbecue chicken, spicy sausage, or even fruit. The basic food remains familiar, but there's practically no limit to how customized the final pizza can become.
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