Nothing quite like a hot meal brightens up a cold day. Are you seeking ideas to warm up both your kitchen and your appetite? Dust off your pots and pans, and give these recipes a try. They’re budget-friendly, family-approved, and suitable for any evening.Plan by incorporating these meals into your weekly dinner rotation.
Explore our curated selection of hearty, soul-warming dishes perfect for cold days.
Beef and Guinness Stew
Guinness stout enhances the richness of this robust beef stew. This simple recipe combines bacon, stewing beef, Guinness Stout, and vegetables to create a comforting dish ideal for cold days. Pair it with cheese scones or Irish soda bread for a satisfying and hearty meal.
Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Boneless chicken breasts and canned beans make this recipe straightforward and convenient. Any leftovers can easily be frozen for a quick future meal. Add your favorite toppings like cheese and sour cream for a complete dish, and pair it with corn chips or cornbread.
Creole Jambalaya With Chicken or Ham
Jambalaya is a classic Louisiana dish known for its versatility. It combines a hearty rice, chicken, andouille sausage and shrimp blend. Infused with the rich flavors of tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, this satisfying dish is so delicious you’ll find yourself going back for seconds and even thirds!
Oven Braised Country Style Pork Ribs With Apple Cider
This mouthwatering dish showcases country-style pork ribs on the bone, slow-cooked to perfection. A medley of chopped aromatic vegetables and a splash of apple cider infuse the broth with rich flavor. It’s an easy recipe, with the oven handling most of the cooking.
Simple Meatloaf With Optional Topping
Few things are as comforting as a classic meatloaf, and this simple recipe yields a moist, flavorful version. Its straightforward nature is what makes it so delicious, and you’re likely to already have most of the ingredients on hand.
Coconut Curry Braised Chicken
Vietnamese curries may not be as widely recognized as Indian or Thai curries, but they offer equally bold and flavorful experiences. Our cà ri gà, or chicken curry, features coconut milk for a gentle sweetness and rich creaminess. Chunks of russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots add texture and substance, making this curry both hearty and satisfying.
Southern Pinto Beans With Ham Hocks
Pinto beans with ham hocks are a beloved Southern classic, often paired with cornbread. They complement barbecue, tacos, burritos, and fried chicken, making them a perfect potluck choice. The ham hock enriches the beans with flavor, making the dish substantial enough to enjoy. For an even meatier version, consider adding extra diced ham.
Savory Oven Braised Lamb Shanks
These succulent braised lamb shanks are first seared and then simmered in a flavorful red wine broth with chopped vegetables. Pair the lamb shanks with light garlic mashed potatoes and either Southern green beans or English peas for a delightful meal.
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup
This slow-cooker butternut squash soup is wonderfully warm and creamy, requiring minimal preparation. It’s completely vegan and achieves its rich texture without any added cream. It’s delicious and easy to make, filled with the natural sweetness of butternut squash and apple.
Cabbage Rolls
These cabbage rolls are packed with a flavorful blend of ground beef and rice and then baked in a tangy tomato sauce. A beloved comfort food from Eastern Europe, they are often prepared for special occasions or large family meals.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tinga
Chicken tinga is a flavorful Mexican stew featuring chicken, tomatoes, onions, and chipotle peppers. It combines savory, smoky, and tangy elements, making it a comforting and satisfying dish. Versatile in its uses, it can be served in tacos, burritos, huaraches, enchiladas, or nachos. Like many stews, its flavors deepen and improve, often tasting better after a day or two.
Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
This comforting and versatile dish is sure to please the entire family. For busy school nights when you need a quick dinner or for a cozy Sunday by the fire, Instant Pot chicken and rice is the perfect all-in-one meal that can become your favorite.
Chicken Marbella
This classic dish, adapted from The Silver Palate Cookbook, first released in 1982, was a highlight of its time. While the cookbook may be less familiar to younger generations, Chicken Marbella remains its standout recipe. This one-pan meal involves marinating skin-on chicken in vinegar, olives, capers, and prunes, then baking it all together—making it incredibly easy to prepare. The recipe offers a delightful balance of sweetness, saltiness, and tangy acidity, pairing beautifully with Spanish rice or mashed potatoes.
Garlic Roasted Chicken Leg Quarters
Whole chicken legs or leg quarters are tasty and economical, offering juicy, flavorful meat. Coated with garlic and spices, they are perfectly roasted, resulting in tender and delicious chicken. This straightforward cooking method makes for a satisfying and budget-friendly meal.
Nashville Hot Chicken
Is there anything more comforting than the aroma of fried chicken and the anticipation of biscuits baking in the oven? This Nashville fried chicken is spiced to lift your spirits on a rainy day. Inspired by Prince’s Hot Chicken, a legendary establishment that introduced this spicy, deep-fried style in the ’70s, Nashville Hot Chicken is known for its vibrant red glaze made with cayenne pepper. It’s traditionally served atop simple white bread, with pickles for an extra touch of flavor.
Instant Pot Taco Soup
When you’re craving tacos but seeking a more comforting option, this Instant Pot taco soup is perfect. Ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and green chilis come together swiftly in a hearty, flavorful soup. Top it off with your favorite taco garnishes for a satisfying meal.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue
This slow-cooker recipe is another excellent choice for easy meal prep. Pulled pork is a family favorite that requires minimal effort to prepare. Use your preferred barbecue sauce to create delicious pulled pork sandwiches. Pair with coleslaw and beans for a complete and satisfying meal.
Instant Pot Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a versatile dish that includes a variety of ingredients. It begins with the classic “holy trinity” of onions, celery, and green bell pepper, typical in Cajun and Creole cuisine. Incorporating tomatoes gives it a distinctive Creole flair, adding extra flavor and complexity.
Simple Chili With Ground Beef
This classic chili is speedy and full of flavor, making it ideal for a hectic day. It features tender beef simmered in a spiced tomato stew, enhanced with hearty beans. Unlike other chili recipes, this one is made on the stovetop and ready in under an hour, perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.
Crock Pot Red Beans and Rice With Andouille Sausage
This simple crockpot red beans and rice recipe is elevated with spicy andouille sausage, adding a bold and flavorful kick. For those who prefer a meatier dish, you can enhance it further by incorporating a ham bone, ham hocks, diced ham, or bacon into the mix. These additions will enrich the beans with even more savory depth and texture.
Summary
For cold days, hot meals are the perfect comfort. Try Beef and Guinness Stew with bacon and stout or Hearty Slow Cooker Chicken Chili with beans. Creole Jambalaya blends rice, chicken, and sausage for a satisfying dish, while Oven Braised Country Style Pork Ribs with apple cider offer rich flavors. Enjoy Simple Meatloaf, Coconut Curry Braised Chicken, or Southern Pinto Beans with ham hocks. Explore Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup, Cabbage Rolls, and other hearty options for warming up your family.