15 Retro Comfort Food Favorites With a Modern Twist

When you’re craving old-school comfort but don’t necessarily want the exact version you grew up with, these recipes are here to meet you in the middle. Think: all the cozy, nostalgic flavor you love, but with a little upgrade—whether it’s a fun twist on a classic or a simplified version you can pull off on a weeknight, these retro comfort food faves got a little makeover. From Mushroom Stroganoff and French Onion Mac and Cheese Casserole to Lasagna Baked Potatoes, this collection will help you get the comfort you’re craving.

01 of 15

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“It channels my favorite part of the dish—the classic paprika-tinged wine and sour cream sauce—with meaty mushrooms instead of beef for a satisfying, delicious dinner for two.” —Stephanie A. Ganz, Recipe Developer

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“Fermented, pickle-y cabbage is a simple stir-in that adds umami depth, crisp-tender texture, and just the right touch of acidity to cut through the richness of the casserole. It’s the unexpected twist that transforms a classic casserole into something far more interesting.” —Anne Wolf, Recipe Developer

03 of 15

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“This version is made with cooked chicken and is a great way to use up leftovers. If you don’t have any leftover cooked chicken handy, this is a good opportunity to utilize America’s dinnertime hero, a grocery store rotisserie chicken.” —Laura Manzano, Recipe Developer

04 of 15

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“When it’s cold outside, and I’m craving comfort food, few things can beat a classic chicken cobbler. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. By swapping out the standard cobbler topping for cheddar bay biscuits, chicken cobbler is transformed into a dish worthy of a special occasion. Luckily, it’s easy enough to make for a casual family dinner.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor

05 of 15

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“This French onion macaroni and cheese casserole transposes the flavors of French onion soup to America’s favorite comfort food. It’s cheesy, gooey, and infused with the sweetness of jammy caramelized onions. Make it for a memorable dinner and keep it in your back pocket when you need an impressive make-ahead casserole.” —Sara Bir, Simply Recipes Editor

06 of 15

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“You start by browning fresh Mexican chorizo until just cooked through. Then up the ante by stirring in two pouches of skillet sauce. Finish it off by scooping it onto toasted hamburger buns and topping it with fresh avocado (yum) and corn chips (yummier). These easy, saucy, salty, crunchy, flavor-packed sandwiches are what dreams are made of.” —Sara Bir, Simply Recipes Editor

07 of 15

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“When it comes to the age-old dinner debate, everyone wants a bite of comfort. The tricky part is deciding what comfort food. One family member wants pasta, one wants tacos, one wants pizza—it’s hard to please everyone with a single dinner. This comfort food mash-up might do just that.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor

08 of 15

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“The key to a good tomato soup is actually not starting with fresh tomatoes. Quality canned tomatoes are even better. The key to a great tomato soup is to take a little time to develop the flavor with onions, garlic, basil, and slow simmering. This particular tomato soup is amazing with any topper, but my grilled cheese croutons take it to a whole different level!” —Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

09 of 15

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“These unstuffed cabbage rolls use all of the same ingredients but are ready in a fraction of the time. Microwavable rice shrinks the cook time even further and keeps the dish a one-pot dinner—no need to boil a pot of rice.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor

10 of 15

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“These loaded potato stuffed shells bring together the best elements of both dishes: pasta shells stuffed with pillowy potatoes, green onions, and bacon, topped with melted cheese, and finished with sour cream. And like empty shells and plain baked potatoes, they’re wonderfully customizable based on your family’s favorite flavors.” —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer

11 of 15

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“French onion soup is hearty enough for a cold winter’s day but still light enough to enjoy any time of year. This recipe distills the essence of the iconic soup into a sauce for tender meatballs. But it’s not just the sauce that harkens to French onion soup—the meatballs themselves are packed full of sweet and savory onion flavor.” —Laura Manzano, Recipe Developer

12 of 15

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“Instead of making individual patties and searing each one, simply cook ground beef in a skillet and combine it with sautéed mushrooms and a savory gravy for a 30-minute meal. It has all of the flavors of the original without the hassle.” —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor

13 of 15

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“These tender boats of bell pepper piled high with ground beef, rice, and onion are dressed up even further with pepperoni and cheese. They’re bursting with flavor and can be customized in various ways to match your go-to pizza order.” —Molly Allen, Recipe Developer

14 of 15

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“For this one-pan dinner adaptation, I added all that good stuff, plus one of my favorite weeknight heroes to bulk it up: store-bought ravioli. It cooks in just a few minutes, and it’s one of those ingredients that can hang tight in your fridge for a couple weeks until you’re ready to use it.” —Rebecca Fennel, Recipe Developer

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“I decided to give chicken pot pie the ‘soupy toasts’ treatment, and I’m so glad I did. This version of the classic dish features a quickly cooked filling that turns into a toast topping, maintaining the saucy gravy setup in an easy-to-assemble meal.” —Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer

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