Comfort Foods for Christmas?! Yes, indeed. It is 2020, after all, and how better to round out the year than with some of your favorite dishes to celebrate the holiday?
It’s been a weird year.
Bet you’ve heard that one before. Toilet paper shortages. World wide work from home situations. And the uptick of high fashion loungewear.
If the theme of this year’s fashion can be sweat pants, then I see no reason why Christmas Comfort Foods can’t be a thing. With so many folks celebrating at home this year, it makes sense to make food that makes you feel better.
Comfort food does that.
Creamy mashed potatoes, comforting soups, hearty casseroles, and simple sandwiches can be festive. Just break out the linens and china! And the Christmas Cookies.
Indulge in Christmas Comfort Foods this year.
Enjoy your favorite cozy suppers with less stress, less expense, and a whole lot of deliciousness.
What are comfort foods?
Comfort foods are those foods that bring you a feeling of nostalgia or sentiment that is soothing to your emotions. Often times, comfort foods can be characterized by cheese and carbs, but not always.
For Proust it was a madeleine cookie while Ratatouille has provided that Proustian moment for others.
What should I serve for Christmas dinner?
Traditional Christmas dinners can look different depending on your background and food culture. For some tamales are the must make, while for others, a roast with all the trimmings is de rigueur.
As you consider what to make this Christmas, consider:
- what do you like?
- what’s easy?
- what you can afford?
- what includes traditions that matter?
How do you make Christmas dinner easier?
Whether you choose Christmas comfort foods or stick with what you normally serve, there are several ways to make it easier:
- Do your shopping in advance to avoid crowds and shortages.
- Prep and freeze whatever dishes are freezer-friendly.
- Set the table early, especially if you want to make it special. It will take more time than you think.
How can you make comfort foods feel fancy?
While you absolutely can dig out the paper plates and truly embrace all the relaxed, at-home feels this holiday season, you may want to make things just a little bit special. You don’t have to make an elaborate meal to pull that off.
Instead,
- set the table with linens and real dishes
- consider individual ramekins or gratin dishes for plating that cozy casserole
- pour some nice drinks
- light the candles
- play some music
- linger over the meal
It doesn’t matter if it’s mac and cheese, it’s who you’re with and how you spend the time that counts.
That said, I’ve got a tasty line-up of Christmas Comfort Foods. You might just want to plan a full 12 days based on this yummy dishes!
20 Christmas Comfort Foods
Comfort Food Casseroles
Pesto Penne and Cheese
Mac and cheese is one of life’s ultimate comfort foods. Cozy up with a plate of this rich and cheesy, Pesto Penne and Cheese to while away whatever worries you may have.
Alfredo Mac and Cheese
Mac and Cheese is a classic comfort food, particularly for these cold winter months. Try this version that has a garlicky, Alfredo twist.
Cheesy Sausage Enchiladas
These Cheesy Sausage Enchiladas are a delicious, yet simple dinner that will feed a crowd as well as provide great leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.
Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe (Freezer-Friendly)
Chicken Pot Pie is a sure-fire favorite at my house. Flaky, buttery crust surrounds chicken, vegetables, and a delectable homemade gravy for delicious comfort food.
Queso Fundido Makes for Great Tacos
Queso Fundido is a delicious dish of spicy sausage and melted cheese. It makes for a great, freezer-friendly taco filling that your whole crowd will love.
Satisfying Sandwiches
How to Make a Croque Monsieur
A Croque Monsieur is the French answer to the grilled cheese sandwich. And it’s pretty darn awesome.
Cheese and Pickle Baguette Sandwich Recipe
Enjoy the classic English sandwich with a twist when you make this Cheese and Pickle Baguette. It’s delicious and packed with flavor!
Turkey Pesto Panini
Turkey Pesto Panini are super fun sandwiches to make. They’re uber-comforting, freezer-friendly, AND even great for potlucks! Grab the recipe and get pressing these gooey, cheesy, delicious, pesto-infused sandwiches.
Chicken Salad Club Sandwiches
Sandwich Night will become something super special when you top creamy chicken salad with bacon in these Chicken Salad Club Sandwiches.
Ham and Cheese Foldovers
These ham and cheese foldovers are incredibly easy to make. They are ham and cheese croissant-type sandwiches that make an elegant lunch or easy snack.
Comforting Potatoes
Sausage and Potatoes Recipe with Sour Cream Sauce
Make a quick fix dinner of sausages and potatoes topped with an herbed sour cream sauce. This sausage and potatoes recipe is super versatile, allowing you to mix up the herbs with what you have on hand.
Burning Love Mashed Potatoes
Burning Love Mashed Potatoes is an old Danish dish that uses simple ingredients: potatoes, milk, bacon, and onions, and transforms them into something amazing. These loaded mashed potatoes are a perfect main dish or decadent side.
Sausage Egg Hash Brown Casserole (87 cents/serving)
Enjoy a flavorful breakfast or brunch with this Italian Sausage Egg Hash Brown Casserole. It’s very make-ahead, making it a great way to start the day.
Cheesy Potatoes
Also known as Church Potatoes, this Cheesy Potatoes Casserole is ultimate comfort food. It’s easy to prep, freezer-friendly, and absolutely addicting.
Shepherd's Pie with Cheddar Mash
Shepherd’s Pie is a hearty, filling dish featuring meat, vegetables, and gravy under a fluffy bed of mashed potatoes. Bake this up for some ultimate comfort food.
Soothing Soups
Vegetable Cheddar Cheese Soup
This recipe for Cheddar Cheese Soup is creamy and comforting. Filled with bits of zucchini, broccoli, and carrots, it’s veggie-packed comfort food.
Super Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup
Enjoy your favorite cafe-style easy Broccoli Cheese Soup at home for less money. I’ll show you how easy it is to make with both stovetop and Instant Pot directions!
Chunky Potato Soup with Bacon & Tarragon
Enjoy a hot and hearty supper tonight with this Chunky Potato Soup. Seasoned with bacon and tarragon, this soup is perfect comfort food.
Sausage Potato Soup
Cozy up with a bowl of this Sausage Potato Soup. Chock full of potatoes and other vegetables and a spicy Italian Sausage, this soup is delicious comfort food.
Easy Vegetable Soup
Save money and enjoy a hearty meatless meal with this Easy Vegetable Soup. It comes together quickly, tastes amazing, and reheats beautifully. You’ll want to start Meatless Mondays just to make this soup!
What comfort food would you serve for Christmas?
Kelly Cook
We do a charcuterie Christmas dinner. We all like the snackiness of it and it’s super simple for me.
I’m thinking about making the cheesey potatoes sometime today though.
Jessica Fisher
I like the snacky dinner on Christmas Day, too. My people just expect three meals (or more!) that day. LOL. We will probably do the cheesy potatoes with our tri-tip.