14 Comfort Meals You Can Make in 45 Minutes—Perfect for Tonight’s Dinner!
Craving comfort food but short on time? These 14 meals are ready in 45 minutes or less, making them perfect for a cozy dinner tonight. From hearty casseroles to creamy pastas, these quick recipes deliver all the warmth and satisfaction you need!
Paula Deen’s Macaroni and Cheese

Paula Deen’s macaroni and cheese recipe is made with simple ingredients and always comes out deliciously cheesy and rich. Combine the ingredients in a baking dish and pop it in the oven for 30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. It’s the ultimate Southern comfort food!
Chicken Bacon Risotto
This chicken bacon risotto is a creamy, flavorful (elevated) comfort food that comes together in less than 40 minutes! It is easier to make than you might think and is definitely worth the small bit of effort! Of course, it is so delicious that everyone will ask for seconds!
Endives au Jambon
Endives au Jambon is a baked au gratin dinner meal from the North of France. Belgian Endives are rolled into ham slices and coated with a cheese béchamel sauce.
Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread
This Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread is a delicious twist on classic Sloppy Joes. This delicious twist on a family favorite is budget friendly, makes a filling appetizer, and is fun for a crowd. Great for using up leftovers too!
Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
Feast on hearty, soul-warming bacon cheeseburger soup. Combine the comfort of an iconic duo – a classic cheeseburger with smoky, crispy bacon. Savor the richness and aroma of this timeless cheeseburger chowder. Assemble it on stovetop in 45 minutes, or in a crockpot.
Ranch Pasta (with Chicken and Bacon)
If you’ve been searching for a creamy, cheesy and easy pasta dish, this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta recipe is the answer to your comfort food cravings! Get ready to dive into the most decadent seemingly Ranch pasta ever!
Hamburger Steaks
Hamburger steaks with mushroom and onion gravy are a wonderful comfort food that the whole family will love having for dinner! My easy hamburger patty recipe and savory brown mushroom gravy made from scratch combine to make a hearty meal that is perfect for any day of the week!
Easy Swiss Chicken Stuffing Casserole
This Easy Swiss Chicken Stuffing Casserole will hit the spot when you’re craving a delicious comfort food meal that’s simple to whip up!
Chicken Pot Pie Bubble Up
This Chicken Pot Pie Bubble Up is the ultimate comfort food that will satisfy your hunger. With its creamy filling, golden biscuits, and hearty combination of chicken, vegetables, and cheese, it’s a dish the whole family will love.
Tater Tot and Chicken Casserole
Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is a family favorite comfort food. This filling meal is easy to throw together with only 6 ingredients that you might already have on hand.
Panera Chicken Tortellini Alfredo
This rich and creamy chicken alfredo tortellini tastes just like (if not even better than!) the now discontinued Panera Bread version. Made with a homemade alfredo sauce, this easy weeknight copycat recipe is comfort food done right!
Spring Pea and Radish Risotto
Citrus infused creamy arborio rice is tossed with fresh spring peas and Meyer lemon dijon roasted radishes. Topped with crumbly bacon and freshly grated parmesan, this is pea and radish risotto is spring comfort food at its best!
Ricotta Stuffed Shells
I adore any pasta shape — thick pastas like tagliatelle, spirally ones like cavatappi, and little ones like conchiglie or orecchiette. However, on a night when I need some hearty comfort food, nothing is as amazing as stuffed pastas and this classic stuffed shells recipe tops my list.
Italian Sausage Bake
This Italian sausage bake is an easy family casserole dinner made with pasta, spaghetti sauce, Italian sausage links, cheese, and basil! With only 5 ingredients, it’s a super meal to put together quickly and still serve up hearty comfort food that everyone will enjoy! It will definitely be added to your weekly dinner rotation!