Top 10 Ultimate Comfort Foods

What is it about chicken noodle soup that’s so darn comforting? Is it the memory of our parents making it for us when we’re sick? The way it just warms the soul? It has a history as a folk remedy, being used for curing colds and other ailments. It can feature a simple clear broth or include chewy egg noodles, rice, barely, dumplings, or matzo balls. Whether it comes from a Campbell’s can, a Lipton sachet or your grandmother’s kitchen, there’s something that makes this soup stand out from the rest.

Pie is one of the rare dishes that’s just as good whether it’s served as a sweet or savory presentation. Meat-based pies like chicken pot pie have been enjoyed for centuries—in fact the Ancient Egyptians actually ate it back in the 5th century BC! Sweet pies have a time-honored place on many holiday tables as a staple after Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. In many families the great debate between pumpkin versus apple pie has been raging for decades. And then there are also favorites like pecan, lemon meringue, key lime, rhubarb pie and so many more.

In much of the world KFC is the benchmark of what fried chicken is meant to be. But in the South fried chicken is not about fast food. Fried chicken can actually trace its roots back to medieval Europe as well as a number of West African countries. The European and African traditions were combined into the dish you’ll find today in the American South. While fried chicken is delicious on its own or in a sandwich, it also pairs well with sides like mac and cheese, biscuits, gravy, and coleslaw.

Is there any snack more addictive than the potato chip? They’re a staple at parties for both kids and adults and taste good alone or with dip. The first recorded example of a potato chip recipe was in William Kitchiner's 1817 book “The Cook's Oracle” which was hugely popular in both the UK and the US. In the centuries since, we’ve gotten really creative with how we flavor our chips around the world, with seasonings including cucumber, pulled pork, sloppy joes, shrimp cocktail and many more. You really can’t eat just one.

Don’t get us wrong, there are a lot of great cookies out there. But none stands out as much as the simple yet classic chocolate chip cookie. Many popular foods have a murky history that’s tough to pin down, but we know the exact origin of the chocolate chip cookie. In the late 1930s Ruth Jones Graves Wakefield chopped up a Nestlé semi-sweet chocolate bar into a batch of cookies and the original Toll House recipe was born. Whether they come out of a box or are lovingly baked by someone who cares about you, chocolate chip cookies have got to be one of the most comforting desserts out there.

Many American kids learn to cook themselves a grilled cheese before any other meal. Perhaps that nostalgia is what makes us love these sandwiches so much to this day. Some prefer a simple white sandwich bread paired with a slice of American cheese while others crave an artisanal sourdough loaf with a mix of brie, sharp cheddar, and provolone. Perhaps that’s what makes a grilled cheese so amazing. At its core, it’s a humble meal, but it can be jazzed up into something that’s ultra flavorful and gourmet.

People have strong opinions about the best way to make mac and cheese. Should it come out of a blue box? Should it be baked with breadcrumbs? Should it be ultra gooey and prepared on the stovetop? To be honest, there’s kind of no wrong answer. The Kraft version is a classic for a reason. There’s something so comforting about that familiar flavor. In recent years though, tricked out mac and cheese has become a popular menu item at many trendy restaurants, with ingredients like lobster, bacon, caramelized onions, and meatballs.

Sometimes you need a little grease to cheer you up. After a bad day (or a few too many drinks the night before) there’s nothing more satisfying than a plate of fries. Make them shoestring-style, thick cut, or classic fast-food style - it’s all delicious. The best thing about fries is that while they’re awesome alone, they also pair so well with a host of dips and toppings. Ketchup, mayo, cheese sauce, chili, and gravy all take regular fries to the next level. While fries are often relegated to side dish status, they deserve to be the only thing on the plate. If you’re ever in Quebec, Canada, treat yourself to poutine to experience fries at their most decadent.

What’s the one thing everyone reaches for after a bad breakup? A tub of ice cream of course! The combination of fat and carbs is just flawless, and is the only thing that could come close to curing a broken heart. While ice cream tastes great from the container on your couch, it also evokes images of walking along a boardwalk on a hot summer day. It can be simple or complex, with classic favorite flavors like chocolate and vanilla and trendy favorites like black sesame, salted caramel, and more.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Burgers
Cheeseburgers, Veggie Burgers, Chicken Burgers, They're All Good!

Brownies
Do You Like the Middle or the Edge?

Pasta
This Italian Mainstay Has Become Popular Worldwide for a Reason

Bacon
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner, Bacon Is King

Cake
It Comes in Many Different Forms, But It's Always Delicious

Even when it’s bad it’s good. You know a food is incredible when you still want to eat it at room temperature after it’s sat out on the counter all night. Come on, that’s not just us. Pizza is one of the most popular takeout and delivery options because it’s a crowd pleaser that no one can say no to. While the pizza from your local pie shop is awesome, there’s also thin-crust Italian style pizza that’s made in a wood burning oven. Not to mention grocery store oven pizzas which aren’t exactly great but they’re also not that bad. Does all of this make pizza the perfect food? We’ll let you decide.