As the weather cools, few things beat a warm, hearty meal. A simple, comforting dish can make a chilly night feel just right, whether you want something rich and creamy or light and savory. Pull out your favorite ingredients and cook something cozy tonight.
Chicken and rice soup is a perfect remedy for a cold evening. Tender chicken, hearty rice, and a flavorful broth create a warming, satisfying bowl that’s easy to make. You’ll need about 1 lb of chicken breast or thighs, 1 cup rice, 1 medium onion (chopped), 3 carrots (sliced), 4 cups chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken until browned and set aside, then sauté the onion and carrots in the same pot until soft. Add the broth, rice, and seasonings, return the chicken, and simmer until the rice is tender. Shred the chicken, stir everything together, adjust seasoning, and serve hot.
Creamy macaroni and cheese is another cozy classic. Soft pasta and a rich, cheesy sauce come together in under an hour and can be customized with your favorite cheeses. You’ll need 2 cups elbow macaroni, 2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, 2 cups milk, 2 cups shredded cheddar, and salt and pepper. Boil the pasta, then make a roux by melting butter and whisking in flour. Slowly add the milk and cook until thickened, stir in the cheese until melted, season, and mix with the cooked macaroni.
Beef stew is filling and perfect for slow, chilly nights. With tender beef, vegetables, and a savory broth, it’s great for batch cooking. Use about 1 lb beef stew meat, 4 cups beef broth, 3 potatoes, 2 carrots, 1 onion, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper; a little flour can thicken the stew. Brown the beef in oil, add onions and garlic until softened, then add the potatoes, carrots, broth, and seasonings. Simmer 1–2 hours until the beef is tender. If you want a thicker stew, stir in a bit of flour near the end and cook another 10 minutes.
Chicken pot pie combines a creamy filling and a flaky crust for a complete, comforting meal. You’ll need 2 cups cooked chicken, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 cup carrots, 1 onion, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup milk, flour for thickening, and two store-bought pie crusts. Cook the vegetables in butter, add flour to make a roux, then slowly add the broth and milk until thick. Stir in chicken and peas, season with salt, pepper, and herbs, pour into a pie dish, top with the second crust, and bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes until golden.
Potato leek soup is creamy, simple, and full of gentle flavor. Use 3 large potatoes, 2 leeks, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 cup milk or cream, garlic, salt, and pepper, with thyme or parsley if you like. Sauté leeks and garlic in butter or oil until soft, add diced potatoes and broth, bring to a boil, then simmer 15–20 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Purée with an immersion blender, stir in milk or cream, season, and serve.
Chili is a versatile, warming dish that works with ground beef, turkey, or a vegetarian base. Combine beans, tomatoes, and spices for a rich, hearty stew. For a simple version, use 1 lb ground meat, 1 chopped onion, 2 cloves garlic, 2 cans kidney beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Brown the meat with onion and garlic, add beans, tomatoes, and spices, then simmer about 30 minutes. Serve with cornbread or rice and toppings like cheese, sour cream, or green onions.
Baked ziti is an easy, crowd-pleasing pasta bake of ziti, marinara, and melted cheese. You’ll need 1 lb ziti, 2 cups marinara sauce, 1 cup ricotta, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and 1 egg to bind the ricotta. Cook and drain the pasta, mix ricotta with the egg and some mozzarella, then layer ziti with sauce and the cheese mixture. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, and bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until bubbly.
Tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich make a nostalgic, comforting pairing. For the soup, use 2 cans crushed tomatoes, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 cup vegetable broth, heavy cream, and basil. Sauté onion and garlic in butter, add tomatoes and broth, simmer 20 minutes, then stir in cream and basil. For the grilled cheese, butter two slices of bread, add your favorite cheese, and cook until golden and the cheese is melted. Serve the hot soup with the sandwich for dipping.
Sloppy Joes are messy and satisfying, perfect on cold nights. For the filling, use 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion, 1 green bell pepper, 1 can tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and salt and pepper. Brown the meat and drain excess fat, add onions and peppers, then stir in the sauce, Worcestershire, brown sugar, and mustard. Simmer 15–20 minutes and serve on soft hamburger buns.
Stuffed bell peppers are wholesome and easy to customize. You’ll need 4 bell peppers, 1 lb ground beef or turkey, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and cheese for the top. Cut the tops off the peppers and remove seeds. Cook the meat with onion and garlic, then mix in rice, tomatoes, and seasonings. Stuff the peppers, top with cheese, and bake at 375°F for 25–30 minutes until the peppers are tender.
Shepherd’s pie is a hearty, all-in-one meal with seasoned meat and vegetables under a mashed potato topping. Use 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 1 cup peas, 4 large potatoes, butter, milk, salt, and pepper, plus beef broth and Worcestershire sauce for the meat. Cook the beef with onions and carrots, add peas, broth, and Worcestershire, and season. Mash the potatoes with butter and milk, spread the meat in a baking dish, top with the mashed potatoes, and bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes until the top is golden.
Pork schnitzel is a crispy, golden fried cutlet that’s quick and satisfying. You’ll need four pork cutlets, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and oil for frying. Tenderize the pork to about 1/2 inch thick, dredge in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs. Fry in hot oil 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Serve with lemon wedges or a mustard sauce and a side like mashed potatoes or sauerkraut.
