29 Cozy Winter Dinner Recipe Ideas

Vegetarian Mushroom Stroganoff — The Spruce/Leah Maroney

When the temperature outdoors plunges, there's no better time to hunker down inside, cuddle up by the fire, and eat some hearty, warming food. There are plenty of cozy recipes here, including quick and easy options for weeknight suppers, meatless meals, Sunday roasts, and a few classic comfort foods you may not have tried but are sure to love. And the dishes span the globe as well, from Korean to Indian to French, offering a wide variety of flavors to please many palates.

01 of 29

Instant Pot Chicken Pot Pie

The Spruce / Zorica Lakonic

Chicken pot pie is winter comfort food at its finest, chock-full of moist chicken morsels, potatoes, onions, and carrots in a creamy sauce with a flaky, buttery crust. While there are multiple steps in this recipe, it's not complicated, and the filling cooks quickly in the Instant Pot. The ingredients call for making your own pastry but feel free to use store-bought dough for easier preparation.
02 of 29

Korean Ground Beef Bowls

The Spruce / Pete Scherer

There is something so heartwarming about a bowl of saucy, browned ground beef and rice, especially when topped with a perfectly fried egg. This stick-to-your-ribs Korean bulgogi-style dish is uniquely flavorful and aromatic, with Asian pear, onion, garlic, ginger, honey, and sesame flavoring the beef. Stir in some gochujang hot sauce, if you like, and a little kimchi if you have it on hand for a cozy winter meal.
03 of 29

Vegetarian Mushroom Stroganoff

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

Lusciously rich, creamy, and practically begging to be ladled over hot egg noodles, this mushroom Stroganoff is the plant-based version of the classic beef Russian dish. Make it in just 30 minutes for your meatless Monday dinner or enjoy it as a vegetarian pasta anytime. You may even convert some carnivores with this satisfying and hearty recipe.
04 of 29

Easy Chicken Parmesan

The Spruce

Chicken Parmesan is a famous Italian-American dish beloved by kids and adults alike. You can make this family-friendly combination of crispy breaded chicken, cheesy goodness, and tangy tomato sauce in under an hour. Serve it with a side of spaghetti, garlic bread, and a simple green salad for a wholesome weeknight meal.

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05 of 29

Indian Butter Chicken

The Spruce

Born in India, butter chicken has taken the world by storm with its magical spice blend and tangy, smoky tomato gravy. This traditional Punjabi recipe does require several ingredients, some of which may only be found in Indian food markets, but the steps to make it are simple, and the resulting flavors are clearly worth the effort. It makes a stunning dinner with fluffy, steamed basmati rice and a side of naan bread.
06 of 29

Easy French Onion Soup

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Conjure up a cozy bistro lunch at home with this classic French onion soup that needs only five ingredients. Brimming with sweet, caramelized onions in rich, beefy broth and topped with crispy, toasted bread and melting cheese, it's just the thing to warm you up on a cold winter day. Make it into a filling meal with a side of Caesar salad.
07 of 29

Chicken With Fluffy Drop Dumplings

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

This chicken stew recipe is topped with easy fluffy drop dumplings for a hearty, satisfying comfort-food offering. The dumplings, cooked on the top of the stewed chicken, become soft and fluffy with a biscuit-like texture. Ground poultry seasoning and some chopped parsley add flavor and color to the dumplings.
08 of 29

French Chicken and Sausage Cassoulet

The Spruce / Nita West

Cassoulet is a French countryside classic, combining many types of meats with beans. This modern update on the traditional, slow-simmered stew boasts an irresistible, hearty flavor with a more streamlined ingredient list consisting of bacon, chicken, sausage, white beans, vegetables, and herbs. For the tenderest beans, soak dried beans overnight in a large pot of salted water (using 2 tablespoons of salt per pound of beans) and a pinch of baking soda.

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09 of 29

Dairy-Free Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

The Spruce / Bahareh Niati

This bright, dairy-free butternut squash soup is simple and inexpensive to prepare, and it's great for warm family dinners, special occasions, or casual get-togethers with friends. This recipe is incredibly versatile, so feel free to add fresh herbs, spices, or even nuts of your choice.
10 of 29

Vegan Shepherd's Pie

Diana Miller / Getty Images

This vegan shepherd's pie is what meatless winter comfort food is all about. A saucy filling of vegetarian ground beef substitute, green peas, gravy, and corn is crowned by a heavenly, browned mashed potato crust. The dish is comforting, hearty, flavorful, and entirely meat free, and will please vegans and omnivores alike.
11 of 29

Spicy Korean-Chinese Seafood Soup

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

Spicy Korean-Chinese seafood soup (or jjamppong) is a popular order at Chinese and Korean worldwide around the world. It is a nourishing mix of egg or udon noodles, mixed seafood, pork, and vegetables in a fiery, savory red soup base. If the ingredients are prepped ahead, it takes only 30 minutes to brew up a big pot of this cozy soup to set on your dinner table.
12 of 29

Instant Pot Pork Enchiladas

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

Bake up a tray of restaurant-style pork enchiladas and watch everyone come running to the table. Rich, a little spicy, and blanketed in melting cheese, these enchiladas are the ultimate easy Mexican-style weeknight food. The Instant Pot shortens the cooking time for the pork, which is then shredded and layered with cheese, onion, and prepared sauce in pan-fried tortillas. Once rolled up and topped with more sauce and cheese, they are baked until bubbling.

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13 of 29

Salmon Spaghetti Carbonara

Eivaisla / Getty Images

If you have leftover cooked salmon in the fridge, use it to make this deeply rich and comforting seafood pasta carbonara. Long spaghetti or fettuccine noodles are the perfect matches for the smooth and creamy sauce, which envelops the noodles studded with meaty chunks of salmon, crisp and salty bacon, and bright-tasting green peas.
14 of 29

Braised Lamb Shoulder Chops

The Spruce

Use your Dutch oven and your favorite dry red wine to make these saucy, fork-tender braised lamb shoulder chops. Onion, rosemary, and garlic flavor the simple sauce that tenderizes the chops, which braise low and slow in the oven for a fall-apart texture. This dish makes a great weekend meal paired with garlic mashed potatoes and a green vegetable.
15 of 29

Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Being able to enjoy chicken and dumplings in well under an hour is sure to make your winter weeknights better. The old-fashioned, comforting family entrée is a cinch to assemble in the Instant Pot and cooks in fewer than 15 minutes. Simple drop dumplings thicken the stew slightly as it cooks, and a little heavy cream added at the end brings just the right touch of richness.
16 of 29

Easy Pad Thai Noodles

The Spruce / Ali Redmond

Treat yourself to a bowl of Thailand's national noodle dish with this easy pad Thai recipe that uses ingredients you can find at most grocery stores. The flavorful noodle stir-fry includes chicken, shrimp, eggs, rice noodles, and vegetables all tossed together in a sweet and sour sauce. Top each bowl with a squirt of fresh lime juice and lots of crushed peanuts, if desired.

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17 of 29

Italian-Style Meat Lasagna

The Spruce / Victoria Heydt

Beefy, cheesy, saucy, and layered with tender pasta noodles, this easy, Italian-style meat lasagna brings together everything we love about the classic baked pasta dish. There's no need to boil noodles or slave away over a sauce in this shortcut version that makes the perfect family dinner on busy weeknights.
18 of 29

Oxtail Soup

The Spruce / Julia Estrada

Despite their name, oxtails are actually beef tails, and they make the most marvelous soup. They have a similar flavor and texture to beef short ribs, and their high-fat content produces a thick and silky soup when simmered for hours. This recipe with onions, carrots, celery, and thyme is a great winter meal in one bowl that will warm your insides.
19 of 29

French Onion Soup Pasta

The Spruce / Leah Maroney

Full of rich French onion soup flavor with caramelized onions, buttery breadcrumbs, and nutty Gruyère cheese, this bistro-inspired pantry pasta is an elegant way to warm up on colder days. While the flavors are sophisticated, it is a quick and easy weeknight dish that any home cook can tackle in a little over 30 minutes.
20 of 29

Instant Pot Beef Pot Roast

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Normally, a moist and juicy beef pot roast would take all day long to cook, but if you use the Instant Pot, the cooking time will be shortened dramatically. For a complete, filling meal of pot roast and vegetables, all you need is 90 minutes. Pressure cooking the beef is a fabulous way to tenderize it and create all that melt-in-your-mouth texture you crave.

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21 of 29

Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

The Spruce / Morgan Walker

This recipe is an inspired mash-up of a classic lasagna with the popular chicken Alfredo pasta dish, creating a creamy and delicious entrée that you can get on the table in less than an hour. Mushrooms and spinach are layered with cooked chicken and pancetta in between tender lasagna noodles, all draped in a cheesy sauce, sure to satisfy any comfort food craving.
22 of 29

Kentucky Hot Brown Turkey Sandwich

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

A beloved Louisville tradition, the Kentucky hot brown sandwich is a mouthwatering choice for a winter sandwich supper. The hot, open-faced sandwiches are made by topping toasted bread with leftover or deli turkey meat, sliced tomatoes, and a gooey Parmesan cheese sauce. It's all broiled in the oven until browned and bubbling, and then topped with crispy bacon slices for the ultimate finishing touch.
23 of 29

Mushroom Risotto

The Spruce

Mushroom stock is the magical ingredient that makes this richly flavored mushroom risotto one of the most delicious variations on the classic Italian recipe. This risotto is creamy and velvety without needing an ounce of cream; it does require lots of stirring but is otherwise simple to prepare and will reward you with a wonderful, substantial-tasting dish.
24 of 29

Crescent Beef Stroganoff Bake

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

You need fewer than 10 ingredients for this hearty, family-friendly ground beef stroganoff casserole with cheddar cheese. The crave-worthy bottom crust is made with a can of refrigerated crescent roll dough, while the rest of the ingredients, like onion, mushrooms, spices, sour cream, and shredded cheese, are probably stocked in your fridge or pantry.

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25 of 29

One-Pan Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

This easy, one-pan macaroni and cheese with broccoli is a great way to sneak some veggies into your family dinner, while distracting them with tender pasta and a velvety-smooth, sharp cheddar cheese sauce. It is a cinch to cook on the stove-top using just one saucepan, so the cleanup is easy, too.
26 of 29

Vietnamese Coconut Chicken Curry

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

When the temperature dips into minus territory, soothe yourself with this wonderful Vietnamese coconut chicken curry. Luxuriously thick and rich, chunks of chicken, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots are bathed in a creamy coconut milk sauce. Add some cooked rice noodles and serve with crusty baguette slices for sopping up the broth.
27 of 29

Vegetarian Black Bean and Corn Chili

The Spruce / Andrea Livingston

Whether meat-based or not, a bowl of warming chili on the coldest days is a welcome dish. This vegetarian version calls for mostly canned ingredients and is topped with crunchy corn tortilla strips, making for a quick and easy winter weeknight dinner choice. You can make it vegan, if you like, by omitting the cheese and optional sour cream topping.
28 of 29

Georgia-Style Brunswick Stew

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

On frosty winter days, Brunswick stew is a great answer to the eternal question of what to make for dinner. This deeply delicious Southern dish with chunks of chicken or pork, cream-style corn, and barbecue-flavored tomato broth cooks up on the stovetop in just 30 minutes. It's a satisfying weeknight dinner with cornbread and a tossed green salad.

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29 of 29

Hamburger Soup With Black-Eyed Peas and Kale

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Kids especially love hamburger soup, which lets them eat a favorite dinner food with a spoon. Parents of picky eaters will like knowing this hearty, one-bowl winter dinner is packed with protein and healthy nutrients from vegetables, lean ground beef, canned tomatoes, and canned black-eyed peas. Cook it up in well under an hour for a filling family meal.