Pick Or Pass On These Comfort Foods And We'll Reveal Your Harry Potter House

The idea of comfort food belongs to all walks of life. It’s the essential modern synonym for good food that brings a whole lot of emotion, nostalgia, and even warm comfort to our insides when we eat it.

A students’ stay at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is not easy. It is a long time to stay away from their family, the region they’re from, and the food they enjoy. Thanks to some magic and the endearing perseverance of an army of house elves, homesickness is kept at bay. This is mostly done through the food that’s delivered in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Meals of all kinds pop up on the long house-based tables in the Great Hall. Students are treated to large, seemingly endless meals three times a day so that they can focus on their studies (and not on making microwave noodles, like us muggles). Many of the Hogwarts clan find a ton of comfort and warmth with the offerings at the Hogwarts tables, assisting in their coping with homesickness, and the ever prevalent trials of becoming a respectable wizard or witch.

For those without a house already, we present the perfect way to arrive at a sorted place. Let food be your sorting hat. Pick or pass on these comfort foods and we'll reveal which of the four famed Hogwarts houses the choices align with.

Question 1

Mac and Cheese

Nothing says warm, delicious, and comforting eats like sitting indoors on a cold winter’s night, enjoying a giant, steaming hot bowl of ooey-gooey macaroni and cheese. Originally recorded in a 14th Century Italian cookbook (Cliffordawright.com) but beloved by just as many in this day and age, macaroni noodles paired with a delightfully heart-stopping cheese has been a mainstay in comfort food ever since. From dorm rooms to family dinner tables, mac and cheese can’t be denied as one of the most comforting of comfort foods.

Question 2

French Onion Soup

Often considered one of the oldest and most beloved options for comfort foods, French onion soup is a fantastic mix of economically fruitful ingredients, and fantastically modernized fancy French cuisine. Based on meat stocks, usually beef flavored, and onions, the soup is a rich and decadent appetizer or meal. It’s most often topped off with pastry caps or croutons and cheese, making it not only rich and warm, but also gooey and delicious. French onion soup is a prime option for comfort.

Question 3

PB & J Sandwich

Oh the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Two piece of bread, one with peanut butter on one side and jelly on the other. Some comfort foods aren't under the normal umbrella of comfort. That is, they’re not necessarily foods like bakes, casseroles, and stews that warm our bones. Those are often considered the common idea of comfort foods, especially when we think about winter meals. A PB&J though is comforting in the sense of nostalgia; it’s a comfort thanks to the the memories of our childhood that it evokes.

Question 4

Spaghetti And Meatballs

If we’re anything like those two cartoon dogs slurping saucy noodles while Italian music plays, then we’re probably a big fan of spaghetti and meatballs. This delicious food is often a staple from many of our childhoods, as meatballs were always quick and easy to fry up. There’s something about pasta in general which is a solid go to when it comes to warm and hearty comfort foods. Throw a little parmesan on top, and mamma mia! That’s a great meal.

Question 5

Pea Soup

The epically delicious “green soup” as our mothers would veil it, is a pea-based creamy soup that is usually pair with bacon. Called Pease Porridge in England, where it originated, (NYTimes Cooking) it's another comfort food born out of necessity of quick and easy ingredients. Now we can buy it in cans, making this a popular dish with many moms and dads of the world. As adults it’s rare that we choose to have a bowl of this delicious soup, but when we do we know that the green will hit the spot.

Question 6

Butter Sandwich

For those of us living today, or yesteryear, in a less than financially abundant household, we might have had more than one of these bad boys. Putting a little bit of butter or margarine in between two slices of bread isn’t going to warm up our insides at all, but there might be a huge flood of good, old fashioned food nostalgia. There is, undeniably, a rather nice taste to the buttery sandwich, which, at the end of the day, is basically like eating untoasted toast. Sometimes we even got to put sugar on it, which was basically like eating cake. Right?

Question 7

Cheese Board

One of the main ingredients in the recipe for a good comfort food is atmosphere, which is why there may be a whole lot of comfort in a cheese board. In almost all situations in which a cheese board could be had, it’s always a good idea to make one. A cheese board is most applicable as an option for food is with a crowd (small or large) of people are present. There’s nothing like bonding over brie and crackers, after all.

Question 8

Turkey and Stuffing

Thanksgiving, holidays, or pretty much any of the big meals in Hogwarts’ Great Hall typically involves some Turkey. And where there’s turkey, there’s most likely some form of stuffing. It’s a heaping meal filled with heartwarming greatness, but most importantly it comes on the forefront of a grand slumber. Turkey and stuffing are the perfect pair to help lull us off to a comfortable dreamland. If that’s not comfort food, we don’t know what is. Don’t forget to add on the cranberry sauce!

Question 9

Apple Cider

It might not be something that we have to chew or digest all that much, but drinks can be considered comfort food as well. Especially those beverages that hit all the same notes that comfort food should. Apple Cider is warm, satisfying, and generally revolves around the holiday time of the calendar. Warm Apple Cider hits all of those key traits and more, as it’s extremely individual to the family that makes it. Nostalgia makes for great comfort food, doesn’t it?

Question 10

Ramen

Probably the best comfort food on the entire planet, Ramen is a noodle and broth dish originating from Japan. The best part about the heavy broth (which tends to be pork marrow based, at least traditionally) and noodle combo is that in order to eat it the “proper way”, we must create a little tiny bowl of Ramen in your spoon (Business Insider). What’s more comforting than a hundred tiny bowls of warm Ramen inside of one big bowl? Nothing, that’s what.

Question 11

Sausage Cakes and a Fried Egg

Probably most brits’ number one vote for any sort of “last meal ever”, the classic breakfast meal has a variety of aspects to it. Most notably, it includes a fried sausage cake with a fried egg on top, fried tomatoes, potatoes, toast, and sometimes more sausage on the side. This breakfast might be the most complicated of the comfort foods. It’s one of those “warm our bellies” type of eats, but there’s so many aspects to it it’s hard to get it perfect every time. We’re sure this meal would fit perfectly in the hallowed halls of Hogwarts.

Question 12

Mashed Potatoes

Sure, it’s not really a meal on its own, but if we can have beverages on this list we can also include key side dishes. Mashed Potatoes are one of those additions to our plates that are so very much welcomed, and almost expected, at various holidays throughout the year. Sunday dinners would be remiss without mashed potatoes, as would Christmas and Thanksgiving. That’s not to say the world would end; but the meal just doesn’t feel complete without this comfort food side dish.

Question 13

Instant Noodles

The most notable on our list in terms of collegiate comfort foods, instant noodles became a mainstay in dorms across the globe thanks to their heavyweight ability to fill us up along with its warm and salty broth. Instant noodles are easy to make, cheap to buy, and don’t take a whole lot of time away from our studies, work, or anything else we don’t want to give up time from in order to eat. We’re certainly big fans of instant noodles, and not just because our paycheck forces us to be.

Question 14

Cherry Pie

Dessert is another absolutely great spot to find some of the world’s best comfort foods. America, as a nation, is known for so many comfort foods, but none might be sweeter than that of the Cherry Pie. The delicious pastry dessert is filled with gooey, sweet cherry filling. Flaky on the outside and delectable on the inside, this is one of those warm delights best served with a good scoop of our favorite ice cream. Cherry pie and a cup of coffee; sounds like it could be a good breakfast as well.

Question 15

Bacon Butty

It may sound pretty fancy (or a little silly, depending on how far in the gutter our minds are), but the classical english Bacon Butty is just a simple sandwich. It’s made with bread, some butter, and pan-fried back bacon. Sometimes it may include the addition of sauces like ketchup, but most often is adorned with “brown sauce”, which we’re not too sure of the composition of (but certainly know it’s tasty). It’s a deliciously simplistic adventure into comfort cuisine across the pond.

Question 16

Egg and Soldiers

Sometimes referred to as “Egg and Dippers” by those of us who are of a younger generation, the classic breakfast meal of Eggs and Soldiers centers around just simple soft-boiled eggs. Very runny in the middle, so we can dip, of course. There’s toast too, but the toast is cut up into toast sticks. The way to eat Eggs and Soldiers is to cut off just the top of the soft egg and dip our toast soldiers into the runny insides. Trust us: it’s a breakfast revolution if anyone skipped this as a kid.

Question 17

Shepards Pie

If we could imagine the amalgamation of an entire dinner plate nestled softly beneath a light and fluffy cloud of golden brown mushed potatoes, that would be shepherd’s pie. There’s a few different ways to make it, but we personally know it as being made with ground beef, peas, carrots, onions and garlic, tossed and cooked inside of a delicious brown sauce. It’s then put into a bake pan and topped with mushed potatoes, and it’s all then baked to create a glowing golden brown crust.

Question 18

Potato Wedges

One of the best comfort foods to eat on the go. The classic salt-coated and deep fried potato slice is a must for weighty carbs and comfort that can be packed and travelled anywhere and everywhere. They are readily available in many grocery stores, and bring all sorts of joy to the faces and bellies of any that indulge. We personally love getting a pack and going on a walk with them; especially in the middle of those cold winter evenings.

Question 19

Sticky Pudding

It’s hard to pinpoint where exactly the Sticky Toffee Pudding dessert lands on the wide range of food types, but regardless of its category it is epically delicious. In terms of the ingredients, it’s actually pretty simple. The recipe that we know is simply a fluffy sponge cake with an unusually crispy exterior, covered in warm toffee sauce. It’s often paired with a cold scoop of ice cream or drizzle of custard, making this a stick-to-our-ribs dessert best served right out of the oven.

Question 20

Cauliflower and Cheese

One of the most common places for comfort foods to be born is in the fires of a need to bolster a generally undesired food to greater heights. In other words, somebody wanted to get their kids to eat cauliflower. That’s exactly where this deliciously liquified cheese sauce comes into play here, as it makes any normal cauliflower basically undetectable. Even the pickiest of kids will be left asking for more. Broccoli and cheese sauce is another take on this comfort food a few of us might be more familiar with. Essentially: a yucky vegetable is saved by delicious molten cheese.

Question 21

Curry

Curry as a name consists of many different dishes, all known for their spicy flavor and use of vibrant ingredients (Popsugar). Curry has origins all over the world, with every cuisine really having their own take on curry. While we can buy this comfort food packaged in spice blends and in glass sauce jars now, there’s nothing quite like a homemade curry. It takes a while to cook it just right, but it’s certainly worth the effort when we smell it wafting through the house.

Question 22

Fish and Chips

Another well-known dish from across the grey shores of the ocean, Fish and Chips takes two of the best things and pairs them together, usually with an unhealthy helping of white vinegar and tartar sauces. Fried fish and fried potatoes are fantastic on their own, but together they create a phenomenon known as “Fish and Chips”. The meal is a globally standard pub food as well, making it an easily acquired comfort dish when we’re out on the town with a group of friends.

Question 23

Butter Tarts

One of the most "great white North" things on this list, the Butter Tart is not necessarily tied to a region in particular, but boy, are they delicious. The butter and molasses-based interior is one of the most comforting dessert flavours on earth. How could it not be, when it’s essentially melt-in-our-mouth sweetness? It’s all wrapped up in the buttery pie pastry exterior that holds it all in, adding the perfect textural complement to this handheld, two-bite, ultimate comfort food dessert dish.

Question 24

Poutine

Oh boy, we’re on a snowy train right now. First Butter Tarts, and now Poutine, eh? This wouldn’t be the perfect list of options for comfort food if we ignored the thoroughly incredible, cold-weather-born coupling of french fries, squeaky cheese curds, and specifically designated poutine gravy. It’s a gooey, sour, and savory mountain of carbs and dairy that warms us up as we ride our mooses across the great white tundra of the North. There’s no better dish when “goin’ out fer a rip”, in our opinion.

Question 25

Cheesecake

The mixture of sugar and cheese sounds a little weird when we consider it out of context, but there’s something about the combination of the ingredients that solidly confirms it as one of the most genius inventions of all time. Pouring that soft and sweet cheese onto a pie crust usually made from crumbles, rather than pastry, is a perfect choice for those that don’t necessarily want a dessert that’s overly sweet. Yes please to any and all cheese, we say.

Question 26

Fried Chicken

With the rise of KFC, McChickens, and frozen food aisles, it’s no surprise that people have difficulty associating fried chicken with home cooking now. We personally have never fried chicken, even though we’ve eaten it many times before. Southern folks know that this is a dish best served whatever way our mother makes it, though. Whether it’s between some buns or thrown on top of waffles, fried chicken is a greasy, spicy meal that can’t be beat in the comfort food realm.

Question 27

Pancakes

The fluffy, flour-based pancake is for breakfast, lunch, and for dinner, in our books. If we could write a cookbook solely about the pancake, we would be incredibly happy campers. There’s not a whole lot of foods that are really like it. Normally doused with a heavy pour of maple syrup, lots of butter, and eaten alongside other breakfast staples, the pancake is the perfect comfort food for any and all mornings. Whether we do it from scratch or fudge the process and use a box mix, pancakes will always be there for us.

Question 28

Lasagna

Like a layered cake of long and very wide base noodles, meaty red sauces, and plenty of cheese in both quantity and type, the lasagna is a meal that can’t be denied as being one of the most popular comfort foods. There’s almost as many lasagna variations as there are grandmas! It’s a family meal after all, often found alongside other collections of dishes on a big table for many family members to partake in. Is it low calorie? No way. But is it worth it? Oh, yes.

Question 29

Casserole

The idea of a Casserole is usually tied up with tuna, or cheese, but the term actually describes the way a dish is cooked, and the delivery of the dish. That is, a casserole is packed into an oven pan and served out of the same dish that it was cooked in. (The Kitchn) It’s a construct that can and does include all sorts of combinations the world over. It’s comfortingly warm, often very filling, and has saved many a student from the perils of exam week. Batch cooking has never been easier with the casserole.

Question 30

Pot au feu

Pot au Feu is a French dish that we’ve heard often described by the culinary world as “quintessential French family cooking”. It’s a beef stew that combines the broth and meat with pretty much whatever vegetables were on for a cheap price and looked fresh at the market that day. It’s a comfort just in its essence, and warms us right to our bones. Not to mention the fact that it’s probably one of the healthier comfort foods on this list as well. There’s only so much cheese one person can handle, after all.

Question 31

Nasi Goreng

In other words: “Fried Rice”. Nasi Goreng is the absolute pinnacle of comforting Malaysian cuisine. Normally pair with a spicy sauce, a dusting of root nuts, and some sort of seafood (like clams, shrimp, or others), the fried rice dish of Nasi Goreng is part of nearly every family table gathering for those whose families know it. A traditional meal, this is one that definitely counts as comfort food. Even if we haven’t tried it, we know that fried rice definitely equals comfort.

Question 32

Gnocchi

In what is probably the most confusing mix of pasta noodle and dumpling, the evolution of Gnocchi hasn’t moved or changed much since inception. We don’t normally think of a noodle as a comfort food alone, but Gnocchi is one of the densest, and potentially most delicious inventions ever. It’s comfort food personified in noodle/dumpling hybrid. Besides, who doesn’t love the idea of potato-based pasta cylinders that are often served with oil, garlic, and cheese? Sounds like the perfect comfort food to us!

Question 33

Nutella

The chocolate and hazelnut flavored spread isn’t normally considered on a list of comfort foods, but it evokes some sort of delight and comfort no matter what it is spread upon. It is so much of a comfort food that pastry and desserts strive to include its nostalgic and smooth flavors anywhere and anyway that they can. Even chocolates look to the help of this hazelnut spread in order to jazz up their offerings. We’re certainly glad. We’ll eat a whole jar of this stuff in one sitting if we’re not careful.

Question 34

Takoyaki

Often considered a snack by some people’s standards, Takoyaki is the perfect marriage of wheat-flour dough suspending a small piece of octopus, or shrimp, or even sweet dessert flavors. It has a wonderful savoury flavor and a very soft, mostly uncooked interior dough. It’s a comfort food that’s a big hit in food markets, as well festival markets and food trucks across the world. Just be careful not to make them too big; one of the things we’ve noticed is that Takoyaki needs to be balanced in order to be delicious.

Question 35

Adobo

A decidedly delicious mix of flavor and form, the classic Adobo is a warm and well-spiced mixing pot of meats, seafoods, plants, and preservation. The other traditional dish known as Carne de Vinha D’alhos is considered one of the favorites on the comfort food lists of the world over (or so friends have told us). We love this spicy, warm meal, and think that more people are comforted by it than people might think. While some might raise an eyebrow at the idea of simmered meat, we've found it’s actually incredibly juicy and flavorful.

Question 36

Tsokolate

This, the pinnacle of any sort of warm chocolate beverages, is the absolute ideal for warm, sweet, and slightly bitter drinks that comfort the soul. It’s an essential holiday treat for many families the world over, and sets itself apart from modern powder mixes because of its dark chocolate core, grainy consistency, and bitterness. The perfect after-dinner dessert for those that are too full to squeeze in a slice of cake, flan, or trifle, tsokolate is a drink that has withstood the test of time. Try it this holiday season!

Question 37

Onigiri

Some comfort foods come from nostalgia, and oftentimes that nostalgia is cemented due to circumstance, or convenience. This is definitely the case when it comes to Onigiri. In most cases, Onigiri is a small rice ball formed into a triangle shape, with a filling of some sort of meat. It usually also has a saucy, savory flavor, making it the perfect snack when we’re waiting on a late dinner. It’s portable, tasty, and filling, which means it’s no surprise that this is one popular comfort food.

Question 38

Pierogi

One of the most world-renowned comfort foods, the Pierogi is a delectable combination of dumpling and (most commonly) potato-based fillings. Eating them either boiled, pan-fried, or deep fried, there is a whole lot of warmth, filling, and delicious toppings to go around. We’ve been known to go to pierogi parties on occasion, where everyone brings a different topping and we all get to share in each others’ recipes. If that’s not a recipe for comfort, we don’t know what is!

Question 39

Carne mechada

Also known as Ropa Vieja, this shredded stewed beef and vegetables is one of the national dishes in the community of Cuba, but is born from Venezuelan cuisine. It’s a deliciously warm and hearty meal that often finds a place on many family gathering tables. We love the spicing that goes into this dish, and the variety of things to eat it with means there’s always room to make it our own. Sure, there are some traditional side dishes for each family. But at the end of the day it’s typically served the way we all tend to know and love it.

Question 40

Pho

Many of us might not be able to pronounce the dish properly, but Pho (pronounced “FA”) is a soup dish consisting of chicken or vegetable broth, warmed to an extreme temperature and then served with rice noodles, spices, and raw meats thrown in. The raw meats are quickly cooked thanks to the heat of the broth in the bowl, and us at the table get to decide how much or how little to add of the beansprouts, basil, and lime that come with it. It’s a beautiful culmination of flavors.

Question 41

Biscuits and Gravy

Another real treat and beauty from the south, the classically home-style biscuits and gravy dish does all that it can to coat our insides with a warm and sticky goodness. It’s one of the most filling dishes on this list, and pairs wonderfully flakey and buttery biscuits with the deliciously warm and savory flavors of gravy. Sometimes we’ve seen sausage added to it, but it’s not necessary. The real star of the show is carbs, as we’re sure everyone will agree. That’s why biscuits and gravy can’t be beat!

Question 42

Burrito

Sure, the burrito may have been bred in traditional kitchens, but the common modern burrito is far more southern than most will tend to admit. Burritos, in case anyone doesn’t know, are made of a smattering of things like rice, vegetables, slow-cooked meats, and more sauces than the world has swimming pools for. It’s easy to personalize them and make them our own, and even Taco Bell has jumped on the burrito train. The world loves this hand held meal, and we do too.

Question 43

Pizza

If we were ranking these comfort food options in terms of our own personal love for them, pizza might come in a close second place only to ramen. The historical meal of pizza consists of soft dough (cooked only until it’s firm enough), a sauce of some kind, toppings of all kinds, and topped with cheeses (yes, of all kinds). The magic of the pizza comes from its inability to be pigeon-holed. It’s versatile, nostalgic, and always a treat, and with the ease of delivery we can now have it whenever we want.

Question 44

Meatloaf

Another dish born out of the necessity to stretch ingredients, preserve meals, and fill those partaking, the meatloafs first recorded conception was in 5th Century Roman cookbooks (Bon Appetit). It is made out of any sort of random combination of minced and ground meats, spices, and baked into a loaf. Often served with gravy or ketchup and with plenty of sides, meatloaf is one Sunday dinner we certainly miss having with our family. It’s delicious and nutritious, and can make a little go a long way.

Question 45

Ice Cream

Yes, the most versatile of dessert toppers can also be a comfort food all on its own. In many cases, the use of ice cream in comfort foods and desserts is usually just an addition, rather than the main idea, but ice cream has a lot of grandness and dessert capacity on its own. The endless nature of potential flavors is probably the most admirable factor in ice cream, but it’s truly those childlike simple flavors that bring a comfort: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry will always live in our hearts.

Question 46

Grilled Cheese

The epically classic, and ever-enduring grilled cheese sandwich is a classic example of simple, cheap ingredients paired together in order to bring something new and fresh to the table. Buttered bread is sandwiched around any and all sorts of cheese, then pan-fried on both sides until the cheesy inside is perfectly lava-like. We love pairing grilled cheese with tomato soup, pea soup, or any number of other warm soup meals. It just reminds us of being a kid again, doesn’t it?

Question 47

Gyoza

The fried dumpling might have a lot of similarities to other cultures’ dumpling offerings, but the Gyoza is a creation that truly stands all on its own. Gyoza are rich in savory flavors, and usually include pork-based fillings. With the number of freezer-aisle dumpling options, it’s no surprise that so many of us know and love Gyoza. They’re a perfect little package of a meal, and are delicious no matter how we happen to cook them. Not to mention the Gyoza bars that seem to keep popping up! This is a comfort food that’s truly turned into a phenomenon.

Question 48

Grits

Grits are a type of porridge that are often considered a quintessential dish from the Southern regions. It’s usually, if we’re truly southern, paired with spicy sauce and fried eggs. Northerners can often pair it with brown sugar and milk, making it more of a porridge or oatmeal-like meal which doesn’t exactly capture the true grit of grits. Grits are practically the definition of comfort food for many people, though, no matter what way they’re made. We had to include them.

Question 49

Chowder

Chowder is another one of those comfort foods that have a sturdy handle, but a very wide umbrella. It may have started out in a very simple form, but it has become a kind of soup that has a very grand variety. The most common types of chowder are Clam Chowder and Corn Chowder, though trying to find a single recipe for either of those is near impossible. Everyone who makes chowder seems to have their own recipe for how to do it. Unsurprisingly, they’re all incredibly good.

Question 50

Cornish Pasty

Don’t worry, we didn’t include the “r” in Pasty on purpose. The Cornish Pasty (or Pastie) is a dish, or pocket, from the United Kingdom that can and often includes the entire dinner meal. The Cornish version of the pasty usually has a meat, potatoes, and a ton of other cooked ingredients within it, all wrapped up in an easily portable flakey crust. It’s pocket-sized comfort food of the highest order, and provides a whole lot of grab-and-go convenience. Many bakeries offer their own version of the Cornish Pasty, both over here as well as across the pond.

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