These winter favorite recipes include all the best soups, salads, entrees, desserts, and more. Some of the best comfort foods are craved and warming when the weather is cold outside. Here are the best winter dinner ideas to make all season long.
This list of recipes has it all. From beef, pork, chicken or seafood to pasta and more. Plus find something for any diet including keto, low-carb, vegetarian, or low-fat.
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Winter Drinks, Appetizers, & Soups
Shared here are some tasty cocktails, snacks, appetizers, small bites, and soups. Here is how to start off any yummy winter meal:
Best Pomegranate Moscow Mule
The best pomegranate Moscow mule recipe is easy, pretty, refreshing, and tastes yummy. A perfect combo of vodka, ginger beer, and juices.
Pomegranate Moscow Mule
Creamy Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
Salted caramel espresso martinis are a perfectly rich, sweet, and creamy vodka cocktail recipe. Like a combination of a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato and a Kahlua White Russian.
Creamy Espresso Martini
Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Homemade deep-fried sweet potato fries are a quick and easy family favorite recipe. This fantastic method to deep fry & season them makes the best appetizer or side dish.
Sweet Potato Fries
Roast Beef, Cheddar, & Caramelized Onion Sliders
These oven-baked roast beef & cheddar sliders on Hawaiian rolls are a yummy appetizer, small bite, or meal. Sliced beef steak, cheddar cheese, & sweet caramelized onions combine for an easy slider sandwich recipe. Great for parties, game day, Super Bowl, birthdays, lunch, dinner, or snack.
Roast Beef & Cheddar Sliders
Holiday Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread
Holiday appetizer with bright tangy cranberry sauce and a three-cheese spread.
Cranberry Cheese Spread
Keto Cream of Mushroom Soup
This restaurant-quality low-carb keto cream of mushroom soup is easy to make and simply delicious. The creamy texture with sherry creates a rich velvety mushroom soup that is so much better than any Campbell’s condensed version you can buy.
Keto Cream of Mushroom Soup
Instant Pot Cream of Celery Soup
For the best homemade cream of celery soup, make it in the Instant Pot. It is a creamy, rich, and comforting recipe. As a bonus, this cream of celery soup is keto, gluten-free, grain-free, & low-carb.
Instant Pot Cream of Celery Soup
Easy Keto Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
Sweet, creamy, and rich butternut squash soup is comfort in a bowl. This low-carb recipe is great for those on a keto diet.
Check out this recipe
Pot Pie Soup
Homemade creamy pot pie soup is an easy recipe that is tasty with any savory protein filling like chicken, turkey, beef, ham, or a vegetarian option.
Pot Pie Soup
Easy Vegetable Rice Soup (vegetarian & gluten-free)
An easy vegetable rice soup that is vegetarian and full of flavor. This recipe uses vegetable broth, fresh vegetables, tomatoes, rice, and seasonings for a hearty vegan soup that everyone will love.
Easy Vegetable Rice Soup
Winter Side Dish & Salads
Winter produce is the star in these sides, vegetables, and salad recipes. There is so much to love and enjoy when you serve one of these comfort food classics or something new to discover.
Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Bacon
Creamy macaroni & cheese with caramelized onions & bacon is a classic old-fashioned recipe. The best homemade baked mac and cheese begins with a traditional roux, 3 kinds of cheese & al dente elbow pasta. This family-favorite casserole recipe is creamy, comforting, & simple to make.
Baked Mac & Cheese
Slow Cooker Acorn Squash
This sweet and savory acorn squash recipe is a fabulous side dish. The taste of fall is wonderful in this slow cooker brown sugar acorn squash recipe. Cook it in the CrockPot for the best that is stuffed acorn squash with apple & cinnamon you have ever had. Great for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Slow Cooker Acorn Squash
Instant Pot Cubed Sweet Potatoes
For a quick and simple way to cook sweet potatoes, this Instant Pot recipe is the best. Cubed sweet potatoes steam perfectly in the pressure cooker in no time for a wonderful healthy side dish.
Instant Pot Cubed Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Potatoes & Broccoli
Two yummy side dishes in one sheet pan recipe - oven roasted potatoes & broccoli florets are the ultimate pairing. The spice mix add a ton of flavor & it pairs with anything from fish to chicken or beef. This easy vegetable side takes little prep & the small pieces cook fast in the oven. This simple yet fancy recipe is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, & dairy-free.
Roasted Potatoes & Broccoli
Air Fryer Green Beans
In just 10 minutes, this recipe for crispy air fryer green beans is the best. This simple side dish with few ingredients is quick & easy.
Air Fryer Green Beans
Oven- Roasted Green Beans
These delicious oven-roasted green beans will be a family favorite. The nutty sesame seasoning that includes garlic and onion adds so much flavor. This quick & easy recipe is the best thanks to everything but the bagel seasoning that elevates this simple vegetable side dish.
Oven-Roasted Green Beans
Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Tender slow cooker collard greens are perfectly seasoned for a delicious southern side dish. These bacon-cooked greens are tender, rich, and full of flavor. There is no easier recipe.
Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Simple Spinach Salad
Toss together this quick & easy simple spinach salad in just minutes. The crunchy croutons are made from scratch & with a homemade dijon vinaigrette this is the best recipe hands down. It's a fresh & healthy side dish that goes with any meal or enjoy for lunch. Pile on some protein for an entree dinner.
Simple Spinach Salad
Butternut Squash, Apple, and Kale Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
Butternut squash and kale make the perfect Fall salad. The crunchy pecans, crisp apples, sweet raisins, and roasted butternut squash make the most amazing Autumn harvest salad recipe.
Butternut Squash & Apple Kale Salad
Broccoli Salad with Apples & Cheese
This healthy broccoli salad with carrots, raisins, apples, and cheese is amazing. The creamy greek yogurt dressing is low-fat and made without mayo. It is tangy, crisp, fresh, and sweet in every bite. It holds up great for potlucks and barbecues. It is even great as a leftover, unlike other salads.
Broccoli, Apple, & Cheese Salad
Pomegranate Spinach Salad with Pears & Goat Cheese
Beautiful green spinach is dressed with tangy creamy goat cheese, tart crunchy pomegranates, and juicy pears.
Pomegranate & Pear Spinach Salad
Winter Main Course Recipe Ideas
Comfort food in winter is often what we crave for good reason. As the temperatures drop we want to find warmth through food. This often includes baked, sauces, gravies, cheesy, and hearty dishes.
Slow Cooker & Instant Pot
Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs and Sauce
Slow cooker Italian ground beef meatballs & tomato sauce is an easy CrockPot recipe. Tender & juicy seasoned meatballs is a family favorite. Great to serve with pasta or on a roll for a hot sandwich no one can resist.
Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken
In 3 hours this quick & easy recipe for Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken is ready! Just 5 minutes prep & this dump & go recipe is done. A Southern classic recipe made in the CrockPot for saucy, tender, & moist shredded chicken with a tangy vinegar flavor that is sweet, spicy, & sour. Enjoy on a bun, soft roll, or plated with your favorite sides. Pile on some coleslaw for a traditional pairing. Gluten-free, keto, low-carb, & healthy options in this yummy party favorite. Serve for Super Bowl, potlucks, game day, & holidays.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken
Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash
This traditional Hungarian goulash is a hearty stew with a bright flavorful paprika broth. Classic goulash is packed with tender beef & vegetables, no pasta or macaroni in this one. Enjoy this comforting Eastern European recipe that is so easy to make thanks to your Crock-Pot
Slow Cooker Hungarian Goulash
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
This easy recipe for Slow Cooker Pepper Steak is a family favorite. Tender strips of beef & a savory sauce is great over rice. The simple dump & go recipe made in the CrockPot is perfect for weeknights. It's low-fat, gluten-free, & packed with protein.
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
This slow cooker Salisbury steak recipe is easy, tasty, and simply the best. The creamy mushroom gravy is so rich and comforts the soul.
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken cacciatore is an easy slow cooker recipe that is hearty, tasty, and perfect for a weeknight dinner. This Crockpot cacciatore recipe is so easy and results in a rich tomato sauce packed with vegetables, chicken, and flavor.
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili
Slow cooker no-bean chili simmers in rich tomatoes and spices. Ground beef and crispy bacon plus fun delicious toppings is the ideal low-carb keto chili. Set your CrockPot for a spicy chili that hearty & comforting.
Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili
Instant Pot Italian Sausage & Peppers
Instant Pot Italian sausage and peppers is a quick & easy recipe. They are great for sandwiches or as is for the best keto, low-carb, or gluten-free meal. This Instant Pot sausage and pepper recipe is done in one pot and is complete in just 20-minutes.
Instant Pot Sausage & Peppers
Italian Short Ribs
Comforting Italian short ribs braised until tender in the Instant Pot and then smothered in rich red wine gravy. This quick & easy recipe for amazing boneless beef short ribs is done in under 2 hours. An easy weeknight dinner with lots of protein, low-carb, and so delicious.
Instant Pot Italian Short Ribs
Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti
Chicken spaghetti in the Instant Pot is a quick and easy recipe. This one-pot chicken and pasta recipe is comforting and delicious. The creamy sauce has 3 kinds of cheese for a gooey melty meal kids & adults will love. Best pressure cooker pasta recipe.
Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti
Chicken
Dutch Oven Chicken Stew
Nohting like a comforting bowl of chicken stew made in the dutch oven. This simple one pot meal is loaded with juicy chunks of chicken breast, tender potatoes, hearty vegetables, & a rich creamy broth. A complete meal in a bowl to warm up any cold winter or fall day.
Dutch Oven Chicken Stew
Best Keto Chicken Enchiladas
The best chicken enchilada recipe is a low-carb and keto dream thanks to the Crepini egg thins. Stuffed with chicken, cheese, and sour cream to satisfy everyone.
Keto Chicken Enchiladas
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken & Broccoli
The best sheet pan dinner recipe is this spicy buffalo chicken & broccoli. This quick meal is a weeknight go-to meal the whole family will love. Crispy seasoned bites of chicken in a sweet & spicy honey hot sauce with fork-tender broccoli. Simple ingredients & 30 minutes are all you need for this one-pan supper.
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken & Broccoli
Creamy Lemon Dill Butter Chicken
Pan-seared chicken in a creamy lemon dill butter sauce is rich, decadent, & fabulous. The balance of cream, citrus, fresh herbs, and juicy chicken thighs is simple to make yet tastes gourmet. This easy one-pan recipe is fast enough for a weeknight dinner but also gourmet enough for a special occasion.
Creamy Lemon Dill Butter Chicken
Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken
Cheesy Jalapeño Chicken is creamy, spicy, & amazing. This 30-minute recipe for Mexican-inspired chicken tenders is quick & easy. Skillet cooked chicken smothered in a savory hot cheese sauce is the best. The simple one-pan meal is low-carb, keto, gluten-free, & high-protein.
Cheesy Jalapeno Chicken
Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
For the crispiest fried buttermilk chicken tenders, this Southern recipe is the best. Juicy on the inside & crunchy on the outside every time. A family favorite for dinner, lunch, or as a party appetizer. In less than 30 minutes this homemade version is ready - and so much better than frozen or fast food!
Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken
For the ultimate creamy coconut lime chicken, this one-pan recipe has it all. Juicy seasoned chicken thighs are cooked in a sweet, sour, & rich coconut milk sauce with Asian-inspired flavors and vegetables. This wonderful 30-minute dinner is great for meal-planning & busy days.
Creamy Coconut Lime Chicken
Beef & Pork
Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
This fantastic one-pan casserole recipe combines a classic Philly cheesesteak and pasta that any cheese lover will rave about. Thinly shaved beef is tender plus peppers, onions, 3 kinds of cheese, and rotini pasta are cooked together in the skillet for a family-favorite meal. So the next time you crave a Philly cheesesteak, skip the roll and make a pasta dish instead.
Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes
This easy homemade sloppy joe sauce is made of only 3 ingredients. Together they make this classic sandwich saucy, sweet, and savory with a bit of tang. There is a lot of flavor with just a few ingredients. It's a gluten-free, dairy-free, & from scratch recipe instead of using canned Manwich.
3-Ingredient Sloppy Joes
LOW CARB KETO LASAGNA WITH CREPINI
Lasagna that is as authentic as nonnie would make but only 4 net carbs each serving! Instead of pasta or noodles, use Crepini egg cauliflower wraps. This is the best low-carb, keto, & Gluten-free recipe you will ever have!
Keto Lasagna
Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
In 30 minutes this easy sheet pan sausage & veggie recipe is done. Juicy links, crispy potatoes, & carrots is a quick weeknight meal to love. This simple one pan meal is great for busy weeknights or meal planning.
Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies
Creamy Dijon Pork Chops
The pan sauce for the creamy dijon pork chop recipe is seriously amazing. In just 30 minutes this recipe for thin cut boneless pork chops in a rich French-inspired dijon & herb sauce is ready to indulge in.
Creamy Dijon Pork Chops
Air Fryer Pork Chops (no breading)
This quick & easy recipe for air fryer pork chops cooks in 20 minutes. The seasoned thick-cut pork chops are juicy & tender with a caramelized crust. This is the best way to make pork chops without breading in the air fryer. Great for gluten-free, keto, low-carb, and healthy diabetic-friendly diets.
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Pastas
Rigatoni al Forno (Baked Pasta)
Rigatoni al Forno is a baked pasta casserole everyone will love. This easy recipe has hearty rigatoni, a rich tomato sauce, layers of gooey cheese, and more for a great Italian dinner. This is a comforting recipe great for holidays, potlucks, & make-ahead meals.
Rigatoni al Forno
Pasta alla Pizzaiola
This 30-minute recipe for pasta alla pizzaiola is a quick & delicious Italian classic. The rich tomato sauce is inspired by the best pizza makers. The recipe from Naples, Campania region of Italy, is so easy. The simple meatless pasta is a yummy vegan/vegetarian meal that is comforting & a family favorite.
Pasta all Pizzaiola
Pancetta Pasta
This easy pancetta pasta recipe is an Italian classic. The quick-cooking 20-minute recipe is salty, rich, & comforting. Angel hair pasta with crispy pancetta, garlic, & a simple olive oil sauce is a traditional family-favorite meal with just a few ingredients. Feed a lot of people at a budget-friendly price.
Pancetta Pasta
Fried Spaghetti with Eggs
Fried spaghetti with eggs is a great way to enjoy leftover spaghetti in a delicious meal that is great for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. This simple recipe results in crispy spaghetti, fried eggs, with a creamy garlicky sauce that pulls it all together in just minutes.
Fried Spaghetti with Eggs
Pesto Tuna Pasta
For an easy Italian meal that is quick & delicious, you cannot beat this pesto tuna pasta recipe. All you need is 6 ingredients and 20 minutes. The garlic-infused olive oil adds so much flavor to al dente rigatoni tossed with a classic Genovese pesto sauce. Add canned white albacore tuna for protein & shaved parmesan - Viola, this summer pasta dish is ready to enjoy. It's great served hot, warm, room temperature, or cold as a tuna pasta salad. Great for dinner, lunch, or as a side dish.
Pesto Tuna Pasta
Pepperoni Spaghetti
This 30-minute recipe for pepperoni spaghetti is a crowd-pleaser. You will crave the chunky pepperoni tomato sauce that is rich, hearty, & spicy. This family favorite meal is so easy, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners.
Pepperoni Spaghetti
Caramelized Pear & Gorgonzola Pasta
Caramelized pear & gorgonzola pasta is a simple dish with big gourmet wow factor. The 30-minute recipe has the best rich cheesy cream sauce. Paired with juicy ripe fresh pears & more for an Italian-inspired dish that tastes like you at a fancy restaurant.
Pear & Gorgonzola Cream Pasta
Garlic Butter Cream Sauce for Lobster Ravioli
For the best sauce to serve with lobster ravioli, try this easy recipe. This garlic cream sauce with browned butter and brandy is rich, comforting, and gourmet. The quick Italian pan sauce is restaurant quality & perfect for date night, birthdays, Valentine's day, or anniversaries.
Lobster Ravioli with Garlic Butter Cream Sauce
Seafood
Pan-Seared Shrimp
Juicy pan-seared shrimp in a lemon butter garlic sauce is a quick recipe perfect for any meal or as an appetizer. This easy shellfish recipe is rich, buttery, & decadent.
Pan-Seared Shrimp
Baked Sheet Pan Shrimp Scampi
This quick & simple sheet pan recipe makes the best garlic, butter, and lemon shrimp scampi. In 20 minutes the baked shrimp scampi with tomatoes and zucchini is ready. A wonderful low-carb & keto-approved weeknight dinner that the whole family will love. An Italian classic made easy in your oven.
Baked Shrimp Scampi
Air Fryer Frozen Fish Fillets
There is no better way to cook frozen fish fillets than the air fryer. The best hot & crispy fish is ready in minutes.
Air Fryer Fish Fillets
Winter Baked Goods & Desserts
When the cool weather arrives, it is a great time of year to get that oven going. For that time of year when you want to smell fresh-baked bread or cookies, try one of these recipes. Or finish your meal sipping on the most decadent Hot Chocolate made with Chocolate Chips.
How to Make Artisan Ciabatta Bread
Homemade rustic artisan ciabatta bread has a crispy crust and a tender chewy inside. This classic Italian recipe comes out so good & is easy to make. There is nothing like fresh-baked bread straight from the oven.
Ciabatta Bread
Easy Homemade Soft Dinner Rolls
The best soft homemade dinner rolls baked using yeast are easy to make. These rolls are delicious and enjoyed best when warm straight out of the oven.
Soft Dinner Rolls
Puff Pastry Apple Galette
This fun & easy twist on a classic French dessert is comforting. Flaky puff pastry apple galette topped with ice cream & caramel is amazing.
Puff Pastry Apple Galette
Caramelized Apple Fried Hand Pies (McDonald's copycat)
Delicious homemade caramelized apple hand pies are easy to make. These fried apple pies are flaky, sweet, and have the perfect hint of cinnamon and nutmeg. Hot and tasty just like the original fried apple pies from McDonald's.
Apple Fried Hand Pies
Brown Sugar Caramel Apple Pie
Gooey rich caramel and sweet brown sugar crumbles elevate apple pie to a new level.
Caramel Apple Pie
Salted Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
There are not enough words to describe the awesomeness that are these sea salt toffee chocolate chip cookies. The cookies are packed with rich semi-sweet chocolate & rich buttery toffee for a combination that is gourmet. They are gooey, crunchy, sweet, salty, & decadent.
Salted Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar
Chocolate chip cookies are easy to make without brown sugar. Using white sugar only in this recipe makes a wonderful cookie that is slightly crisp but soft and chewy even without the brown sugar.
Chocolate Chip Cookies (without Brown Sugar)
Red Velvet Brownies with Cake Mix
For an easy recipe for red velvet brownies, uses a store-bought cake mix. These yummy moist, fudgy, & rich brownies are packed with white chocolate chips. They look & taste gourmet but only take 5 minutes & 5 ingredients to mix up. Great for Valentine's Day, Christmas, parties, & potlucks.
Red Velvet Brownies with Cake Mix
More Dinner Recipe Ideas
Here are other lists of the best easy family-friendly recipes:
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