These cozy dinner ideas are hearty, satisfying, and easy to make. They’re perfect for chilly winter evenings that call for warm, comfort food recipes!
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Pin RecipeThe kitchen is already the heart of my home. It’s where I spend my time in a calm, zen-like state. (Until it’s time to do the dishes, I suppose.)
Here are my go-to cozy dinner ideas that break past the dark and bring on the light in the winter. Each of these easy winter meals is perfect for a busy weeknight or a relaxing weekend when you have time to play in the kitchen. I know you will find a new favorite winter dinner on this list!
Let me know which of these easy winter recipes you try! I love hearing from all of you, especially in the winter when I’m inside, dreaming up delicious meals.
Our Favorite Cozy Dinner Ideas from All Things Mamma
1. Chicken and Dumplings
Is there anything more classic? I remember being 11 and visiting a friend’s house, while her mother was making this. She let us stir the always-forgiving dumpling batter and carefully spoon it into the pot. We marveled as they puffed up and turned into flavorful bites floating in a rich stew. Pure magic.
2. Broccoli Cheddar Soup
There’s a reason why just about every restaurant seems to have broccoli cheddar soup on the menu. You just can’t beat the combination of tender bites of broccoli in rich, cheesy broth. If Panera is your idea of a cozy dinner, you’ll love this homemade version of their ever-popular soup, especially as a cozy winter meal!
3. Stovetop Mac and Cheese
And speaking of Panera! Their creamy white cheddar mac and cheese is another cozy dinner idea for dreary winter days. The tangy sharp cheddar flavor in this recipe is miles better than what you get from the boxed varieties, and this stovetop recipe comes together faster than you can get in the car and pick up an order from the nearest restaurant.
4. Chili Cornbread Casserole
We don’t need to tell you that chili is classic winter comfort food, and we bet you even have your own go-to chili recipe that your family loves. However, if you want to put a new spin on this winter staple, try our chili cornbread casserole! It tops hearty chili with sweet cornbread and plenty of cheese.
5. Old-Fashioned Goulash
With ground beef, macaroni, and cheese, it doesn’t get much more satisfying than old-fashioned goulash. This American spin on the traditional Hungarian dish comes together quickly, and it’s the kind of meal that will have your kids asking for seconds.
6. Crockpot Cabbage Rolls
Ah, cabbage rolls. They’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’ve got a weakness for this comfort food classic, you’ll love our crockpot version. This cozy dinner idea features tender cabbage rolled up with ground beef and rice, slow cooked to perfection in a sweet-and-tangy tomato sauce.
7. Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Maybe your idea of cozy comfort food is a bowl full of fluffy mashed potatoes. Well, look no further! This is a mashed potato recipe that’s practically a meal itself, with sour cream, cheese, and lots of crispy, smoky bacon. Eat it as your main dish (seriously, we won’t judge), or pair it with a simple protein like baked chicken breasts.
8. Crock Pot Lasagna
Lasagna is a cozy dinner idea that can be customized to your family’s tastes and preferences. Even better, it’s easier than ever when you make it in your crockpot! Although we use ground beef, feel free to try ground turkey, crumbled Italian sausage, or even a plant-based ground like Impossible to make this recipe your own.
9. Chicken Pot Pie With Crescent Rolls
Why fuss with homemade pastry crust when you can make chicken pot pie with crescent rolls instead?! This recipe is easy as can be, and you’ll love the buttery, fluffy, perfectly browned crescent roll topping.
10. Beef Vegetable Soup
Homemade beef vegetable soup is so much better than the stuff from a can! Serve hearty soup with some crusty French bread on the side for soaking up all that flavorful broth. Or, pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich for a cozy dinner idea that makes you feel like a kid again.
11. Creamy One-Pot Sausage Gnocchi
I love one-pot meals which make for easy clean-up. This delicious gnocchi is filling and flavorful and will warm your belly in the cold winter. Your family and friends are going to adore this dish, and it will bring everyone to the table.
12. Cheeseburger Casserole
Winter casserole recipes are one of my go-to meals. This cheeseburger casserole is hearty enough to warm you right up, even on the coldest days. All that tender, juicy meat is hard to resist!
13. Cheesy Potato Soup
This soup is so filling and hearty that you will feel satisfied for hours after eating just one bowl. Cheesy potato soup is a perfect winter meal, and everyone in your family will love it- even the pickiest kids! Who can say no to all that cheese?
14. Instant Pot Bone Broth
Bone broth is a staple in my house in the winter. It is useful in so many different ways. I add it to soups and stews and also sip it on its own when I need something to soothe my throat. Preparing bone broth in the Instant Pot makes this recipe extremely easy, so can prepare all your favorite meals quickly!
15. Chicken and Rice Casserole
This classic winter recipe is a timeless dish. Everyone has memories from childhood of a cold winter night with a warm plate of chicken and rice casserole in front of them. Keep the tradition alive with this easy winter casserole that you can whip up in minutes.
16. Stovetop Chicken and Noodles
Sometimes I feel like standing next to my warm stovetop and making a nice easy weeknight meal. This is very often the recipe I reach for on those winter nights! Chicken and noodles are simple but filling. It is a cold-weather recipe that my kids ask for all the time.
5 More Cozy Dinner Ideas You Can Whip Up Without a Recipe
You don’t always need a recipe to make a delicious dinner! Sometimes you can just put together a little bit of this, a little bit of that, and follow your instincts for a delicious meal. Here are some no-recipe cozy dinners to try.
1. Slow Cooker Root Beer Short Ribs
The slow cooker is the ultimate winter kitchen tool, right? Click and go. It’s an absolute dream. This recipe is a fun spin on the usual short ribs with the deeply flavorful addition of root beer for a cozy dinner.
You can pretty much follow your everyday short ribs recipe: browned short ribs, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, thyme, and rosemary. Then, add star anise and equal parts beef broth and root beer, and cook until everything is falling apart. Serve with mashed potatoes, and make sure to have enough for the next day.
2. Sheet Pan Garlic and Rosemary Pork Loin
Can this be easier? Roast a pork loin in a cast-iron skillet that’s been generously coated with olive oil, garlic, and chopped rosemary. When it reads 140 degrees Fahrenheit on your instant-read thermometer, boom. Dinner is served. It’s nice with Southern green beans, baked potatoes, or some fluffy Instant Pot rice.
3. Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Dip chicken cutlets into whisked eggs followed by breadcrumbs or panko flavored with Parmesan and Italian seasoning. Air fry in a single layer (you might have to do this in batches). Then, halfway through, top with mozzarella, and let that melt. Serve topped with warm marinara sauce and a side of pasta!
4. Tomato Bisque With Grilled Cheese Croutons
Start with a jar of quality marinara sauce, like Rao’s. Put this in a medium pot, and add just enough chicken or vegetable stock to thin it out so it reaches the consistency of a thick soup. Warm this up over medium-low heat, and make 2 or 3 grilled cheese sandwiches while the soup cooks. Cut the grilled cheese into 1-inch cubes, add a splash of heavy cream to the soup for some richness, and you’ve got a cozy tomato bisque dinner.
5. Polenta Bake
Slice up a tube of polenta from the grocery store, and arrange the slices on the bottom of a square baking dish. Spoon marinara or meat sauce and sautéed vegetables over the top of the polenta. Then, add a few handfuls of shredded mozzarella on top. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling up along the edges.
FAQs
The ultimate comfort food is whichever you like best! However, mac and cheese, chicken noodle soup, pasta, and meatballs are popular options that make everyone feel warm and fuzzy when they’re done.
I think that crockpot meals are the absolute easiest. Most of them require you to simply throw everything into the slow cooker, turn it on, and come back later to eat. My crockpot chicken alfredo, crockpot buffalo wings, and slow cooker crack chicken are a few of my favorite easy meals.
Soups, roasted meats, and hearty pasta dishes are the most popular foods in the winter. All of these foods will keep you warm and cozy even if it’s freezing cold outside!
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