As the weather cools, there’s nothing better than a warm, comforting meal. These hearty dishes are perfect for chilly November nights — simple to make and deeply satisfying, from classic soups to rich pastas.
Chicken noodle soup: A bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup is pure comfort. Tender chicken, savory broth, and soft egg noodles make a light yet filling meal you can pull together in about 30 minutes. You’ll need chicken breasts, carrots, celery, onion, egg noodles, chicken broth, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Sauté the onion, carrots, and celery in olive oil until soft, add the broth and bring to a boil, then add the chicken and cook until tender. Shred the chicken, stir in the noodles, cook until tender, and season to taste. Fresh thyme or parsley can brighten the flavor.
Beef and potato stew: This stew is hearty and warming, with rich beef and tender potatoes. Use beef stew meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, beef broth, salt, and pepper, and add thyme or bay leaves if you like. Brown the beef, then add onions, garlic, and carrots and cook until softened. Pour in the broth, bring to a boil, then simmer 1–2 hours until the beef is tender. Add the potatoes during the last 30 minutes, then season and serve.
Tomato basil soup: A creamy tomato basil soup balances tangy tomato and fragrant basil. You’ll need canned tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, onion, vegetable broth, heavy cream, and olive oil. Sauté onion and garlic, add tomatoes and broth, and simmer. Blend until smooth with an immersion blender (or leave it chunky), stir in cream and basil, and season with salt and pepper. Ready in under 30 minutes.
Chicken pot pie: Flaky crust and a creamy, veggie-packed chicken filling make this a cozy classic. Use cooked chicken, carrots, peas, onions, butter, flour, chicken broth, milk, and a pie crust. Cook the veggies in butter, sprinkle in flour to make a roux, then slowly add broth and milk until thickened. Stir in the chicken, season, pour into a crust, top with another crust, and bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes until golden.
Baked ziti: Pasta, marinara, and melted cheese combine into a comforting baked ziti. You’ll need ziti, marinara sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Cook the pasta, mix it with sauce and ricotta and half the mozzarella, top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, and bake at 375°F for 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Add veggies or meats as desired.
Mac and cheese: Creamy, cheesy mac and cheese is a timeless favorite. Use elbow macaroni, butter, flour, milk, cheddar, and seasonings. Cook the pasta, make a roux with butter and flour, whisk in milk until the sauce thickens, stir in cheddar until smooth, then mix with the pasta. Top with breadcrumbs or bacon for extra texture.
Fettuccine Alfredo: Rich and indulgent, Alfredo sauce coats tender fettuccine for a simple, luxurious meal. You’ll need fettuccine, heavy cream, butter, garlic, and Parmesan. Cook the pasta, sauté garlic in butter, add cream and Parmesan and stir until smooth, then toss with the fettuccine. Add chicken or shrimp for more protein.
Stuffed bell peppers: Colorful peppers filled with a savory rice-and-meat mixture make a healthy, hearty dinner. Use bell peppers, ground beef or turkey, rice, tomatoes, onions, and cheese. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the pepper tops off and remove seeds. Cook the meat with onions, mix in cooked rice, tomatoes, and seasonings, stuff the peppers, top with cheese, and bake 25–30 minutes.
Beef Stroganoff: Tender beef in a creamy mushroom sauce served over noodles is rich and comforting. You’ll need beef, onions, mushrooms, beef broth, sour cream, egg noodles, and flour. Brown the beef and set aside. Sauté onions and mushrooms, sprinkle in flour, slowly add broth until the sauce thickens, stir in sour cream, return the beef to the pan, and heat through. Serve over cooked egg noodles.
Pulled pork sandwiches: Slow-cooked pork shoulder makes juicy shredded pork for sandwiches. Use pork shoulder, onion, garlic, BBQ sauce, and buns. Season the pork, place it with onions and garlic in a slow cooker or oven, and cook on low for about 8 hours until it shreds easily. Mix with BBQ sauce and serve on buns with coleslaw or pickles.
Chicken Alfredo bake: This casserole takes Alfredo pasta and turns it into a baked, cheesy meal. You’ll need cooked chicken, fettuccine, Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cook the pasta, combine it with chicken and Alfredo sauce in a baking dish, top with mozzarella and Parmesan, and bake 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly. Add spinach or mushrooms if you like.
Baked sweet potatoes: Simple and nutritious, baked sweet potatoes bring warm sweetness to the table. Use sweet potatoes, olive oil, and your favorite toppings like butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, cheese, or sour cream. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Scrub the potatoes, rub with oil, salt, and pepper, and bake 45–60 minutes until tender. Top as you wish for a comforting side or main.
