35 comfort food recipes to feed your belly and soul! From stews and cheesy skillets, to casseroles and crock pot meals, these gluten free recipes satisfy.
Alternatively titled, “Let’s Eat Our Feelings: 35 Ways to Do It”
But first, hi. How are you? I’ll probably open each post with that question for the next 3-18 months. Would truly love to hear your answer.
I literally cried at the sight of our neighbors today, so that’s where I’m at. ?Through this process of social distancing, I’ve realized that although I’m introvert through and through, I NEED to see people. Hence the tears. That said, this past week can be summed up in one word: emotional. So many emotions. Anxiety, fear, sadness, loneliness – I’m sure you can relate. Our kids and Ben are all sick with fevers and a cough I’ve never heard from any of them before so that has been majorly adding to our stress levels. On the flip side, we’ve been Facetiming with family which has been wonderful for morale, plus the kids and I were able to visit with my parents through our screen door earlier this week. What is life. ?
We’re also trying to focus on little highlights throughout the day including care packages from friends, brainstorming with the kids ways we can show kindness to others while social distancing, memes, the GOODNESS of our community taking care of each other right now, memes, the daily Cincinnati Zoo live Facebook Home Safari, and curbside pickup. Can I get an AMEN for curbside pickup?! And memes. Laughter is the best medicine right now!
What Now?
I recently polled my Facebook community on what kind of content they’re looking for after confessing that posting casserole recipes and such felt odd and maybe even a little silly right now. The resounding response was: RECIPES ARE WHAT WE NEED. So I am happy to oblige, starting with food for the soul – comfort food recipes. (I also recently posted 75+ Recipes Made with Fridge, Freezer and Pantry Staples, in case you missed it.)
These 35 gluten free recipes are what I’m personally craving right now, and I bet many of you are too. The term “eating my feelings” is said tongue in cheek but I personally do crave hot, rich, slow-cooked foods when stressed. It’s not about eating a ton in terms of volume, more so finding comfort in a dish that I’ve taken the time to concoct and craft from scratch. But also real talk? Butter tastes really good. ?
Many have more time on their hands than ever before so some of these recipes that require a little TLC are perfect to tackle right now. Building sauces from scratch, rolling and slicing homemade noodles, simmering, searing, bubbling, and stirring. Indulge, enjoy, and escape for a bit.
Couple of Notes:
One of the first foods I think of when I hear the phrase “comfort food” is cheese. I know many of you can’t or don’t eat dairy though so I want to reassure you that not all of these recipes are cheese bombs.
I’m sure you’ve seen the meme floating around joking about whether we’re going to come out of this totally ripped or…not. Personally, my decision changes daily. ?Anyway, I’ve got you covered no matter which way you’re leaning with both ultra decadent dishes in this list as well as ones on the lighter side.
I also tried to be mindful of what you might have in your fridge, freezer or pantry right now – many if not most of these recipes can be made with foods you’ve already got in the house.
These recipes are all gluten free, though there’s only one recipe that you’d need a special gluten free ingredient for, Gluten Free Pizza Breadsticks, which calls for tapioca flour.
Cooking and stressing and finding moments of joy (including butter) in these crazy times right along with you. Love you guys!
35 Comfort Foods Recipes:
Gluten Free Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
4.8 from 42 votes
Gluten free Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup is ready in under 30 minutes and made with fridge and pantry staples. The recipe has been in my family for generations!
Creamy Ham Peas and Pasta is a quick-cooking dinner recipe that's creamy, satisfying, and made with everyday ingredients. As filling as it is delicious!
Gluten Free Lasagna Soup is a 30 minute meal that delivers all the cheesy, satisfying comfort of a slice of lasagna, with way less work! Each hearty bowl is cozy, flavorful, and filling.
Chicken Stew is a slightly thickened stew recipe featuring tender shredded chicken, creamy potatoes, and lots of vegetables in a herby, luxurious, savory gravy.
High protein + low fat Turkey Chili is easy to make and packed with craveable flavor. Make a batch on the weekend to reheat for healthy, easy lunches all week long
Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers are perfect for feeding a crowd on game day, or enjoying as a slow-cooked cozy Italian supper at home. Serve in a variety of ways.
Short Rib Ragu is a stunner! Bone-in short ribs are slowly braised in the oven until they're fall apart tender, then the shredded meat and sauce are swirled with cooked pasta.
One Pot Chicken and Rice is part soup, part risotto, and wholly comforting. Your family will ask for this easy yet irresistible gluten free dinner recipe again and again.
Skillet Tater Tot Casserole is an updated childhood classic made in one skillet and without condensed soup! This gluten free dinner recipe is always a smash hit.
Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup is a thick and hearty soup recipe that's perfect for cold nights. Use leftover ham and mashed potatoes to make this simple soup even easier to whip up!
Cheese Enchiladas with Red Sauce is a family-friendly dinner recipe made with a handful of everyday ingredients. My family scrapes the casserole dish clean!
I’ve made so many of these, but since this all began, I’ve made the tater tot casserole and the chicken & rice. The TTC didn’t stand a chance – my family inhaled it! I loved the C&R because it makes a huge amount which is great for all the lunches we need these days. I’ve made a few of these before (oh the spicy shrimp soup <3), but definitely time to visit a few new ones! Thanks for the list.
I really hope your family gets better quickly! This is such a weird thing to be living through right now, it honestly feels like we are in a movie…a bad movie. I’d like to know where the fast forward button is… It’s hard not to think about this 24/7 – but I do find calm in the way most people seem to be coming together event when we can’t be together physically.
I hope your family is feeling better, Kristin. We, luckily, have managed to stay healthy so far. We are homeschooling here starting Monday and I have worked the Cincinnati Zoo into my 10 year old’s day a couple of times a week. I think I’ll be taking a break from work to watch with him. :) I even had my favorite Thai food delivered today so maybe things are looking up slightly! Hang in there…we are in this together!
This is such a wild time in our world right now. I wanted to share one of my current challenges and wondering if anyone is having the same daily challenge. My kids are 10 and 12. I work full time away from home. With our current situation (quarantine at home, work from dining room table), I am having a hard time getting creative at lunch. Sandwiches get boring. Nachos aren’t all that healthy. We don’t do a lot of frozen foods, but I’m not opposed. It’d be cool to see a roundup of kid lunches (I mean, I guess for me and the husband too) for this time of uncertainty. I need lunch ideas!
Check out The Lean Green Bean’s Instagram page, stories in particular, as she shares her kid’s lunches almost every day. I think she has a highlight saved of them too! Her kids are 5 and under but the meals she serves would be appropriate for your children. I’m going to try and start sharing lunches on there as well as there’s been a ton of people like yourself asking for ideas. Today I made my boys French Toast Sticks and served them with hash browns and sliced apples. Took maybe 20 minutes start to finish to make!
Thanks for the wonderful recipes ! I have been eating my feelings lately and today when I put on real pants (jeans not yoga ..lol !) I realized that they were a bit snug!
Praying you and your family get well quickly and stay healthy. My daughters elementary school principal did her morning announcements online so we could watch and my daughter cried realizing that spring break is over but no going back to school.
The Cincinnati Zoo is awesome and we are proud to have them in SW Ohio. We look forward to their afternoon videos…breaks up the monotony !
Take care !
It is so hard for these kids – can you imagine being forbidden to see your friends as a 6 year old? 10 year old? Teenager? Friends are so important at all ages of childhood! Thank goodness for Facetime!
Agreed re: grits (your smothered chicken and grits comment), why don’t we eat grits in Iowa. I, too, believe southern DNA is somehow implanted in me. Even though Ancestry.com proves none exists.
If only I could find a store that has butter! Luckily, I’m not out yet. But we are running low and there was no butter at either store that I went to on Friday. Ugh! I know.. first world problems.
Oh man – that’s crazy!! Hey, maybe now is a good time to learn how to make butter from scratch? Could be an awesome project for kids if you’ve got any at home!
Oh, mama – so sorry your house has the gunk! I am suffering with seasonal allergies but am so glad my kiddos aren’t sick – that’s the worst. I’ll keep your family in my ever-growing (these days I start nodding off before I can finish most nights!) list of prayers!
Your recipes & steady constant presence in my newsfeed is appreciated! Don’t forget to give yourself some grace these days too. We all understand! Be well!!
I teared up yesterday when the owner of our local brewery thanked me for coming in to grab some take out. I was over cooking yesterday! This list inspires me to get back to it today. Thank you for sharing! We’re all about the Cincinnati Zoo Home Safari too – such a great thing to look forward to mid-afternoon!
Keep hanging in there! Prayers for a quick recovery for your family. I totally hear you….I teared up this morning when the amazon fresh delivery person set some groceries outside my door with a smile and told me to stay healthy! What a crazy time to be alive.
I’ve made so many of these, but since this all began, I’ve made the tater tot casserole and the chicken & rice. The TTC didn’t stand a chance – my family inhaled it! I loved the C&R because it makes a huge amount which is great for all the lunches we need these days. I’ve made a few of these before (oh the spicy shrimp soup <3), but definitely time to visit a few new ones! Thanks for the list.
I really hope your family gets better quickly! This is such a weird thing to be living through right now, it honestly feels like we are in a movie…a bad movie. I’d like to know where the fast forward button is… It’s hard not to think about this 24/7 – but I do find calm in the way most people seem to be coming together event when we can’t be together physically.
I hope your family is feeling better, Kristin. We, luckily, have managed to stay healthy so far. We are homeschooling here starting Monday and I have worked the Cincinnati Zoo into my 10 year old’s day a couple of times a week. I think I’ll be taking a break from work to watch with him. :) I even had my favorite Thai food delivered today so maybe things are looking up slightly! Hang in there…we are in this together!
Hey, thanks for continuing to post recipes. It’s okay if they’re not new. Maybe you should pace yourself and only post 5 or so at a time? Thank you!
The Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Rice Soup and Ben’s Beef Stew are my go to recipes. We make several times a month. My family loves these especially.
This is such a wild time in our world right now. I wanted to share one of my current challenges and wondering if anyone is having the same daily challenge. My kids are 10 and 12. I work full time away from home. With our current situation (quarantine at home, work from dining room table), I am having a hard time getting creative at lunch. Sandwiches get boring. Nachos aren’t all that healthy. We don’t do a lot of frozen foods, but I’m not opposed. It’d be cool to see a roundup of kid lunches (I mean, I guess for me and the husband too) for this time of uncertainty. I need lunch ideas!
Check out The Lean Green Bean’s Instagram page, stories in particular, as she shares her kid’s lunches almost every day. I think she has a highlight saved of them too! Her kids are 5 and under but the meals she serves would be appropriate for your children. I’m going to try and start sharing lunches on there as well as there’s been a ton of people like yourself asking for ideas. Today I made my boys French Toast Sticks and served them with hash browns and sliced apples. Took maybe 20 minutes start to finish to make!
Thanks for the wonderful recipes ! I have been eating my feelings lately and today when I put on real pants (jeans not yoga ..lol !) I realized that they were a bit snug!
Praying you and your family get well quickly and stay healthy. My daughters elementary school principal did her morning announcements online so we could watch and my daughter cried realizing that spring break is over but no going back to school.
The Cincinnati Zoo is awesome and we are proud to have them in SW Ohio. We look forward to their afternoon videos…breaks up the monotony !
Take care !
It is so hard for these kids – can you imagine being forbidden to see your friends as a 6 year old? 10 year old? Teenager? Friends are so important at all ages of childhood! Thank goodness for Facetime!
Agreed re: grits (your smothered chicken and grits comment), why don’t we eat grits in Iowa. I, too, believe southern DNA is somehow implanted in me. Even though Ancestry.com proves none exists.
Isn’t that odd?!
If only I could find a store that has butter! Luckily, I’m not out yet. But we are running low and there was no butter at either store that I went to on Friday. Ugh! I know.. first world problems.
Oh man – that’s crazy!! Hey, maybe now is a good time to learn how to make butter from scratch? Could be an awesome project for kids if you’ve got any at home!
Oh, mama – so sorry your house has the gunk! I am suffering with seasonal allergies but am so glad my kiddos aren’t sick – that’s the worst. I’ll keep your family in my ever-growing (these days I start nodding off before I can finish most nights!) list of prayers!
Your recipes & steady constant presence in my newsfeed is appreciated! Don’t forget to give yourself some grace these days too. We all understand! Be well!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you – we need and appreciate them! Thank you for your encouraging note!
I teared up yesterday when the owner of our local brewery thanked me for coming in to grab some take out. I was over cooking yesterday! This list inspires me to get back to it today. Thank you for sharing! We’re all about the Cincinnati Zoo Home Safari too – such a great thing to look forward to mid-afternoon!
I feel that!! We’ve ordered pick up from two of our favorite local spots in the past week – breaks my heart to see them in this situation.
Keep hanging in there! Prayers for a quick recovery for your family. I totally hear you….I teared up this morning when the amazon fresh delivery person set some groceries outside my door with a smile and told me to stay healthy! What a crazy time to be alive.
Thank you so much, Kate! Isn’t this bonkers? I am going to go on a hugging spree when all this is over.