When you start to feel that slight briskness in the air, you know fall is just around the corner. Here are some favorite comfort foods that will help you cook through the season.

Chicken and Dumplings

Southern Chicken and Dumplings are made with flour and butter, chicken, and broth, and that's it! This is a classic, simple dish and it's the ultimate comfort food!
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Classic Southern comfort at its best! Tender chicken and fluffy dumplings in a rich, savory broth make this a family favorite for chilly days.

Get the recipe: Chicken and Dumplings

Chili Without Beans

A white bowl of chili topped with chopped green onions, placed on a gray surface with a bread roll partially visible on the side.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This hearty, beanless chili focuses on robust meat and spice flavors. It’s perfect for those who prefer their chili without fillers.

Get the recipe: Chili Without Beans

Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

A bowl of pumpkin soup garnished with cream and parsley is placed on a gray cloth, accompanied by a spoon, a red apple, and a small striped gourd.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Smooth, creamy, and slightly sweet, this butternut squash soup is a warm, comforting dish perfect for fall. Pair it with crusty bread for a complete meal.

Get the recipe: Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

A bite of creamy baked mac and cheese on a fork.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Creamy, cheesy, and utterly comforting, this mac and cheese is a crowd-pleaser. Made with a rich cheese sauce, it’s the perfect side dish or main event.

Get the recipe: Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Classic Tomato Soup

This Easy Tomato Soup Recipe is ready in under an hour! It's made with canned tomatoes, dried herbs, fresh onion, and cream—just add a grilled cheese!
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Rich and velvety, this homemade tomato soup is full of flavor. It’s simple yet satisfying, especially when served with a grilled cheese sandwich.

Get the recipe: Tomato Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Bowl of chicken noodle soup with carrots and parsley, served with bread slices. A larger pot and another bowl of soup are in the background, next to salt and pepper shakers.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

A classic, soul-soothing recipe featuring tender chicken, hearty noodles, and a savory broth. It’s the perfect remedy for a cold day.

Get the recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup

Southern Buttermilk Biscuits

A cooling rack holding a pile of freshly baked, golden brown biscuits with a cloth napkin nearby.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Light, flaky, and full of buttery goodness, these classic biscuits are a Southern must-have. They complement everything from breakfast to dinner.

Get the recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

Classic Chili

Beef chili in a white bowl.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Packed with ground beef, tomatoes, and just the right amount of spice, this classic chili is a go-to for any occasion. Serve it with cornbread for the perfect meal.

Get the recipe: Classic Chili

Chicken Pot Pie

A whole double crust chicken pot pie topped with sprigs of fresh thyme on a cutting board.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

A flaky, golden crust surrounds tender chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s great for any night of the week.

Get the recipe: Chicken Pot Pie

Easy Fudge Pie

A slice of chocolate pie on a white plate topped with a dollop of whipped cream.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Indulge in this decadent, chocolatey fudge pie that’s easy to make and impossible to resist. A perfect treat for any dessert lover.

Get the recipe: Easy Fudge Pie

Chicken Tortilla Soup

A bowl of chicken tortilla soup garnished with cilantro, sliced jalapeños, sour cream, and a lime wedge, with corn tortillas on the side. The soup contains beans, corn, and various vegetables.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This hearty chicken tortilla soup is full of bold flavors with tender chicken, savory broth, and a hint of spice. Topped with crispy tortilla strips, it’s the perfect comforting meal for any season.

Get the recipe: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Cheeseburger Soup

A white plate filled with a creamy bean dip topped with shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, avocado slices, and crispy onion rings on a marble surface.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

All the flavors of a cheeseburger in a cozy bowl! This creamy, hearty soup is a fun and comforting weeknight meal.

Get the recipe: Cheeseburger Soup

Navy Bean and Ham Soup

A white bowl of canned beans ham soup
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This soup is a classic. It combines tender navy beans with smoky ham for a filling and flavorful meal that’s sure to warm you up.

Get the recipe: Navy Bean and Ham Soup

Quick and Easy Potato Soup

A bowl of creamy potato soup topped with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and crumbled bacon, placed on a white cloth napkin.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Creamy and comforting, this potato soup is a quick and easy option for busy weeknights. Simple ingredients with big flavor.

Get the recipe: Easy Potato Soup

White Chicken Chili

A bowl of chili topped with a dollop of sour cream on a white plate.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This chili uses white beans and chicken for a creamy, mildly spicy dish that’s always a hit.

Get the recipe: White Chicken Chili

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

A whole cream cheese pound cake on a platter.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This rich, moist cream cheese pound cake is perfect for any occasion. It’s a simple yet decadent dessert that pairs beautifully with fruit or ice cream.

Get the recipe: Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Bowl of mashed potatoes with fork.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Smooth and creamy mashed potatoes made with butter and cream are the perfect side dish for any meal, from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts.

Get the recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup

Baked pork chops with cream of mushroom soup in a skillet.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Tender pork chops smothered in a flavorful mushroom sauce make this dish a Southern classic. It’s comfort food at its finest.

Get the recipe: Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Soup

Easy Chicken Pie

A dish of baked chicken pie with a checked towel and wooden spoon on the side.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This quick and easy chicken pie is a family favorite. It has a creamy filling and a buttery crust, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that comes together quickly.

Get the recipe: Easy Chicken Pie

Southern Meatloaf

A baked meatloaf on a platter.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

This classic meatloaf is juicy, flavorful, and topped with a tangy glaze. A comforting meal that pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes.

Get the recipe: Classic Southern Meatloaf

Double Crust Apple Pie

Slice of double crust apple pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on a white plate, accompanied by a stainless steel fork. Surrounding the plate are green apples, a pie dish, and cinnamon sticks on a marble surface.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

A classic apple pie with a flaky double crust and sweet, spiced apple filling. It’s the quintessential dessert for any holiday or special occasion.

Get the recipe: Double Crust Apple Pie

Sweet Potato Casserole

A serving of sweet potato casserole topped with a pecan and crumb mixture sits on a white plate, with a fork on the table beside it.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

Creamy, sweet, and topped with a crunchy pecan streusel, this sweet potato casserole is a must-have at any Southern holiday table.

Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Baking Essentials

A baking tray with uncooked biscuit dough is arranged on a metal surface, ready to be baked. A patterned cloth is partially visible in the top left corner.
Image Credit: Southern Food and Fun.

When you want comfort food, you need to have all the tools and ingredients in your pantry. Here’s our list of essentials.

Get the list: Baking Essentials

A woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark jeans, stands in a kitchen with a brick backsplash and stainless steel appliances. She is smiling and resting her hands on the counter.

About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lucy! Iโ€™m a home cook, writer, food and wine fanatic, and recipe developer. Iโ€™ve created and tested hundreds of recipes so that I can bring you the best tried and true favorites.

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