Here's something that's probably not at all surprising: I love comfort food – Southern comfort food, specifically, that's what I was raised on, but I love comfort food in general, too. The sad thing is that comforting, filling, homey food often gets the reputation for being … too dull, too fattening, not fancy enough. It's surprisingly easy to turn all sorts of comfort foods into the sort of scrumptious cuisine you expect to find at your favorite restaurant, though – that's the happy thing.

1 Smoked Sausage and Idaho Potato Soup

Smoked Sausage and Idaho Potato Soup Recipe: missinthekitchen.com

I adore potato soup! Our family recipe doesn't include a protein, really, but I'm kind of eager to try this.

2 Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie Recipe: thelifejolie.com

Shepherd's pie is comfort food at its finest. It's overflowing with goodness and gravy, and this recipe will please both your eyes and your taste buds.

3 Meatballs in Mushroom Gravy

Meatballs in Mushroom Gravy Recipe: sweetandsavorybyshinee.com

Everything about this dish is awesome. It's delicious. It tastes like so much more than what it is, yet it's entirely true to itself.

4 Mushroom and Seafood Stew

Mushroom and Seafood Stew Recipe: omnivorescookbook.com

You get something extra hearty with the mushrooms, but they never overpower the seafood, and that's the important thing.

5 Mini Chicken Pot Pies

Mini Chicken Pot Pies Recipe: quinnsplace.com

You know what's better than a chicken pot pie? Several mini ones.

6 Creamy Tomato Soup Made with Coconut Milk

Creamy Tomato Soup Made with Coconut Milk Recipe: healingwholenutrition.com

You have not had tomato soup until you've had this tomato soup – and this recipe includes grilled cheese croutons. You're welcome.

7 Slow Cooker Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches Recipe: themagicalslowcooker.com

I'm thinking I need to make these for Heather pronto. She might marry me all over again.

8 Reuben Waffle Fries

Reuben Waffle Fries Recipe: melaniemakes.com

This combines two amazing things that should always be together, from this point on and forever more. Sorry for the melodrama there, I'm hungry.

9 Beef Stew with Barley

Beef Stew with Barley Recipe: thecookiewriter.com

Did you ever have the Campbell's version of this when you were a kid? This is better. So much better. At the same time, however, it will give your taste buds a serious case of nostalgia.