"New Year’s Day is traditionally the day of new beginnings, resolutions, and changes. But let’s be honest, as a mom, it’s hard to think about anything beyond today. So we resolve to enjoy New Year’s Day and start that resolution of making sure our kids eat more greens on January 2. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 40+ comfort food recipes to make your New Year’s Day a little cozier—foods your kids will love just as much as you. So get that Netflix marathon started and enjoy these meals in your PJs!
Breakfast
1. Brioche French Toast
If you don’t have a waffle maker, turn to the next (or equally) best thing: French toast. The brioche bread makes for a spongier French toast, which is my favorite kind.
2. Breakfast Egg Muffins
Start the new year off right with this protein-packed breakfast option! The best part of these egg muffins is that they’re customizable—fill them with your kiddos’ favorite flavors for a breakfast they won’t be able to get enough of.
3. Breakfast Sandwich
Stack all your favorite breakfast items into one breakfast sandwich. Eggs, bacon, and guac—who knew there could be so much flavor in one sandwich?
4. Easy Whole Wheat Waffles
Although it’s called a “breakfast” food, you can really have waffles at any time of the day. Whether you start the day or end the day with this waffle recipe, everyone will be happy you made this meal.
Snacks & Appetizers
5. Air Fryer Boneless Buffalo Wings
Keep it easy today and make boneless Buffalo wings in the air fryer. Pair it with a side of celery and ranch or your kids’ favorite mac and cheese recipe.
6. Cheese and Prosciutto Crescents
All the flavors of a quality charcuterie board with the added bonus of fluffy crescent rolls. Be sure to make a few extra of these—we know you’re going to need them!
7. Swedish Meatballs
One of my favorite family traditions is having appetizers for dinner on NYE. Make them on December 31 and re-serve them as leftovers on January 1 for an easy meal everyone will enjoy (again!).
8. Homemade Taquitos
If you’ve never made taquitos before, now’s the time! They’re crunchy, delectable, and sure to be a new family favorite. This recipe uses beef chuck roast, but these babies can also be stuffed with shredded chicken or veggies—the options are endless.
Soups & Stews
9. Healthy Turkey Chili
Make a classic turkey chili to make it through your first day of the New Year. Cozy up with another holiday movie or start your reading goal with a new book you added to your Goodreads.
10. Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Chili is a perfect dish to have when it’s chilly outside. Instead of using the same recipe you have been for years, try something a little different and fun with this white chicken chili.
11. Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Soup season is in full swing, and there’s no better way to start the new year than by cozying up with your family and enjoying an equally cozy meal together. Take the flavor of loaded baked potatoes and make it into this delectable soup.
12. Turkey and Dumplings
When those holiday leftovers are on their last leg, make them into this tasty dish filled with turkey, veggies, and dumplings.
13. Persian Chicken Noodle Soup
As exciting as the holidays are, this is unfortunately the time of year when our immune systems can take a hit! Start the year off with tons of veggies that are oh-so-good for you with this Persian chicken noodle soup.
14. African Chicken Peanut Stew
Manifest a fun year by kicking it off with a new and exciting recipe. This African chicken peanut stew is the perfect option because it’s as delicious as it is simple to make.
15. Homemade SpaghettiOs
If your little one refuses to eat anything besides Chef Boyardee but you’re not impressed with the ingredient list, we’ve got you covered. These homemade SpaghettiOs taste so good they won’t want to go back to the canned version.
16. Italian Tomato Chicken & Rice Soup
Another soup to warm your soul on New Year’s Day. If you’re starting off the New Year busy—or not—make enough to last your family the whole week. Future you will be thanking yourself.
Main Dishes
17. Instant Pot Pot Roast
It’s hard to say exactly what makes pot roast the ultimate comfort food—it could be the tender, juicy beef or the soft veggies. Regardless, this is a perfect recipe for your New Year’s Day.
18. French Onion French Dip Sandwiches
If, like us, you can’t help but to say “oh yes” to au jus, these French dip sandwiches are probably calling your name, too. This recipe is extra special because it includes caramelized onions and Gruyère cheese to put a French onion spin on things.
19. 20-Minute Skinny Baked Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos
The short cook time of this recipe caught my attention, but what I love more is that the shrimp is coated in shredded coconut. It may be cold outside, but it will be giving you the summer vacation vibes you will soon be planning.
20. Sweet and Sour Chicken
If your junk drawer is full of takeout menus, we highly recommend trying your hand at making your favorite Chinese restaurant recipe at home. This sweet and sour chicken recipe will be even better than that of your go-to Chinese spot.
21. Baked Chicken Tenders
Your little ones will love these chicken tenders that rival those of their favorite restaurant. These tenders are made with only seven ingredients, meaning they’re incredibly easy to make and a great option for New Year’s Day when energy may be low.
22. Fried Mozzarella Sandwiches with Pomegranate Honey
Festive, fun, and delicious. These sandwiches are a flavor-packed treat the whole family will enjoy.
23. Buffalo Chicken Sliders
There’s something about sliders that just scream “celebration” to us. If you agree, try making these ultra-tasty Buffalo chicken sliders to ring in the new year.
24. Meatball Subs
For a recipe that’s both kiddo and Joey Tribbiani-approved, try making these meatball subs while watching Friends reruns. Sounds like a perfect first day of the year if you ask us.
25. Instant Pot Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese
If you have a Hamburger Helper-loving family, treat them to something even better. Everyone will be asking for seconds (or thirds) of this Instant Pot macaroni dish.
26. Chicken Penne Pasta
A creamy, cheesy pasta dish filled with yummy seasoned chicken—and, many a kid will likely appreciate its absence of exotic flavors or vegetables.
27. Easy Cream Cheese Chicken
This 30-minute meal is so easy, and like the name says, it’s deliciously creamy! Made with onion, garlic, mushrooms, cream cheese, mozzarella, and more, your kids will be wanting you to make this on repeat.
28. Chicken Parmesan Gnocchi Bake
If you’re looking for a nourishing twist to pasta meals, this recipe of pillowy gnocchi and parmesan seasoned chicken is simple, tasty, and kid-approved.
29. Instant Pot Korean Beef Tacos
Turn your taco game up a notch by adding a flare of Asian flavor! These tacos are juicy, flavorful, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
30. Lasagna Garlic Bread Bowls
Try something fun and a little more out-of-the-box this New Year’s Day. These bread bowls capture all the flavor of delicious lasagna in a crafty and extra-tasty way.
31. Homemade Mac and Cheese
A list of kid-friendly comfort foods would certainly be incomplete without the prospect of creating the most scrumptious mac and cheese dish. Bubbling with gooey cheddar cheese fresh out of the oven, you’re giving the boxed stuff a run for its money!
32. Cheesy Avocado Quesadillas
Quesadillas are always a crowd-pleaser in my household—who can pass up melty cheese? These are even better because they’re also filled with avocado.
33. Spinach and Mozzarella Baked Ravioli
If you don’t want your first day of the new year to be spent in the kitchen but still want to treat your family to a delicious meal, try making this five-ingredient baked ravioli dish.
34. Sausage and Greens Pizza
Forget takeout, make the tastiest pizza right at home! Top your dough with kale, ricotta cheese, Italian sausage, and more for the ultimate pizza night experience.
35. Nacho Baked Potatoes
For the kiddos who love nachos: skip the chips in place of a nutritious potato and present the toppings as DIY so they can load up on all their favorites.
36. Cheeseburger Pizza
We love this creative approach of combining two foods that many kids love—cheeseburgers and pizza. Feel free to play around with the toppings to capture what your kid(s) prefer most.
37. Creamy Italian Rotini
It’s pasta made with a classic alfredo sauce. Packed with extra flavors, like sundried tomatoes, spinach, and Italian sausage, you might just be adding this to your list of go-to pasta recipes.
38. Rainbow Veggie Flatbread Pizza
Make it a colorful start to the new year with these festive vegetable-forward pizzas. Your kids may be picky vegetable eaters, but if they see them in the form of this fun pizza, minds and taste buds may change!
39. Taco Lasagna
¡Olé to the new year! Morph tacos into this flavorful Mexican-inspired lasagna, layered with tortillas, seasoned ground beef, black beans, and cheese.
40. Dill Chicken Salad Sandwiches
You may feel a little tired from all the leftover turkey sandwiches you ate over Thanksgiving and Christmas. If that’s the case, start off the New Year with dill chicken sandwiches—yum!
41. Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos
The first day of 2025 may not be a Taco Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these unique and tasty tacos together as a family.
42. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
The great thing about sheet pan meals is they’re just as simple to make as to clean up. This dish is filled with flavor, and you won’t have to spend all day preparing it.
Brett Nicole Hayden, Former Assistant Editor
As a former Assistant Editor, Brett worked with the editors of The Everymom on the content creation process by updating stories, sourcing images and graphics, and pitching and contributing her own articles. Her favorite topics to write about are culture, relationships, and living. She’s also a baby names and family movies expert!
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.