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Winter Dinner Ideas

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These winter favorite recipes include all the best soups, salads, entrees, desserts, and more. There are so many choices that everyone will love including those with protein, fruits, nuts, grains, or squash. Some of the best comfort foods are craved and warming when the weather is cold outside.  There is something about baking or cooking in the oven when winter arrives to have a home-cooked meal.  Many seasonal produce favorites are in these winter ideas such as kale, butternut squash, beets, sweet potatoes, broccoli, apples, pears, cranberries, pomegranate seeds, nuts, and more. 

Combine any or some of these winter ingredients for a nutritious, healthy, and delicious meal.  These winter recipes offer it all; vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, grain-free, protein-packed, or Whole30. They all showcase the best winter has to offer and homecooked cozy meals have never been easier. There are also light winter ideas, try these meals on a budget for some new recipes. 

 

Winter Dinner Ideas PN1 4 recipeimages for chicken cacciatore cream of celery soup beef chili and chocolate chip cookies

 

 

Winter Drinks, Appetizers & Soup Recipe Ideas

Shared here are some tasty cocktails, snacks, appetizers, small bites, and soups.  The recipes include wonderful ideas for something comforting or seasonal in winter. 

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Best Pomegranate Moscow Mule featured close up

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Salted Caramel Espresso Martini featured on table

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Deep Fried Sweet Potato Fries featured overhead of plate of fries and dipping sauce

 

Holiday Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread
Holiday appetizer with bright tangy cranberry sauce and a three-cheese spread.
Check out this recipe
HOLIDAY CRANBERRY CHEESE SPREAD plated

 

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. 
Check out this recipe
Keto Cream of Mushroom Soup featured overhead two bowls

 

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.   
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Cream of Celery Soup featured overhead of bowl full of soup topped with parsley sprig and crackers to the side and a spoon on the right all on top a green cloth napkin recipe card image

 

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
Easy Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

 

Pot Pie Soup
Homemade creamy pot pie soup is an easy recipe that is tasty with any savory protein filling like chicken, turkey, beef, or a vegetarian option.
Check out this recipe
Pot Pie Soup featured overhead close up

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Vegetarian Rice Soup featured postcard template

 

 

Winter Side Dish & Salad Recipe Ideas

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.
Check out this recipe
casserole dish with baked 3 cheese mac and cheese topped with bacon

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Acorn Squash featured overhead of apple cinnamon stuffed squash on a plate

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Cubed Sweet Potatoes featured overhead of a bowl filled with cubed sweet potatoes a spoon white linen cloth and fresh parsley

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Plated oven-roasted green beans sprinkles with everything bagel seasoning

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Butternut Squash, Apple, and Kale Salad with Honey Dijon Vinaigrette

 

Broccoli Apple Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing (no mayo)
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.
 
Check out this recipe
Broccoli Apple Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing (no mayo) overhead featured

 

Pomegranate Spinach Salad with Pears & Goat Cheese
Beautiful green spinach is dressed with tangy creamy goat cheese, tart crunchy pomegranates, and juicy pears.
Check out this recipe
POMEGRANATE SPINACH SALAD WITH PEARS AND GOAT CHEESE

 

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.  You will discover all those types of entree recipes here that are perfect to make all fall and winter long. 

 

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.  
Check out this recipe
plated sailsbury steak with peas and mashed potatoes and gravy

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

 

Slow Cooker No-Bean Chili (keto)
Velvety slow-cooked beef is simmered in spices and finished with crispy bacon for the ultimate keto comfort food. This recipe without beans is so easy and cooks in the CrockPot.
Check out this recipe
Slow Cooker Beef & Bacon Chili featured

 

Zucchini, Chickpea, and Potato Curry
This vegan Indian curry recipe is full of zucchini (courgette), chickpeas (garbanzo beans), and potatoes. This coconut milk curry is medium spiced and has a rich savory flavor that is velvety and satisfying. 
Check out this recipe
Zucchini, Chickpea, & Potato Curry featured overhead of bowl with curry and rice plus napkin spoon and parsley sprig recipe card image

 

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. 
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Italian Sausage & Peppers featured overhead of plate with sausage and peppers

 

Instant Pot Boneless Beef Short Ribs with Gravy
Comforting 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.
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Short Ribs with Gravy

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Pasta al Forno (baked pasta) plated with fresh parsley on top

 

Instant Pot Creamy 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.  
Check out this recipe
Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Spaghetti featured portrait with napkin and forks

 

LOW CARB KETO LASAGNA WITH CREPINI
Lasagna that is as authentic as nonnie would make but only 4 net carbs each serving!
Check out this recipe
Place lasagna with layers of cheese meat sauce and Crepini egg wraps

 

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.  
Check out this recipe
Beautifully baked keto chicken enchiladas with Crepini egg thins

 

Winter Baked Goods & Dessert Recipe Ideas

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.  All of them are just the thing to warm up your chilly day. 

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Ciabatta partially sliced on a cutting board.

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Freshly baked easy homemade soft dinner rolls

 

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.
Check out this recipe
apple hand pies plated and ready to eat

 

Brown Sugar Caramel Apple Pie
Gooey rich caramel and sweet brown sugar crumbles elevate apple pie to a new level.
Check out this recipe
Brown Sugar Caramel Apple Pie

 

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.
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Chip Cookies without Brown Sugar featured overhead of a plate of cookies and a glass of milk

 

Nutter Butter Bars
Nutter Butter bars are an amazing cookie for any peanut butter & jelly lover. This easy recipe is the ultimate PB&J cookie bar with a Nutter Butter base, a sweet strawberry preserves layer, and a crumbled topping.
Check out this recipe
Nutter Butter & Jelly Cookie Bars featured overhead plate and two nutter butters

 

Cheesecake Without a Springform Pan(no crust)
The perfect gluten-free cheesecake that is easy to bake and does not require a springform pan. The scoopable cheesecake is crustless but no one will miss it. The decadent dessert is even better when you add your favorite toppings.
Check out this recipe
Gluten-Free Scoopable Cheesecake (no crust)

 

 

PIN FOR SAFEKEEPING & SHARING!

 

Winter Dinner Ideas PIN 4 recipe images for chilli pasta al forno zucchini chickpea curry and sweet potato fries

 

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Winter Dinner Ideas PN1 4 recipeimages for chicken cacciatore cream of celery soup beef chili and chocolate chip cookies

Winter Dinner Ideas

Angela
These winter favorite recipes include all the best soups, salads, entrees, desserts, and more. These winter recipes offer it all; vegan, vegetarian, paleo, gluten-free, grain-free, protein-packed, or Whole30. They all showcase the best winter has to offer and homecooked cozy meals have never been easier. 
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 0 minutes
Course Dessert, Drinks, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish, Soup
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

TRY ANY OF THE RECIPES TO HAVE A GREAT WINTER SUPPER

  • Salisbury Steak
  • Chicken Cacciatore
  • Keto Lasagna
  • Apple Pie
  • Short Ribs & Gravy
  • Dinner Rolls
  • Mushroom Soup
  • Acorn Squash
  • Pomegranate Mule

Instructions
 

  • Make one or more of these recipes.
  • Enjoy
Keyword Autumn, baked, comfort food, cozy, dinner, entree, fall, homemade, keto, paleo, side dishes, sides, Spring, vegetarian, pasta, healthy, sunday supper, warm, winter

 

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