Food and Recipes Our Most Comforting Recipes in Times of Sorrow By Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola Lisa is the Deputy Editor at Southern Living and joined the team in 2015. She works with the Southern Living Test Kitchen to create recipes for the site and print magazine, edits the magazine's food section, and writes digital food stories as well. Previously, she was the features editor at Food Network Magazine and has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing photo shoots for print and digital lifestyle brands. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on January 19, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Whether there was a death in the family, someone is in the hospital, or life has taken a difficult turn, we all face difficult challenges from time to time. A home-cooked meal can't fix a tough situation, but it can definitely provide comfort when it is needed most. This recipe collection recalls familiar favorites like old-fashioned mac and cheese and hearty chicken-noodle soup and new classics like sweet potato soup that will provide warmth and nourishment with every spoonful. If your friend, neighbor, or loved one is going through a particularly difficult time, ease the burden with one of these warm and nourishing meals. 01 of 20 Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie There's something so comforting not only in serving this classic comfort food, but also in its preparation. There's no cutting corners here except when it comes to the piecrust. The recipe calls for the store-bought refrigerated variety, though you can certainly make your own if you're inclined. 02 of 20 BBQ Rub Roasted Chickens with Potatoes and Carrots Greg DuPree Recipe: BBQ Rub Roasted Chickens with Potatoes and Carrots This is a full dinner on a sheet pan, and it comes together with just 15 minutes of active time. Make up a double batch of the sweet and smoky rub to take along with the meal as a little extra gift. It's great on pork too. 03 of 20 Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Jennifer Causey Recipe: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate chip cookies are true crowd pleasers, but don't go for the ho-hum store-bought version. This recipe calls on brown butter to kick the tried-and-true up to elite status. Give them a try and you'll never look back. 04 of 20 Million Dollar Pound Cake Beth Dreiling Hontzas Recipe: Million Dollar Pound Cake A good pound cake is a true chameleon. Sure, its roots are firmly grounded in the dessert category, but it can just as easily stand in as a comforting breakfast when served with a hot cup of coffee. Mark our words, no one will complain if you pull out this winner before the noon hour. 05 of 20 Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad Southern Living Recipe: Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad This recipe will go down as one of our most popular of all time. It's fresh and light, and is the perfect stock-the-fridge meal for a family or friend who is going through hard times. Take along the bacon and pecans in zip-top bags so they can add just before serving. You'll want the last two ingredients to maintain their crunch. 06 of 20 Tarragon Chicken Salad Jennifer Davick Recipe: Tarragon Chicken Salad Chopped pecans, Granny Smith apples, and celery keep the crunch factor high in this fresh and herby chicken salad. You'll love how the slight licorice-like flavor of tarragon kicks up every bite. 07 of 20 Lasagna Roll Ups Hector Sanchez Recipe: Lasagna Roll Ups Of course, lasagna will always be a favorite, but these roll ups make it even more convenient for serving—whether it's for one or for a crowd. 08 of 20 Mama's Fried Chicken Southern Living Recipe: Mama's Fried Chicken This is our most shared fried chicken recipe of all time. It's simply perfection. The secret to its success is a two-hour soak in buttermilk, which tenderizes the meat and imparts it with wonderful flavor. Served with potato salad and coleslaw, this chicken will bring smiles all around. 09 of 20 Erika Kwee's Spiced Carrot Cake with Candied Pecans and Caramel Sauce Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner Recipe: Erika Kwee's Spiced Carrot Cake with Candied Pecans and Caramel Sauce If you're willing to put in the time, you'll find that this recipe is well worth the effort. Candied pecans, a decadent caramel sauce, and pillowy cream cheese frosting take the spiced cake layers to new heights. 10 of 20 What to make when someone is under the weather Iain Bagwell Soup is the obvious way to take care of a sick family member or friend, and our slow cooker Soulful Chicken Soup is one of our favorite versions of this classic recipe. Or try a vitamin-packed Sweet Potato Soup, topped with toasted pecans. If your loved one can stomach something a little more substantial, our Chicken Bog is a comforting but not-too-heavy mix of shredded chicken, rice, and vegetables. Or blend up a batch of Yogurt-Fruit Smoothies to sip while recovering (and watching Netflix). Recipe: Soulful Chicken Soup 11 of 20 Sweet Potato Soup Greg DuPree Recipe: Sweet Potato Soup This recipe calls for both sweet potatoes and Yukon Golds, with cumin, cinnamon, and cayenne adding a kick of spicy-sweet flavor. Serve with plain yogurt, pecans, and flat-leaf parsley and you won't find anyone around who can resist a second bowlful. 12 of 20 Chicken Bog Greg DuPree Recipe: Chicken Bog This is chicken and rice like you've never had it, unless of course, you grew up eating chicken bog. It cooks up in a large Dutch oven and calls on store-bought rotisserie chicken to speed up the prep. If you have a crowd to serve and they're in need of something to warm them up, body and soul, this is it. 13 of 20 Best-Ever Brownies Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Best-Ever Brownies Cheer someone up with a batch of these brownies. Trust us, this is one treat that will never steer you wrong. 14 of 20 Coffee Cake Muffins Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist Karen Rankin Recipe: Coffee Cake Muffins These Coffee Cake Muffins freeze beautifully. Just include instructions for microwaving to reheat. One minute on LOW should do the trick. 15 of 20 Chocolate Pudding Recipe: Chocolate Pudding Whip up a silky dish of our homemade chocolate pudding when you're feeling low or know someone else who is. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and you've just perfected the most comforting dessert of all time—arguably. 16 of 20 Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Alison Miksch Recipe: Deep-Dish Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie This ooey-gooey cookie is designed to share, but rules don't apply when you're really in need. 17 of 20 Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese Beth Dreiling Hontzas Recipe: Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese This three-step mac and cheese is designed to please. It requires no fancy cheese varieties or high-brow mix ins. It just plain good. And sometimes that's exactly what's needed. 18 of 20 Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche Alison Miksch Recipe: Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche Don't forget breakfast. We love this hearty quiche recipe because it can work for any meal of the day, including a light dinner when served with a side salad. Bring along other breakfast mainstays like orange juice, a carton of hot coffee from the local shop, and fruit. 19 of 20 S'mores Pie Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Melissa Gray Recipe: S'mores Pie Nothing can quite top a decadent chocolate pie. This one comes together with twenty minutes of hands-on time and three hours setting in the fridge. Bring it along in a disposable aluminum pan or a pie plate that the receiver can keep (so she doesn't have to worry about returning your dish). 20 of 20 Sausage-and-Collard Greens Stew Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Sausage-and-Collard Greens Stew This warm, comforting stew can be made in just two steps with the magic of your slow cooker. It calls for sausage, leeks, collards, and pasta – so it's a Southern dish with some Italian flair. A little heavy cream brings richness to the broth. Serve up this family favorite with a warm loaf of crusty bread and a glass of red wine. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit