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30 WINTER DINNER IDEAS THAT WILL KEEP YOU COZY
It’s that time of year again when the sun goes down earlier, the weather gets chilly, and you have to bundle up just to venture out to your mailbox. And while the winter months can be cold and dreary, it’s the perfect time to whip up some delicious dishes that will bring comfort and warmth to your kitchen.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a helpful list of recipes that are sure to satisfy any palate and preference. From vegetarian dishes like Spiced Sweet Potato Soup and Spinach and Artichoke Quinoa Casserole to hearty dishes like Southwestern Beef Chili and Butternut Carbonara, you’ll love cooking these five-star meals for your family all season.
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Winter Lentil Soup
KANA OKADA
Sometimes the most comforting meals are the ones that are loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just need a veggie-packed dish, this hearty soup will do you wonders. Consider serving with toasted bread.
If you’re a sucker for sweet potatoes, you’re going to want to make this silky, flavorful soup as soon as possible. Spices like cumin and coriander add warmth, while the pistachio Dukkah provides the crunchy topping. This hearty soup is filled with nutrients and antioxidants, making for an ideal healthy weeknight dinner.
Why make boring roasted Brussels sprouts when you can add them to a delicious pasta bake? The combination of sweet Italian sausage, rich Gruyere cheese, and rigatoni is truly something to write home about. Plus, it's ready in less than an hour.
If you have yet to cook with pumpkin, here is a great recipe to get you started. While it may take a bit of effort, the subtle sweetness of the pumpkin paired with fresh sage, ricotta, and mozzarella makes these pasta roll-ups the dish of the season. To top it all off, the pasta is homemade, adding a whole other level of freshness.
Trying to sneak extra veggies into your family’s dinner? Look no further than this butternut squash carbonara. It’s smokey, sweet, and perfect for a weeknight meal since it can be whipped up in just 30 minutes.
Vodka sauce is undoubtedly loved by all. And why wouldn’t it be? It’s decadently creamy, full of flavor, and ideal for bread dipping. But keep in mind that this sauce is best enjoyed when made fresh and served immediately.
There’s just something about slow-cooker recipes that exude comfort and joy. Not only is this low and slow chili simple to make but the fresh ingredients and spice blend give it an abundance of flavor. We urge you to go a little crazy with toppings: Sour cream, cheese, chives, tortilla chips, sliced scallions, and radishes all go great atop this bowl.
A warm, hearty bowl of chili must be one of the most comforting meals to whip up, and this one has a little extra heat thanks to the poblano peppers. Aside from being delicious, this Southwestern chili is healthy, filling, and great for freezing leftovers. It's ready in just 30 minutes, and we promise you'll at least be tempted to go back for seconds.
Mac and cheese is a fan favorite for children and adults alike. And while a classic mac and cheese is hard to beat, this “kicked-up” version is certainly worth a try. It’s extra cheesy with a bit of spice from chopped green chiles and fresh jalapeños.
We smell a new holiday tradition! If you’re looking for the perfect special breakfast to make on Christmas morning, this potato tot casserole has it all. It’s rich and cheesy and has everything from breakfast sausage to spicy jalapeños and chopped veggies. The best part is that you can customize it based on your family’s preferences.
Move over, chicken Parmesan—it’s time to give eggplant the credit it deserves. You don’t have to be a vegetarian to devour this hot, cheesy, saucy Italian dish. Make this deep-dish eggplant Parm for a dinner party or on a cold winter’s night.
People say “chicken soup is good for the soul” but we think homemade chicken and dumplings are where it’s at. Don’t get overwhelmed by the thought of making dumplings from scratch. They’re simple to whip up and require just six pantry staples.
Need inspiration for a last-minute dinner or breakfast recipe? Shakshuka is always a good idea because it’s tasty, satisfying, and will warm up any belly. Plus, you probably already have all the ingredients in your refrigerator and pantry.
This comforting vegan soup is ultra creamy and rich, thanks to cashews. The softened cashews are mixed in with cauliflower, vegetable broth, cannellini beans, onion, garlic, thyme, and oregano. Top the soup with additional cashews, a swirl of olive oil, and freshly ground pepper before serving.
You're going to love this lasagna recipe. First of all, it only requires 15 minutes of hands-on prep time before the slow cooker takes over. Layered in between lasagna noodles are squash and ricotta mixtures. It's hearty and comforting and boasts a whopping 32 grams of protein per serving. Serve with a side salad if desired.
In less than 30 minutes, serve yourself up some of this warm and creamy soup. Cabbage, onions, potatoes, and carrots boil in a pot of vegetable broth, creating a healthy and tasty weeknight dinner. Serve with fresh bread to sop up every bite.
If you're a fan of enchiladas, you're gonna love this healthy butternut squash twist. Although you may not immediately think of squash when you think of enchiladas, the butternut squash when seasoned with chipotle chile powder and roasted with other veggies creates a tender and smoky enchilada interior. The toppings take the dish to the next level.
This chili recipe takes a Mexican twist with a few key ingredients. Tomatillos, poblano peppers, and cinnamon blend to create this spicy chili recipe. We topped our bowl with sour cream, jalapeños, and pepper jack cheese, but feel free to get creative and top it off with what you like.
If cold and flu season has got you down, try out a bowl of this chicken soup filled with nutrients. Ready in just an hour, this soup is a low-maintenance option for a winter weeknight. Ingredients like carrots, ginger, garlic, spinach, and lemon make this soup fresh and filling.
Who says stuffing can only be served on Thanksgiving? This sausage and squash stuffing is unlike any other recipe you've tried. Filled with tender cubes of butternut squash, savory sausage crumbles, and fresh sage and parsley, this dish is uber-filling, moist, and the perfect casserole for the whole family to devour on a weeknight.
A classic lasagna dinner might just be synonymous with comfort food. Made with four types of cheeses—provolone, mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan—this casserole is sure to send you to cheese heaven. Serve with a fresh green salad and some garlic bread for a well-rounded meal.
If you're looking for a vegan dinner option with a little bit of spice, you have to try this dumpling soup. Plus, thanks to store-bought frozen vegetable dumplings, it's ready to eat in just 30 minutes. You'll know the dumplings are ready when they float to the soup's surface.
French onion soup takes on the shape of a casserole in this cozy dinner idea. Reminiscent of mac and cheese, penne pasta gets coated with a creamy sauce of caramelized onions, Gruyere, and cheddar. You can make this casserole up to two days ahead: simply follow the instructions until the baking step and keep it covered in the refrigerator until then.
Calling all pasta lovers: This tortellini and sausage dish is outright delicious and might just become your new go-to pasta dish. Frozen tortellini is the shortcut ingredient that makes this weeknight meal take only 25 minutes to whip up. Choose your favorite greens to throw into the mix: spinach, kale, or escarole.
Never heard of Pozole? This classic Mexican soup is made with hominy and meat. In this case, we used chicken. You can whip it up in no time by taking a couple of shortcuts: Use precooked rotisserie chicken and precut butternut squash. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping.
The slow cooker does most of the work in this curry dish. The beef becomes extremely tender and juicy after sitting in the slow cooker for hours. Pour the savory mix over the rice noodles then serve for a flavor-packed meal.
Use store-bought pie crust to top this creamy chicken pot pie. The secret ingredient responsible for the pie's creamy interior? A half cup of dry white wine. Use rotisserie chicken as another easy shortcut to this comfort food staple.
Okay, this casserole is definitely a guilty pleasure. Layers of thinly-sliced potatoes cook in a cheesy, creamy sauce. Serve with your green vegetable of choice—think broccoli or green beans—and some fresh-out-of-the-oven garlic bread.
Slow-Cooker Coffee-Braised Brisket With Potatoes and Carrots
SANG AN
A single bowl of this down-home brisket and potatoes recipe might not be enough. Save a cup of coffee from your morning brew to pour into the slower cooker, which, when mixed with tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar, braises the beef to perfection. Serve with your favorite bread for a delicious laid-back meal.
If you’ve ever wanted to eat a whole bowl of spinach and artichoke dip—well, now you can (sort of). This unique spin on everyone’s favorite dip is flavorful, easy to make, and completely dairy-free. Plus, the quinoa makes it super-filling.
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