Yep, it's definitely possible to go over your calorie budget even on nutritious home cooking. I've done it myself, believe me!
It does take some getting used to. As a child of the '80s, I remember when low-fat was ALL the rage; it wasn't the pasta on your plate that made you fat, they said, it was the meat sauce with its freight of fat. Somewhere in the back of my head lurked the notion that things like pasta and potatoes and rice should be the main constituent of a plan-friendly meal. I pretty much grew up overeating those things.
One great rule of thumb I read here and elsewhere is to fill your plate with half vegetables, one quarter protein, and one quarter carby stuff. I weigh and measure my portions, but having that guideline in mind also helps. I don't miss the extra mashed potatoes because it leaves more room for all the other sides I like.
As for feeling hungrier on certain foods, yep--that's the case for a lot of folks. I'm hungrier on 2000 carb-heavy calories consumed in two huge meals than I am on 1500 balanced calories spread out over five or six meals. Learning that took me a few weeks and a couple of holiday dinners, but now that I know it, it makes meal planning a lot simpler.