American recipes

American comfort food is generous, familiar, and made to be shared. Our American recipes include bake-sale legends like banana bread and fudgy brownies, diner classics like the Cobb salad, plus burgers, BBQ, and pies — all tested in a home kitchen with exact quantities and no-fail steps.

Searching for easy American comfort food for family dinners, game day, or holiday tables? Start with the reader favourites below. Each recipe covers pan sizes, doneness cues, and make-ahead tips, and we add new classic American dinner recipes and desserts every day.

Popular American recipes: Apple Crisp, Red Velvet Cake, Root Beer Float, Cornbread

Apple Crisp

Make warm American apple crisp at home. Tender spiced apples under a golden oat crumble, ready in 55 minutes.

Red Velvet Cake

Make classic American red velvet cake at home. Moist, tender crumb with cream cheese frosting, ready in 55 minutes.

Root Beer Float

Make a classic American root beer float at home. Creamy vanilla ice cream with fizzy root beer, ready in 10 minutes.

Cornbread

Make moist Southern cornbread with a crisp buttery crust in a cast-iron skillet. An easy, classic American recipe ready in 30 minutes. Golden, buttery and...

Gumbo

Make authentic Louisiana gumbo with dark roux, chicken, andouille sausage and the holy trinity. A rich, soulful American comfort recipe. Louisiana soul food...

Whoopie Pies

Make classic whoopie pies: soft chocolate cake rounds sandwiched with fluffy marshmallow cream. An easy, nostalgic American treat recipe. Nostalgic, fluffy...

Biscuits and Gravy

Fluffy buttermilk biscuits drowned in creamy, peppery sausage gravy. This biscuits and gravy recipe is the South's greatest breakfast — pure comfort joy.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Firm green tomatoes breaded in seasoned cornmeal, fried to a golden, shattering crunch. This fried green tomatoes recipe is the South's iconic summer appetizer.

Jambalaya

A bold Louisiana one-pot of rice with chicken, andouille sausage, and shrimp. This easy jambalaya recipe is smoky, spicy comfort food that feeds a crowd.

Chicken Pot Pie

Classic chicken pot pie with chicken, vegetables, and creamy thyme gravy under a flaky golden crust. This chicken pot pie recipe is pure American comfort food.

Sloppy Joes

Easy sloppy joes with seasoned ground beef in a tangy-sweet sauce on toasted buns. This sloppy joes recipe is a fast family-friendly weeknight dinner hit.

Tater Tot Casserole

Cheesy tater tot casserole with seasoned beef, vegetables, and a crispy tot topping. This tater tot casserole recipe is the ultimate Midwestern comfort food.

New York Cheesecake

Bake the perfect New York Cheesecake — dense, creamy, and crack-free with a graham crust. Our water-bath method guarantees deli-worthy slices every time.

Key Lime Pie

Make authentic Key Lime Pie — tangy lime custard in a buttery graham crust, crowned with fresh whipped cream. Florida's classic dessert, ready in 35 minutes.

Pecan Pie

Make the best Southern Pecan Pie — flaky crust, gooey caramel filling, toasted pecans. Our foolproof recipe guarantees a perfect set and zero soggy bottoms.

Banana Bread

The moistest banana bread recipe — tender, warmly spiced, and packed with ripe banana flavor. This easy one-bowl loaf bakes up golden every single time.

Fudgy Brownies

These fudgy brownies have crackly tops, gooey centers, and deep chocolate flavor. This easy recipe uses real chocolate for the ultimate homemade brownies.

Cobb Salad

This classic Cobb salad layers chicken, bacon, egg, avocado, and blue cheese over crisp romaine. A hearty American chopped salad with tangy vinaigrette.

Chili Cheese Dogs

Hearty chili cheese dogs piled with meaty homemade chili, melted cheddar and soft toasted buns — a fun, crowd-pleasing American game-day classic recipe.

Classic Meatloaf

Juicy classic American meatloaf with a sweet-tangy ketchup glaze — tender, sliceable and packed with flavor. An easy comfort-food family dinner recipe.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Tender slow cooker pot roast with carrots, potatoes and rich savory gravy — melt-in-your-mouth American comfort food with almost no hands-on effort needed.

Buffalo Wings

Learn how to make crispy baked buffalo wings tossed in tangy homemade buffalo sauce — juicy chicken wings with the perfect fiery kick. A game-day favorite!

New England Clam Chowder

Make creamy New England clam chowder at home — tender clams, potatoes, and smoky bacon in a rich, velvety broth. The best comfort soup for chilly nights.

Philly Cheesesteak

Make an authentic Philly cheesesteak at home — thinly sliced ribeye, caramelized onions, and melty cheese piled into a soft hoagie roll. Pure comfort food!

Southern Fried Chicken

Golden, shattering-crisp Southern fried chicken with juicy buttermilk-brined meat inside. Learn how to make authentic fried chicken at home, step by step.

Baked Mac and Cheese

Ultra-creamy baked mac and cheese with three cheeses and a golden buttery crumb topping. The best homemade mac and cheese recipe — comfort food perfection.

Fluffy Pancakes

Tall, golden, cloud-soft fluffy pancakes with a simple batter that works every time. The best fluffy pancakes recipe for a perfect American breakfast.

Classic Apple Pie

Flaky golden crust, cinnamon-spiced apples — this classic apple pie recipe is pure Americana. Step-by-step instructions for a perfect pie every single time.

BBQ Ribs

Fall-off-the-bone BBQ ribs made easy in the oven — smoky dry rub, low-and-slow cooking and a sticky caramelized glaze. No grill or smoker needed at all.

Classic Cheeseburger

The ultimate classic cheeseburger — juicy 80/20 beef patties, melted cheddar and toasted brioche buns. Ready in 25 minutes — better than any takeout joint.