Food

Our Favorite Spring Comfort Food Recipes for Weekends at Home

posted on May 8, 2020 | by Heather Bien

When we think of comfort food for weekends at home, some of the first dishes that come to mind are cool weather classics: chili, stew, pasta. But, comfort food is a year-round phenomenon. There are always those dishes that bring you back to nostalgic seasonal memories or incorporate all-time favorite spring flavors in new ways. 

And, right now, cooking and baking are having a moment. The circumstances may be strange, but we’re here for the delicious dishes and mouth-watering baked goods that are marching across our Instagram stories and populating our feeds. 

So, without further ado, here are a few of our favorite spring comfort food recipes that we’re making on our lazy weekends at home.

Alison Roman’s Caramelized Shallot Pasta: You’ve probably seen this recipe on social media more than a few times. Seriously, it seems like there might be a nationwide run on shallots and anchovies because of it. So, we made it. And, let me tell you, the hype is real. If I have just one tip for you, it would be to make extra sauce. You’re going to want this on everything.

Once Upon a Chef’s Rosemary Focaccia: If you can track down yeast, you need to make this savory, springy, melt-in-your-mouth bread. Pour a bit of olive oil in a dish, break a piece off, and try not to go through the entire bread in one sitting.

Southern Living’s Asparagus Quiche: Eggs, cheese, buttery crust…quiche is the ultimate comfort food. It’s seasonless, of course, but, when you add in a spring harvest like asparagus, it elevates it to the ultimate seasonal food. Plus, you’ve included vegetables so you can feel good about it. 

NYT Cooking’s Tomato Risotto: You could compare tomato risotto to Spaghettios for adults –– and isn’t that the ultimate comfort food? Risotto is another one of those dishes that has so many seasonal incarnations and tomato has to be one of my favorite add-ins.

NYT Cooking’s Mock Steak Frites: Want to make a weekend night feel special? Make steak frites, light a few candles, and open a bottle of bubbly. There’s seriously no better way to spend an evening at home. 

Trisha Yearwood’s Pimento Cheese Dip: Nothing says spring like a pimento cheese sandwich (it’s the sandwich of the Masters golf tournament). It’s one of those simple dishes that everyone loves and, even if you’ve never had it, all it takes is one bite and you’ll be hooked.

Smitten Kitchen’s Shakshuka: When you need a comfort food meal that doesn’t take a bunch of fancy ingredients, you can always make shakshuka. All you need is tomato and eggs as a base. Everything else is just extra. Oh, and that focaccia you made earlier? Yes, dip it. 

Bon Appetit’s Fried Rice with Spring Vegetables and Fried Eggs: When you can’t get takeout, make the takeout. We’re loving all sorts of variations on fried rice, crispy rice, fried eggs, and loads of veggies—all topped with a healthy hand of Sriracha. 

Ina Garten’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars: We couldn’t leave you hanging without dessert, right!? This classic recipe, from her 2006 Barefoot Contessa at Home cookbook, is still an all-time favorite. It’s one of those feel good, taste good treats that feels like childhood and “I’m seriously talented in the kitchen” all rolled into one.

Sally’s Baking Addiction’s Carrot Cake: Okay, okay, one more dessert because how could we celebrate spring without carrot cake? This spicy, delicious cake always makes us feel better because, “hey, it has carrots!” And, that cream cheese icing? Always a crowd-pleaser.