Winter is here and between the long nights and holiday preparations, getting dinner together every night can be a hectic task. When the cold weather comes through, it’s helpful to have some comforting and satisfying recipes on deck to bring the family together. To make dinner time a little bit easier, we have rounded up some of our favorite recipes for whenever you need some winter flavor inspiration.
A cold-weather staple: soup
Soups are a great way to warm the family up after a long chilly day. While some typical favorites might be chicken noodle or potato, we love this comforting Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Soup. This is a favorite because it is not only delicious, but since it is made in a slow cooker it's easy to put together early in the day and have ready by dinner time. Anything that saves parents time is a win in our book.
One-pan wonder: casserole
Casseroles are a fun and easy way to combine a lot of ingredients into one cozy dish. This Cowboy Casserole is the perfect weeknight dinner. We love this because the whole dish can be made in one skillet, saving you from having to wash 10 different dishes. This dish comes together in about an hour and once finished has a crispy tater tot crust. With ingredients including bacon, ground beef and mushroom soup, this casserole will leave your family wanting seconds.
More cheese please: baked pasta
Having a good baked pasta recipe on hand is something your family will thank you for. If you are looking for something different than your typical mac and cheese, try this Baked Gnocchi Alfredo to step up your pasta game. This recipe is sure to bring your family together at the dinner table. Made with lots of cheese and homemade alfredo sauce, we love this dish because it is super simple to make and can be on the table in an hour. If you are still looking for sides for any holiday parties, we would recommend this as an option!
A new family favorite: meatloaf
Meatloaf has been a go-to in households for a long time, and there’s a reason why it's perfect for wintertime. As one of the most well-known comfort foods in the US, if your family has never done meatloaf at home before, this is your sign to give it a try. We like this recipe that includes mashed red potatoes because it is easy to follow and will satisfy even the hungriest family member. As a bonus, this is another recipe that can be cooked all in one pot and will keep you warm on a weekend snow day.
Something easy for those busy nights: pizza toasts - kid-friendly!
As parents, we know how hard it can be to juggle work/school schedules, extracurriculars and making time for ourselves. Just because winter meals are known for being hearty, doesn’t mean they have to be complicated. For those busy nights where you really need to feed the family quickly, try these Garlic Toast Pizzas, which come together in 15 minutes! You’ll only need 4 ingredients for this dish (feel free to add others if you have the time) and we love it because it is one your children can safely participate in making with you. Allow your kids to put their toppings on the toast. They can even use the toppings to make different designs on their “mini pizzas”. Pop them in the oven and a few minutes later they will be ready to serve.
A twist on a classic: Potpie
If you are looking for the ultimate weekend dinner option, this Chicken Biscuit Potpie will deliver in flavor and taste. Potpies are always a hearty option, but we love this recipe because it gives a traditional pick a bit of a twist. It only calls for 7 ingredients and can be prepped in about 10 minutes. This biscuit potpie gives you the ultimate comfort food feel with the combination of creamy filling and crispy biscuits throughout. If you are looking to add to this recipe, we would recommend adding some additional veggies like mushrooms to give your family even more flavor.
