80 Cold Weather Recipes That Will Warm You Right Up (original) (raw)

Winter is coming, and all you want to do is hide under a blanket until the sun sets later than 6 p.m. again. You could hibernate and survive on takeout for the next few months, or you could master these 80 cold weather recipes that will defrost your heart and stomach. Think hearty soups, casseroles, bakes and beyond.

1. Mac And Cheese With Crispy Parmesan-phyllo Crust

This baked comfort food classic is so decadent, it literally wears a crown...of flaky pastry.

2. Charred Cauliflower With Crunchy Garlic Chile Oil

The crisp char on this cauliflower replicates the flavor of steak, but it’s totally vegetarian and oh so satisfying.

3. Spinach And Three-cheese Stuffed Shells

When you consider the hidden greens, this stuffed pasta skillet is actually pretty healthy. (OK, OK, healthy-ish.)

4. Cast-iron Pork Chops With Cacao-spiced Rub

This restaurant-worthy recipe is keto-approved, so you can warm up while staying low-carb.

5. Spicy Lemon-ginger Chicken Soup

Beat winter colds before you catch them with this simple soup that has anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Honey Mustard Sheet-pan Chicken With Brussels Sprouts

Barely any prep work is necessary for these juicy, crispy chicken thighs that bake with a side of veggies. It's the ideal meal for a cozy night in.

7. Antoni Porowski’s Moroccan-style Pasta Bolognese

Queue up the latest season of Queer Eye and start simmering Antoni’s lamb-based meat sauce.

8. Butternut Squash Risotto With Crispy Leeks

Risotto is one of the best comfort foods, and when it’s topped with homemade crispy leeks, you’re in for a real treat.

9. White Turkey Chili With Avocado

There’s nothing like a lazy night in eating a huge bowl of chili. (And this recipe is light enough that you can have seconds without feeling bogged down.)

10. Shrimp And Pasta Stew

Part stew, part saucy pasta, each bite of this dish will make you forget about the freezing temperatures.

11. Spicy Chili Crisp Grilled Cheese

The simple addition of grocery-store chili oil amps up an old school sandwich.

12. 30-minute Coconut Milk Braised Chicken With Sweet Potatoes And Rice

Seasoned chicken is bathed in creamy coconut milk to create this ultimate night-in dinner. (Add a side of rice, naan or quinoa for a hearty meal.)

13. Tortellini Soup With Italian Sausage

Pop open a package of cheese tortellini, a box of chicken stock and a few other supermarket ingredients to whip up a cozy winter feast.

14. Garlic Butter Creamed Spinach Salmon

Forget everything you thought you knew about salmon. This creamy recipe is an indulgent riff on chicken Florentine.

15. Chicken Pot Pie With Biscuits

Chicken pot pie may be the ultimate comfort food, but topped with biscuits, this dish is on another level.

16. Pan-fried Cod With Orange And Swiss Chard

Warming food doesn’t have to be unhealthy. This cod recipe takes advantage of winter produce to create a light but super satisfying dinner.

17. Eggplant Parmesan

This baked eggplant parm is easier (and healthier) than the traditional fried version, plus you get all that residual heat from your oven to warm up the house while your meal is cooking.

18. Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup

Double this belly-warming recipe and save half in your freezer for a long day.

19. Restorative Miso Noodle Soup

Soba noodles and shiitake mushrooms give this classic a hearty upgrade.

20. Baked Coconut-curry Meatballs

Baking meatballs is way less effort than pan-frying them.

21. Skillet Gnocchi With Sausage And Broccoli Rabe

Thirty-minute recipes are prime for busy weeknights.

22. 5-ingredient Smoked Gouda-thyme Mac And Cheese

The definition of comfort food.

23. Skillet Steak With Asparagus And Potatoes

Say it with us: I'm not afraid to cook steak at home.

24. Cheater’s White Wine Coq Au Vin

It's elegant enough to serve to guests—though they'll never know it took you under an hour to make.

25. Pork Scallopini With Lemon, Capers And Radicchio

Almost all the ingredients needed to cook this 20-minute beauty are pantry staples.

26. The Best Damn Tomato Soup

One sip and you'll ditch the canned stuff for good.

27. Dijon-maple Chicken With Brussels Sprouts And Butternut Squash

And the trusty sheet pan does it again.

28. Swedish Meatballs

Stick them with toothpicks for a savory appetizer or serve them over mashed potatoes for a full-blown meal.

29. 30-minute Cheater’s Beef Stroganoff

Buttery pappardelle. Tender button mushrooms. Melt-in-your-mouth beef tenderloin. Consider our souls officially warmed.

30. Grilled Cheese And Tomato Soup Casserole

One bite and boom—you're a kid all over again.

31. Shepherd’s Pie

You so don't need to wait for St. Patrick's Day to indulge.

32. Slow-cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Set it, forget it, then bust out the tortilla chips.

33. Slow-cooker French Onion Soup

There's no bad day a crock of caramelized onion broth and melted Gruyère can't fix.

34. The Ultimate Pasta Pie

Aka your kids' new favorite dinner.

35. Pistachio-crusted Pork Tenderloin With Apple And Escarole Salad

You're only 40 minutes away from buttery, melts-in-your-mouth magic.

36. One-pan Roasted Chicken With Carrots

Six ingredients, 30 minutes, minimal cleanup.

37. Honey-mustard Sheet Pan Salmon

Roasted alongside Brussels sprouts, butternut squash and cherry tomatoes to flaky perfection.

38. Baking-sheet Pizza With Olives And Sun-dried Tomatoes

When it comes to cheese, the more the merrier. That's why this pie is loaded with Parmesan, mozzarella and provolone.

39. One-pan Steak With Beets And Crispy Kale

Your broiler does all the heavy lifting.

40. Chicken Gnocchi Soup

One cozy snuggle in a bowl, coming right up.

41. Sheet-pan Lemon Butter Veggies And Sausage

Dig into a rainbow of produce from radishes to eggplant to bell peppers.

42. Cacio E Pepe

Presenting the easiest pasta dinner you'll ever make. Seriously—you probably already have all the ingredients.

43. Shrimp With Cauliflower “grits” And Arugula

Our favorite cruciferous veggie never stops surprising us.

44. The Ultimate Chicken Pot Pie

Store-bought puff pastry saves the day.

45. Pork Dumplings

Something tells us your kids will be eager to help with assembly.

46. Balsamic Cranberry Roast Chicken

If your family doesn't do turkey, we know *exactly* what to serve in its place for Thanksgiving.

47. 15-minute Skillet Pepper Steak

One serving only has 230 calories, so why not make room on your plate for a side of white rice to go with it?

48. Antoni Porowski’s Chile-maple Roast Chicken

You truly can't go wrong with dried chipotle chiles, maple syrup and a whole lot of butter.

49. Cheater’s Slow-cooker Beef Bourguignon

Good things (read: beef, bacon, veggies) come to those who wait.

50. Warm Ginger-scallion Pork And Kale Salad

Keep it paleo by using coconut aminos or substitute soy sauce or tamari instead.

51. Potato Chip-crusted Chicken With Arugula Pesto

This ain't your nonna's chicken parmigiana.

52. Slow-cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Our favorite part is the white cheddar biscuit topper, hands down.

53. Herb-crusted Pork Cutlets

They pair beautifully with arugula salad (and shoestring fries).

54. Tomato Soup In Grilled Cheese Bread Bowls

Not only is it topped with a mini sandwich, but the inside of the bowl is also lined with melted cheese.

55. Sticky Asian Meatballs With Udon Noodles

The sauce is sweet and savory, thanks to ginger, hoisin, honey and soy sauce.

56. Soba Noodles With Peanut Sauce

Load them up with whatever wilted veggies are hiding in your crisper drawer.

57. Harissa Chickpea Stew With Eggplant And Millet

If you're all out of millet, swap in quinoa or farro instead.

58. Butternut Squash Carbonara

The gourd is so decadent that you don't need any butter or cream.

59. Spicy Turkey Enchiladas With Pumpkin Seeds

We have big plans for all that leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

60. Mexican Posole

Tastes like a soup-chili hybrid—with a generous spritz of lime.

61. General Tso’s Cauliflower

This vegetarian twist on a takeout classic can fool even the most devout of meat eaters.

62. Polenta And Meatballs

You won't miss the spaghetti one bit.

64. Rotisserie Chicken Ramen

Trust us: This version blows the microwaveable stuff way out of the water.

65. Spiralized Winter Vegetable Gratin

Think of it as a healthier potatoes au gratin, only with parsnips, squash and sweet potatoes.

66. Baked Chicken And Mushroom Risotto

The risotto cooks in the oven, meaning you won't have to stir it for hours on the stove.

67. Sticky Orange Chicken With Caramelized Onions And Fennel

The citrus-sesame marinade doubles as a sauce.

68. 15-minute Cheater’s Pad Thai

TBH, you'd spend more time waiting for it to be delivered than if you just cooked it yourself.

69. Whole Roasted Chipotle Chicken

You won't believe how short the ingredient list is.

70. Buckwheat Gnocchi With Cabbage, Potatoes And Fontina

Homemade pasta fit for a dinner party in 40 minutes? Color your guests wowed.

71. Pomegranate-sumac Chicken With Roasted Carrots

The traditional buttermilk chicken brine is spiked with sweet-tart pomegranate molasses, key in Middle Eastern cooking.

72. Sausage, Corn And Poblano Chowder

This spicy one-pot wonder is sure to warm your bones to the core, but feel free to add jalapeño or crushed red pepper to make it hotter.

73. Spicy Bucatini Amatriciana

If you can't find guanciale (salt-cured pork jowl) near you, use pancetta or bacon instead.

74. Slow-cooker Chicken Teriyaki

Not only does the Crock-Pot do all the work, but it's also one of the most kid-friendly dinners ever.

75. Polenta With Roasted Mushrooms And Bacon

Call it a side if you insist, but this cozy dish has main meal written all over it. A fried egg on top couldn't hurt either.

76. Quick Congee

This Asian rice porridge will taste divine topped with herbs, ginger, kimchi, scallions or poached eggs.

77. Slow-cooker Whole Chicken With Potatoes

Roast a chicken in the oven and you'll have to babysit it all day. Use the Crock-Pot instead and you're free.

78. Roasted Cauliflower Macaroni And Cheese

Can't decide between gooey pasta and roasted veggies? Allow us to introduce the best of both worlds.

79. Cheater’s White Pizza With Béchamel Sauce

You won't even need to fuss with store-bought pizza dough, thanks to handy naan flatbread.

80. Slow-cooker Creamy Chicken And Wild Rice Soup

Grab a blanket (and some vino), settle by the fireplace and enjoy.

Freelance PureWow Editor

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