Election night got you tense? Time to dig into something comforting and forget the chaos for a while. These dishes—think rich casseroles, hearty pastas, and soups that hit just right—are here to help you kick back and let the stress melt away. Who needs a drink when you’ve got mac and cheese or chili pie on the table? Grab a fork, settle in, and let dinner be the one sure thing tonight.
Farro Risotto
Farro risotto with white beans and chicken broth brings serious comfort, way more flavor than your average risotto, and makes a great stress-busting dinner when you need it most.
Get the Recipe: Farro Risotto
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Sweet potato gnocchi with a quick bolognese sauce—perfect for a fall meal that’s filling and exactly what you need to unwind.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
A cheesy, flavor-packed casserole with ground beef, tomatoes, peppers, and cauliflower rice. This one’s ready in 40 minutes, making it an easy win on a stressful night.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole
Taco Lasagna
Taco lasagna layers cheesy, creamy goodness in a Mexican-Italian mash-up. Simple to make and perfect for a night when you need something hearty and different.
Get the Recipe: Taco Lasagna
Sausage Stuffed Peppers
Bell peppers stuffed with Italian sausage, spinach, rice, ricotta, and herbs, topped with a bit of parmesan. A solid, satisfying meal to keep your mind off everything else.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Peppers
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
Sun-dried tomato pasta with rigatoni, parmesan, and spinach. This meatless option takes under 30 minutes to make and serves up pure comfort for midweek dinner stress.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta
Winter Vegetable Curry
Loaded with butternut squash, cauliflower, kale, and chickpeas, this winter veggie curry is a great choice to fill up on flavor without missing the meat.
Get the Recipe: Winter Vegetable Curry
Thai Red Curry Soup
Quick and simple red curry Thai noodle soup ready in just 25 minutes. Great for when you want something bold and comforting without the takeout wait.
Get the Recipe: Thai Red Curry Soup
Red Wine Beef Stew Stuffed Potatoes
Rich and thick beef stew with red wine, loaded into baked potatoes. A perfect go-to for any cold night when you want hearty food that hits the spot.
Get the Recipe: Red Wine Beef Stew Stuffed Potatoes
Sausage Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy mac and cheese with sausage mixed in. This one’s got velvety texture and that hit of flavor to keep you relaxed and happy.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Mac and Cheese
Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
Sweet potato mac and cheese with spinach and two kinds of cheese. Creamy and comforting with a bit of healthy mixed in, perfect for a night in.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese
Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili
A not-so-typical chicken chili with apples, cheddar, and white beans. It’s a bit different, a bit creamy, and totally what fall nights are all about.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Apple Cheddar Chili
Chicken Sorrentino
Breaded chicken topped with prosciutto, eggplant, cheese, and baked in tomato sauce. This classic Italian dish is a great choice when you want something hearty and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sorrentino
Turkey Chili Pie
Turkey chili with a cornbread topping all baked in one skillet. It’s leaner but still comforting, perfect for taking the edge off a long day.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili Pie
Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash baked twice with spinach, artichokes, tomatoes, and cheese. It’s a veggie-loaded option that works as a side or meatless main to keep things easy and light.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash
Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Bucatini cacio e pepe is a five-ingredient pasta that’s creamy, cheesy, and super simple. Perfect for when you want something straightforward and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Bucatini Cacio e Pepe
Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
Instant Pot tomato tortellini soup packed with creaminess, cheese, and bright basil flavor. Ready fast and great for a quick, comforting dinner.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup
Buffalo Chicken Orzo Soup
Cheesy, spicy buffalo chicken soup with orzo, ready in just 30 minutes. For fans of buffalo wings, this soup brings the heat and comfort all in one bowl.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Orzo Soup
Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles
Butternut squash noodles with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, ricotta, and parmesan. A one-pan veggie meal with big flavor and zero hassle.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Butternut Squash Noodles
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
One-pot turkey mac and cheese with spinach, peppers, and cheddar. Like a grown-up take on a childhood favorite, and it’s ready in 30 minutes—perfect for busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
Instant Pot Bean Soup
Instant Pot bean soup with a 13-bean and lentil mix in a hearty tomato base, plus kale stirred in. A simple, cozy vegan option that hits all the right notes.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Bean Soup
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
