Food Recipe Collections & Favorites 14 Winter Dinner Ideas That Will Keep You Cozy All Season Long These hearty recipes are perfect for both busy weeknights and holiday entertaining. By Ariel Klein Ariel Klein Instagram Ariel Klein is a freelance writer specializing in lifestyle, fashion, beauty, technology, home, cooking, and gardening topics. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Well+Good, Travel+Leisure, Better Homes and Gardens, and Food & Wine magazine. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on November 30, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Antonis Achilleos It’s that time of year again when the sun goes down earlier, the weather gets chilly, and you have to bundle up just to venture out to your mailbox. And while the winter months can be cold and dreary, it’s the perfect time to slow down and gather indoors with friends and family. It’s also a great opportunity to whip up some delicious dishes that will bring comfort and warmth to your kitchen. One of the ways to make your home warm and cozy is to break out a Le Creuset or Staub and fill your home with a rich and comforting aroma of something that takes all day to cook.With that in mind, we’ve put together a helpful list of recipes that is sure to satisfy any palate and preference. From vegetarian dishes like Spiced Sweet Potato Soup and Spinach and Artichoke Quinoa Casserole, to hearty dishes like Southwestern Beef Chili and Butternut Carbonara, you’ll love cooking these five-star meals for your family all season. 27 Essential, Easy Chicken Recipes for Every Day of the Week 01 of 14 Winter Lentil Soup Kana Okada get the recipe Sometimes the most comforting meals are the ones that are loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or just need a veggie-packed dish, this hearty soup will do you wonders. 02 of 14 Spiced Sweet Potato Soup With Pistachio Dukkah Alison Miksch get the recipe If you’re a sucker for sweet potatoes, you’re going to want to make this silky, flavorful soup as soon as possible. Spices like cumin and coriander add warmth, while the pistachio Dukkah provides the topping. 03 of 14 Cheesy Sausage Pasta Bake With Brussels Sprouts Caitlin Bensel get the recipe Why make boring roasted Brussels sprouts when you can add them to a delicious pasta bake? The combination of sweet Italian sausage, rich Gruyère cheese, and rigatoni is truly something to write home about. 04 of 14 Ricotta Roll-Ups in Creamy Pumpkin Sauce Victor Protasio get the recipe If you have yet to cook with pumpkin, here is a great recipe to get you started. While it may take a bit of effort, the subtle sweetness of the pumpkin paired with fresh sage, ricotta, and mozzarella makes these pasta roll-ups the dish of the season. 05 of 14 Butternut Squash Carbonara Antonis Achilleos get the recipe Trying to sneak extra veggies into your family’s dinner? Look no further than this butternut squash carbonara. It’s smokey, sweet, and perfect for a weeknight meal since it can be whipped up in just 30 minutes. 06 of 14 Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka get the recipe Vodka sauce is undoubtedly loved by all. And why wouldn’t it be? It’s decadently creamy, full of flavor, and ideal for bread dipping. But keep in mind, this sauce is best enjoyed when made fresh and served immediately. 42 Perfect Pasta Recipes You'll Want to Make for Dinner Tonight (and Every Night) 07 of 14 Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes Con Poulos get the recipe There’s just something about slow-cooker recipes that exude comfort and joy. Not only is this low and slow chili simple to make, but the fresh ingredients and spice blend give it an abundance of flavor. 08 of 14 Southwestern Beef Chili With Corn Hector M. Sanchez get the recipe A warm, hearty bowl of chili must be one of the most comforting meals to whip up, and this one has a little extra heat thanks to the poblano peppers. Aside from it being delicious, this Southwestern chili is healthy, filling, and great for freezing leftovers. 09 of 14 Kicked-Up Mac and Cheese Antonis Achilleos get the recipe Mac and cheese is a fan-favorite for children and adults alike. And while a classic mac and cheese is hard to beat, this “kicked-up” version is certainly worth a try. It’s extra cheesy with a bit of spice from chopped green chiles and fresh jalapeños. 10 of 14 Spinach and Artichoke Quinoa Casserole Antonis Achilleos get the recipe If you’ve ever wanted to eat a whole bowl of spinach and artichoke dip—well, now you can (sort of). This unique spin on everyone’s favorite dip is flavorful, easy to make, and completely dairy-free. Plus, the quinoa makes it super-filling. 11 of 14 Potato Tot Breakfast Casserole Greg DuPree get the recipe We smell a new holiday tradition! If you’re looking for the perfect special breakfast to make on Christmas morning, this potato tot casserole has it all. It’s rich and cheesy, and has everything from breakfast sausage, spicy jalapeños, and chopped veggies. The best part is that you can customize it based on your family’s preferences. 12 of 14 Deep-Dish Eggplant Parmesan get the recipe Move over, chicken Parmesan—it’s time to give eggplant the credit it deserves. You don’t have to be a vegetarian to devour this hot, cheesy, saucy Italian dish. Make this deep-dish eggplant Parm for a dinner party or on a cold winter’s night. 17 Delicious Savory Pie Recipes Perfect for Chilly Winter Nights 13 of 14 Classic Chicken and Dumplings Abi Gunasekaran get the recipe People say “chicken soup is good for the soul” but we think homemade chicken and dumplings are where it’s at. Don’t get overwhelmed by the thought of making dumplings from scratch. They’re actually simple to whip up and require just six pantry staples. 14 of 14 Saucy Simmered Eggs Victor Protasio get the recipe Need inspiration for a last-minute dinner or breakfast recipe? Shakshuka is always a good idea because it’s tasty, satisfying, and will warm up any belly. Plus, you probably have all the ingredients in your refrigerator and pantry already. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit