7 Easy Cold Weather Recipes

As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, there’s nothing more comforting than a home-cooked meal that warms you up from the inside out.

Easy cold weather recipes are all about hearty, flavorful dishes that are simple to make and perfect for cozying up on a chilly night.

From rich soups and stews to satisfying casseroles and baked treats, these recipes will not only save you time in the kitchen but also keep you feeling nourished and comforted all season long.

Let’s dive into some of the best easy-to-make dishes to enjoy during the cold months!

1. Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 2 cups egg noodles
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
3. Add the egg noodles and cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Stir in the cooked chicken and season with salt and pepper. Let everything simmer for a few minutes.
5. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

2. Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot and brown the beef on all sides.
2. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Stir in the tomato paste, thyme, salt, and pepper.
4. Add beef broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for about 2 hours until the meat is tender.
5. Adjust seasoning if needed and serve.

3. Mac and Cheese Bake

Ingredients:

• 12 oz elbow macaroni
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
3. Slowly whisk in the milk and continue to stir until thickened.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the cheeses. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Mix the cheese sauce with the cooked macaroni and transfer to a baking dish.
6. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top and bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.

4. Chicken and Dumplings

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tbsp butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot and cook the chicken until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. Add onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes.
3. Pour in the chicken broth, return the chicken to the pot, and bring to a simmer.
4. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and melted butter to form the dumpling dough.
5. Drop spoonfuls of the dough into the simmering broth. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, until dumplings are cooked through.
6. Serve hot.

5. Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter and sauté the onion and carrots until tender.
3. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk, and cook until thickened.
4. Add the chicken and peas. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer the filling to a pie dish, then place the pie crust over the top. Trim and crimp the edges.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

6. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil the potatoes and garlic in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes.
2. Drain and return to the pot. Mash together with butter and milk until smooth and creamy.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve warm.

7. Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

• 6 apples, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Toss the apple slices with sugar and cinnamon, then spread in a greased baking dish.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the oats, brown sugar, flour, and melted butter until crumbly.
4. Sprinkle the oat mixture over the apples.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the topping is golden and the apples are tender. Serve warm.