31 Easy Recipes You Should Make This Month
Happy New Year! After all the holiday menu planning and cookie baking in December, January is the ideal time to slow down. And for us, it also means resetting with super-easy weeknight meals. Our roundup of the best January recipes highlights the hearty, warming dishes that bring comfort during cold winter days.
From cozy soups and chili to easy weeknight pastas and one-pan meals, we’ve got you covered. And don’t forget dessert! We have low-effort cookies and bars that the whole family will love.
Below are 31 recipes to provide you with inspiration throughout the month, including favorites that The Kitchn editors are most excited to make. Let’s make this January a delicious and fulfilling start to 2024!
French Onion Baked Potatoes French Onion Baked Potatoes
Recipe Director, Lauren Miyashiro, can't wait to try these cheesy baked potatoes with jammy caramelized onions. "Our super-seasoned cross-tester says this is one of the best recipes she's EVER made. I can't not make them."
Baked Chicken Parmesan Baked Chicken Parmesan
This baked chicken Parm is a faster, easier version of the beloved Italian classic. Perfect for when you're tired from all the holiday cooking.
Beef Tips Recipe Beef Tips Recipe
This cozy recipe for braised beef was one of our most popular recipes in 2023. It's a must-make while it's still cold out.
Best-Ever Classic Minestrone Soup Best-Ever Classic Minestrone Soup
Staff Writer, Patty Catalano, calls for classic minestrone on chilly winter nights. "This minestrone soup is my favorite thing to cook in January because it is cozy and packed with vegetables. Ina taught me to stir in a spoonful of pesto to add a huge hit of flavor."
3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Craving something sweet? These peanut butter cookies are soft, chewy, and ready in less than 30 minutes.
Chicken Alfredo Pasta Chicken Alfredo Pasta
The new year is a good time to revisit the basics. Make this creamy chicken fettuccini Alfredo once, and you'll be making it on repeat for months to come.
Classic Chili Classic Chili
This classic beef chili recipe is a winter staple. Load it with your favorite fixings. (We're partial to cheddar, sour cream, and scallions!)
Perfect Roast Chicken Perfect Roast Chicken
Senior Lifestyle Editor, Mara Weinraub, praises the versatility of a classic roast chicken. "Roasting a chicken is one of my favorite ways to feel very accomplished in the kitchen with a surprisingly small amount of effort. Plus the leftovers can be thrown into so many things ... and then there's stock to be made (for a more ambitious day)."
Creamy Tortellini Soup Creamy Tortellini Soup
Perfect for chilly weather, this vegetarian soup has a creamy tomato-based broth loaded with tender tortellini and spinach.
One-Pan Chicken & Potatoes One-Pan Chicken & Potatoes
When you find yourself in an inevitable dinner rut, make this cozy skillet dinner with crispy-skinned chicken thighs, creamy potatoes, and tangy feta.
Carbonara Carbonara
Senior Food Editor, Kristina Razon, says you can't go wrong with rich and creamy spaghetti carbonara. "Just four ingredients and 30 minutes? Sold!"
Brown Butter Skillet Brownie Brown Butter Skillet Brownie
Add brown butter to the batter, bake in a skillet, and all of a sudden you've got a swoon-worthy dessert fit for a celebration.
Pasta alla Boscaiola Pasta alla Boscaiola
Made with dried mushrooms, tomato sauce, and heavy cream, pasta alla boscaiola will be your new favorite Italian comfort food.
Garlic Bread Garlic Bread
Senior Food Editor, Kristina Razon, is putting this ultimate garlic bread recipe on repeat. "I already made Patty's recipe for garlic bread once but I plan on making it again very very soon!"
Beef Ragù Beef Ragù
Whether you toss it with pasta or serve it over creamy polenta, you can't go wrong with this cozy Italian-style meat sauce.
Creamy White Lasagna Soup Creamy White Lasagna Soup
Everything you love about the classic cheesy pasta, without the fuss.
Spanakopita Kale Salad Spanakopita Kale Salad
Culinary Producer, Rachel Perlmutter, is excited to make this chopped kale salad. "In January I usually feel a little bogged down from a haze of holiday food and this salad looks so good."
One-Pan Caramelized Apples & Pork Chops One-Pan Caramelized Apples & Pork Chops
Cozy up with a skillet of these juicy, tender pork chops with stewed apples and caramelized shallots.
Easy Slow Cooker Potato Soup Easy Slow Cooker Potato Soup
This slow cooker twist on classic potato soup is the perfect winter dinner for a crowd.
Milk Tea Milk Tea
Senior Food Editor, Kristina Razon, will be cozying up to a steaming mug of milk tea in January. "I love milk tea and can't wait to try this version specifically because it doesn't call for canned milk."
Absolute Best Instant Pot Beef Stew Absolute Best Instant Pot Beef Stew
Tender beef stew made in the Instant Pot in less than an hour.
Broccoli Bacon Salad Broccoli Bacon Salad
Broccoli shows off its versatility in this crunchy, nutty make-ahead salad, but the real star is the sweet, creamy dressing.
Chocolate Chip Scones Chocolate Chip Scones
Senior Lifestyle Editor, Mara Weinraub, will be baking one of her faves. "Patty's scone recipe forever has my heart."
French Onion Chicken Soup French Onion Chicken Soup
'Tis the season for soups. In this recipe, the best of both worlds — chicken noodle soup and French onion soup — combine in one cozy pot.
Egg Roll Skillet Egg Roll Skillet
Senior Recipe Editor, Christine Gallary, is looking forward to making this quick one-pan dinner again and again. "January usually has me craving veggies and protein after all the holiday sweets and starch, and this quick stir-fry always fits the bill."
Better-than-the-Box Rice Krispies Treats Better-than-the-Box Rice Krispies Treats
Give the minimalist dessert a maximalist upgrade with brown butter.
Creamy Chicken Soup Creamy Chicken Soup
-Chicken soup with vegetables and herbs is pure cold-weather comfort food, and this version takes it up a notch with a luxe, creamy broth.
Anchovy Carbonara Anchovy Carbonara
Culinary Producer, Rachel Perlmutter, raids her pantry for this weeknight-friendly pasta carbonara. "I want cozy creamy pasta and I want to work through my perilously overflowing tinned fish shelf!"
Gnocchi Aglio e Olio Gnocchi Aglio e Olio
This crispy, pan-fried gnocchi is tossed with spicy garlic oil and arugula to make a complete one-pan meal.
Gochujang Chicken Noodle Soup Gochujang Chicken Noodle Soup
The Korean red chili paste levels up chicken noodle soup with the perfect amount of heat.
Weeknight White Chicken Chili Weeknight White Chicken Chili
Culinary Producer, Kelli Foster, will be making one of her favorite recipes. "Come January all I crave is cozy comfort food, and topping the list is white chicken chili. I've been making this recipe for years and like to shorten the prep and cook time by using a rotisserie chicken."
