Enthusiastically seconding shepherd’s pie! Anything with mashed potatoes, for that matter.
Gooey dessert. Truffles.
A few more suggestions: cabbage rolls and mashed potatoes, stuffed peppers and mashed potatoes, or beef bourguignon.
One thing I’m surprised I’ve liked as much as I have is chili made with ground turkey and dried cranberries, served with rice or garlic bread. It’s very hearty but a bit out of the ordinary. Ordered it at “The Counter,” a gourmet hamburger place and liked it so much I have ordered it several times and H, D and friend also liked it.
It’s a bit healthier than ground beef and lower in fat and calories but quite hearty.
Hearty beef vegetable soup, homemade bread and apple pie.
Two thumbs up! It is going to be cold here next week… So I just made food for the upcoming week: peppers stuffed with turkey and cauliflower “rice” and a giant pot of Ukrainian borscht. Scalloped potatoes and meatloaf will be made later in the week.
Lasagna, salad, bread
Tacos with chips and dips (salsa, guac, queso). You could make regular ground beef filling and shredded chicken, with both crunchy shells and soft tortillas. Let people build their own with their favorite toppings.
I’m going to a grilled cheese party this week. The breads and some cheeses will be provided and we are to bring anything we think could be interesting like other cheeses, bacon, tomatoes, fruits. I think there will be tomato soup.
I have a chicken pot pie recipe where you make the inside of the pie in a large baking dish and top it with round biscuits (I’ve made my own and used store bought tubes). I think it’s an Ina Garten recipe. It’s delicious and easier to serve than traditional pot pie. Less crust too so it’s a little healthier.
I made a turkey chili this weekend. I go a little heavy on the spices because turkey has such a mild flavor but it’s so delicious and a little healthier than the ground beef.
Beef stroganoff or pot roast. Serve with a nice heart bread and maybe a salad if u must do something healthy. I make beef stroganoff for people all the time when we are skiing and it is always a hit because it’s something people never seem to make for themselves.
Lots of great ideas so far. We’ve done trays of sausage, peppers and onions with sub rolls at some parties (spicy and regular) and it’s always a huge hit.
my comfort food to make for others is a dish brought to me 14 yrs ago when I had kid #4; and I’ve passed this on to many others. It’s Homemade bbq meatballs. I make it with a side of loaded mashed potatoes or Mac & cheese & fruit salad and brownies. the other “meal train” go -to recipe is chicken parmesan. AND my last tip: stew sounds good too; and I always throw in some Italian dressing in my stews.
Shepard’s pie
Bolognese
Taco bar
I think the grilled cheese "bar is a fun idea! Slice some good sourdough, have a few cheese options, fillings like sliced tomatoes, pesto, bacon. Have a soup prepared - tomato is of course good (you can even get the tomato basil soup from Costco - very good and fresh tasting.
And make your own ice cream sundaes with brownies !
This would be fun if you want an interactive entertaining experience! I would love to build my own sandwich!
Editing to say: note to self - make this^^^^ for a super bowl meal this year!
And can you then efficiently grill those grilled cheese sandwiches?
Sure with a grill pan and/ or panini press you can grill 4-5 sandwiches at a time. Would depend on your space/set up but I think it could happen.
You could also do sheetpan grilled cheese in the oven or borrow panini presses from friends/guests.
My friends are mostly vegetarians or at best pescatarians which makes classic comfort foods a problem. And the rest of them are trying to lose weight! So I do try to have options. I like things like taco bars where you can just use the food of your personal diet. I think corn chowder and clam chowder are comfort foods.
Especially in January/February. New years resolutions and all.
It’s so funny how different regions are so different. Offhand I can’t think of anyone I know who is a vegetarian or pescatarian, much less could I say “most” of my friends are vegetarians/pescatarians!
I agree though-offer some “healthy” stuff too.
We like to do a nice broccoli cheese soup with some good crusty bread. Another favorite is Japanese curry and rice. So warm and yummy in the winter time.
For desserts, I would suggest bread pudding.