I’m always on the lookout for winter dinner ideas to bring warmth and comfort to my home. As the days are shorter and usually cold, my family and I begin to crave heartier meals.
Around here, winter is always slow paced and relaxed compared to the bustling summer months. Days are shorter, events are fewer and most people are nestled within their homes. It’s a time of year that I’ve truly grown to love.
One of my favorite times of the day is whenever my husband and I sit down to share a meal together. Soon there will be three of us seated around the table, so I’m soaking up these last few weeks as a family of 2. My husband is a hard worker, so I know he comes home hungry and ready to eat. That’s where my job comes in.
For me, most afternoons are spent in the kitchen curating a healthy yet filling meal. Since I’ve stopped working outside the home, I’ve found that I actually enjoy cooking so much more. It’s a skill I long to grow in. Each day is a new opportunity for me to practice creating with my hands and perfect the ancient art of cooking.
Here in our home we enjoy lots of “meat and potato” style meals. Listen, a salad isn’t gonna cut it for a man who’s been at work 12 hours! I like to serve hearty meals that I know will keep him feeling full and satisfied. While he’s a simple man who doesn’t need much variety, I do like to search for new recipes just to spark my creativity. That’s what led to these easy dinner ideas!
These easy dinner ideas are the perfect comfort food recipes, making them ideal for winter. Plus, they are so simple and easy to throw together!
Winter Dinner FAQs
Which foods give you energy in the winter?
- Steel cut or old fashioned oats
- Eggs
- Chicken or poultry
- Ground beef, lamb, roasts and other red meat
- Citrus fruits to boost immunity
- Herbal tea to fight dehydration
What should I eat for winter dinner?
- Slow cooker french dip sandwiches
- Tomato basil soup with grilled cheese
- Creamy sausage tortellini soup with homemade artisan bread
- Chili
- Chuck roast with carrots, potatoes and onions
What food and drink do people like to have in winter?
- Root vegetables are essential in winter because they take longer to digest. Foods that take longer to digest can actually raise your body temperature. This is perfect for the winter months when the weather is much colder. Try root vegetables such as beets, potatoes, turnips and radishes.
- Coffee and herbal tea are great drinks to go to in order to stay warm. Coffee offers a slight boost of energy. Herbal tea can help you fight off illness, keep you hydrated and boost your immune system.
- Complex carbohydrates help you stay full longer. Since it’s cold out, you may feel hungry more often. Eat complex carbs such as oats, potatoes or lentils.
Easy Winter Dinner Ideas
Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
First, these French Dip Sandwiches are oh so tender and juicy! Here at Brick House On Green this is one of our favorites. We love serving these alongside some oven-roasted green beans. Don’t forget the classic au-jus dipping sauce!
Find the recipe HERE.
Oven Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Tomato soup is my husband’s go-to comfort food. Mac n’ cheese is a close second. Serve this with a sourdough grilled cheese and mwah, perfection! This recipe uses fresh tomatoes, but you can easily re-create it with canned or store bought tomatoes.
Find the recipe HERE.
Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup With Fresh Kale
Next, what’s better than the cheesy goodness of tortellini? Tortellini mixed with sausage and fresh kale in a creamy broth! Trust me, this recipe won’t fail to please your family. Try making it with your own homemade chicken broth.
Find the recipe HERE.
Creamy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Sometimes busy weeknights call for easy dinner ideas that require minimal hands on time. I’d say this recipe is perfect for that. City Folk Homestead has created this delicious and creamy white chicken chili in the crockpot!
Find the recipe HERE.
Easy One Pot Taco Soup
Rooted At Heart gives us this taco soup recipe. What’s easier than a one pot meal?! Besides, anything made with ground beef and potatoes surely can’t disappoint.
Find the recipe HERE.
Tex-Mex Chalupas
Lauren from the Blue Bonnet Farmhouse made this classic Texan comfort food recipe: Chalupas.” It’s a dish that not only tastes amazing but also works great when you’re in a pinch and needing something fast.
Find the recipe HERE.
Creamy Chicken Vegetable Soup
Soup is one of my all time favorite comfort foods, especially during winter. In my opinion, there’s not a better winter dinner idea! A soup loaded with veggies, protein and a creamy broth is a meal that will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Thanks to the Homesmiths, we have access to this scrumptious meal!
Find the recipe HERE.
Sweet Potato Quesadillas
Kelsey over at Rough and Tumble Farmhouse created this simple yet pleasurable sweet potato quesadilla. Try it out for an easy weeknight meal or a slow Sunday afternoon. Tacos, no matter what they’re filled with, always hit the spot.
Find the recipe HERE.
Authentic German Split Pea Soup
Finally, check out this authentic German dish from Our Gabled Home! You’ll find yourself benefiting from the fact that this recipe is hearty, healthy and not very expensive. For those of us who are trying to save money (I definitely am!), then this winter dinner recipe is one to try.
Find the recipe HERE.
Lastly, leave a comment below if you decided to try out one of these recipes! I’d love to hear which one was your favorite. Be sure to subscribe to our homemaking community to get the latest recipes, homemaking tips and DIY projects directly to your inbox!
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These are all great! I’m excited to try some of them, especially the quesadilla!
Thank you for back linking to my website (rootedatheart.com)! I love these other ideas for winter meals and will be adding these onto the list to make as the weather is still cold this spring!