The Best Recipes from Ina Garten’s Modern Comfort Food

Updated October 2026 Modern Comfort Food arrived at exactly the right moment. Nearly seven months into the pandemic, the book felt tailor-made for a time when the world was spiraling and we were all reaching for foods that could offer even a few minutes of comfort. Ina had actually developed the concept before the pandemic, anticipating the stress of the 2020 election, but she could not have known just how much we would all be craving familiar, nostalgic dishes. The book is packed with stellar recipes, many of them Ina’s updated takes on classics like macaroni and cheese, tuna melts, hamburgers, chocolate ice cream, and tomato soup with grilled cheese. Just flipping through the pages makes my mouth water. Pomegranate Gimlets, Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, Shrimp & Linguine Fra Diavolo, and Spicy Pimento Cheese Spread quickly earned spots in my regular rotation, while recipes like Fresh Crab Nachos and Ultimate Tuna Melts prove just how good Ina is at turning up the volume on familiar…