16 Cold-Weather Comfort Food Recipes

If it’s cold, it’s time for some cozy dinner ideas! I’ve rounded up some of my favorite winter comfort foods – they’re hearty, filling, and so comforting.

comfort food recipes photo collage.

Skillet Chicken Pot Pie

This skillet chicken pot pie with puff pastry is the perfect dinner for a cold night โ€“ itโ€™s so cozy and comforting. The creamy filling, with tender chicken, carrots, celery, and leeks, pairs perfectly with the flaky golden crust. 

Grown-Up Sloppy Joes

A childhood favorite gets an upgrade! These sloppy joes are a nostalgic favorite with a grown-up taste. Roasted vegetables, red wine, and less sugar take them to a whole new delicious level.

photo of sloppy joe sliders

Green Chile Macaroni and Cheese

This green chile mac and cheese with mild cheddar and Monterey jack cheese. This recipe starts on the stovetop, finishes under the broiler, and is the best comfort food. Itโ€™s creamy and rich with green chile flavor infused into the cheese sauce.

overhead shot of mac and cheese

Cajun Chicken Alfredo

Cajun chicken alfredo pasta is an easy 30-minute recipe with tender Cajun-seasoned chicken in a creamy Alfredo sauce. Itโ€™s easy to make and will take care of that pasta craving!

cajun chicken alfredo.

Short Rib Ragu

If youโ€™re looking for a fun and amazingly delicious weekend cooking project, this short rib ragu is for you. The time investment to make this dish is well worth it โ€“ tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef with creamy mashed potatoes is the ultimate comfort food.

Short rib ragu on mashed potatoes

Creamy Chicken and Rice

A classic comfort food favorite gets a few upgrades! This chicken and rice recipe has a creamy Gruyere cheese sauce and fresh broccoli, and it cooks in just one pan on the stovetop. Itโ€™s a hearty and comforting dinner for a chilly night.

a pan of chicken and rice.

Chile Colorado

Chile colorado is a simple chili dish made with pork, dried chiles, and a few other ingredients that simmer together until the pork is tender. You can make it mild or hot depending on the type of chiles you use, and itโ€™s delicious served over rice or with tortillas.

chile colorado.

Gruyere Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Golden and crispy Gruyรจre grilled cheese paired with homemade tomato soup is old-school comfort food thatโ€™s hard to resist! 

grilled cheese sandwiches on a plate with a mug of tomato soup.

Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherdโ€™s pie is cozy comfort food at its best. This version is made with savory ground beef filling with vegetables and creamy homemade mashed potatoes.

shepherds pie

Loaded Potato Soup

Soup meets baked potato in this loaded potato soup! Topped with crispy bacon, shredded cheese, and green onions, this creamy soup is a cozy bowl of goodness for a chilly night.ย You will love this soup recipe if you love baked potatoes or potato skins.

overhead shot of two bowls of soup.

Baked Chili Cheese Dogs

When I make slow cooker chili, sometimes I’ll save some to make these baked chili cheese dogs. Hot dogs tucked into soft rolls and topped with chili and an easy cheese sauce – they’re delicious!

chili cheese dogs

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is a classic winter comfort food, and my version is loaded with tender chicken, veggies, and noodles. I like to simmer a whole chicken breast in the broth first – it amps up the flavor in the broth so it tastes like it was made from scratch. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens up all the flavors.

a pot of chicken noodle soup.

Cheese Manicotti with Meat Sauce

Cheesy baked manicotti is a hearty dinner that you can make ahead. Manicotti pasta shells are stuffed with a four-cheese filling, topped with a savory meat sauce and cheese, and baked until bubbling hot. The best part? You donโ€™t have to boil the pasta first! It makes the prep so much easier.

two stuffed manicotti being lifted from the pan.

Chicken Cream Cheese Enchiladas

These chicken enchiladas may not be authentic, but they’re so delicious. They’re easy to prep in about 20 minutes with a couple of shortcuts. Pop them in the oven for 30 minutes, and youโ€™ll have a cozy and comforting dinner.

close-up photo of a plate of enchiladas

Black Bean Soup

This easy black bean soup is made with mostly pantry ingredients and is ready to eat in less than an hour! Itโ€™s a small-batch recipe you can easily double if you want more. Itโ€™s hearty and cozy โ€“ the best black bean soup for a winter warm-up.

easy black bean soup.

One Pan Beefaroni

This beefaroni has all the nostalgic feels, with a savory sauce, hearty ground beef, and tender pasta. Everything, including the pasta, cooks in one pan on the stove. Itโ€™s an easy one-pot meal.

one pan beefaroni.

More Recipe Collections

I hope you give some of these recipes a try this winter!

Happy cooking,

April

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