Winter is definitely in full swing which means we need hearty and filling winter recipes which is why I made this big list of the best winter recipes. All of these hearty recipes will be a hit with your family! From breakfast, to lunch, to dinner, there is surely a recipe your family will love! Plus, these recipes are not only easy to make, but also budget-friendly, which is always nice!
The Best Winter Recipes
Winter seems to be colder than usual this year, at least here in Texas, and that’s okay with me. Cold weather means I get to enjoy hearty and rib sticking recipes that I don’t normally get to partake in because of the hot weather. But now I do and I’m excited!
So, time to put away those light summer recipes and time to break out our favorite hearty winter recipes. This collection of recipes are sure to leave you feeling warm and cozy. Most of these are easy to make and budget-friendly, and I’ll let you know what changes I made to any recipes I’ve personally tried.
But if you’re wondering:
- What the best winter food is?
- What should you make since it is so cold outside?
- What’s a good lazy dinner?
Then you’ve come to the right place! Prepare for the best comfort food recipes!
The Best Breakfast Winter Recipes You Have To Try
1. Traditional Country Sausage Gravy and Biscuits Breakfast Recipe
Biscuits and sausage gravy is our all-time favorite breakfast. We don’t get to enjoy it often, because it isn’t the healthiest, but it’s hearty, creamy, delicious, and it will stick to your ribs! I use oat milk now since I can’t have dairy, but if you want the country sausage gravy extra rich, use some evaporated milk or heavy cream along with regular milk.
2. Cheesy Bacon Breakfast Hash Breakfast Recipe
There is nothing more hearty than potatoes, bacon, cheese, and eggs. This cheesy bacon breakfast hash recipe is so good, full of protein, carbs, fat, and a sprinkle of green onions gives it a nice fresh element. If you’re lactose intolerant, just hold the cheese, I promise, it tastes super good regardless! Personally, I cook up onions and garlic in my hash most times.
3. Chicken Rice Porridge Breakfast Recipe
Like a savory and hearty breakfast? Then this chicken rice porridge recipe is for you! It’s actually something I enjoy for breakfast…or really whenever. However, since I’m allergic to soy I omit the soy sauce. I will either use no soy soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce, or sprinkle in some Accent (which is msg, but it gives an earthy umami flavor and I’m not afraid of msg.)
4. Egg and Sausage Roll Up Breakfast Recipe
Even your kids will love this egg and sausage roll up recipe. You can add cheese or you can omit the cheese, like I do. Either way, they are simple to make, filling, and I won’t lie… we dip them in country gravy, because why not. It’s super delicious and great when you want a semi-lazy, but hot breakfast in the morning when it’s frigid.
5. French Toast Casserole Breakfast Recipe
This French toast casserole breakfast recipe is so great because 1.) You can make it ahead and 2.) it’s a great way to use up stale or old bread. It actually makes me think of bread pudding. Either way, it’s sweet, filling, and delicious. You don’t have to just top it with maple syrup either, you can drizzle your favorite frosting over it as well or use the cinnamon sugar drizzle called for in the recipe.
The Tastiest and Heartiest Winter Lunch Recipes
6. Sesame Meatballs Over Rice Lunch Recipe
I love sesame meatballs over rice. It’s an easy recipe to make, however, I change it up. I do not use cilantro or chili sauce in mine. And again, no soy sauce, I also do not use hoisin. But if you have these ingredients on hand, definitely try out this recipe!
7. Curry and Lentil Soup Lunch Recipe
Y’all, I love curry and lentil soup. It’s so good. Again, I make changes based on my taste. I actually don’t add garlic to mine for the reason you can read here. I use whatever lentils I have on hand, and have never added fire roasted tomatoes. Either way, this is so yummy, and great if you’re dealing with a lot of inflammation.
8. One-Pot Cheeseburger Mac Lunch Recipe
This one-pot cheeseburger mac lunch recipe is definitely kid-friendly, and a recipe I grew up eating. My mom always used box mac and cheese for this, I always made mine homemade. But you add ground meat, peppers, onions, seasoning, and tomato paste to make this super yummy recipe.
9. Bacon and Bean Soup Lunch Recipe
I really love this bacon and bean soup recipe and so did my husband and even my father-in-law who is generally a picky eater. It was hearty, savory, salty, and delicious. I have had it with bacon and I have substituted leftover ham when it is available. But this is so good during the winter!
10. Super Easy Chili Lunch Recipe
So, I won’t lie, I haven’t tried this recipe. I’m not even a fan of chili, but all my friends are and they seem to eat it quite a bit during the winter. Which makes sense, it’s fatty, full of protein, and hearty. This chili recipe seemed easy and like it would be tasty!
Hearty Comfort Winter Recipes You have To Try For Dinner
11. Deliciously Easy Slower Cooker Balsamic Roast Beef Dinner Recipe
Love beef roast and carrots? Then this slow cooker balsamic roast beef dinner recipe is for you. This is one I’ve made many of times and one that my in-laws love. Fall apart roast beef with sweet and savory sauce that coats it all. It’s even great for leftovers.
12. Chicken and Dumpling Dinner Recipe
Chicken and dumplings are another go-to winter recipe we make. Creamy chicken broth, big chunks of chicken, veggies, and of course big fluffy dumplings… this really is one of the best recipes. My mom always made us this when I was a girl. I do not all Italian seasoning to mine personally, and have always omitted it, but I’m sure it tastes just as good with it.
13. The Best Red Wine Short Rib Dinner Recipe
Okay, I also use this recipe as a stew recipe too, but this is such a hearty, rich, rustic, and traditional recipe. So good! I make this every winter and if I don’t have short ribs, I’ll use beef stew meat or venison meat. This recipe is actually best the next day because the seasoning gets more strong. The only difference I make is I don’t use chicken broth, I use beef broth.
14. Easy and Quick Butter Chicken Dinner Recipe
I don’t think this is authentic, I really don’t know, so don’t come at me. Regardless, this butter chicken recipe is so good. I do not use heavy cream though, but I use coconut milk, and still tastes great. I also don’t use fenugreek because my store doesn’t have it so I use the suggestions in the recipe. Seriously though, this with some flat bread and over rice. *Chef’s kiss*
15. Cheesy Potato Kielbasa Soup Dinner Recipe
My husband LOVES this recipe! It’s salty, savory, peppery, and full of carbs and fat. Who wouldn’t love this cheesy potato kielbasa soup recipe. It’s like a cheesy potato soup, but better. Because instead of a sprinkle of bacon, you have chunks of sausage. Sausage I like to fry first. Helps get rid of a little fat, and the black on the sausage (not burnt) gives it flavor.
Sweet and Satisfying Winter Dessert Recipes
16. Simple and Sweet Oven Smores Dessert Recipe
S’mores are so good, and you don’t have to wait until summer to make them. I actually prefer this oven s’mores recipe more because they’re less messy and don’t require an open flame. I won’t tell you how many oven s’mores I’ve eaten…but needless to say, I’m an expert at making this recipe at this point.
17. Nilla Wafer Cheesecake Tarts Dessert Recipe
I can’t have cheesecake, but boy I wish I could! Vanilla wafers, cheese cake, pie filling… these look so good! You could have all the flavors like: apple, strawberry, lemon, cherry, even chocolate! I bet these are nilla wafer cheesecake tarts are amazing.
18. Marshmallow Brownie Dessert Recipe
Brownies and marshmallows are such an underrated combination. I don’t know why, but I think it’s one of the best combinations ever. Look how gooey and rich these marshmallow brownies are! I tell you what, I’d be so hyper after eating one of those.
19. The Best Chocolate Chip Dessert Recipe
Cookies and milk are one of the best desserts and one we often think about around Christmas time. Buttery warm cookie with lots of chocolate and a big ole glass of milk. Nothing is better than the best chocolate chip cookies you can make!
20. Super Easy and Yummy Christmas Cookie Charcuterie Board
Christmas is near and that means we need cookies! Well now you can have all the cookies with this deliciously easy Christmas cookie charcuterie board. Whether you buy the cookies or make them homemade, this is sure to please the whole family.
The Best Winter Drink Recipes To Keep You Warm On Chilly Nights
21. Sweet, Rich, Creamy, Hot Chocolate Recipe
This oat milk hot chocolate is super sweet, rich, and creamy. This hot chocolate is so easy to make and great if you can’t have regular milk. However, this hot chocolate recipe can be used with regular milk as well.
22. Cranberry Orange Cider Drink Recipe
Cranberry orange is a great combination for the winter. This cranberry orange cider recipe is sweet, tangy, with warm spices. It’s the perfect warm drink to keep you toasty this winter.
23. Homemade Ginger Tea Drink Recipe
Ginger is considered a warming spice and it’s so good for your stomach and has a lot of other health benefits, plus it tastes great! Ginger, honey, and lemon… so good! This ginger tea recipe is easy and budget-friendly.
24. Vanilla Hot Milk Drink Recipe
Most of us like flavored milk like chocolate milk, strawberry milk, and banana milk. But have you ever had warm vanilla milk? This hot vanilla milk recipe is so great. Plus, kids will love this! Milk, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon, and don’t forget about the whipped cream!
25. Non-Alcoholic Mulled Wine Drink Recipe
If you want to enjoy a hot flavorful drink in the winter then you will want to try this non-alcoholic mulled wine recipe. It only needs 4 ingredients, though I usually add cloves to mine, but you can add all your favorite mulling spices.
The Best Winter Recipes When You’re Looking For Comfort Food
Whether you’re looking for the best winter recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or for dessert, there is a recipe for everyone! We even have the best warm drinks as well. These comfort foods are sure to keep you warm and full all winter long. Want to keep this recipes on hand? Write them down on your own printable recipe cards.
What is your favorite winter recipe? Which ones will you be trying out?
