15 Comfort Foods Boomers Swore By When Life Got Tough

Comfort food meant something different back then—filling, familiar, and easy to make with what was on hand. These recipes were the go-tos when money was tight, time was short, or days just felt too long. They didn’t rely on trends or fancy ingredients, just real food that worked. It’s the kind of cooking that got people through.

A white dish filled with creamy pasta topped with mushrooms and herbs is placed on a blue and white striped cloth. — Mushroom Leek Pasta Bake. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Creamy mashed potatoes take about 30 minutes and use russet potatoes, butter, and milk. The texture is smooth and light with just enough salt. It’s a side that worked with anything and made any meal feel complete. Boomers leaned on it when they wanted something they didn’t have to think about.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Sweet potato fritters take 30 minutes and are made with shredded sweet potatoes, flour, and a quick dipping sauce. The fritters are crisp on the outside and soft inside with a kick of heat. The sauce adds a sweet balance without going overboard. It’s the kind of snack that made a rough day better.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Parsnip Potato Soup

Parsnip potato soup takes 45 minutes and blends parsnips, potatoes, onions, and broth. It’s creamy with a slightly sweet, earthy flavor and a smooth finish. The texture is filling without being too heavy. It’s the kind of soup that helped stretch ingredients without feeling like a compromise.
Get the Recipe: Parsnip Potato Soup

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey garlic carrots take 25 minutes and use sliced carrots, garlic, and a drizzle of honey. They’re tender with a sweet and savory glaze that sticks just enough. The garlic is mild and works well with the natural carrot flavor. It’s a simple side that brought comfort to any dinner plate.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown butter garlic mashed potatoes take 40 minutes and feature potatoes, garlic, butter, and cream. The flavor is rich with a nutty edge and plenty of depth. The texture stays creamy and smooth throughout. It was the kind of upgrade that still felt like home cooking.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

A dish of beets, sweet potatoes, and parsnips roasted in the oven with sprigs of sage. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Oven roasted root vegetables take about 45 minutes and use carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and olive oil. They’re roasted until golden with soft centers and crisp edges. The mix of textures made it feel like more than just vegetables. It was a reliable dish that always filled the table and the stomach.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Stuffed shells with spinach and ricotta take about an hour and use pasta shells, ricotta cheese, spinach, and tomato sauce. They’re soft, cheesy, and hold their shape well after baking. The sauce adds enough moisture without drowning the filling. It’s the kind of dish that made weeknights feel like Sunday dinner.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta

Tomato Basil Bisque

A bowl of tomato soup garnished with cream swirls and two basil leaves, in a black dish. — Tomato Basil Bisque. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Tomato basil bisque takes 30 minutes and uses tomatoes, cream, and fresh basil. The flavor is smooth and slightly sweet with a hint of herbs. It’s thick enough to be filling but still works with a side of bread. Boomers kept this one in rotation when things needed to slow down.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque

Mushroom Leek Pasta Bake

Mushroom leek pasta bake takes about 45 minutes and includes mushrooms, leeks, pasta, and a creamy sauce. It’s rich, earthy, and baked until golden on top. The texture is soft with occasional bites of vegetables. It’s a one-dish meal that brought warmth to cold nights.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Leek Pasta Bake

Creamy Vegan Pasta Bake

A bowl of pasta salad featuring mushrooms, asparagus, and a creamy green sauce. The dish is garnished with fresh herbs. A small bowl of nuts and some greenery are in the blurred background. — Creamy Vegan Pasta Bake. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Creamy vegan pasta bake takes 45 minutes and uses pasta, plant-based cream, vegetables, and herbs. The texture is soft and baked with a smooth sauce that doesn’t feel heavy. The flavor is mellow but comforting. It’s the kind of meal that didn’t need meat to feel full.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Pasta Bake

Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Two bowls of butternut squash soup on a wooden table. — Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Butternut squash soup with homemade dumplings takes about an hour and uses squash, broth, and flour-based dumplings. The soup is smooth and lightly sweet while the dumplings add weight and texture. It’s hearty without being too much. Boomers made it when the budget was tight and bellies needed filling.
Get the Recipe: Easy Butternut Squash Soup with Homemade Dumplings

Creamy Vegan Broccoli Casserole

A black plate with a serving of broccoli casserole, topped with breadcrumbs. A fork rests on the plate. The background is a marble surface, with some green plant decorations partially visible. — Creamy Vegan Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Creamy vegan broccoli casserole takes about 40 minutes and includes broccoli, plant-based cream, and crunchy topping. The texture is soft with crisp edges and a creamy base. The flavor is simple and built around the vegetables. It’s a classic comfort dish without the extras.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Vegan Broccoli Casserole

Creamy and Cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach

A serving of cheesy zucchini lasagna is being lifted from a baking dish with a wooden spatula, revealing layers of pasta, zucchini, and sauce. — Creamy and Cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Butternut squash lasagna with spinach takes about an hour and includes squash puree, cheese, lasagna noodles, and spinach. It’s layered, rich, and baked until golden. The flavor is slightly sweet with a savory finish. It’s the kind of casserole that showed up when people needed seconds.
Get the Recipe: Creamy and Cheesy Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach

Carrot Ginger Soup

A square white bowl with orange soup next to a piece of cornbread on a woven placemat. A metal spoon and napkin are on the right. — Carrot Ginger Soup. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Carrot ginger soup takes 30 minutes and uses carrots, fresh ginger, onions, and broth. The taste is smooth, slightly spicy, and warming. It’s light enough for lunch but filling enough to count as dinner. Boomers leaned on it when they wanted something warm without a lot of fuss.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Ginger Soup

Greek Chickpea Soup

Greek chickpea soup takes 40 minutes and combines chickpeas, lemon, garlic, and broth. It’s bright, savory, and full of protein. The texture is soft but hearty with just enough acidity to balance it out. It’s one of those recipes that always stretched a dollar and kept people full.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chickpea Soup