There’s nothing like a good meal to make you feel better. When you’re feeling down, your fave yummies can be a game-changer. That’s why we reveal this list of 10 meal ideas that will cheer you up. These comfort recipes will definitely help boost your mood. So what are you waiting for? Start cooking!
How Can Food Affect Your Mood?
Have you ever checked how your mood changes after eating certain foods? It’s not just in your head. What you eat can actually affect the way you feel. Foods that are high in sugar, for example, can give you a right-now burst of energy followed by a crash. Complex carbs including whole grains take longer to digest. So they provide sustained energy throughout the day.
Of course, everyone is different, and there are dozens of factors that contribute to our moods. These include sleep, exercise, and genetics. But if you’re searching for options to naturally boost your mood, changing up your diet is a good place to start. You can deliver your fave foods with a home delivery service to your door. Or you can try cooking on your own. The second option is worth trying as cooking can be comforting too.
Here are some meal ideas that will cheer you up.
1. Waffles with Chocolate Topping
You’ll need:
- waffle batter;
- chocolate chips;
- whipped cream.
Directions:
Make the waffles according to the recipe. Melt the chocolate chips and put them in a piping bag. When the waffles are ready, pipe the chocolate on top. Add some whipped cream and serve immediately.
Waffles are perfect for when you’re craving something sweet. The combination of fluffy waffles and rich chocolate will definitely make you feel better in no time.
2. Tater Tot Grilled Cheese
You’ll need:
- tater tots;
- cheese slices;
- butter.
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Put a thick layer of tater tots on the slice of bread. Add the cheese slices on top and close with another bread slice. Put the creamy butter on the outer side of the sandwich. Grill the tot in a pan over medium heat until its golden brown and the cheese is melted. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
This meal is ideal for when you’re craving something savory and cheesy. The combination of crispy tater tots and gooey cheese is precious.
3. Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
You’ll need:
- potatoes;
- cheddar cheese;
- milk;
- butter.
Directions:
Peel and chop the potatoes. Cook the veggies in boiling water for 15 minutes or until tender. Drain and add milk, cheddar cheese, and butter. Mash everything together until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with your favorite roasted meat or vegetables.
These cheddar mashed potatoes are so good that you’ll be making them on a weekly basis. They’re rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. Plus, they’re super easy to make.
4. Pancakes with Ice Cream
You’ll need:
- flour;
- eggs;
- milk;
- vegetable oil;
- baking powder.
Directions:
Use your big bowl to whisk together the flour, eggs, milk, and vegetable oil. Add the baking powder and mix until everything is well combined. Use your non-stick pan and heat it over medium, and add some butter to the pan. Cook for one minute so the bubbles start to form on the surface of the pancake. Flip the yummy pancake and cook for another minute or until golden brown.
Allow the pancakes to cool slightly before topping them with vanilla ice cream along with chocolate sauce. Serve immediately.
Pancakes with ice cream are classic comfort food that will never go out of style. The combination of warm pancakes and cold ice cream is simply irresistible. Plus, pancakes are a perfect meal that can be enjoyed any time of day.
5. Tuna Noodle Casserole
You’ll need:
- tuna;
- noodles;
- cheese;
- milk;
- butter;
- bread crumbs.
Directions:
Tuna noodle casserole is another comfort food that is perfect for a rainy day. It’s warm, hearty, and filling. Simply cook the tasty noodles according to the package instructions. Use a separate pan to melt creamy butter and add the tuna. Cook until the tuna is browned. Add the cooked noodles and cheese to the pan and stir until everything is well combined. Put casserole into a baking dish and cover it with bread crumbs. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately.
6. Turkey Burger
You’ll need:
- ground turkey;
- egg;
- bread crumbs;
- onion;
- garlic powder;
- salt;
- pepper.
Directions:
Turkey burgers are a top-notch alternative to traditional beef burgers. They’re leaner and healthier but just as delicious. To make them, simply mix together ground turkey, an egg, bread crumbs, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Form the turkey cutlets into patties and grill or cook them in a skillet over medium heat so they are cooked through. Serve the flavory meat on a bun with your favorite toppings.
7. Mac & Cheese
You’ll need:
- elbow pasta;
- butter;
- flour;
- milk;
- salt;
- pepper;
- cheddar cheese.
Directions:
Mac & cheese is an ace comfort food that always hits the spot. To make it, cook elbow pasta in salted water according to package directions. Use another saucepan to melt butter. Stir in flour and cook the mix for one minute. Slowly whisk in the saucepan milk and continue cooking until thickened. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add cooked pasta and cheddar cheese to the saucepan and stir until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
8. Chicken Pot Pie
You’ll need:
- pie crusts;
- butter;
- chopped onion;
- all-purpose flour;
- salt;
- pepper;
- chicken broth;
- milk;
- chicken breasts (cooked and shredded);
- frozen mixed vegetables.
Directions:
Chicken pot pie is the ultimate food to cheer you up. It’s warm, hearty, and perfect for a cold day. To make the chicken pot, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover your baking sheet with a parchment paper and set the paper aside. Use your large saucepan to melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in flour and salt, and then pepper to taste.
Slowly whisk in chicken broth with milk until combined. Stir in chicken breasts and frozen mixed vegetables. Put the mixture into the prepared baking sheet. Cover the chicken pot with foil and bake it for 30 minutes. Get the foil off and bake for an additional 15 minutes, so the crust is golden brown.
9. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
You’ll need:
- sweet potatoes;
- olive oil;
- salt.
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover your baking sheet with foil and put the paper aside. Cut sweet potatoes into thin strips. Use your big bowl to toss sweet potatoes with olive oil and salt. Transfer the potato fries to the prepared baking sheet. Bake the meal for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve the yummy fries with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.
10. Tomato Basil Soup With Croutons
You’ll need:
- canned diced tomatoes;
- fresh basil leaves;
- vegetable broth;
- garlic cloves;
- olive oil;
- salt and pepper to taste.
Directions:
In a large pot, combine canned diced tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, vegetable broth, garlic cloves, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Switch heat to low and simmer the tomato soup for 20 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with croutons. Serve immediately.
Conclusion
These 10 meal ideas will definitely bring some cheer into your life. All of these recipes are easy to follow and only require a few ingredients. Such treats can relieve stress, so be sure to try them out.
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