2 Easy Comfort Food Recipes for a Cozy Fall

Fall is the season when many American families start looking forward to warm meals, familiar recipes, and evenings gathered around the dinner table.

Food creator and home cook Corre Larkin shared two of her favorite comfort food recipes from her debut cookbook, Season to Taste, released November 10.

Known as @CocoLarkinCooks on Instagram and TikTok, Larkin brings inspiration from Italian, French, and British cooking into approachable recipes designed for everyday home kitchens.

Her two featured dishes offer something for different occasions: a creamy pasta that can be prepared for a comforting dinner and a traditional chicken pot pie perfect for sharing with family.

1. Orzo Carbonara

Serves 4 as a side dish or 2 as a main course

This creamy interpretation of carbonara uses orzo instead of traditional long pasta. Guanciale provides a savory, crispy finish, while egg yolks and freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano create a rich, velvety sauce.

Ingredients

• 3 ounces guanciale, cut into small strips

• 2 cups bone broth

• 2 large egg yolks

• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus extra for serving

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 cup orzo

• 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions

1. Place the guanciale in a cold skillet or chef's pan. Turn the heat to low and cook for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the fat to slowly render and the pieces to become crispy. Remove the guanciale with a slotted spoon and reserve it. Keep one tablespoon of the rendered fat and discard the rest.

2. While the guanciale cooks, bring the bone broth to a boil in a separate saucepan.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano until a thick paste forms. Add the freshly ground black pepper.

4. Slowly incorporate the reserved tablespoon of cooled guanciale fat into the egg mixture while stirring continuously. Allow the fat to cool first so it doesn't scramble the eggs.

5. Add the orzo to the boiling broth. Stir frequently during the first few minutes to prevent sticking. Add a pinch of salt if the broth is unsalted, followed by the butter.

6. Cook the orzo until approximately two minutes before reaching the package's recommended al dente cooking time. Remove from the heat, cover, and let it rest for 3 to 4 minutes so the pasta absorbs the remaining liquid.

7. Quickly stir the egg and cheese mixture into the hot orzo, adding it gradually while stirring vigorously. This creates the creamy carbonara sauce. If it becomes too thick, loosen it with a little water or additional broth.

8. Serve in shallow bowls and finish with the crispy guanciale and extra grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Corre's cooking tip: If guanciale is unavailable, pancetta can be substituted. She recommends avoiding bacon because its smoky flavor can overpower the dish.

2. Homemade Chicken Pot Pie

Serves 4 to 6

Few dishes capture the feeling of fall quite like chicken pot pie. Larkin's version combines tender chicken, carrots, parsnips, peas, and fresh herbs in a creamy filling, finished with a golden puff pastry crust.

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced

• 1 large yellow onion, diced

• 2 celery stalks, diced

• 2 medium parsnips, peeled and diced

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 2 cups bone broth

• 1 cooked chicken breast, skin and bones removed, roughly chopped

• 1 cooked chicken thigh, skin and bone removed, roughly chopped

• 1/3 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup frozen peas

• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or another vinegar except balsamic

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, optional

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (12 ounces), thawed

• 1 large egg, whisked with a splash of milk or water

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the carrots, onion, celery, and parsnips. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the vegetables become soft without browning.

3. During the final five minutes of cooking, add the fresh thyme, rosemary, and sage. This allows the herbs to release their aroma and flavor.

4. Remove the lid and stir in the flour. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

5. Gradually add the bone broth in three additions, stirring as the mixture thickens.

6. Add the chopped chicken and heavy cream. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7. Stir in the frozen peas and cook for another minute or two. Add the vinegar and black pepper, mixing thoroughly. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and additional pepper if necessary.

8. Transfer the filling into a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish and spread it evenly.

9. Roll out the thawed puff pastry until it is approximately 1/4 inch thick and large enough to cover the dish. Brush the edges of the casserole with egg wash, place the pastry on top, and press the edges to seal. Cut a small opening in the center to allow steam to escape.

10. Brush the entire pastry surface with the remaining egg wash.

11. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the pastry is fully puffed and deep golden brown. If the top begins browning too quickly, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).

12. Let the pot pie rest for at least five minutes before serving.

Corre's cooking tip: The vegetables are essential to the flavor of this dish. Give them enough time to soften before adding the herbs and other ingredients. The vinegar at the end also helps brighten the richness of the creamy filling.

Make Fall Cooking Part of Your Family Traditions

One of the best ways to enjoy seasonal cooking is to make it a regular family activity.

These two recipes offer different ways to bring everyone together. The Orzo Carbonara is a wonderful option for a cozy dinner, while the Chicken Pot Pie makes a generous meal to share with relatives and friends.

You can involve children in age-appropriate kitchen activities, prepare the vegetables together, or let family members help set the table.

As Thanksgiving approaches, homemade meals also provide opportunities to practice hospitality and gratitude.

A Season Worth Enjoying Around the Table

Fall doesn't require elaborate celebrations or expensive restaurant reservations to feel special.

Sometimes, the most memorable moments come from a homemade dinner, a favorite recipe, and time spent with the people who matter most.

This season, bring a little extra warmth into your kitchen. Whether you choose the creamy Orzo Carbonara or the golden Chicken Pot Pie, the best ingredient will always be the time spent sharing a meal with family and friends.