Grand Prize: Chicken Potpie Galette
This gorgeous galette takes traditional chicken potpie and gives it a fun open-faced spin. The rich filling and flaky cheddar-flecked crust make it taste so homey. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
1st Place: Tex-Mex Breakfast Haystacks
I love haystacks and wanted to make a fun Tex-Mex version for my family. Adding panko crumbs and cheese to the hash browns before cooking gives them a wonderful golden brown color and crisp texture. —Donna-Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
2nd Place: Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Date-Bacon Jam
This sandwich doubles up on melty cheese, but the star of the show is the sweet and salty date-bacon jam. It makes for a truly grown-up version of grilled cheese. —Kathy Cooper, Tucson, Arizona
3rd Place: BBQ Chicken and Apple Bread Pudding
To me, bread pudding is the epitome of comfort food, and it's simply too good to reserve only for dessert. This sweet and savory twist on the classic is a delicious new way to enjoy an old favorite. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah
Runner Up: BLT Grain Bowls
I absolutely love a BLT with sliced avocado and an egg. Recently, I've been trying out grain bowls, and I thought the flavors of my favorite sandwich would work really well. My family agreed! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Runner Up: Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork Cornbread Poppers
These fun little apps are an instant conversation starter wherever they're served. We love them on game day, but they'd be a hit at brunch, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Runner Up: Casablanca Chicken Couscous
To give risotto, that favorite Italian comfort food, an update, I used couscous and lively North African-inspired flavors to deliver all the satisfaction of the creamy classic. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Runner Up: Fried Green Napoleons with Mandarin Coleslaw
Fried green tomatoes are stacked and smothered with pimiento cheese in this seriously comforting dish that doubles up on two of my favorite southern classics. The mandarin coleslaw makes it bright and fresh. —Amy Freeze, Avon Park, Florida
Runner Up: Hot Chipotle Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Lime
I make spinach and artichoke dip for party guests all the time, but I wanted to give it a Mexican twist. I amped up this app with smoky chipotle chilies and tangy lime for an unexpected kick. —Joseph A. Sciascia, San Mateo, California
Runner Up: Jalapeno Cornbread Filled with Blueberry Quick Jam
Fresh jalapenos and blueberry quick jam make the perfect blend of sweet and spicy in this special cornbread. Once you eat one piece, you won't be able to resist going back for another. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Runner Up: Pasta with Creamy Fennel Sauce
When pureeing fennel one day, I realized its velvety texture would make for a creamy, delicious pasta sauce—without all the guilt. My experiment worked, and now I enjoy this good-for-you pasta sauce all the time. —Deb Schwab, Moraga, California
Runner Up: Slow Cooker Cordon Bleu Soup
I've taken this creamy slow cooker soup to potlucks and teacher luncheons, and I bring home an empty crock every time. When my son's school recently created a cookbook, this was the first recipe he asked me to submit, and his teachers were glad he did. —Erica Winkel, Ada, Michigan
The post 12 New Contest-Winning Comfort Food Recipes appeared first on Taste of Home.
Ellie Martin Cliffe