15 Recipes For A Cozy Night In, When It’s Too Cold To Go Out
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on this site, I may earn a commission.
Read my Privacy Policy.
While some parts of the world remain warm this time of year, other parts get down to freezing temperatures and below. If you live in one of these chilly areas, you know what it’s like when it’s just too darn cold to go out. If that’s you, chances are you’d rather stay home and enjoy a warm, comforting, cozy, meal that warms you up, body and soul. This time of year, comfort foods are easy to make and depend upon. These fifteen recipes for a cozy night in will give you an excellent selection of comfort meals to choose from. As a bonus, they are all-natural and still easy to make.
1. Slow Cooker Tortilla Chicken Stew
Few dinners will warm you up like something that’s been cooking for hours in a slow cooker. This slow cooker tortilla chicken stew is a delicious meal that can be enjoyed with any of your favorite taco toppings, and leftovers make a wonderful lunch for the next day.
2. Sausage Kale And Potato Soup
If you really want to warm things up in the house, this sausage kale and potato soup is the dinner to go with. Not only will you warm up with the stovetop heat from cooking, but you’ll also enjoy all those delicious, savory flavors that happen when sausage and potatoes team up to make a meal.
3. Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Air fryer chicken parmesan is one of those meals that should be in your weekly dinner rotation. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s fast too, thanks to your air fryer doing the cooking for you. Serve this over pasta or with rice and a side salad for a complete meal.
4. Creamy Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Recipe with Tomatoes, Basil, and Balsamic Glaze
If dinner needs to not only warm you up but also provide a bit of creamy decadence, this creamy stuffed spaghetti squash with tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze is a fabulous option. This recipe even has options for making this dairy-free if needed. But no matter how you make it, you’ll want to make it again and again.
5. Moroccan Chicken
The spices and flavors of this Moroccan chicken with potatoes are warming to their core. Nothing beats this dish after a chilly day. It’s a fantastic dinner to come home to and goes great with any other side dishes you care to add. A green salad or some steamed veggies are always a great choice here.
6. Homemade Mac And Cheese
Homemade mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. Nothing beats macaroni with a truly cheesy sauce. This recipe will beat the boxed stuff every single time. You can play around with the flavors by choosing your favorite cheeses. But no matter what cheese you go with, you’ll enjoy this truly comforting dish for dinner tonight.
7. Bruschetta Chicken
Bruschetta chicken is one of those “get in my belly” type of meals that gets everyone to the table fast. It’s great served with rice or pasta, and you can serve either a side of veggies with it or just a green salad to round out the meal.
8. Taco Spaghetti
Taco spaghetti is a twist on two favorites that is sure to instantly become a family favorite of your own. This delicious mix of pasta with taco-flavored meat is a fantastic way to make spaghetti exciting. Serve this with a side salad and you have a full meal.
9. Baked Ziti
Few things bring comfort like a good, cheesy, casserole, and this baked ziti is about as comforting and cozy as you can get on a chilly evening. This dish will warm both your body and your soul after a day of dealing with chilly weather. This is comfort food at its best.
10. Spinach Lentil Soup
If you love a rustic meal that brings comfort and delivers amazing flavors, this spinach lentil soup is a great option for dinner tonight. You’ll enjoy all the warmth and coziness of a piping-hot bowl of soup and even get some great nutrition in the process. Don’t pass this one by.
11. Chili Cheese Fries
If a family-style finger-food dish is more up your alley, these chili cheese fries are a great way to serve any number of people. Simply scale the recipe for the number of people you need to feed. Whether you are feeding one person or twenty, chili cheese fries are a great option for digging into dinner and getting your hands deliciously dirty.
12. Tuna Noodle Casserole
Tuna noodle casserole is a classic comfort food dish that always makes people happy at the dinner table. You just cannot go wrong with all that cheesy goodness, and this recipe delivers good nutrition as well. So you can get all that comfort and feel good about it too.
13. Creamy Garlic Mushroom Chicken
If you love comforting, creamy dishes, this creamy garlic mushroom chicken makes a delicious and satisfying meal. Serve this over rice or pasta and enjoy all the amazing, savory sauce. Just don’t forget the dinner roll to sop up any leftover sauce on your plate. You won’t want to let any of it go to waste.
14. German Potato Dumpling Soup
German potato dumpling soup is quite possibly the best cozy comfort food there is on a chilly, winter evening. Ladle yourself a big helping of this soup and dig into one of the best ways to warm up after a long, cold day. You won’t even need any side dishes for this, but a little toast wouldn’t be a bad idea.
15. Chicken And Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings is an American comfort food classic. It’s a hearty stew-like dish that brings comfort to American households on a regular basis. But if a can of mystery soup and a packet of pre-made dry mix doesn’t sound great, here’s the easy way to make it from scratch.
More From The Gracious Pantry
Need more dinner ideas? These can help. Chicken and turkey are very versatile foods that can be used to create an unlimited number of dinners. Here are 118 ideas to get you started.
