21 Comfort Food Recipes That Were Your Grandma's Favorites
Go on, have a second helping.
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There's something about grandmas that are just so comforting: the unconditional love and support, those warm hugs, that annual birthday card even when you became an adult. "A grandmother is one of the most important roles in life," Ree Drummond said of her Ga-Ga. And now that she's a grandmother herself to baby Sofia, she understands all too well what it feels like!
Of course, one of the most comforting aspects of having a grandma is the food. The pure nostalgia of Grandma's favorite comfort recipes is second to none. Her family-style casseroles alone could send you into bliss with one bite, let alone her homemade mac and cheese! And shall you never forget all the grandma desserts that filled you with sugar and love, especially because she always let you have a second helping when your mom wasn't looking. 😉
Whether you're lucky to still have your grandma or just want to channel her when you're craving some comfort food, there are plenty of grandma-inspired recipes you can make even if you don't have her cherished recipe box. The Pioneer Woman has shared plenty from her own family and friends and you'll find 21 of 'em right here. From hearty stews to classic cinnamon rolls, you'll love them almost as much as you love your own grandma. And then you can pass them along to the next generation... after that second scoop, of course.
Perfect Pot Roast
Ree says: "Pot roast is one of my absolute favorite meals, and once you figure out the secret to making a good roast, there's no going back!" Thankfully, you've got all her secrets right here.
Get Ree's Perfect Pot Roast recipe.
Homemade Chicken and Noodles
This is one of Ree's top comfort foods from her childhood. Not to be mistaken with chicken noodle soup (which is another grandma classic!), this one is thicker and heartier.
Get Ree's Homemade Chicken and Noodles recipe.
Biscuits and Gravy
Learn how to make biscuits and you'll always have a comforting side. Learn how to make sausage gravy, and you can slather it on any dish. Master both and you've got the most comforting breakfast ever!
Get Ree's Biscuits and Gravy recipe.
Chicken Spaghetti
Do you know what the most popular Drummond family casserole is? It's this cheesy, creamy classic! "This really is one of the all-time greatest 'make before' comfort foods," Ree says.
Get Ree's Chicken Spaghetti recipe.
The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever
This Drummond family favorite comes from Ree's mother-in-law with one key difference in the recipe: more butter! It's rich, fudgy, and makes enough for a crowd.
Get Ree's Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever.
Ree's Favorite Meatloaf
Ree made it her mission to bring back meatloaf from the retro recipe doldrums, and boy did she ever! Her version is covered in strips of bacon and tangy, sweet sauce.
Get Ree's Favorite Meatloaf.
Sour Cream Noodle Bake
The original recipe of this classic hails from Ree's mom's friend and then she tweaked it a bit. But don't worry, it's still creamy, cheesy, and beefy.
Get Ree's Sour Cream Noodle Bake recipe.
Grill-Fried Chicken
Is there anything better than a juicy and crispy piece of fried chicken? Learn all the secrets to making it the way Grandma did, and you'll be set for life.
Get the Grill-Fried Chicken recipe.
Macaroni and Cheese
Ree fully admits mac and cheese was one of the only things she ate as a kid. If that sounds familiar, then you definitely need to learn how to make it from scratch with her easy instructions.
Get Ree's Macaroni and Cheese recipe.
Green Bean Casserole
There's a pretty good chance your grandma (and your mom and now you) serve this veggie side for Thanksgiving. Ree's version is completely from scratch and so good, you'll make it all year round.
Get Ree's Green Bean Casserole recipe.
Cinnamon Rolls
Ree's mom would make these every single year for friends and family at Christmas. Now she does the same and even gets her kids involved! They're the best reason to wake up in the morning.
Get Ree's Cinnamon Rolls recipe.
Chicken and Dumplings
Ree calls this "comfort food to the max." While your grandma may not have used that exact phrasing, she'd definitely approve of Ree's recipe.
Get Ree's Chicken and Dumplings recipe.
The Best Lasagna Ever
Ree swears this lasagna is the reason her husband Ladd proposed to her. They've been married for over 25 years now and she still makes it, so it must really be that good!
Get Ree's Best Lasagna Ever.
Skillet Cornbread
This is the cornbread recipe Ree grew up eating. Her mom would make it in old school cornbread stick pans, but making it in a cast iron skillet will get those same golden, crispy edges.
Get Ree's Skillet Cornbread recipe.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Ree says beef stew is "perfect for warming your soul." Using a slow cooker lets you set it and forget it, so you can do other important tasks. Grandma would be proud of such efficiency!
Get the Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia is one of those grandma dishes where you aren't quite sure if it's a side dish or a dessert. Call it whatever you want, because it's delicious either way.
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Chicken Pot Pie
The great thing about this pot pie recipe (besides it being scrumptious, of course) is that it's flexible. You can sub in store-bought rotisserie chicken, use frozen pie dough, swap out the veggies―whatever you've got on hand.
Get Ree's Chicken Pot Pie recipe.
Blackberry Cobbler
Cobblers come in many forms, but essentially it's fruit and other ingredients "cobbled" together in a rustic, very grandma way. This version is from Ree's stepmother and can be used with all sorts of in-season fruits.
Get Ree's Blackberry Cobbler recipe.
Cheesy Potato Casserole
Your grandma's recipe might be labeled "funeral potatoes" or "hash brown casserole" but the concept is the same: creamy, cheesy, carb-y goodness topped with buttery breadcrumbs.
Get the Cheesy Potato Casserole recipe.
Dreamy Apple Pie
You can't have a list of old school recipes and not have an apple pie, right? Well, Ree's recipe uses heavy cream in the filling that makes it extra dreamy and special.
Get Ree's Dreamy Apple Pie recipe.
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