Ultimate Winter Recipe Round Up 2023
Cozy, comforting meals are so perfect for the cold winter months. I’ve rounded up all of my tried and true favorite meals that I love to enjoy when the temperatures drop. Think soups, deep flavors, rich desserts, and of course seasonal boards and snacks. Winter is all about comfort food! The freezing temps are the perfect excuse to cozy up with a delicious soup or warm casserole. All of these recipes are quick to whip up with juts a few ingredients. Find all the details on my top recipes below.
ENJOY!
XOXO
Emily
Winter always puts me in the mood for cozy dinners and comfort food, and this lasagna definitely fits the bill for both. This recipe has layers of alllll the cheese but it’s also perfectly balanced by the crispy, salty prosciutto and the brightness of the spinach and fresh basil. Click here for this recipe.
If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I love shopping at Trader Joe’s especially for quick and easy dinner options. I’ve shared lots of Trader Joe’s recipes here but by far my most popular is my quick, 2-ingredient tortellini and roasted red pepper tomato soup. I decided to do a new twist on this recipe and bulk it up a bit by adding sausage and kale as well as diced onion and some extra diced tomatoes. Click here for this recipe.
Potato casserole is the epitome of comfort food to me and such a perfect, warm meal for snowy and cold winter days. The recipe I use is super simple and has all of the delicious ingredients that you want in a casserole: bacon, cheese, sour cream, and lots of butter! It's topped with cornflakes tossed in melted butter (yes, MORE butter!) which adds the perfect amount of texture and crunch to the dish. Click here for this recipe.
This recipe is a bit of a twist on traditional Italian wedding soup that's just as comforting but super easy. I love the addition of hashbrown potatoes to thicken up the broth and add the right amount of texture. The mix of seasonings and cooked Italian sausage add so many levels of flavor. Click here for this recipe.
Ribs seem like a complicated dish but they are actually so easy to cook in the crockpot! I love this recipe because the red wine sauce is a delicious alternative to the usual barbecue sauce rib recipes, and I actually like the flavor way better! Click here for this recipe.
It's hard to find a low carb, comfort food recipe but this is definitely it! Layers of the most flavorful baked meatballs, tomato sauce, and melty cheese make this a family favorite. It's super easy to make and tastes great heated up as a leftover too. Click here for this recipe.
Potato soup is one of my favorite foods ever and this is my go-to recipe for the creamiest, most flavorful potato soup. I use shredded hashbrowns for an easy shortcut (and extra texture) as well as cream cheese to thicken up the soup to the perfect consistency! Click here for this recipe.
Sausage balls have always been a holiday tradition at my house and it just doesn't feel like Christmas without them. I agree that these aren't the most attractive of appetizers, but they make up for it with how addicting and delicious they are! They are also super simple to make and have only 4 ingredients! Year after year they are sure to be everyone's favorite appetizer that you just can't stop eating! Click here for this recipe.
One of my favorite dishes ever is the Bella Original Penne Pesto from Bella Notte restaurant here in Lexington. Their penne pesto is a super simple dish with penne pasta, toasted pine nuts, grilled chicken, and the most wonderful fresh pesto sauce. It has been my secret project to try to imitate their delicious pesto sauce and I finally found the secret: BUTTER, and lots of it! I've also simplified the ingredients and steps as much as possible, to make this super easy and simple enough for a quick weeknight meal. Click here for this recipe.
It seriously does not get easier than this snowman veggie board! Just slice your favorite veggies (or buy them pre-sliced to make it even easier!) and arrange around your favorite dips! This appetizer would be so cute served before Christmas dinner, and is perfect to bring to any holiday gathering this season! Click here for this recipe.
This recipe contains only two ingredients and is just too easy and delicious not to put into your dinner roatation! The roasted red pepper and tomato soup used in this recipe is one of my favorite items from Trader Joe's that I always try to keep in the pantry. Click here for this recipe.
I'm always looking for easy and quick meals to make during the week and one of my go-to recipes is homemade french bread pizzas. You can whip these up in under 30 minutes and customize them with whatever toppings and ingredients you have in your fridge and pantry. Click here for this recipe.
Here is a simple shortbread recipe that you won’t be able to stop snacking on! These are the perfect light and buttery shortbread and work great with any cookie cutters too! Click here for this recipe.
This is such a perfect winter treat full of toppings and treats to pair with your hot chocolate. I got everything for this board from Trader Joe’s and Kroger. This board can serve 8-10 people or more depending on how many toppings everyone wants! You can customize this too with a variety of different desserts and toppings- you definitely do not have to use everything listed or the exact same items either. Click here for this recipe.
The perfect pick-me-up for these dreary winter months is hot cocoa with alllll the toppings. This hot chocolate board would make the best snow day or treat for entertaining, no matter the occasion. There’s no baking or measuring required and you can put this dessert together quickly and easily. You can also customize this easily with a variety of different toppings depending on your preferences. There’s so many options out there, so definitely do feel like you have to use what I used! Click here for this recipe.
