What to Cook When It’s Cold Out: 15 Comfort Food Favorites
The temperature is barely starting to drop, and I’m busy online looking for cold weather recipes. A big bowl of something hot simmering in my kitchen smells so cozy and amazing. Winter cooking is truly all about comfort. Creamy sauces, slow simmered dishes, and food that makes you want to stay in. Here are my favorites for those snowy days and chilly nights of the year.
Also Read: Top Fall Crockpot Dinner Recipes
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
I love loaded baked potato. But eating it is not always easy. However, turn that into soup and I can slurp on it forever. Honestly, that’s the part of its appeal. You cook potatoes with onion and garlic in a chicken broth, mash some right back in the pot, and stir in some heavy cream at the end. Serve it with your favorite toppings, including crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and sour cream. Add some green onions for garnish. And you’re good to go.
Chili
Chili is what we Texans love to make whenever there’s a cold wave predicted. Your basic recipe starts with ground beef, onions, beans, tomatoes, and a good dose of chili powder and cumin. Let it simmer for a really long time till the flavors come together. From there, there are hundreds of ways to make it your own. Skip the beans, add the corn, switch the beef for turkey. Everything works. Serve it topped with cheese, sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is truly comfort in a bowl. While we usually associate it with flu season, but it tastes great even when you’re feeling hale and hearty. Saute carrots, celery, and onion. Simmer them in the chicken broth along with the chicken and let cook till the meat is tender. Toss in egg noodles at the end and finish with some lemon juice.
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is the best thing ever. Unfortunately, it does take a lot of time, which is why my kids associate it more with takeout from KFC rather than home cooking. That has changed since I just started using biscuit dough on top instead of a pie crust. The filling is the same: chicken, peas, carrots, and potatoes in a thick savory sauce. Just sit the biscuit dough on top and bake away in the oven till it’s done.
Buffalo Mac and Cheese
Regular mac and cheese is comfort food, but this version with buffalo sauce added in is comfort food on steroids. Make the mac and cheese just as you do, and then when you make the sauce, stir in some buffalo sauce along with the shredded chicken. The sharp cheddar cheese works really well with the buffalo sauce. Top it with breadcrumbs and bake. Be sure to make a double batch. It’s that good. Recipe.
White Chicken Chili
White Chicken chili is lighter and healthier than the classic red chili, but still equally comforting. It uses white beans, chicken, green chilies, and a broth spiced with cumin and oregano. I like to stir in some heavy cream at the end for a richer and smoother texture. You can also add some jalapeno peppers for a bit of heat. Garnish with cilantro and some avocado before serving.
Chicken & Dumplings
Ultimate Southern comfort food. It all begins with a rich chicken broth in which carrots, celery, and tender chicken simmer till tender. The dumplings are dropped in at the end. They are made from a simple dough of flour, baking powder, milk, and butter. And allowed to simmer in the soup for about 10 to 15 minutes till they get soft and rise to the top. Canned biscuit dough also works to make the dumplings.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Broccoli cheddar soup sounds intimidating, but is so easy to make at home. Saute the onions and garlic in butter. Whisk in some flour and broth. Then add some heavy cream. Stir in the chopped broccoli and let it simmer till it breaks down and you have got little florets swimming in the soup. Turn the heat to low and then add the cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt. Serve it with slices of freshly baked bread.
Marry me Chicken
This TikTok darling is apparently named because it’s so good that you’ll marry whoever makes it for you. In truth, it’s Tuscan chicken with a few alterations. Sear the chicken breast. Then finish them in a cream sauce made with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Add your favorite Italian herbs for flavor. Serve with oodles of freshly grated Parmesan cheese served on top.
Classic Shepherd’s Pie
Growing up in a kitchen influenced by British recipes, shepherd’s pie was my favorite. Meat and veggies are cooked in a tomato gravy with lots of spices. A splash of Worcestershire sauce gives it the signature flavor. This forms the bottom layer, while the top layer is made of mashed potatoes and baked in the oven till the potatoes form a golden crust. It’s so delicious and just perfect for winter.
Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup
This creamy Italian soup has both brown sausage bits and little potato gnocchi vying for your attention. Aromatics like onion and garlic, plus spinach and chicken broth give the soup its mild flavor. Splash of cream at the end finishes it off. It’s easy to make and perfect for those busy nights.
Butternut Squash Soup
Butternut squash soup is little sweet, little spicy, and perfect for a chilly fall dinner. Plus, it’s insanely easy to make. Just roast the squash along with onions, ginger, and any other veggies you might want to add, like potatoes or sweet potatoes. Blend the roasted squash and then simmer it with chicken broth and a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon. Add a swirl of heavy cream while serving and eat with with a grilled cheese sandwich.
Lasagna
Lasagna is what I like to make when a storm’s coming, and I would like to ideally make something that will stay in the fridge and last for days. Layers of lasagna noodles, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella bake together until bubbly. The assembly takes some time, but it’s mostly hands-free after that. Going through the fridge the next day and finding a casserole full of lasagna, priceless.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
I usually make the chicken tortilla soup in a slow cooker. Simply put some shredded rotisserie chicken, canned tomatoes, black beans, corn, and spices in the crockpot and let it cook for 4 to 5 hours. Stir in some heavy cream at the very end and serve with plenty of toppings. My favorites are crispy tortilla strips, avocado, cheese, cilantro, and jalapeno slices.
Stuffed Butternut Squash with Creamed Spinach
A dish that’s vegetarian, plus healthy, plus creamy, plus cozy enough for fall and winter. This stuffed butternut squash with creamed spinach wins on all accounts. Half a butternut squash, scoop out the seeds and roast it till tender. While it’s roasting, make your favorite cream spinach recipe. Spoon the spinach into the squash halves and put it back in the oven to bake for a bit. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve with plenty of baguette slices for dipping. Recipe.
That’s it, my list of most made cold weather dishes. Some of these take a whole afternoon in the crock pot. Some need just a bit of sauteing and are ready in half an hour. So there’s something for every kind of night. Stay warm and happy cooking.
