Listen up, because you’re about to level up your winter cooking game with these winter comfort food recipes that’ll make your kitchen the coziest spot in the house.
When the temperature drops and your regular dinner routine just isn’t cutting it anymore, these winter comfort food recipes cold weather approved dishes come to the rescue.
You’ll find everything from quick winter dinner recipes that take minimal effort to warm winter meals that feel like a big hug in a bowl.
These winter comfort food recipes families budget friendly options prove that good food doesn’t need to cost a fortune. For the health-conscious folks, our winter comfort food recipes healthy selection and healthy comfort food recipes winter low carb options keep things nutritious without sacrificing flavor.
Got unexpected guests? The winter comfort food recipes cold weather appetizers have got you covered. These easy winter comfort food recipes and winter comfort food recipes cold weather dinners are perfect for those nights when you need something hearty but simple.
Looking for dinner ideas for two? Our cozy winter meals and winter dinner recipes scale down perfectly for smaller households.
From snowy day meals to winter foods cold weather classics, this collection of comfort food recipes dinners and best winter recipes dinners will transform your winter cooking into something special.
Easy Winter Comfort Food Recipes For Families
1
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Photo Credit: gracefuldame.com
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole is an absolute comfort food winner!
Layers of Chicken, ham, and cheese topped with a deliciously creamy, homemade sauce and sourdough bread stuffing that is sheer perfection to finish it off.
2
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Photo Credit: www.dinneratthezoo.com
This Slow Cooker Beef Stew is loaded with chunks of tender beef, potatoes, carrots and peas.
It’s a hearty and comforting one pot meal where the crockpot does all of the work!
3
Mini Meatloaves
Photo Credit: healthykidsrecipes.com
Delight your whole family with these tasty Mini Meatloaves!
Each mini meatloaf is the perfect size to serve young eaters, and they’re made without eggs or bread crumbs to make them suitable even for those with allergies or intolerances.
4
Balsamic Herb Crockpot Pork Tenderloin
Photo Credit: www.savvymamalifestyle.com
There’s nothing better than a fork-tender pork tenderloin that doesn’t require much effort.
When you want an impressive dinner on the table – without much work – make this Balsamic Herb Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin.
5
Cheddar Bay Biscuit Pot Pie
Photo Credit: https://thesagesaver.com
A delicious, easy chicken pot pie recipe using Red Lobster’s famous and yummy cheddar bay biscuits.
Most of the ingredients you likely have on hand, so this also makes for a very budget friendly meal!
6
Roasted Half Chicken
Photo Credit: twocloveskitchen.com
This roasted half chicken recipe creates the most delicious, golden brown, juicy dinner. It has crisp skin lightly seasoned with garlic and thyme and tender, succulent meat.
Best of all, it’s elegant enough for a special occasion but easy enough for a stress-free weeknight meal.
7
Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
Photo Credit: thecookinchicks.com
Hearty Cowboy Cornbread Casserole is comfort food at its finest! Perfect for busy weeknights, it seasoned ground beef, corn, beans, and a fluffy cornbread topping.
8
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
Photo Credit: thesavorycipolla.com
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta is a quick, creamy vegetarian pasta recipe that uses sun-dried tomato pesto and bursts with rich garlic, basil, and cheese!
It is conveniently customizable with any veggies and ready in just 15 minutes.
9
Ground Beef, Potato, and Green Bean Casserole
Photo Credit: gracefuldame.com
Ground Beef, Potato, and Green Bean Casserole is full of the savory, comforting flavors we all love but without any of those store-bought, canned cream soups.
That’s right! You can cozy up to a big, satisfying one-pan dinner knowing exactly what you put in it.
10
Chicken Pastina Soup
Photo Credit: healthykidsrecipes.com
One pot Chicken Pastina Soup is loaded with vegetables, yummy chicken, and the cutest tiny pasta stars for a quick and hearty meal your whole family will devour!
11
Easy Chicken Cobbler
Photo Credit: thecookinchicks.com
Viral TikTok Chicken Cobbler is a delicious one pan meal that combines buttery biscuits, mixed vegetables, and shredded chicken into one hearty dish.
It uses simple ingredients and a shortcut box of cheddar bay biscuit mix.
12
Blue Cheese Mac and Cheese
Photo Credit: vintagekitchennotes.com
Classic mac and cheese gets an update with a creamy sauce and three types of cheese, plus medium heat from some spice, and a golden brown top.
Best of all, you can have it ready in under 45 minutes!
13
Sweet & Spicy Chicken with Butternut Squash
Photo Credit: www.mashupmom.com
Sweet & Spicy Chicken with Butternut Squash is an easy sheet pan meal with beautifully caramelized pieces of butternut squash and juicy oven-roasted chicken thighs.
14
Beef Tips & Gravy
Photo Credit: grandbaby-cakes.com
With its delicious blend of rich gravy, thyme, and the zesty undertones from the red wine, this Beef Tips & Gravy dish has a way of bringing people together.
It’s budget-friendly too, so you won’t have to buy any fancy or hard-to-find ingredients to feed a crowd.
15
Southern Chicken and Dumplings
Photo Credit: grandbaby-cakes.com
Homemade Chicken and Dumplings recipe adds hearty, biscuit-style dumplings to a rich, thickened chicken stew filled with vegetables, aromatics and so much flavor. Pure comfort food!
16
Chicken with Mushrooms in Boursin Cream Sauce
Photo Credit: lowcarbsimplified.com
Chicken with Mushrooms in Boursin Cream Sauce is rich, flavorful, and delicious with pan-seared chicken breasts that are tender and juicy. Ready in under 20 minutes!
17
One Pot Mexican Chili
Photo Credit: moderatelymessyrd.com
One Pot Mexican Chili is a quick, easy, yet delicious meal that’s perfect for a lazy Sunday or a busy weeknight.
Done in under 30 minutes and packed with Tex-Mex flavor, it’s truly comfort in a bowl.
18
Healthy Crockpot Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Photo Credit: www.hauteandhealthyliving.com
Healthy slow cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup is made in the crockpot for a hands off meal.
Tender chunks of potato and vegetables are cooked in a seasoned chicken broth until tender and then enriched with evaporated milk and cheese for a super creamy soup.
19
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
Photo Credit: thefoodiephysician.com
Delicious Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie is a lightened up version of classic shepherd’s pie.
The savory filling is made with lean ground beef and plenty of veggies, and it’s all topped off with a pillowy cloud of mashed sweet potatoes.
20
Pan-Seared Pork Chops and Fried Cinnamon Apples
Photo Credit: gritsandgouda.com
Pan-Seared Pork Chops and “Fried” Cinnamon Apples is easy enough for a weeknight meal but fancy enough for company on the weekends.
Deglazing the pork chops with apple juice or cider creates an amazing sweet and savory sauce.
21
Dutch Oven Beef Stew
Photo Credit: kellyneil.com
Dutch oven beef stew is a classic winter warming meal. With tender beef, rich gravy, and hearty root vegetables, it’s cold weather comfort food at its best!
This is a traditional version, cooked on the stove top, and takes about three hours from start to finish.
22
Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Photo Credit: www.garlicandzest.com
Rich and cheesy, Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells uses rotisserie chicken, fresh spinach, and an enriched parmesan cream sauce to create a truly satisfying treat of a meal.
The ultimate comfort food!
23
Crockpot Sweet Potato and Chorizo Stew
Photo Credit: www.mychefsapron.com
Sweet Potato and Spicy Chorizo Stew is an incredibly easy, no-fuss family recipe and a savory-sweet meal just right for dinner or meal prep.
Made with ground chorizo meat, sweet potatoes, garlic, onions, red bell pepper, then layered with Mediterranean spices and a rich tomato base.
24
Cheesy Ground Beef Sliders
Photo Credit: entirelyelizabeth.com
Cheesy Ground Beef Sliders with a sriracha aioli are juicy, beefy, flavorful and filled with gooey deliciousness!
They are baked in the oven, quick, easy, perfect for all types of get togethers and even meal prepping. Your family will be asking for these over and over again!
25
Hatch Green Chile Chicken and Dumplings Soup
Photo Credit: chickenfriedkitchen.com
Hatch Green Chile Chicken and Dumplings Soup is surprisingly easy to make and a true comfort food classic.
The dumplings are perfectly soft and fluffy, and the flavor of the homemade chicken soup takes on an incredible flavor from the fire-roasted hatch green chiles.
26
Beer Braised Beef Short Ribs
Photo Credit: bigdeliciouslife.com
Rich, hearty and barely clinging to the bone, Beer Braised Beef Short Ribs are comforting and absolutely scrumptious!
Serve them over mashed potatoes, rice, or parmesan polenta for the ultimate slow cooked meal. This recipe is easier than it sounds!
27
Pesto Gnocchi
Photo Credit: kellyneil.com
Pesto Gnocchi is a weeknight game changer. With only 5 ingredients, you can have dinner on the table in 15 minutes!
Using store-bought gnocchi and jarred pesto, it’s rich and creamy, with soft, tender dumplings.
28
Aromatic Beef Curry with Coconut Milk
Photo Credit: thecinnamonjar.com
Sri Lankan-inspired Beef Curry with coconut milk is fragrant, rich and creamy. It’s laced with warm cinnamon, citrusy cardamom and the brightness of ground coriander.
The velvety goodness of coconut milk and cream brings it all together.
29
Easy Chicken Alfredo Tortellini Soup
Photo Credit: entirelyelizabeth.com
Quick and easy 20 minute Chicken Alfredo Soup with Tortellini is creamy and tastes just like the beloved pasta dish! It is rich, hearty, and has super simple ingredients.
30
Crockpot Red Beans and Rice
Photo Credit: cookswithsoul.com
Red beans and rice is a classic New Orleans Creole dish made with aromatic spices, savory smoked ham hocks, bell pepper, onion, and celery.
This slow cooker version is the epitome of Southern comfort food and a must-try for anyone looking to savor the essence of The Big Easy.
31
Meat Sauce Rigatoni
Photo Credit: foxeslovelemons.com
Rigatoni Bolognese is a make-ahead marvel that requires no tedious vegetable chopping. Both kids and adults will love this easy but elegant restaurant-quality dish.
32
Rosemary and Thyme Chicken Thighs
Photo Credit: entirelyelizabeth.com
Oven-baked Rosemary and Thyme Chicken Thighs are easy to make, full of herbaceous flavor, and make juicy chicken every single time.
It is smothered in a rich rosemary thyme balsamic sauce and served with a side of roasted potatoes.
33
Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup
Photo Credit: thepeasantsdaughter.net
A comforting bowl of Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup with homemade egg noodles and classic vegetables that will always be there for you, even on the coldest nights.
34
Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Tomatoes
Photo Credit: bakewithjamie.com
Sourdough bread, a trifecta of gooey Cheddar, Swiss, and Provolone cheese, with bacon, fried onions, and tomatoes make this the ultimate grown-up grilled cheese sandwich!
Pair it with your favorite soup for the perfect cozy comfort meal.
35
Crispy German Schnitzel
Photo Credit: thesageapron.com
Fried Schnitzel is a quintessential German dish that is quick, easy and so delicious!
It can be made with pork, veal, turkey or chicken and is made even better with a cheesy fondue schnitzel sauce.
36
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup with Potatoes and Kale
Photo Credit: mandiofthemountains.com
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is full of tender potatoes and robust kale.
It’s hearty, comforting, and super easy, with only 5 main ingredients, one pot, and less than an hour of time for a warm, delicious, and nutrient-dense meal.
37
Dutch Oven Pot Roast with Vegetables
Photo Credit: urbanblisslife.com
When you want a rich, comforting, hearty dinner, classic Dutch Oven Pot Roast hits the spot. It’s a fantastic one-pot meal that makes enough to feed a family, with leftovers.
38
Minnesota Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Photo Credit: bakewithjamie.com
Crockpot Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup is so easy to make. Simply put the ingredients in the crockpot and let it do its thing!
The flavors are classic kitchen staples such as onions, garlic, carrots, and celery, proving that simple foods taste the best. Pair it with a loaf of crusty bread for the ultimate comfort meal.
39
Smothered Chicken and Rice
Photo Credit: cookswithsoul.com
Smothered Chicken and Rice features fall-off-the-bone tender thighs simmered in rich brown gravy and spooned over a bed of fluffy white rice.
It’s an irresistible southern soul food classic that’s perfect for cold weather dinner!
40
Crockpot Pork Roast
Photo Credit: foxeslovelemons.com
Crockpot Pork Roast requires no pre-cooking, but you still end up with succulent meat and flavorful, umami-rich gravy!
Serve it over potatoes or rice, and transform leftovers into so many amazing dinners.
41
Swedish Meatloaf with Caramelized Cabbage
Photo Credit: kristyskitchn.com
Swedish Meatloaf with Caramelized Cabbage is a delicious combination of savory and sweet.
The caramelized cabbage adds a touch of sweetness that perfectly complements the rich, savory flavor of the meatloaf.
42
Cheesy Bolognese Rice Bake
Photo Credit: dishedbykate.com
Cheesy Bolognese Rice Bake has all the flavors of lasagne, with a little twist.
A layer of seasoned rice and rich bolognese is topped with gorgeously creamy, cheesy bechamel sauce, making a wonderful family-friendly recipe that you can even make ahead of time.
43
Easy Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Rice
Photo Credit: funfamilymeals.com
Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Rice is a budget-friendly dump meal that makes for a delicious dinner with minimal effort (and clean up). Just dump in the ingredients and go!
44
Slow Cooker Tinga De Res
Photo Credit: blessthismeal.com
Expect big bold flavors from this Tinga De Res! Chuck roast is simmered in a flavorful tomato and chipotle pepper sauce, creating a rich smoky and spicy flavor.
Serve with tacos for delicious tacos or over a bed of rice for a tasty bowl-style dinner.
45
Hearty Meatball Soup
Photo Credit: thegreekfoodie.com
Hearty Meatball Soup has tender meatballs and small pasta in a lemony bright broth. It’s comforting, cozy, made in one pot, and ready in just 30 minutes!
46
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Photo Credit: www.currytrail.in
Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Gnocchi Soup is comfort in a bowl!
Made with everyday ingredients this creamy delicious soup can be easily made on the stove top at home in 30 minutes using leftover or rotisserie chicken.
47
Crockpot Swiss Steak
Photo Credit: thefeatherednester.com
When the cold weather chills you to the bone, make a crockpot Swiss steak! It features juicy beef with caramelized onions and tomatoes for a simple and scrumptious comfort food meal.
48
Marry Me Chicken
Photo Credit: dizzybusyandhungry.com
Marry Me Chicken is an amazing and creamy dish made with seared chicken thighs in a sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce.
It gets its name from the irresistible taste that’s said to be delicious enough to elicit a marriage proposal!
49
Shepherd’s Pie
Photo Credit: www.dishbydish.net
Flavorful and hearty, Shepherd’s Pie is easy to put together and feeds a crowd! It’s also gluten-free and dairy-free.
50
Crockpot Cowboy Soup
Photo Credit: blessthismeal.com
Crockpot Cowboy Soup is made using simple ingredients like ground beef, pinto beans, and mixed vegetables.
Everything is slow cooked in a rich flavorful broth. Pair this hearty soup with your favorite cornbread recipe and enjoy on a cool chilly evening.
