9 Comfort Foods That Are Surprisingly Easy to Make from Scratch

Everyone loves comfort food, but many of us think making these dishes from scratch is too hard or time-consuming. The truth is, many of your favorite comfort foods are actually super simple to make at home with basic ingredients. Not only do homemade versions taste better than store-bought ones, but they’re also healthier since you control what goes in them. Ready to impress your family and friends with these surprisingly easy homemade comfort foods?

1. Mac and Cheese Without the Box

Nothing beats a creamy bowl of mac and cheese when you’re craving comfort. The homemade version requires just a handful of ingredients you probably already have: pasta, butter, flour, milk, and cheese.

The secret is making a simple roux (butter and flour mixture) before adding milk and cheese to create that velvety sauce. Kids love helping grate the cheese and stirring the sauce as it thickens.

In just 20 minutes – about the same time as the boxed stuff – you’ll have a gooey, cheesy dish with no artificial colors or preservatives. Try adding different cheeses like sharp cheddar, gouda, or gruyère for grown-up variations!

2. Bread That Makes Your Kitchen Smell Amazing

Baking bread might sound intimidating, but no-knead bread recipes have revolutionized home baking. Mix flour, water, salt, and a tiny bit of yeast in a bowl, and let time do the work! The dough rests overnight, developing flavor and texture without any effort from you.

The next day, shape the sticky dough and bake it in a hot Dutch oven. The steam created inside the pot gives your bread that professional bakery-quality crust.

First-timers are always shocked at how simple it is to create a rustic, artisan loaf that costs a fraction of what you’d pay at a fancy bakery.

3. Chicken Soup to Heal Your Soul

Grandma was right – chicken soup really does make everything better! Start with sautéing onions, carrots, and celery (the magic trio known as “mirepoix”) in a pot. Add chicken pieces, water, and some herbs like thyme or bay leaves.

Let it simmer until the chicken is fall-apart tender. Remove the chicken, shred it, and return it to the pot. The beauty of homemade soup is customization – add noodles, rice, or extra veggies based on what your family loves.

The broth develops deep flavor as it cooks, creating that signature comfort taste that no can could ever match. Make a big batch and freeze portions for sick days!

4. Mashed Potatoes Fluffier Than Clouds

Forget those dried potato flakes! Perfect mashed potatoes need just potatoes, butter, milk, and salt. Choose starchy varieties like Russets or Yukon Golds for the fluffiest results.

The game-changer is how you mash them. For ultra-smooth potatoes, use a ricer or food mill. For chunkier, more rustic mashed potatoes, a regular masher works great. Warming your milk and butter before adding them keeps everything hot and creamy.

For extra flavor, roast garlic cloves until soft and sweet, then mix them in. Or try adding sour cream, chives, or grated cheese. These homemade spuds will make you wonder why you ever considered instant!

5. Pancakes Worth Waking Up For

Store-bought pancake mix often contains preservatives and artificial ingredients. Making pancakes from scratch takes just a few pantry staples: flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, eggs, milk, and butter.

The key to fluffy pancakes is not overmixing the batter – a few lumps are actually good! Let the batter rest for 5-10 minutes before cooking, which allows the gluten to relax and the baking powder to activate.

Watch for bubbles forming on the surface to know when to flip. Make them extra special with add-ins like blueberries, chocolate chips, or mashed banana. Sunday mornings will never be the same!

6. Pizza That Beats Delivery Every Time

Homemade pizza dough requires just flour, water, yeast, salt, and a bit of olive oil. Mix, knead for a few minutes, and let it rise while you prep toppings. The dough can even be made ahead and refrigerated overnight for better flavor.

A simple sauce needs only canned tomatoes, garlic, and oregano simmered for 15 minutes. Grate your own cheese for maximum meltability – pre-shredded has anti-caking agents that affect texture.

The secret to crispy crust at home? A very hot oven and a preheated pizza stone or inverted baking sheet. Customize with any toppings you love, and you’ll wonder why you ever called for delivery!

7. Chocolate Chip Cookies Like Grandma’s

The perfect chocolate chip cookie is a balance of crispy edges and chewy centers. Basic ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and chocolate transform into something magical when mixed in the right order.

Room temperature butter and eggs blend better with sugar, creating that perfect texture. For bakery-style cookies, chill the dough for at least an hour before baking – this prevents spreading and deepens the flavor.

Using chocolate chunks instead of chips creates melty pockets throughout the cookies. A sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking enhances the chocolate flavor. Make extra dough and freeze it in balls for fresh-baked cookies anytime a craving strikes!

8. Creamy Tomato Soup Without the Can

Homemade tomato soup outshines the canned version with its fresh flavor and silky texture. Start by sautéing onions and garlic in butter until soft and fragrant. Add canned whole tomatoes (they have better flavor than diced) and chicken or vegetable broth.

After simmering to develop flavors, blend until smooth. The secret ingredient? A splash of heavy cream or a spoonful of butter stirred in at the end for richness.

For extra depth, roast your tomatoes first, or add a pinch of sugar to balance acidity. Pair with a grilled cheese sandwich for the ultimate comfort food combo that takes just 30 minutes from start to finish!

9. Homemade Ice Cream, No Machine Required

Believe it or not, you can make incredible ice cream without any special equipment! The simplest method uses just heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. Whip the cream until stiff peaks form, then fold in the condensed milk and vanilla.

From there, add any mix-ins you like – crushed cookies, chocolate chips, fruit, or caramel sauce. Pour into a loaf pan, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for at least 6 hours.

The condensed milk prevents ice crystals from forming, resulting in a creamy texture similar to store-bought. Kids love creating their own flavor combinations, making this a perfect weekend project that yields delicious results!