90 Winter Dinners That'll Give You An Excuse To Stay In (Read: Hibernate) (2024)

Sorry salads, you're on the backburner.

By Taylor Worden and Mackenzie Filson
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Though we obviously love cooking year-round, there's something extra special about creating kitchen magic during the wintertime. Our ovens warm up the kitchen and the meals that come out of them are beyond cozy and comforting. Creamy soups, easy casseroles, and hearty baked pasta dishes that give us all the cozy feelings are the name of the game. To help you warm up this winter, we've compiled our favorite easy dinner recipes to give you plenty of weeknight dinner inspo all season long. While the cold winds blow outside, cozy up to one of these 90 warming winter dinners to keep the whole family happy and satisfied.

No matter what you crave during the colder months, we have a recipe here for you. We let winter flavors and produce shine in many of these recipes, including our , our , our vegan shepherd's pie, and our cabbage roll skillet. If you can't help but eat soup all season long (relatable!), you won't be able to get enough of our white chicken chili (or our gochujang version!), our chickpea noodle soup, our classic beef stew, and our creamy Tuscan chicken soup. Need something a bit heartier? Our slow-cooker pulled pork, our , our pot roast, and our sloppy Joe orzo will give you that warm, stick-to-your-ribs feeling we all want during colder weather.

The best part of these recipes? They're quick and easy, whether you're whipping up dinner for one or need to serve a crowd. Handy gadgets like the beloved Instant Pot and slow cooker make dinner prepping a breeze, while cozy casseroles—like our chicken pot pie casserole, our Reuben casserole, and our baked ziti—make weeknight dinners easier than ever.

Hungry for more winter inspo? Check out our top winter salads, our best winter co*cktails, and our favorite winter soups to complete your seasonal spread.

1

Chicken Pot Pie

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Truly comfort food at its finest, chicken pot pie represents the gorgeous marriage of a flaky, buttery crust with diced chicken, onions, carrots, and peas in a creamy sauce. While it's a dish that you can easily find pre-made in almost any grocery freezer aisle, we strongly believe that making your own is worth it.

Get the Chicken Pot Pie recipe.

2

Brown Stew Chicken

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Brown stew chicken might seem like a snooze of a name for a recipe, but don’t be fooled—Jamaica’s signature marvel of a dish offers a galaxy of flavors that explains its massive fan base on the island and among the country’s expats.

Get the Brown Stew Chicken recipe.

3

Sloppy Joe Orzo

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Think beyond the bun! You don’t need to sandwich a sloppy Joe to enjoy it; transform the classic comfort food into a date night staple with this sloppy Joe orzo instead.

Get the Sloppy Joe Orzo recipe.

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4

Chicken Noodle Soup

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Chicken noodle soup is one of the world’s most beloved comfort foods. Chunks of juicy chicken mingle with carrots, celery, and tender egg noodles in a deep, savory broth for a soup that'll transport you to Grandma’s table after just one spoonful.

Get the Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.

5

Sauerbraten

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Now famous for being the national dish of Germany, this “sour roast” usually consists of a large cut of beef, which is marinated for several days in a combination of red wine, vinegar, and spices. Our advice? Start marinating it midweek so it’s ready to be cooked on the weekend.

Get the Sauerbraten recipe.

6

Chicken Tamale Pie

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Our simple, flavor-packed cornbread provides the perfect base for the shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, and melty cheese in this recipe. If you're looking for the coziest weeknight dinner this September, this has gotta be next on your list.

Get the Chicken Tamale Pie recipe.

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7

Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo

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Filled with shrimp, sausage, and Cajun seasoning, hearty gumbo is the true melting-pot dish that will transport you straight to Louisiana after just one bite. It's a top-notch comfort food stew centered around a flavorful roux and the holy trinity of Southern cooking: aromatic onions, celery, and bell peppers.

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8

Amish Beef & Noodles

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The Amish have made many amazing contributions to the world of food, but no dish is more iconic than beef and noodles. Chunks of juicy slow-cooked beef mingling with tender egg noodles in a rich broth? It’s comfort in a bowl.

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9

Apple & Cranberry Roasted Chicken

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It’s so appealing to prepare a meal that comes together in one pan, especially one as flavorful and gorgeous as this one. This skillet combines chicken thighs with apples and cranberries—the perfect duo of sweet and tangy for this wintery dinner.

Get the .

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10

Beef Stew

No comfort food truly compares to classic beef stew. Complete with baby potatoes, veggies, and tender beef, this is a recipe you want to keep up your sleeve, whether you’re serving guests or looking for a make-ahead meal (that will get even better as the week goes on).

Get the Beef Stew recipe.

11

Skillet Chicken Cacciatore

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After a long day, this dish is oh so comforting, not in the least because it all comes together in one pot. Just don’t skip the Italian side dishes! We love this served on its own with crusty bread for dipping, or garlic bread if you're feeling fancy.

Get the Skillet Chicken Cacciatore recipe.

12

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup

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Here, we upgrade classic chicken soup with a creamy broth infused with Italian ingredients inspired by Tuscany: pasta, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, kale, and basil. Rich and flavorful, this gorgeous soup serves a crowd, and it’s fit for any winter occasion.

Get the Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup recipe.

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13

Kimchi Tofu Stew

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Inspired by Korean sundubu-jjigae, this is a fast, easy meal that's still BIG on flavor. Both spicy and savory—thanks to a hefty dollop of gochujang (a fermented chili paste) and a mixture of fresh ginger, garlic, and scallions, this tofu stew is an amazingly satisfying vegetarian meal.

Get the Kimchi Tofu Stew recipe.

14

Beef Stroganoff

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Rich, warm, and full of flavor, beef stroganoff is the ultimate wintertime food. Buttery egg noodles are smothered in a creamy beef and mushroom gravy in this recipe, making it packed with flavor and super-filling.

Get the Beef Stroganoff recipe.

15

Copycat Costco Chicken Bake

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Seasoned chicken breast is paired with melty cheese, crispy bacon, and Caesar dressing in this recipe, all wrapped in pizza dough. The result is a handheld hearty meal that is perfect as an easy weeknight dinner. No annual fees required here!

Get the Copycat Costco Chicken Bake recipe.

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16

Salmon En Croute

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A cheesy, garlicky, spinach mixture is the perfect balance to a tender salmon fillet. Everything is nestled together in puff pastry, and after 20 minutes in the oven, you’ll have a buttery, flaky crust with perfectly tender salmon inside. Prepare to elevate your holiday dinner game!

Get the Salmon En Croute recipe.

17

Cracker Barrel Chicken & Dumplings

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Now you can make a steaming bowl of Cracker Barrel's classic, comforting dish at home! This copycat recipe pays homage to the purity of their recipe—there are no peas, carrots, veggies, or the like in the dish. Instead, serve it up with some veggie sides!

Get the .

18

Creamy Gochujang White Chicken Chili

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This creamy, red-tinted spin on white chicken chili incorporates gochujang for a unique spin on a classic winter dinner. The sweet and savory Korean red chili paste gives lots of chili flavor without adding a ton of heat, meaning this can be enjoyed by everyone (even the spice-averse).

Get the Creamy Gochujang White Chicken Chili recipe.

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19

Cassoulet

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Cassoulet, one of France’s most heralded and sublime dishes, is a formidable stew made of white beans, sausage, confit (usually duck), and pork. Put it at the top of your list of comfort foods to tackle this winter—you won’t regret it.

Get the Cassoulet recipe.

20

Homemade Mac & Cheese

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In our book, the perfect recipe has to nail three things: be extra creamy, plenty cheesy, and paired with a golden, crunchy topping. This tried-and-true recipe aces all of these requirements (and more!) with flying colors, so put that blue box back on the shelf.

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90 Winter Dinners That'll Give You An Excuse To Stay In (Read: Hibernate) (2024)
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