49 Winter Dinner Recipes Guaranteed To Keep You Warm
All the soups and casseroles you desire on chilly evenings.
When the days are shorter, the temperatures are lower, and holiday plans are making things a bit more hectic than usual, we look to our winter dinner staples to keep our families warm and full. The minute our coats come out of the closet, soups, stews, and casseroles are fair game (as if we haven't been making casseroles all summer, anyway!). Even if there's likely to be a heat wave at some point in mid-December, we all love to see our most comforting recipes awaken from their summer hiatus. Southerners are ready for winter cooking regardless of the forecast. From cheesy pasta bakes, like our Extra-Easy Lasagna or our Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole, to fresh Instant Pot options, like our Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast, we've pulled together some hearty winter dinner ideas the whole family will enjoy.
Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheddar Cheese
Roasted in all the right ways, this recipe is prime for your favorite grilled cheese. While we recommend an immersion blender to get the perfect puree, you can also easily transfer the hot soup into the blender a few batches at a time, making sure only to fill it halfway to allow for steam.
White Bean Chicken Chili
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This white bean chicken chili recipe has a secret ingredient that makes the flavor and consistency of the soup unmatched: tortilla chips, and no, we're not talking about the ones that top the bowl. Tortilla chips are processed with the bean mixture until smooth before being added back into the soup, which thickens the broth base while giving the soup a slight corn flavor.
Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings
Just when you think classic chicken and dumplings can't get any better, we introduce cornbread to the mix. This hearty, warm soup makes great leftovers so you can enjoy it again and again throughout the week.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
We could 't get enough of chicken pot pie, so we made it into a soup! Sit back and let your dutch oven work magic.
Homestyle Ground Beef Casserole
An egg noodle base and warm, four-cheese topping sandwich together a hearty ground beef mix in this easy dinner recipe. Feel free to prep ahead and freeze it until you are ready to serve.
Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
A new spin on the Delta classic, this pot roast is shockingly fast thanks to our favorite multicooker. No Instant Pot? No problem. This roast comes together beautifully in a slow cooker too.
Tortellini Mac and Cheese
This is a cheesy, creamy, crave-worthy dish that does not hold back on the dairy, or the flavor. Top with toasted bread crumbs to add a little crunch to each velvety bite.
New Orleans Red Beans And Rice
Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Easily feed a crowd with this classic New Orleans recipe, which can be modified to suit whatever's in your pantry.
Hamburger Stew
This lovely stew effortlessly combines all the flavors of a hamburger for when you're craving summer cookout flavors on a chilly winter day. Bonus - it easily serves 6 and is ready in under an hour.
Butternut Squash Lasagna
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Lucky for your tastebuds, butternut squash pairs well with a variety of flavors. This recipe is hearty enough to feed a family, whether you enjoy it yourself or gift it.
Harry Young's Burgoo Recipe
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox
This Kentucky stew was originally made in giant cauldrons known as burgoo kettles meant to feed a small town. Burgoo is still meant to be shared, but with large families instead of small towns.
Ham And Potato Soup
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
When you're craving something comforting but super easy, look no further than this ham and potato soup. It's ready within 45 minutes.
Soulful Chicken Soup
Chicken noodle soup almost defines comfort. Cooked low and slow, this slow-cooker chicken soup is the ultimate bowl of cozy for a chilly winter's evening.
7-Can Soup
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Comfort has never been easier. With just 7 canned ingredients commonly found in the pantry and a 25-minute preparation time, this soup is best for the coldest of winter nights.
Tortellini Soup
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Tomato soup, tortellini, and sausage is the pairing we never knew we needed. Throw it all in a pot and prepare for a bowl of hot, delicious goodness.
Butternut Squash Soup
Jessica Furniss
Despite using only a handful of ingredients, this soup is decadent and rich. Sweet butternut squash pairs wonderfully with tender with onions and garlic.
Old-Fashioned Chicken And Dumplings
No matter which dumpling style you prefer–soft drop-biscuit dumplings that float or small strips of pastry dropped into the bubbling pot and cut like noodles–this dish delivers the essential comfort and flavor you expect from chicken and dumplings.
Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie
Call us old-fashioned, but we always prefer homemade. One bite of this warm pot pie, and you'll agree. Frozen options just can't keep up.
Sloppy Joe Casserole
We can't guarantee it'll be mess-free, but we can promise this warm winter casserole will be a step up from the classic school cafeteria version from yesteryear. It's a hearty, crowd-pleasing casserole that is easy to make.
Quick Beef Chili
A warm bowl of chili in under an hour? If that's not comforting, we're not sure what is. This flavor-packed smooth chili is topped with fried onion rings, green onions, sour cream, and as much cheddar cheese as you desire.
King Ranch Chicken Mac and Cheese
The South's ultimate staples, king ranch chicken and macaroni-and-cheese, collide in a skillet dinner that's ready in just 45 minutes. This best-of-both-worlds recipe will be a star winter weeknight meal.
Easy Taco Casserole
Bring the warmth of a summer fiesta to the dinner table, regardless of the temperatures outside, with this classic casserole featuring fire-roasted tomatoes. We recommend serving with bowls of additional toppings including sliced olives, sour cream, jalapeños, and avocados.
Beef Stroganoff
It may sound like special occasion food, but our Beef Stroganoff is best paired with a cold weeknight and a glass of wine. The key to the perfect beef tips is to sear them well in the pan.
Extra-Easy Lasagna
We don't call this recipe extra-easy for nothing. Satisfying and speedy, it's sure to land on your go-to winter dinner recipe rotation.
Classic Patty Melt
Pair with a side of soup, and these patty melts on sourdough are dinner-ready. Get out your cast iron pan for this recipe—it does the best job of toasting the bread and cooking the patties to perfection.
Slow Cooker Goulash
Warm up the kitchen with this long-simmered, aromatic dish. Be sure to pick a roast with good marbling to make sure your sauce is just right.
Mini Meatloaves with Potatoes, Leeks, and Brussels Sprouts
Isn't everything just a little bit cuter when mini? When it comes to these individual mini meatloaves, we sure think so. Not only does everyone get their own meatloaf, but the entire meal comes together on a single sheet pan for easy cleanup.
Green Chile-Chicken Soup
Family-friendly and crowd-ready, you can freeze leftover soup in a jumbo muffin pan to create individual portions you can reheat later. Flavors like green enchilada sauce and a poblano chile pack some spice.
Quick and Easy Spaghetti Bolognese
When we say quick and easy, we mean it. This full-bodied pasta dish will set you up for success in just 25 minutes.
French Onion Soup Casserole
Who says soup has to be ladled? Complete with layers of baguette slices, this casserole will leave them begging for seconds.
Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
Put down the take-out menu. This beef and broccoli stir fry is restaurant-quality and ready in a fraction of the time (just 20 minutes!).
Beef Stew
Familiar yet never tiring, this beef stew is prepared in a Dutch oven for the best-browned meat base. While you may be tempted to grab stew meat from the store to save on time, it's well worth it to go for a well-marbled chuck roast.
Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
This pasta bake is begging you to take the easy route—we won't tell. Rotisserie chicken and store-bought sauces make a warm winter casserole nearly too good to be true.
Chicken Bog
The classic combination of chicken and rice is sped up in our 30-minute take on this traditional Lowcountry dish. Rice soaks up all of the crave-able flavors. This is a great choice for a cozy night in.
Chicken-Mushroom-Sage Casserole
Texture and flavor mingle in this elevated, mid-week chicken that brings the warm flavors of mushrooms, shallots, garlic, sage, and sherry together in one dish. Allow the dish to sit for a few minutes before serving, to give ample time for the rice to absorb the flavors.
Baked Chicken Thighs with Dressing
A sheet pan supper fit for any kind of feast, this chicken supper features toasty chunks of cornbread. It's important to cut the apples and veggies as directed so that they cook evenly on the pan.
Capitol Hill Bean Soup
Also known as "Senate Bean Soup," this hearty soup has been on the menu in the Senate's restaurant since 1903. Say hello to comfort food at its finest.
Classic Hoppin' John
Why wait for the New Year to serve a dish that promises prosperity? Bring this blend of rice and black-eyed peas to the table for a flavorful bowl of luck any time.
White Lightning Chicken Chili
This chicken chili is so fast, it just might be ready before you can even get all the kids to the table. This hearty chili is best served with homemade cornbread.
Harvest Salad
If you're craving something hearty, healthy, and satisfying, try our harvest salad for dinner tonight. You can add in some shredded chicken for extra protein.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Tomatoes, corn, and black beans shake hands with juicy chicken in this recipe. Tortilla strips, avocado, and limes make the perfect toppings for this classic Mexican soup.
Loaded Potato Soup
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
A comforting bowl of creamy potato soup is a Southern staple in winter months. Serve with all the toppings—bacon bits, cheese, and green onions—in bowls so guests can pick their favorites.
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Stacy K. Allen, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
This Texan casserole has all the Tex-Mex flavors you desire. This make-ahead casserole stays good in the fridge for up to four days and also will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months. Freeze in individual servings inside tightly wrapped aluminum foil bundles.
Cowboy Casserole
Meet the ultimate dump-and-bake dinner recipe. Plus, with tots on top, we can guarantee the kids won't put up a fight.
Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Potatoes
This Southern favorite dish makes for the perfect Winter night delight. Top with bacon, parsley, and hot sauce.
Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake
A pasta bake screams comfort, and this pasta-chicken-broccoli bake is no exception. Topped with grated cheese and buttery crackers, you might not be able to get enough of this scrumptious dish.
Country Captain Chicken
Served over a bed of rice, this Lowcountry dish mixes chicken with a tomato sauce seasoned with curry powder, nutmeg, and pepper. Use a high-quality curry powder for this recipe.
Lemon-Rosemary-Garlic Chicken and Potatoes
This herby sheet pan dinner is as easy to make as it is delightful to eat. It only takes 20 minutes on your feet, so you can sit back and relax prior to dinner time.
Poppy Seed Chicken
Poppy seed chicken never goes out of style. It's a one-pot meal that makes for easy breezy clean-up and is sure to please a crowd. Serve with rice and a tossed salad to complete the meal.
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