75 Winter Comfort Food Recipes to Warm You on Cold Days
Easy winter comfort food recipes! Cozy meals to make you feel better on those cold weather days when you just need a little warmth and comfort.
When cold weather hits, we just need some warm and hearty food to comfort us.
Cozy meals just make us feel better!
I put together a list of the best winter comfort food recipes …
… so you have tons of inspiration for what to make this cold weather season.
This list of winter comfort foods includes ideas for:
- Warm and cozy casseroles
- Soups, stews, and chili recipes
- Kid-friendly family dinners
- Simple crockpot meals (that cook themselves)
- One pan meals
- Flavorful Italian and Tex-Mex dishes
- Healthy dinners for when you want to keep it light
You can create your winter meal plan using these ideas, and not have to worry about what to make for dinner – for weeks!
There’s truly something for everyone, and every cooking “skill level.”
Okay, let’s check out these cozy winter comfort foods!
Winter Comfort Food Dinners
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
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.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
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!
Mini Meatloaves
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.
Balsamic Herb Crockpot Pork Tenderloin
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.
Cheddar Bay Biscuit Pot Pie
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!
Roasted Half Chicken
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.
Cowboy Cornbread Casserole
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.
Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
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.
Ground Beef, Potato, and Green Bean Casserole
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.
Chicken Pastina Soup
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!
Easy Chicken Cobbler
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.
Blue Cheese Mac and Cheese
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!
Sweet & Spicy Chicken with Butternut Squash
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.
Beef Tips & Gravy
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.
Southern Chicken and Dumplings
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!
Chicken with Mushrooms in Boursin Cream Sauce
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!
One Pot Mexican Chili
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.
Healthy Crockpot Loaded Baked Potato Soup
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.
Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie
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.
Pan-Seared Pork Chops and Fried Cinnamon Apples
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.
Dutch Oven Beef Stew
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.
Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
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!
Crockpot Sweet Potato and Chorizo Stew
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.
Cheesy Ground Beef Sliders
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!
Hatch Green Chile Chicken and Dumplings Soup
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.
Beer Braised Beef Short Ribs
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!
Pesto Gnocchi
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.
Aromatic Beef Curry with Coconut Milk
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.
Easy Chicken Alfredo Tortellini Soup
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.
Crockpot Red Beans and Rice
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.
Meat Sauce Rigatoni
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.
Rosemary and Thyme Chicken Thighs
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.
Grandma's Chicken Noodle Soup
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.
Grilled Cheese with Bacon and Tomatoes
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.
Crispy German Schnitzel
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.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup with Potatoes and Kale
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.
Dutch Oven Pot Roast with Vegetables
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.
Minnesota Chicken Wild Rice Soup
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.
Smothered Chicken and Rice
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!
Crockpot Pork Roast
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.
Swedish Meatloaf with Caramelized Cabbage
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.
Cheesy Bolognese Rice Bake
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.
Easy Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Rice
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!
Slow Cooker Tinga De Res
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.
Hearty Meatball Soup
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!
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
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.
Crockpot Swiss Steak
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.
Marry Me Chicken
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!
Shepherd's Pie
Flavorful and hearty, Shepherd’s Pie is easy to put together and feeds a crowd! It’s also gluten-free and dairy-free.
Crockpot Cowboy Soup
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.
Creamy Chicken & Potato Bake
Creamy Chicken and Potato Bake is the perfect comforting family dish because it feeds crowds and fussy eaters alike. Best of all, it’s a one tray meal for easy cleanup.
Spanish Bean & Chorizo Stew
For a hearty portion of smoky goodness, this Spanish Bean & Chorizo Stew is guaranteed to warm every corner of your soul.
Creamy beans, sweet and smoky chorizo and earthy greens are a harmonious blend of fragrance, texture and flavor.
Mushroom and Rice Soup
Delicious mushroom and rice soup is a simple yet elegant dish packed with rich and creamy flavor.
The ultimate comfort food, it tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant or your favorite deli
Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with Potatoes
Sheet Pan Roast Pork Tenderloin with potatoes is a game-changer! It will give you an incredibly tender, succulent, and healthy meal that’s simple yet sophisticated.
Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions and best of all, it comes together in one pan!
Lasagna Stuffed Shells
Lasagna Stuffed Shells, with a three-cheese filling and rich and hearty meat sauce, have all the flavor of lasagna stuffed into giant pasta shells.
Ham, Potato, and Vegetable Soup
Ham, Potato, and Vegetable Soup is made really easy in the slow cooker! It’s a simple, healthy, and a delicious way to use up leftover holiday ham.
The perfect cold weather weeknight meal!
Crockpot Country Cube Steak
Country Style Crockpot Cube Steak makes a melt-in-your-mouth comfort food dinner. Simply prep the ingredients and let your slow cooker do all the work.
Chicken and Mushroom Pie
Chicken and Mushroom Pie is wonderfully hearty and comforting.
Encased in a buttery pastry crust with creamy gravy and tender chicken and mushrooms, this cozy dinner is perfect for winter Sunday dinners.
Slow Cooker Lamb Ragu
This warming slow cooker Lamb Ragu is the perfect comfort food. Throw it all in the slow cooker in the morning for a delicious effortless meal at dinner time.
Easy Spicy Sausage Penne
If you are looking for a quick and flavorful dinner option featuring sausage, you will LOVE this recipe.
Tender penne pasta, golden sauteed sausage, and irresistible tomato sauce combine to make the perfect Spicy Sausage Pasta.
Sausage Vegetable Bean Casserole
Sausage Vegetable Bean Casserole is a go-to hearty meal, which is comforting and full of Mediterranean flavors.
With vegetables and beans included in this family-friendly, one-pot meal, you require little more than some crusty bread to serve with it.
Italian Chicken Stew
Chicken Spezzatino is a delicious and savory Italian chicken stew. Bone-in chicken pieces are cooked in a rich sauce made with loads of onions, white wine and herbs.
Potatoes thicken the sauce and turn this amazing stew into a hearty rustic meal.
Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake
Creamy Tuna Pasta Bake is a comforting classic, budget-friendly family dinner on the table in 45 minutes using pantry staples.
Pasta is mixed with a homemade creamy sauce, tuna and sweetcorn, sprinkled with cheese then baked until golden in this versatile recipe.
Easy Homemade Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese
Loved for generations, this hearty Italian pasta dish features layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and a rich and creamy ricotta cheese filling.
It’s comforting, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd or a cozy family dinner.
Beef and Guinness Stew
There’s nothing quite like a beef and Guinness stew on a cold day!
Tender chunks of beef, onions, carrots and parsnips slowly cooked in a rich, aromatic Guinness gravy. Stovetop, oven, and slow cooker instructions included.
Pasta Spinach Meatball Soup
This easy Meatball Pasta soup is ready to serve quickly and easily with pantry staples and supermarket shortcuts (ie. frozen meatballs). It’s super flavorful and family-friendly too!
Tater Tot Chili Casserole
Tater Tot Chili Casserole is made with a hearty, homemade chili that’s loaded with ground beef, tomatoes, beans, and spices, then topped with shredded cheese and tater tots that get baked to crispy perfection.
Simple Baked Tuscan Chicken
Cozy and comforting creamy Baked Tuscan Chicken is a simple take on a classic dish. A dump and bake chicken breast recipe that can be prepped and served in about 30 minutes.
Steak and Ale Pot Pies
This hearty, beefy twist on traditional pot pie is hard to pass up! I can just envision ordering it at an English pub on a chilly day.
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
These Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes are so simple to make and fun to eat. They’re perfect for busy winter weeknights, to serve on game day, and can be made hours in advance until you’re ready to eat.
Beef Enchilada Casserole
Beef Enchilada Casserole is easier and quicker to make than traditional enchiladas.
Each bite is packed with beefy cheesy flavor with a bit of a kick. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Loaded Potato Soup is simple and easy and ready in just about 30 minutes on the stove top!
This creamy soup is a satisfying dinner that your whole family will love and is totally comforting.
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
Believe me, you’ll want to indulge in this creamy, cheesy Slow Cooker Crack Chicken.
A flavorful blend of shredded chicken, cream cheese, Ranch seasoning, and bacon. Effortlessly create a simple, addictive, and flavor-packed meal for any occasion.
Easy Baked Lamb Chops
Baked Lamb Chops are incredibly easy and cook in about 15 minutes.
You can even add veggies in the same pan for a one-pan dinner. Serve this with the amazing mint chimichurri sauce, which is also very easy to make.
Creamy Clam Chowder In A Bread Bowl
Creamy Clam Chowder in a bread bowl is rich and delicious with lots of sweet tender clams and potatoes.
Full of real ingredients with no fillers, this clam chowder is the real deal. With just 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of simmering, it's ready in no time!
Ready to make some cozy cold weather comfort foods?
I hope this list of winter comfort food dinners has given you lots of ideas for what to cook this season.
From casseroles and stews to cozy crockpot meals and kid-friendly weeknight dinners, there are enough ideas to inspire you all winter long.
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50 Healthy Winter Dinners to Nourish You on Cold Days