Oven baked dinners always show up when you need them. They’re rich, hearty, and exactly what people want when they sit down to eat. These are the meals that get requested again before the plates are even cleared. Kids eat them without complaining. Adults go back for seconds without pretending they’re full. Every recipe here is comfort food that actually lives up to the hype.

Loaded brisket potatoes.
Loaded Brisket Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.
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Chicken Sorrentino

Chicken sorrentino on a serving spoon.
Chicken Sorrentino. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Breaded chicken, prosciutto, eggplant, and a blanket of cheese baked in rich tomato sauce is exactly the kind of dinner that feels like a reward at the end of the day. It checks every comfort box without even trying.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sorrentino

Venison Meatballs

Venison meatballs in tomato sauce on a plate with pasta.
Venison Meatballs. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These meatballs bring that deep, hearty flavor without the usual gamey bite. Serve them with sauce and pasta for a comfort-packed plate that feels like it should be on a Sunday table.
Get the Recipe: Venison Meatballs

Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Gnocchi with ground pork, tomatoes, mozzarella and spinach in a cast iron skillet.
Baked Skillet Gnocchi. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Gnocchi baked in crushed tomatoes, pork, spinach, and melted mozzarella is straight-up cozy in a skillet. It delivers everything you want from a comfort meal with none of the drama.
Get the Recipe: Baked Skillet Gnocchi

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Filled with creamy cheese, spinach, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes, these mushrooms are the kind of meatless meal that still feels like you did something right. Pure comfort on a sheet pan.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Maple Miso Chicken

Maple miso chicken in cast iron skillet.
Maple Miso Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chicken glazed in maple, miso, garlic, and shallots turns golden and sticky in the oven. It’s bold, rich, and built for this comfort-heavy list.
Get the Recipe: Maple Miso Chicken

Pecan Crusted Chicken

Pecan crusted chicken cut into slices on a plate with honey dijon sauce and green beans.
Pecan Crusted Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This one brings crunch, flavor, and a bold honey dijon sauce to the party. If you’re into crispy oven dinners that punch back, this belongs in the rotation.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Crusted Chicken

Bomb Meatloaf

Meatloaf on a white plate cut into slices with fresh parsley garnish.
Bomb Meatloaf. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Thick slices, sweet and tangy glaze, and no apologies. This meatloaf doesn’t try to be cool—it just shows up and delivers exactly what you’re craving.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf

Pumpkin Stuffed Shells

Pumpkin stuffed shells in a white dish with a spoon.
Pumpkin Stuffed Shells. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pasta stuffed with pumpkin, sage, and nutmeg baked under cheese hits the seasonal sweet spot. It’s cozy, hearty, and deserves a spot in your fall dinner line-up.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Stuffed Shells

Taco Lasagna

Taco Lasagna. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Layers of taco meat, tortillas, and cheese baked together into a bubbling mess of greatness. It’s part casserole, part taco night, and 100% the kind of comfort you want midweek.
Get the Recipe: Taco Lasagna

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Mexican Ground Beef Casserole. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cheesy beef, beans, and peppers baked together into one hot dish of comfort. It’s one of those dinners that disappears fast and never gets old.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Ground Beef Casserole

Marinated Chicken Wings

Crispy oven baked marinated chicken wings on a plate.
Marinated Chicken Wings. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These wings come out sticky, salty, sweet, and ready to take down buffalo sauce’s reputation. If comfort food had a bite-sized mascot, this would be it.
Get the Recipe: Marinated Chicken Wings

Sticky Thai Chicken

Thai chicken with sticky glaze and peanut garnish over white rice.
Sticky Thai Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chicken thighs baked in a bold, sticky sauce that nails the balance between sweet and savory. It’s the kind of dinner that makes you forget you considered ordering out.
Get the Recipe: Sticky Thai Chicken

Salsa Chicken

A white dish with chicken in a tomato sauce.
Salsa Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chicken baked with salsa, corn, and melted cheese delivers everything you want in a weeknight comfort meal—juicy, cheesy, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Chicken

Cheddar Chicken Bake

Chicken cheddar quinoa casserole in a pyrex dish.
Cheddar Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cheddar, chicken, and quinoa bake into a casserole that hits harder than it should. It’s got comfort packed into every bite and zero leftovers by morning.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Chicken Bake

Prosciutto Stromboli

Prosciutto stromboli on a red and white kitchen towel.
Prosciutto Stromboli. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Melted cheese and prosciutto rolled up in chewy baked dough is basically pizza’s cousin who actually shows up to dinner dressed right.
Get the Recipe: Prosciutto Stromboli

Stuffed Chicken Marsala

Stuffed chicken marsala in a cast iron skillet.
Stuffed Chicken Marsala. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chicken stuffed with mozzarella and cooked in tomato butter is a direct hit for anyone chasing comfort food without going full pasta mode.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Chicken Marsala

Cauliflower Bacon Gratin

Cauliflower bacon gratin in a white baking dish with serving spoon.
Cauliflower Bacon Gratin. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cauliflower baked with bacon in a creamy cheese sauce doesn’t pretend to be light. This one’s here to bring the comfort and then some.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Bacon Gratin

Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash

Twice baked spaghetti squash with breadcrumb topping.
Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Filled with cheese, spinach, artichokes, and tomatoes, this spaghetti squash gets baked twice for maximum cozy payoff. It’s comfort food with a vegetable disguise.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Spaghetti Squash

Pumpkin Tortilla Casserole

Pumpkin tortilla casserole in a baking dish with wooden serving spatula topped with jalapenos.
Pumpkin Tortilla Casserole. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Pumpkin, cheese, and tortillas baked with a little heat—it’s part fall dinner, part Tex-Mex hug. This one belongs on repeat all season.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Tortilla Casserole

Turkey Chili Pie

Turkey chili pie in a skillet and serving bowls.
Turkey Chili Pie. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Ground turkey chili baked with a golden cornbread crust brings that full-belly feeling in one skillet. Nothing fancy, just solid comfort.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Chili Pie

Creamy Pesto Spaghetti Squash Noodles

Pesto spaghetti squash noodles in a bowl with cherry tomatoes.
Creamy Pesto Spaghetti Squash Noodles. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These noodles are loaded with creamy pesto flavor and baked until they pull together like a proper pasta bake. Comfort without the carb coma.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pesto Spaghetti Squash Noodles

Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops

Pretzel crusted pork chop on a plate with broccoli and sweet potato.
Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Crunchy pretzel-coated pork chops with a maple dijon glaze bring a salty-sweet punch straight out of the oven. They land somewhere between cozy and craveable.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Crusted Pork Chops

Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Poblano peppers stuffed with chicken and cheese.
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Poblano peppers filled with cheesy chicken and beans, baked until bubbling and golden. They land somewhere between comfort food and total overachievement.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Loaded Brisket Potatoes

Loaded brisket potatoes.
Loaded Brisket Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Baked potatoes stuffed with BBQ brisket and everything you love from the cookout. It’s leftover magic and comfort food doing what it does best.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Brisket Potatoes

Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Sausage Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Bell peppers filled with sausage, rice, spinach, and ricotta get topped with parmesan and baked until cheesy and golden. It’s a full meal and a solid comfort play.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Founder and Writer at  | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.

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