Mood-boosting comfort foods that taste delicious

Meals to boost your mood

When you've had a bad day or are feeling drained, there's one sure-fire way to lift your spirits: get cooking! To help boost your mood whenever required, we've put together a collection of cosy, comforting recipes that are low on effort and high on soul-nourishing flavours.

Stick on your favourite songs, don your comfiest clothes, and we'll see you in the kitchen...

Sweet and sour pork

Filled with crunchy sliced peppers and lots of crispy, batter-coated pork, Hong Kong–style sweet and sour is a takeaway favourite that's pretty much guaranteed to boost your mood. Happily, it's incredibly easy to make at home, too; just grab a wok and get frying. If you're not a fan of pork, you could always switch it out for a different protein (like chicken or tofu) instead.

Get the recipe for sweet and sour pork here

Poutine

Thick-cut chips, cheese curds, lashings of gravy... poutine really is one of the most warming, comforting dishes around. This Canadian classic is as easy to make as it is delicious, and it can be on the table in just over half an hour. If you don't feel like making your own gravy, you can use a packet mix instead – but, as with most culinary creations, homemade tastes best.

Get the recipe for poutine here

Butter chicken

Resist the urge to place an order at your local Indian takeaway – if you raid your spice rack, you may find that you have most of the dry ingredients for this sumptuous chicken curry already. Tangy, saucy and not too spicy, it's the perfect dish to get cosy with when you're in need of a cold weather pick-me-up. Just add rice, chapatis or naan breads, and you've got yourself a feast!

Get the recipe for butter chicken here

Chicken burger gyros

Traditional Greek gyros are typically made with chicken that's been roasted on a vertical rotisserie, but this cheat's version makes use of an ingredient that's much easier to cook: ready-made chicken burgers. Simply marinate them in a herby yogurt sauce for half an hour, cook them up, then bundle them into a flatbread with plenty of fresh vegetables, French fries and homemade tzatziki.

Get the recipe for chicken burger gyros here

Sirloin steak with chips and Béarnaise sauce

This recipe for succulent sirloin, hand-cut chips and creamy, zingy Béarnaise sauce comes courtesy of British celebrity chef James Martin, so you know it's going to be good. It's incredibly simple and surprisingly speedy to make; you can rustle it up in just 25 minutes.

Get the recipe for sirloin steak with chips and Béarnaise sauce here

Spaghetti carbonara

Indulgent, soul-nourishing food needn't mean spending hours in the kitchen – just take this spaghetti carbonara recipe as proof. Made with just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, it takes just 15 minutes to prep and cook and there's enough for two hearty portions. Serve with plenty of grated pecorino and ground black pepper for an added boost of irresistible Italian flavours.

Get the recipe for spaghetti carbonara here

Thai green chicken curry

Colourful and flavourful in equal measure, Thai green chicken curry is a marvellous mood-boosting dish to tuck into after a hard day at work. Made with plenty of ginger, garlic, coconut milk and Thai basil leaves, it's wonderfully fragrant and not too heavy on the spices – though, if you like, you can garnish your dish with a scattering of sliced-up red chilli peppers to increase the heat.

Get the recipe for Thai green chicken curry here

Chicken katsu curry

This wildly popular Japanese dish sees fluffy steamed rice topped with fried breaded chicken, then drenched in a lightly spiced, slightly sweet curry sauce. It's definitely worth buying panko breadcrumbs to make this recipe, as they're coarser and airier than other breadcrumbs – meaning your chicken will turn out delectably crispy and crunchy. You could try making it with pork or seafood, too.

Get the recipe for chicken katsu curry here

Steak and ale pie

This classic British pie is just the thing to get stuck into if you're worn out, fed up or feeling under the weather. It's a heavenly mix of meltingly tender braising beef, smoked bacon and mushrooms, all cooked up in a beer-infused gravy and topped off with a puff pastry lid. Serve it with green vegetables or mashed potatoes – or even both – for a meal to savour.

Get the recipe for steak and ale pie here

Pulled pork tacos

Pulled pork is a real crowd pleaser, however you choose to serve it – but it's especially delicious in this terrific taco recipe. The trick here is to marinate the pork overnight in the fridge to make it super-succulent and aromatic; after that, you can crack on with the slow cooking. If you have any leftovers, try using them in a stir fry, slotting them into a bun with coleslaw, or adding them to a stodgy serving of mac 'n' cheese.

Get the recipe for pulled pork tacos here

Mac 'n' cheese with grilled tomatoes

A big bowl of mac 'n' cheese is guaranteed to turn even the most stubborn of frowns upside down – and our version is one of the most indulgent you'll find, with lashings of double cream, heaps of Gruyère and Emmental, and plenty of pancetta. We think it tastes amazing served with a few plump grilled tomatoes on the side, as their sweetness and acidity cut through the richness of the cheese perfectly.

Get the recipe for mac 'n' cheese with grilled tomatoes

Chilli con carne

Everyone needs a good chilli recipe in their repertoire – and this one's so simple, anyone can make it. Don't be fazed by the fact that it serves eight people; if you're catering for a smaller group, you can always freeze the excess portions to enjoy another day. When you're ready to eat, try dishing it up with rice, nachos, jacket potatoes, tacos or tortilla chips. Pretty much anything goes!

Get the recipe for chilli con carne here

Jackfruit 'tuna' pasta

This vegan twist on the classic combo of tuna, pasta and lip-smacking tomato sauce is incredibly satisfying – and there's not a flake of real fish in sight. Instead, it's made with jackfruit 'tuna': a delectable mixture of soy sauce, lemon juice, nori flakes and jackfruit (a tropical fruit that's sold canned in most large supermarkets). For extra crunch, it's served with a garnish of macadamia nuts and vegan breadcrumbs.

Get the recipe for jackfruit 'tuna' pasta here

Chicken and mushroom pot pies

Chicken and mushroom pies are pure comfort food and this tasty take on the recipe – created by top British chef Tom Kerridge – really pulls out all the stops. Here, individually portioned, pastry-topped pots are filled with a creamy, mustardy, sauce-smothered mixture of succulent chicken, chestnut mushrooms and artichokes. The pies would be wonderful served with a dollop of mashed potatoes on the side.

Get the recipe for chicken and mushroom pot pies here

Beef stew and dumplings

Beef stew and dumplings is a classic British dish that's guaranteed to give you a warm, fuzzy feeling. It's also easy on the wallet; you can make it with any cut of beef that's suitable for slow cooking, such as chuck or shin. The cakey, fluffy dumplings are added towards the end of cooking, allowing them just enough time to absorb some of the rich, savoury gravy.

Get the recipe for beef stew and dumplings here

Chicken chow mein

Here's another Chinese favourite you may be surprised to learn is incredibly easy to make at home. The perfect antidote to a long, busy day, chicken chow mein is full of comforting umami flavours – and, with our recipe to hand, you can whip it up in next to no time. Try throwing in any vegetables you have lying around the fridge for an added boost of goodness.

Get the recipe for chicken chow mein here

Loaded breakfast burritos

Loaded with a mouth-watering mixture of chorizo, eggs, cheese and avocado – not to mention a generous glug of hot chipotle sauce – these indulgent burritos are just the thing to tuck into on a lazy weekend morning. If you like, you can even make them vegetarian: simply swap the chorizo for canned black beans or kidney beans.

Get the recipe for loaded breakfast burritos here

Classic lasagne

Layers of pasta, rich meat sauce and creamy, cheesy béchamel... who could possibly resist a generous portion of freshly made lasagne? This Italian favourite is notoriously warming and hearty, so it's just the thing to cook up when the weather's cold and dreary. With our recipe to hand, you can expect golden, delicious results every time – and it tastes even better the next day.

Get the recipe for classic lasagne here

Fisherman's pie

There's nothing more versatile (or satisfying) than a comforting, mashed potato–topped fisherman's pie. This recipe calls for a tasty combination of haddock, cod, scallops and prawns – but that doesn't mean you can't mix things up, if you fancy it. Feel free to tweak the ingredients depending on what you've got in the fridge or freezer.

Get the recipe for fisherman's pie here

Thai beef curry with peanut sauce

Want curry in a hurry? Good news: you can wrap your hands around a bowlful of this tantalising Thai creation in less than an hour. Featuring a gorgeously aromatic blend of ingredients – coconut milk, lemongrass, chillies and kaffir lime leaves among them – this dish a feast for all the senses. Serve your finished curry with a fluffy pile of Thai jasmine rice for the full fakeaway experience.

Get the recipe for Thai beef curry with peanut sauce here

Shepherd's pie

A sure-fire way to eat yourself happy? Get stuck into this good old-fashioned shepherd's pie recipe, courtesy of none other than British cookery queen Mary Berry. A classic British dish both kids and adults will love, it's a winning combination of rich, meaty sauce – made with lamb mince, mushrooms, carrots and a splash of Worcestershire sauce – and a buttery mashed potato topping.

Get the recipe for shepherd's pie here

Hot dogs with caramelised onions

The most indulgent handheld snacks imaginable, these happiness-boosting hot dogs come fully loaded with sizzling pork sausages – which are cooked to perfection under the grill – and a double dose of both caramelised and crispy onions. If you feel like it, you can even whip up your own homemade ketchup to slather over the top by following the simple steps in our recipe.

Get the recipe for hot dogs with caramelised onions

Vegetarian lasagne

This plant-based twist on a family favourite is just as delicious as a traditional meaty lasagne – and we think it's equally likely to spark dinnertime joy, too. Brimming with vegetables and protein-packed lentils, it comes complete with the creamy, cheesy layers we all know and love. Want to make it vegan? Simply swap the cottage cheese and mozzarella for dairy-free alternatives.

Get the recipe for vegetarian lasagne here

Mushroom and bacon pasta bake

There's nothing like anxiously waiting for a pasta bake to cook in the oven – and, happily, if you choose to throw together this easy mushroom, bacon and Cheddar concoction, you won't be left hanging for long. Made with a short checklist of easy-to-find ingredients, this time-saving pasta treat comes together in 25 minutes, and there's enough for four oozy, golden portions.

Get the recipe for mushroom and bacon pasta bake

Slow cooker pulled barbecue chicken sliders

You can make this sunshiny dish no matter the season – no barbecue required. All you need to do is pop some skinless, boneless chicken thighs into a slow cooker along with a tempting mixture of store-cupboard ingredients, then leave your machine to work its magic. When the chicken is meltingly tender, shred it with two forks, dole it out into brioche buns, and top it with avocado slices and chipotle mayo.

Get the recipe for slow cooker pulled barbecue chicken sliders

Slow cooker spaghetti Bolognese

The king of Italian comfort foods, spaghetti Bolognese is a dish that's sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters around the table – and this slow cooker version is so effortless, it may well become a new midweek favourite. All you need to do here is throw all of the ingredients into the slow cooker, then leave the whole lot to bubble away gently for a few hours. The result? The most gorgeously flavoursome ragù.

Get the recipe for slow cooker spaghetti Bolognese here

Chocolate chip cookies

Big, soft and chewy, these classic chocolate chip cookies are just the thing to cheer up worn-out kids (and worn-out adults, too). Follow this foolproof Paul Hollywood recipe, and you'll be rewarded with gorgeously chocolatey treats that are way better than any you could buy at the supermarket. The secret? Use the best-quality dark chocolate chips you can find.

Get the recipe for chocolate chip cookies here

Apple crumble

If there's one dessert that can be relied upon to deliver some serious feel-good vibes, it's a classic, British apple crumble. From the fruity filling to the crunchy topping, there's childhood nostalgia in every sweet spoonful of these simple-to-make, individually portioned versions – especially when they're served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a generous drizzle of custard.

Get the recipe for apple crumble here

White chocolate cheesecake

The heart wants what it wants – and, sometimes, what it wants is a great big serving of cheesecake. To make this rich, decadent little number, simply raid the snack cupboard for some digestive biscuits and white chocolate buttons, then gather an assortment of dairy ingredients from the fridge. Once assembled, you'll need to leave your cheesecake to set in the fridge overnight, but the wait will be worth it!

Get the recipe for white chocolate cheesecake here

Chocolate fondant

Impressive though they may be with their oozy, melty chocolate middles, these tempting little puddings are actually much easier to make than you may think. Just the job for a cosy night in, they'd be delightful served with double cream or salted caramel sauce, and a handful of raspberries – plus, the recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish.

Get the recipe for chocolate fondant here

Tiramisù

Tiramisù literally translates as 'pick-me-up', so it's no wonder so many people reach for this favourite Italian dessert when they need a comfort food fix. Traditionally, it's made with eggs and mascarpone, so it takes a long time to set – but our cheat's version uses pillowy whipped cream (and lots of rum and coffee) to help save time. Believe it or not, it's ready in under 15 minutes.

Get the recipe for tiramisù here

Vegan millionaire's shortbread

With layers of rich dark chocolate, gooey caramel and crunchy biscuit packed into every tasty square, these heavenly sweet treats have everything – plus they're vegan, so everyone can enjoy them. Made with vanilla extract, speculoos spread and pitted dates, the caramel is the real star of the show here, but the chocolate matters too; be sure to use the best you can find.

Get the recipe for vegan millionaire's shortbread here