5 Comfort Foods to Help You Beat the Winter Blues

The temperatures are down, the skies are gray and the days are short. These are all sure signs that winter is here. Don't let the weather get you down. Add these five popular comfort foods to your menu this winter to beat the blues and make it through to spring.

1. Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is the ultimate feel-good comfort food, especially when you're nursing a cold or flu. Make a large pot on the stove, or toss all of the ingredients into a slow cooker and let the flavors blend together all day long. Chicken noodle soup is good for your soul, but there's also scientific evidence that it helps you fight off the nasty effects of a cold. This is due to the anti-inflammatory properties found in the soup, as noted by Dr. Stephen Rennard of the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

2. Hashbrown Casserole

Hashbrown casserole is such a popular winter comfort food because it works for any meal of the day. It's also a crowd pleaser that entices even the pickiest of eaters. With the main ingredients of potato, cheese, and butter, what's not to love? As a bonus, it only takes a couple of minutes to prep before throwing it into the oven. It's so delicious that it made the list of Google's most-searched-for recipes in 2016 and 2017, according to thekitchn.com.

3. Creamy Corn Casserole

Creamy corn casserole is a favorite because it's hearty and easy to make. It's the perfect side dish to any family dinner during the long, cold winter months. The recipe calls for just five ingredients: a can of corn, a can of creamed corn, sour cream, cornbread mix, and butter. Just mix all of the ingredients in a bowl before placing them in a baking dish and cooking. Corn casserole is a versatile dish, too. Add cheese, vegetables, or other desired ingredients to make it your own.

4. Four-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese

Mac and cheese is nearly always in the top five favorite comfort foods for Americans. Who can resist the cheesy goodness when dealing with the winter blues? For ultimate comfort, skip the box that comes with powdered cheese. Instead, combine cheeses like cheddar, Gouda, Swiss, and Parmesan in the pot with your noodles for a dish that warms your belly and soul.

5. White Bean Soup With Sausage

Comfort foods don't have to be unhealthy foods. A pot of white bean soup with sausage uses unprocessed ingredients and aromatic spices for a meal that's healthy and flavorful. The combination of sausage with spices like garlic and thyme will fill your entire house with warming and comforting aromas.