From pasta dishes, soups, stews and slow roasted meats, this is our collection of The Best Comfort Food Recipes. We have a variety of recipes that are suitable for the whole family and many dietary requirements. These recipes are both a pleasure to make and eat, and will fill your homes with wonderful aromas.
Easy and Delicious Comfort Food Recipes
When the weather starts to cool, I really crave comfort food. That being said, I enjoy it year round! Truly delicious comfort food is something very special. Just think of how wonderful a Roasted Chicken enjoyed with loved ones is, or how tempting a baked pasta dish like Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells can be.
In this collection we will offer recipes that:
- Meet a variety of dietary requirements – you’ll find several gluten-free, nut-free and vegetarian options. And for those that are not, we can help with necessary adjustments and substitutions.
- You can make in advance. Although there are some that are best made close to serving, you’ll find lots of options that will help you get ahead on your prep.
- Are ideal year round or also make the most of seasonal produce.
- Can be served with many different side dishes or enjoyed on their own.
Author note: to view each individual recipe, click on the “check out this recipe” button.
Pasta Recipes
Without question, pasta is my favourite food. I have wonderful childhood memories of making both fresh pasta and sauces with my Dad growing up. My favourite recipes include his Spicy Tuna and Tomato Pasta and my Creamy Prawn Linguine.
Baked Tuna Pasta Shells
My Baked Tuna Pasta Shells are the ultimate comfort food. The large pasta shells are filled with a delicious combination of ricotta cheese and canned tuna, with onion, lemon zest and parsley to heighten the flavour. They are topped with a tasty, creamy tomato sauce and then baked to perfection, the edges of the pasta become crispy and brown while the filling remains rich and creamy. Few things in the culinary world are more satisfying than having a dish of baked pasta bubbling away in the oven.
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Pork Sausage Ragu
My Pork Sausage Ragu is quickly and easily made and delicious to eat. It is pure comfort food, ideal for busy nights and as a bonus, is also family-friendly. Although it is an economical meal, it does not lack flavour; it is rich and satisfying.
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Creamy Tuna Pasta
My Creamy Tuna Pasta is easy to make and is packed with flavour. Chunks of tinned tuna are bathed in a flavour-filled creamy garlic sauce, highlighted by the tang of lemon and the slightly anise freshness of dill. Tossed with pasta, it is a family friendly meal using simple ingredients and is so quick to prepare that you can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes. So good!
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Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Shells
A dinner party staple, or delicious mid-week meal!
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Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
My Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake is the ideal meal when you’re short on time but want to enjoy a warm and comforting meal. It is easy and tasty, packed with flavour, and a meal that the whole family will enjoy. Cooked chicken, pasta and broccoli are combined in a creamy, cheesy sauce, turned into a casserole dish and finished with a sprinkling of breadcrumbs which become deliciously crispy when baked.
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Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta
Enjoy the bright flavours of this delicious Roasted Cherry Tomato Pasta. Al Dente pasta is tossed with roasted tomatoes for a simple to prepare meal. It is so tasty, with very minimal effort involved!
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Roasted Pumpkin and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells
My Roasted Pumpkin and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells are such delicious comfort food. There are few things in the culinary world that are more satisfying than having a dish of baked pasta bubbling away in the oven. The edges of the pasta become crispy and brown whilst the filling remains rich and creamy. This is truly a crowd-pleasing meal!
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Spicy Tuna and Tomato Pasta
My Spicy Tuna and Tomato Pasta is a full-flavoured dish that is easily made from store cupboard ingredients. Tinned tomatoes, garlic and onion are the basis of the sauce, with tinned tuna, capers, olives, and chilli flakes providing great flavour. This a meal which is perfect for days when you don’t have the time or energy to go to the grocery store and is certain to become a regular addition to your meal plans.
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Creamy Prawn Linguine
This Creamy Prawn Linguine will become a regular addition to your pasta repertoire. You can prepare this meal quickly and easily, making it suitable for busy weeknights but sufficiently elegant to serve when entertaining. The delicately flavoured prawns are bathed in a creamy garlic sauce which is highlighted by the tang of lemon juice and zest. It is so delicious!
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Creamy Chicken Pasta
This Creamy Chicken Pasta is the best kind of comfort food! A simple, flavoursome sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, cream, garlic and fresh basil is combined with grilled chicken and al dente pasta. Finished with Parmesan cheese, this dish is ideal for an easy dinner and perfect for entertaining.
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Bacon Mac and Cheese
My Bacon Mac and Cheese is a delicious family-friendly meal that contains crispy bacon, crunchy breadcrumbs, and a creamy cheese sauce. You will love this delicious Baked Mac and Cheese. It’s an easy meal that offers comfort in every bite.
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Gnocchi di Ricotta (Ricotta Gnocchi)
Ricotta Gnocchi (Gnocchi di Ricotta) is an Italian favourite – they are so simple to prepare, incredibly comforting and delicious. These quick, light little dumplings are the easiest gnocchi to make and are ideal for experienced cooks and beginners alike. We have a few simple tips to help along the way to make the best Ricotta Gnocchi.
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Creamy Ham Pasta Bake
My Creamy Ham Pasta Bake is the ideal meal when you’re short of time but want a warm and comforting meal. Cubes of ham, pasta and broccoli florets are combined in a cheesy cream sauce, turned into a casserole dish, topped with buttery breadcrumbs and baked until golden and crisp. This is comfort food at its best, and like my Bacon Mac and Cheese, it is a meal that all the family will enjoy.
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Baked Recipes
From a tasty Cottage Pie to my delicious Mediterranean Roasted Peppers, these are meals that will have your whole house smelling incredible!
Tuna and Potato Pie
This Tuna and Potato Pie is perfect when you’re short of time, but would like a meal that is nourishing and satisfying. With this recipe, we transform store cupboard staples into a tasty, comforting meal that the whole family will enjoy. It is so easy to make that I feel certain it will become a regular addition to your meal plans. Tuna is added to a creamy béchamel-style sauce that is enriched with vegetables, herbs and the uplifting flavour of lemon zest, then added to a casserole dish. This flavoursome mixture is topped with soft, fluffy garlic mashed potato and then baked until golden brown. So easy and so good!
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Mediterranean Baked Beans
Full of flavour and vibrant colour, these Mediterranean Baked Beans are a very satisfying meat-free meal or side dish. For convenience, we have used canned beans, making them perfect for busy nights. The beans are baked in the oven until succulent and creamy, with olive oil, tomatoes, Mediterranean herbs, and spices.
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Chicken Cottage Pie
This Chicken Cottage Pie is a quick, simple meal that the whole family will enjoy. It is packed with ground chicken mince and vegetables in a creamy, savoury sauce, topped with light as air mashed potato and baked until bubbling and golden. Satisfying and comforting, it is full of flavour and easy to make. It will be a great addition to your mid-week meal plans.
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Eggplant Involtini
Eggplant Involtini is the epitome of Italian comfort food. These eggplant rolls are great for entertaining as they can be assembled ahead of time and baked just before serving. This is such an advantage as it means that you can spend time with your guests and not miss the fun. This makes for a relaxed host and consequently relaxed guests.
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Gnocchi Alla Romana (Semolina Gnocchi)
Gnocchi alla Romana, also known as Semolina Gnocchi, is an ideal dish when you need Italian comfort food. When hearing the word “gnocchi”, most of us will automatically think of the small pillows of potato dough. However, there are many types of gnocchi and I love them all. Gnocchi alla Romana, meaning “gnocchi in the Roman manner”, is an easy dish to make. They are crispy and golden on the outside and tender on the inside. So good!
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Cottage Pie
My Mum's Cottage Pie is pure comfort food. With a flavour-filled beef and vegetable mixture covered with soft and fluffy garlic mashed potato, this family favourite is loved by adults and children alike. This is a recipe that is worthy of a regular place in your meal plans. And if you have not made it for many years, I am sure that you will be delighted to be re-introduced. Sometimes only the classics will do.
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Piedmontese Roasted Peppers
These vibrantly coloured Piedmontese Roasted Peppers are utterly delicious and easily prepared. They are simple yet stunning, their flavours enhanced by roasting in the oven. Serve them on a large platter, with some crusty bread to mop up the delicious juices; you will be pleased that you did.
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Soup and Stew Recipes
A bowl of soup or hearty stew is an ideal Winter warmer. They can be quick to prepare and are ideal to have on hand for a cosy meal. The first soup recipe I shared on the blog (that is still a favourite today!) was my Spiced Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup – a recipe I first created in high school.
Italian Lentil Soup (Zuppa di Lenticchie)
This Italian Lentil Soup (Zuppa di Lenticchie) is hearty, nourishing, and easy to make. It is a recipe that you will frequently turn to because it contains simple ingredients that you may already have on hand. With protein-rich lentils, traditional Italian herbs and vegetables, it is nutritious and comforting, as well as being budget-friendly. Just add some crusty bread, and you have a satisfying meal!
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Mediterranean Lamb Stew
You will love this one-pot Mediterranean Lamb Stew. It is a homely and comforting meal, full of the sunny flavours of the Mediterranean. For this recipe we use cubed boneless lamb shoulder with fragrant herbs, tomatoes, red peppers, eggplant and olives. Cooked slowly and gently, the lamb develops a rich flavour and becomes meltingly tender. It is certain to become a regular on your meal plan.
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Potato Soup
This creamy and delicious Potato Soup Recipe is so easy to prepare, and also happens to be vegan! In under 30 minutes, you can have a delicious, smooth and rich bowl of soup on your table. This recipe is both adult and child approved!
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Mediterranean Orzo Soup
This Mediterranean Orzo Soup is certain to become a family favourite. The soup is packed with a generous quantity of vegetables in a full flavoured broth, infused with the flavours of traditional Mediterranean herbs. In the culinary world, there are few things more cosy and soothing than a saucepan of soup bubbling away on the stove, and the aroma as this soup cooks, assures a comforting meal ahead. A bowl of this easily made soup requires nothing more than some crusty bread to accompany it.
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Roasted Red Pepper (Capsicum) Soup with Basil Oil
My Roasted Red Pepper Soup (Roasted Capsicum Soup) with Basil Oil is so comforting to eat, and full of vibrant flavours. The delicious combination of red peppers, tomato and onion roasted to perfection offers a delightfully sweet and comforting taste.
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Mediterranean Cannellini Bean and Kale Soup
My Mediterranean Cannellini Bean and Kale Soup is as nourishing as it is comforting and satisfying. It is an Italian-inspired one pot dish, one that is worthy of a regular place in your meal plans. Packed with vegetables and beans cooked in a full of flavour broth, it is a complete meal that requires no more than some crusty bread to accompany it.
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Broccoli and Potato Soup
This Broccoli and Potato Soup is smooth, creamy and nutritious; and you can have it on the table in 40 minutes.
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Roasted Carrot Soup with Coconut
Satisfy your cravings for comfort food, and warm up with a bowl of my Roasted Carrot Soup with Coconut. It is nourishing, flavoursome and simple to prepare. Make a batch today for an easy lunch or dinner option.
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Dutch Oven Mediterranean Beef Stew
My Dutch Oven Mediterranean Beef Stew is the epitome of comfort food. With such delicious flavours, it is a one-pot meal, complete on its own, with cubes of beef, simmered until meltingly tender, in a rich tomato sauce with fresh vegetables and herbs.
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Tuscan Stewed Beans (Fagioli all’Ucelletto)
These Tuscan Stewed Beans (Fagioli all’Uccelletto) are the epitome of rustic Italian comfort food. Made with plant-based ingredients, this is a hearty, flavoursome stew. For convenience, we have used canned cannellini beans which we simmer with extra virgin olive oil, tomato passata, garlic, sage leaves and some dried chilli flakes for a touch of spice. Enjoy it on its own with crusty bread or serve as a side dish.
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Quinoa Vegetable Soup
Packed with vegetables, beans and quinoa, this Quinoa Vegetable Soup makes a comforting and healthy lunch or dinner. It is full of delicious flavours and spices and is vegan, gluten-free and nut-free. With a generous amount of protein from the black beans and quinoa, this is a fantastic quinoa recipe that is hearty and satisfying.
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Cauliflower and Potato Soup
This Cauliflower and Potato Soup is smooth, creamy and very nutritious; and you can have it on the table in 40 minutes.
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Butter Bean Stew
This easily made Butter Bean Stew is a great meat-free meal that is perfect for busy nights. It is a one-pot complete meal that you can have on the table in 30 minutes. The Butter Beans are the main protein component of the stew, simmered in a flavoursome tomato sauce with the addition of baby spinach and roasted capsicum/peppers. Satisfying and nutritious, this is pure comfort food.
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Broccoli and Pea Soup
My Broccoli and Pea Soup is colourful, nutritious and full of fresh flavour. The sweetness of the peas mellows the earthy taste of broccoli, complemented by the addition of fresh-tasting lemon and fragrant basil. It is quickly and easily made, as well as being warm and nourishing. In addition, it is gluten-free and vegan, making it ideal for many people with specific dietary requirements.
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Mediterranean Chicken Casserole
If you feel the need for comfort food that is quick and easy to prepare, look no further than this full-of-flavour Mediterranean Chicken Casserole. This one-pot meal is easy enough for a weeknight or ideal for relaxed weekend entertaining. As a bonus, it can be made ahead of time. Be certain, your family and friends will love it.
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Zucchini and Potato Soup
Zucchini and Potato Soup is satisfying, smooth and creamy. Using potatoes to provide a creamy texture, this soup is vegan, nutritious and quick and easy to make. Ideal for a healthy lunch or dinner and perfect for meal preparation, this soup will become a new family favourite.
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Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup
This Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup is hearty, nourishing, and perfect for those days when you need a satisfying meal and time is short – don’t we all have those days?! With protein-rich lentils, a variety of vegetables, and flavours of the Mediterranean, it is a comforting meal for lunch or dinner, as well as being budget friendly. Just add some crusty bread, and you will have a satisfying meal!
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Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup
My Roasted Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is so comforting to eat and full of vibrant flavours. The delicious vegetables are seasoned and roasted to perfection then blended with vegetable stock, producing a smooth, comforting bowl of soup that is both vegan and gluten-free.
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Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup
My Spiced Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup is a golden bowl of goodness that is sure to delight! It is healthy, tasty, easy to prepare and is guaranteed to brighten any day. The gentle spices add warmth and another layer of flavour and although the soup does not contain cream, it has a smooth, velvety texture.
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Pea and Mint Soup
Full of fresh, vibrant flavours, my Pea and Mint Soup is simple to prepare and so delicious. This tasty soup can be served both hot or cold and comes together quickly. Try a bowl of this tasty vegan pea soup today!
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Creamy Chicken and Barley Soup
My Creamy Chicken and Barley Soup is certain to become a family favourite. With tender, shredded, poached chicken, nutty, chewy pearl barley, the soup is brimming with a medley of vegetables in a creamy broth. Hearty and nourishing, this soup is a deeply satisfying, comforting meal. Just add some crusty bread, and you will have a complete meal!
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Chickpea and Vegetable Stew
This Chickpea and Zucchini Stew is an easily made meat-free meal that is ideal for busy nights. It is a one-pot, complete meal that you can have on the table in 45 minutes. The chickpeas are the main protein component of the stew, simmered in a full-of-flavour tomato sauce with the addition of zucchini (courgette), baby spinach and roasted red capsicum/peppers. Satisfying and nutritious, this is comfort food for the whole family.
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Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup
If you crave a comforting, hearty meal, a bowl of my warming Ham and Cannellini Bean Soup will be perfect. This is an easily made soup that is hearty and nourishing, filled with vegetables, cannellini beans and diced ham. This is a delicious one pot meal that is worthy of a regular place in your meal plans.
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Mediterranean Barley and Vegetable Soup
This Mediterranean Barley and Vegetable Soup is hearty, delicious, and perfect for those days when you need a satisfying meal and time is short. It is a recipe that you will frequently turn to because it contains simple ingredients which are readily available, or you may already have on hand. Made with pearled barley, a variety of vegetables and traditional Mediterranean herbs, it is nutritious and comforting, as well as being budget friendly.
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Lentil and Vegetable Stew
This full of flavour Lentil and Vegetable Stew is hearty and nutritious and a recipe that you will frequently turn to. With protein-rich dried brown lentils, traditional Italian herbs, and a generous quantity of mixed vegetables, it is a deeply satisfying meal made in one pot. With the warm flavours of the Mediterranean, this is a complete meal that needs nothing more than some crusty bread to accompany it.
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Mediterranean Chickpea and Vegetable Soup
This Mediterranean Chickpea and Vegetable Soup is hearty, nourishing, and so easy to make. It is a recipe that you will frequently turn to because it contains simple ingredients you may already have on hand. With protein-rich chickpeas, and nutritious vegetables, it is a delicious, satisfying meal, as well as being budget friendly. This is comfort food for the whole family; just add some crusty bread, and you have a satisfying meal!
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Roasted Meats and Poultry
I like to make a roast at least once a week. There are so many delicious options, such as my Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder or easy weeknight Butterflied Roast Chicken. They’re best enjoyed with Crispy Smashed Roasted Potatoes and a variety of other tasty side dishes.
Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb
For perfectly cooked meat that is melt-in-the-mouth tender, you must try my Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb. Slowly roasted at a low temperature, we add flavour to the lamb with garlic, onions, and lemon, along with fresh rosemary and oregano to accentuate the Mediterranean flavours. The added chicken stock ensures that the result is succulent meat that falls off the bone. And if you lack carving skills, you will be relieved that the meat is fork tender and no carving skills are required for this dish!
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Perfect Roast Chicken
The Perfect Roast Chicken – our easy to prepare recipe with a clever dry brine – is an absolute revelation! It is the ideal roast chicken with tender, juicy flesh and flavoursome, crispy skin.
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Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder
If you love a meltingly tender, easily made roast, I am certain that you will love this Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder. The slow cooking method produces meat that is fork tender and melts in the mouth. As it slowly cooks it takes up the flavours of garlic, rosemary, oregano, onion and fennel seeds. Served with an easily made fresh Apple Salsa and simple homemade gravy. It is the ideal meal for a special occasion or family roast. Dinner time is made easy with this delicious pork recipe.
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Creamy Lemon Chicken
Creamy Lemon Chicken is the perfect meal for busy weeknights. The delicately flavoured chicken tenderloins are cooked in a frying pan, then bathed in a garlic flavoured, creamy sauce, brightened by the tang of lemon juice and zest. It’s simple, it’s comforting and a delicious meal that the family will love.
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Easy Sausage Casserole
This Easy Sausage Casserole is certain to become a favourite. With vegetables and beans included in this family-friendly, one-pot meal, you require little more than some crusty bread to serve with it. This is a go-to hearty meal, which is comforting and full of Mediterranean flavours.
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Braised Chicken with Fennel and Lemon
This Braised Chicken with Lemon, Olives and Fennel is a one pot dinner, worthy of a regular place in your recipe rotation. It has bright Mediterranean flavour provided by herbs, lemon, olives and fennel, and perfectly cooked chicken. With this recipe, I will show you how to braise chicken thighs that have succulent, tender flesh, whilst also having golden brown, crispy skin.
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Creamy Mushroom Chicken
When you feel like a flavoursome, comforting meal my Creamy Mushroom Chicken is ideal. This is a quickly prepared meal, making it an easy, weeknight family dinner but sufficiently elegant for relaxed entertaining. Creamy chicken and mushrooms are great companions. Here, we have chicken in a smooth and creamy flavour-filled sauce, with the mild flavour of white button mushrooms heightened by the rich earthiness of dried porcini mushrooms. It is a meal that will become a family favourite and one that you will make often.
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Oven Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Fennel
My Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Apple and Fennel is a dish you will make repeatedly. It is so easy to make; the pork fillets are coated in a flavoursome herb and spice rub, seared in a hot frying pan, then roasted in the oven with wedges of onion, apple, and fennel. The Roasted Pork Tenderloin is succulent and tender, the vegetables lightly caramelised and full of flavour. This is a dish which is easy enough to make for weeknights, whilst also being sufficiently special for entertaining. So easy and so good – it is certain to become a family favourite!
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Creamy Tomato Chicken
My Creamy Tomato Chicken ticks all the boxes for a mid-week meal. It is cooked in one pan, is full of flavour and enjoyed by adults and children alike and you can have it on the table in 30 minutes. We use chicken tenderloins in this recipe, and as the names suggests, they are reliably tender. No dry chicken here! The chicken is bathed in a creamy tomato sauce, flavoured with garlic, oregano, basil and a touch of chilli flakes. It is certain to become a family favourite.
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Poached Chicken Breasts
With this recipe, I will give you my tips for preparing tender, juicy Poached Chicken Breasts. When properly prepared, they are gloriously succulent. There are many ways in which you will use them; you can add them to soups, salads, sandwiches or as the primary main course ingredient. Poached Chicken Breast really is a blank canvas, allowing you to use a wide variety of flavours and textures to accompany it. With this recipe, we have used a simple Lemon and Parsley Sauce, but the sky is the limit. This is a recipe that is worthy of a regular place in your meal plans.
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Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder
For meat that is cooked to perfection and melts in the mouth, you must try my Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder. For great flavour, we use garlic and fresh oregano to season the lamb, and we cook it with wedges of onion and fennel, slices of lemon and chicken stock. The result is succulent meat that falls off the bone. No carving skills are required for this dish!
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Butterflied Roast Chicken (How To Spatchcock a Chicken)
Butterflied Roast Chicken is perfect for busy nights as it can be quickly prepared. It is so easy making it ideal for entertaining! Enjoy the traditional flavours of a Roast Chicken in less time – no advanced preparation is necessary. We will show you how to prepare the butterflied chicken, also known as Spatchcock Roast Chicken. You'll love the tender, juicy chicken and crispy skin – this is a crowd-pleasing recipe.
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Creamy Pork Tenderloin Medallions
My Creamy Pork Tenderloin Medallions will be a great addition to your meal plans. The juicy, tender pork medallions are bathed in a creamy sun-dried tomato and baby spinach sauce. The creamy sauce gives this easy dish an elegant, restaurant-worthy appearance, ideal for a dinner party. And yet, it is so simple to make that it’s perfect for busy weeknights. In fact, you can have it on the table in thirty minutes or less!
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For more delicious inspiration, you may like to check out our collection of Side Dishes and Salad Recipes. They are the perfect addition to many a meal!
This collection of The Best Comfort Food Recipes has something for everything. I hope you will find inspiration and some new favourite recipes to enjoy with your loved ones for years to come.
Let me know what your favourite dishes are in the comments below!
Alex xx
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