85+ Recipes to Make this Winter

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Winter is a great time to get out of the cold and into the kitchen! Here are over 85 of my Favorite Winter recipes that will not disappoint! From nourishing soups to hearty pastas and rich stews, there’s a tasty winter recipe for everyone. Easy to make, comforting, and – of course – so good!!

Table of Contents

1. Reasons to Make Winter Recipes
2. Tips for Winter Recipes
3. My Favorite Winter Recipes
4. Frequently asked questions
5. Full list of recipes

When those cold nights draw in, cozy up to one of these 85+ Winter recipes! Easy to make with simple ingredients, these cold weather dishes are rich in flavor and super satisfying. Winter is the season for comfort food! These cold weather recipes are all whipped up with ease and destined to warm up those chilly evenings!

Reasons to Make Winter Recipes

• Winter recipes are the ultimate comfort food. Cold weather is the time to bring on cozy and comforting flavors and textures.
• Embrace seasonal freshness. Winter recipes are often packed with vibrant and hearty veggies like root vegetables, winter squashes, and delicious greens. They’re more affordable during the cold season but also tastier too!
• Meal-prep convenience. Cold weather recipes, especially stews and soups, are well-suited for batch cooking. Double the recipe to feed your family and feed the freezer for a future meal.
• Incorporate cost-effective ingredients more. Many of these easy winter meals include budget friendly ingredients like hearty whole grains and legumes like chickpeas and beans. These economical choices stretch your food budget while providing you with wholesome and satisfying dishes.

Tips for Winter Recipes

1. Use the slow cooker to serve up wholesome and comforting food. Slow cookers are great for chili, stews, and soups. Just pop the ingredients in the morning of, and by dinner time you’ll have a hearty meal to satisfy the entire family.
2. Cook in batches! Double up recipe ingredients and make bigger batches, making weeknight meals less of a hassle and freezing some for later.
3. Deliver the flavor of the outdoors, indoors, with the broiler. Take that BBQ vibe inside and use your broiler to grill up a variety of meat and veggies.
4. Make the most of winter-friendly produce. Keep things seasonal with delicious produce such as beets, Brussels sprouts, apples, and cauliflower. Grab my full guide on what’s in season during the winter.
5. Use warming spices and seasonings. Add warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic powder, cumin, and ginger to your recipes. Simple blends like sumac, 7 spice, and Cajun seasoning instantly add flavor to meats and veggies.
6. Make soup regularly. Soups and stews are versatile and usually come with a nourishing blend of vegetables, proteins, and whole grains – all in one pot. Plus, making winter soup recipes in large batches is an excellent way to meal prep and provide comforting leftovers on busy winter days.

My Favorite Winter Recipes

Looking for cozy winter dinner recipes to warm up your evenings? Check out some of these comforting dishes that are perfect for chilly nights. Enjoy a variety of delicious and easy-to-make meals, including soups, pasta dishes, stews, chilis, casseroles, and sheet pan meals.

Most Popular Feel Good Foodie Recipes for Winter!

• Mediterranean White Bean Soup – If you’re looking for a satisfying meat-less soup recipe, look no further. This soup recipe has no fancy ingredients yet loaded with flavor and plant-based protein. It’s a hit for a reason!
• Baked Feta Pasta – This fuss-free dish features a creamy sauce made from feta and tomatoes tossed into spaghetti. It checks off all the comfort food boxes, making it a perfect addition to your repertoire of easy winter meals.
• Easy Stovetop Beef Stew – Deliciously satisfying and made in one pot, this stovetop beef stew will become one of your regular winter soup recipes. It’s full of tender and flavorful chunks of beef and lots of hearty veggies!
• Cast Iron Pizza – One of the best dinner ideas for winter is this unique twist on traditional pizza. This upside-down pizza is a family favorite and an effortless dinner everyone will enjoy!
• Creamy Vegetable Soup – Cozy, comforting, and the most perfect way to warm up on a chilly winter night. This easy vegetable soup is popular for a reason – it’s quick to throw together, completely vegan, and irresistibly creamy thanks to the starch in potatoes.
• Roasted Chicken with Garlic & Herbs – Every cook needs a good roasted chicken recipe in their repertoire of healthy winter recipes. This flavorful dish features juicy chicken, aromatic garlic, and a medley of herbs for a nourishing meal perfect for colder days.
• Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta – Marinara sauce serves its purpose, but when you’re ready to try something new – let this red pepper pasta rock your world! It’s creamy, rich in flavor, and comforting in texture that pairs so well with any pasta of choice.
• Lebanese Mujadara – This is one of those recipes you’ll go back to repeatedly. Packed with wholesome goodness of lentils, rice, and caramelized onions, it’s a nutritious and comforting dish that perfectly fits the bill for easy winter meals.

Winter Pasta Recipes

• Creamy Tomato Cottage Cheese Pasta – Twenty minutes and 6 basic ingredients is all you need to whip up this creamy dish. Perfect for cold weather, this recipe offers the convenience of one-pot prep and delivers a quick and satisfying meal.
• Chicken Fajita Pasta – You’ll love this Mexican-inspired pasta recipe. It’s loaded with flavor, high in protein, and simple to make, making it one of the best cold weather recipes to have in your back pocket.
• Creamy Pumpkin Pasta – Easy to make and ready to serve in minutes, this creamy pasta is a tasty fall and winter dish that the whole family will love. The magic is in homemade pumpkin puree mixed with half and half and seasoned with a touch of nutmeg to give it that perfect warmth.
• Baked Macaroni and Cheese – Take a classic, top it with crispy panko breadcrumbs, and bake it to golden perfection. It’s a kid favorite that’s sophisticated enough for adults, with robust flavors from gruyere and cheddar cheese with a little tang of Dijon mustard.
• Pasta Bolognese – Say goodbye to boring jarred spaghetti sauce and say hello to homemade bolognese, where depth of flavor is added with each ingredient. It’s delicious, hearty, and impressive enough for a dinner party.
• Cheese Stuffed Shells – Jumbo pasta shells are stuffed with a velvety mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese and baked in marinara sauce for an easy weekday family-friendly meal.
• Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta – What better way to enjoy winter squashes than in a creamy pasta dish? This deliciously dreamy pasta is a great meat-free meal perfect for a cozy night in and makes an excellent addition to your list of easy winter meals.
• Baked Pasta with Ground Turkey – Made with whole wheat pasta, lean ground turkey, and homemade marinara sauce, this baked pasta dish will quickly become one of your favorite cold weather recipes to cozy up to.

Best Winter Casseroles & Bakes

• Chicken and Rice Casserole – Healthy, hearty, and a total comfort food. This chicken and rice casserole has all the warm and nostalgic flavors and textures from the creamy mushroom sauce, rice, and chicken.
• Ground Beef Casserole – All your favorites in one dish – savory browned beef, pasta, marinara sauce, and a cheesy layer of mozzarella for an easy weeknight dinner. This casserole dish will easily become one of your favorite easy winter meals.
• Homemade Lasagna – Nothing beats a classic homemade lasagna when it comes to comforting dinner ideas for winter. It’s a complete meal that’s also a great crowd-pleaser and an excellent freezer meal.
• Eggplant Pasta Casserole – Eggplant replaces meat in this delicious pasta bake. With chunks of roasted eggplant, hearty tomato sauce, and melted cheese come together to create a flavorful and satisfying meatless dish.
• Chicken Broccoli Casserole – An easy way to jazz up healthy winter recipes is to incorporate more veggies. This tasty casserole does just that – combining tender chicken, hearty quinoa, vibrant broccoli, and a creamy sauce for a wholesome and satisfying meal.
• Potato Cauliflower Bake – Whether you serve this as a side dish or a meatless main, one thing is certain – this flavorful and comforting dish made with potatoes, cauliflower, seasonings, milk, and cheese will leave your taste buds satisfied.
• Easy Eggplant Moussaka – With impressive flavor and stunning presentation, this moussaka is surprisingly easy to make and will surely be a hit with everyone. Layered with spiced meat, eggplant slices, and creamy bechamel, it’s one of the best dinner ideas for winter.
• Easy Baked Spaghetti – This easy and tasty casserole meal is a family fave and for good reason. It requires little prep and made with mostly pantry staples. Kids love the comforting flavors and moms appreciate the simplicity, making it a go-to option for busy weeknights.
• Brussels Sprout Casserole – Easy to make and so creamy and cheesy! It’s an excellent side dish that transforms humble Brussels sprouts into a crowd-pleasing masterpiece. Elevate cold weather recipes by pairing any main course with this comforting casserole.
• Macarona Bechamel – Get ready for the ultimate comfort food made in one casserole dish! A delicious blend of ground beef, pasta, and bechamel sauce is one of the best dinner ideas for winter. It’s fancy, cheesy, satisfying, and oh-so-delicious!

Cozy Winter Soup Recipes

• Roasted Red Pepper Soup – If you’re looking for a hearty yet vegetable-based soup, this one will be a huge hit! It’s made with onions, carrots, celery, roasted bell peppers, and seasoned with herbs and spices. Full of flavor and so easy to make!
• Baked Feta Soup – You will love this soup if you love the viral feta pasta dish. This is a delicious twist on traditional tomato soup, made with orzo pasta, salty feta cheese, and sweet cherry tomatoes.
• Chicken Lemon Rice Soup – Add this chicken soup to your collection of winter soup recipes. It’s hearty, yet not too heavy. Light yet fully satisfying. It’s heartwarming, nutritious, and oh-so-delicious!
• Beef Barley Soup – There’s nothing more comforting than a big pot of homemade beef and barley soup to cozy up to on a cold winter day. This soup is easy to make and the end result is a nourishing bowl of warmth.
• Chicken Vegetable Soup – Wholesome and comforting, this healthy chicken soup will be one of your favorite cold winter recipes to serve your loved ones. It’s made in one pot and meal-prep friendly, so you can double batch and freeze for later.
• French Onion Soup – Made with onions, red wine vinegar, beef broth, butter, and a few spices, this French onion soup is a labor of love worth every moment spent in the kitchen. It’s deeply flavored with gooey melted cheese, creating a classic and comforting dish.
• Chicken Wild Rice Soup – When it comes to comforting winter soup recipes, nothing is more fitting than a creamy bowl of chicken wild rice soup. You’ll love this version – it’s hearty without weighing you down and has the perfect balance of flavors.
• Lasagna Soup – This one-pot soup is comfort in a bowl. Made with veggies, ground beef, broken lasagna noodles, and lots of flavor, this is a perfect soul-soothing dish to ward off winter chills and satisfy your cravings for comfort food.
• Turkey Rice Soup – Whether you use leftover Thanksgiving turkey from the back of your freezer or freshly made shredded chicken, this turkey and vegetable soup will be a comforting hit. It’s healthy, satisfying, and oh-so-good.

Chili and Stew Winter Recipes

• Sweet Potato Chili – Basic in ingredients but sophisticated in flavor. This sweet potato chili has a sweet smoky hint and packed with protein and fiber. It’s vegan, grain-free, dairy-free, but most importantly fuss-free.
• Vegetarian Black Bean Chili – Made with quinoa and black beans, this chili is a delicious meat-free version perfect for a cold winter night. Packed with hearty ingredients and robust flavors, it provides a satisfying and wholesome option as one of the best dinner ideas for winter all season long.
• Chicken Bean Stew – Made with simple ingredients, this Lebanese bean stew calls for minimal prep, loaded with flavor, and perfect for make-ahead and freezer meals. You’ll love the tasty blend of aromatic spices, tender chicken, and wholesome beans.
• Peas and Carrots Stew – Hearty stews are one of the best cold weather recipes. They’re satisfying, comforting, and so good. And this one is no exception. It’s made with chunks of beef, carrots, and peas, and seasoned with 7 spice and tomato sauce for a Lebanese comfort food that the whole family will love.
• Eggplant Stew – This Middle Eastern stew is a robust dish made with chickpeas, harissa tomato base, and eggplants. It’s full of flavor, easy to make, vegetarian one-pot wonder that everyone can warm up to.
• Vegetable Stew – This recipe hits all the marks for a wholesome and comforting bowl of chunky vegetable stew. It has hearty vegetables simmered in a rich and robust tomato broth and is family-friendly and kid-approved—a must-make to add to your healthy winter recipes list.
• Cassava Stew (Yabeh) – Made with cassava and sweet potatoes or yams cooked in a spicy tomato broth for a hearty and filling stew. This comforting dish captures the traditional West African flavors, offering a satisfying blend of starchy texture and a touch of warm spices, perfect for a cozy winter meal.
• Instant Pot Beef Stew – Tender beef, potatoes, veggies, and lots of delicious savory flavors, this beef stew is guaranteed to be a hit this winter season. The convenience of your pressure cooker makes this a must-try addition to your collection of winter soup recipes.
• Easy White Chicken Chili – With just 10 minutes of prep time, this chicken chili must be on your list of healthy winter recipes this year. It’s full of hearty and nutritious ingredients and perfectly seasoned for a family favorite meal.

Easy Winter Meals in One Pan

• One Pan Chicken and Potatoes – When it comes to easy dinner ideas for winter, nothing is simpler than a one-pan meal. This chicken and potato dish is easy to prep with a handful of simple ingredients and is a great go-to for a delicious family meal.
• Broccoli Mac and Cheese – Nothing is more comforting than a bowl of mac and cheese. Add in some nutrient-dense broccoli florets, and you have an irresistible dish that kids and adults will both love!
• One Pot Chicken and Rice – What’s better than a cozy, complete meal loaded with veggies that your kids will drool over? This one-pot wonder simplifies your dinner routine and ensures a kid-friendly feast with tender chicken, flavorful rice, and a medley of veggies.
• Red Curry Shrimp With Coconut – Elevate your collection of healthy winter recipes with this Thai-inspired dish. The lime, cilantro, and red curry paste give the shrimp a wonderful curry zing, while coconut milk adds rich creaminess.
• One Pan Shrimp and Rice – Quick and easy to make, this dish is ready to serve in 30 minutes. Everything is cooked in one pot for a well-balanced meal that the whole family will love. The best part? It has very simple ingredients that you likely have in your fridge or pantry.
• One Pan Pasta – This is such an easy family friendly meal that you can quickly whip on on a busy winter weeknight. No need to boil the pasta first – add everything to the pan and let your stove do all the work.
• Vegan Lentil Chili – Hearty, perfectly warming, and easy to make, this lentil chili will quickly become one of your favorite healthy winter recipes that’ll be on repeat this season. It’s a great Instant Pot recipe that’s hands-off and ready in 30 minutes.
• Easy One-Pot Ravioli Soup – This ravioli soup brings bold flavors of ground beef, tomatoes, and fresh basil together in one of the best winter soup recipes you’ll ever have. It’s hearty and oh-so-delicious!

Sheet-Pan Easy Winter Meals

• Sheet Pan Pizza – This sheet pan pizza is quick and easy to make and makes one of the best cold weather recipes. Made with homemade pizza dough and topped with fresh ingredients, this deep dish style pizza will be a huge hit!
• Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas – Packed with flavor, 10-minute prep, and made on one sheet pan? Yes, please! This recipe must be added to your rotation of easy winter meals for a quick, easy, and fuss-free option that delivers on taste every time.
• Panko Crusted Sheet Pan Salmon – Panko-crusted salmon is topped with a tangy Dijon mustard and mayo sauce and oven-baked with fresh asparagus for an easy sheet pan dinner. Add a side of brown rice to complete the meal, or serve it as is – it’s delicious either way.
• Layerless Lasagna – You’ll love the modern twist to a classic recipe. This sheet pan lasagna offers a fresh approach to traditional lasagna but has the same familiar flavors using a much simpler and easier method.
• Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas – Bell peppers, onions, and steak, oh my! This sheet pan dinner is one of my favorite easy winter meals and for good reason. It’s made in 12 minutes, has very minimal cleaning, and zero fuss.
• Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon – Seasoned salmon is cooked on the same sheet pan with green beans and potatoes for an easy family dinner you won’t resist. You’ll love the zesty lemon and aromatic garlic infused in every bite, creating a simple yet delicious dish that makes dinner prep a breeze and offers major flavor.
• Sheet Pan Nachos – These are a kid-favorite that adults love to enjoy as well. Load up the nachos with all the good stuff for a fun way to serve a crowd. Tortilla chips, taco meat, black beans, and cheese are baked on one baking sheet to deliver perfectly crispy and melty texture in every bite.

Vegetarian Dinner Ideas for Winter

• Whole Roasted Cauliflower – If you haven’t tried roasting a whole cauliflower, you’re missing out. It’s super simple to make yet packed with flavor from that irresistible butter garlic crust. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to plain old roasted cauliflower again.
• Creamy Vegan Cashew Tomato Pasta – Made with silky cashew sauce, caramelized onions, tomatoes, and a hint of spice. Take your easy winter meals to a new level with this wholesome and hearty option.
• Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Bowl – Packed full of superfoods from quinoa to oven-roasted vegetables, and an abundance of herbs, this is one simple veggie bowl that everyone will love. Drizzle some authentic tahini sauce and you have a delicious meal ready to serve in under 30 minutes.
• Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie – Shepherd’s pie is a classic comfort food, but you don’t have to miss out on the hearty goodness if you’re vegetarian. This meatless version offers those familiar flavors from a savory blend of mushrooms, quinoa, and lots of veggies smothered in a rich gravy sauce.
• Baked Eggplant Parmesan – This baked eggplant dish is a lighter twist on the classic Italian recipe. Eggplant slices are dredged in panko breadcrumbs and roasted in high temperatures to recreate that fried texture but much better for you and still so irresistibly delicious!
• Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad – Winter squashes are at their peak, and this vibrant salad celebrates all their hearty flavors. Roasted butternut squash, nutty quinoa, kale, and pomegranate seeds come together to create a satisfying and nutritious dish.
• Farro Grain Bowl – Satisfy that craving for something hearty and delicious with a touch of crunch with this grain bowl. It’s the perfect addition to your collection of healthy winter recipes that bring both warmth and nourishment to your table.
• Red Lentil Curry – Humble lentils get a makeover with this hearty Indian-inspired vegan recipe. Red lentils are cooked in a creamy tomato-based sauce with sweet potatoes for a wholesome and satisfying dish that’s oh-so-good!
• Mushroom & Peas Risotto – This quick version of risotto offers creamy, cheesy delight perfectly flavored with savory mushrooms and tasty peas, making it an excellent choice when it comes to cold weather recipes.
• Roasted Butternut Squash Soup – Oven-roasted butternut squash comes together with coconut milk, vegetable broth, cinnamon, and ginger for a cozy vegan soup that anyone can warm up to on a chilly day.

Lebanese Dinner Recipes for Winter

• Baked Za’atar Chicken – This chicken comes out perfectly savory and juicy and deliciously seasoned with Middle Eastern flavors. Pair it with couscous or rice, a fresh salad, and warm pita bread for a satisfying meal.
• Shish Barak – Lebanese dumplings made with a savory blend of ground beef, spices, and pine nuts simmered in a creamy mint yogurt sauce for a delicious and cozy meal on cold winter days.
• Mujadara Hamra – This is a nutritious and comforting Middle Eastern dish made with lentils, bulgur wheat, caramelized onions, and cumin. It’s easy to prepare, making it a perfect addition to your repertoire of easy winter meals.
• Lebanese Chicken and Rice – Wholesome goodness meets ease and convenience in this flavorful dish. Tender chicken, aromatic spices, and fluffy rice come together effortlessly to create a satisfying meal that captures the deliciousness of Lebanese cuisine.
• Lebanese Potato Souffle – This is a Lebanese version of Shepherd’s pie and offers the same nostalgic feel. Made with creamy mashed potatoes and a spiced ground beef filling, this comfort food is one of the best dinner ideas for winter time.
• Musakhan – Hearty, festive, and oh-so-delicious! Palestinian chicken musakhan is a popular recipe in the Middle East with very minimal ingredients. Sumac and 7 Spice flavored chicken, caramelized onions, and a crispy flatbread come together to bring warmth and deliciousness to your table.
• Kafta and Potato Stew – This traditional Lebanese potato stew is a hearty meal that will become one of your favorite winter soup recipes. It starts with seasoned meatballs cooked in a rich tomato sauce with other veggies and served over Lebanese rice.
• Lebanese Freekeh Soup with Chicken – Rich in deep flavors from homemade 7 Spice blend and packed with tender shredded chicken, this soup has the perfect combination of zesty tomatoes, hearty freekeh, and fresh onions, making it so irresistibly delicious.
• Stuffed Cabbage Rolls – A mixture of rice, ground beef, and spices are stuffed inside cabbage leaves and cooked in a cumin and lemon garlic sauce until perfectly tender and oh-so-flavorful.
• Hummus with Ground Beef – Change things up for dinner and serve spiced ground beef over hummus. This authentic and popular Middle Eastern meal is made with creamy hummus, beef, and pine nuts. Scoop a hearty serving into pita bread or flatbread for a unique yet tasty twist on dinner.

More winter dinner recipes to try

• Chicken Meatballs with Marinara – These chicken meatballs are juicy, tender, and full of garlicky flavor. Paired with a robust homemade marinara sauce, this is one of my favorite family-friendly dinner ideas for winter. Easy to make. Hearty and delicious. And kid-approved!
• Beef Stroganoff – This creamy homemade beef stroganoff features tender beef and savory mushrooms in a lightened-up creamy sauce made with Greek yogurt. Serve over egg noodles, white rice, or mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food.
• Rosemary Roasted Whole Chicken – Cold weather recipes aren’t the same without a whole roasted chicken. This one comes with irresistible, perfectly crispy, buttery skin and juicy meat cooked over shallots in a cast iron skillet.
• Baked Lamb Chops – Oven-roasted lamb chops start with a simple marinade consisting of rosemary, fresh lemon, garlic, and olive oil. Seared in cast iron and then finished to melt-in-your-mouth perfection in the oven for an elegant protein that makes any weeknight dinner special.
• Pomegranate Roasted Chicken Thighs – Chicken is tossed in a flavorful marinade using za’atar seasoning and pomegranate molasses, giving the dish an intense sweet and sour flavor that is unbeatable.
• Coconut Curry Chicken – This simplified version of curry will become one of your favorite healthy winter recipes to warm up to. Instead of individual spices, you would need just a few spoonfuls of curry powder to give this recipe robust flavor.
• Lentil Shepherd’s Pie – You’ll love this delicious vegan version of a classic dish. It’s made hearty with lentils, veggies, spices, and mashed potato topping. It’s great as a winter side dish but hearty enough to serve as a main course.

Frequently asked questions

This collection of winter recipes is like a warm hug for your taste buds. From hearty winter soup recipes to cozy casseroles and everything in between, these cold weather recipes are your go-to comfort food lineup for chilly days.

Full list of recipes

Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipes cards to take you directly to those recipes.

For more similar roundup of recipes, be sure to check out: Healthy Soup Recipes, New Year’s Eve Recipes, Best Pasta Recipes, and Best Christmas Cookies.

If you have tried any of these 85+ Favorite Winter recipes  or any other recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making the recipes. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!