As the temperature drops and the days get shorter, nothing beats the comfort of a warm and hearty meal. Winter is the perfect time to indulge in some comforting food that will warm you up from the inside out. In this blog post, we’ll be sharing six delicious winter comfort food recipes that are perfect for a cozy night in.

1. Creamy Tomato Soup

Soup is the ultimate comfort food, and there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a warm bowl of creamy tomato soup. This recipe is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. It’s the perfect meal to warm you up on a chilly winter evening.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 tbsp butter
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 cans of whole peeled tomatoes
    • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Instructions:
    1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat.
    2. Add onion and garlic and sauté until onion is translucent.
    3. Add tomatoes and broth and bring to a boil.
    4. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes.
    5. Purée the mixture in a blender or with an immersion blender until smooth.
    6. Return the soup to the pot, add cream, and season with salt and pepper.
    7. Cook until heated through.

🍅🫑🥣🥄🍴

A bowl of creamy tomato soup topped with croutons.

2. Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Nothing says cozy winter comfort food quite like a hearty beef stew. This slow cooker beef stew recipe is the perfect meal to warm you up on a cold winter night.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 lbs beef stew meat
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 4 cups beef broth
    • 2 tbsp tomato paste
    • 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
    • 4 potatoes, peeled and chopped
    • 2 celery stalks, chopped
    • 1 tsp dried thyme
    • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Instructions:
    1. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker.
    2. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
    3. Stir occasionally.
    4. Serve hot.

🥩🥕🥔🍲🥄🍴

A bowl of hearty beef stew with chunks of meat, carrots, and potatoes.

3. Cheesy Baked Penne

Pasta is always a comforting meal, and this cheesy baked penne recipe is perfect for a cozy night in. With gooey cheese and a rich tomato sauce, this dish is full of flavor and sure to warm you up.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 lb penne pasta
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 can diced tomatoes
    • 2 cups marinara sauce
    • 1 tsp dried basil
    • 1 tsp dried oregano
    • 1 cup ricotta cheese
    • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
    • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Instructions:
    1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
    2. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions.
    3. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    4. Add onion and garlic and sauté until onion is translucent.
    5. Add diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, dried basil, and dried oregano.
    6. Season with salt and pepper.
    7. Stir in cooked penne pasta.
    8. Add ricotta cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
    9. Mix until well combined.
    10. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
    11. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

🍝🍅🧀🥄🍴

A casserole dish of cheesy baked penne topped with melted mozzarella cheese.

4. Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie is the ultimate winter comfort food. With a flaky pie crust, tender chunks of chicken, and hearty vegetables, this classic recipe is perfect for a cozy night in.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 lb boneless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
    • 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
    • 1 can cream of chicken soup
    • 1/2 cup milk
    • 1 tsp dried thyme
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 1 pie crust
  • Instructions:
    1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
    2. Combine cooked chicken, mixed vegetables, cream of chicken soup, milk, dried thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
    3. Pour mixture into a pie dish.
    4. Top with pie crust.
    5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

🍗🥦🥕🥧🍴

A slice of golden-brown chicken pot pie with a flaky crust and chunks of chicken and vegetables.

5. Butternut Squash Risotto

Risotto is a creamy and comforting meal that’s perfect for winter. This butternut squash risotto recipe is full of warm flavors and is sure to satisfy your cravings for a cozy meal.

  • Ingredients:
    • 1 butternut squash, peeled and diced
    • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
    • 1/2 cup white wine
    • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • 2 tbsp butter
    • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Instructions:
    1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
    2. Spread diced butternut squash on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until squash is fork-tender.
    3. In a large pot, bring chicken or vegetable broth to a simmer.
    4. In another pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
    5. Add onion and garlic and sauté until onion is translucent.
    6. Add Arborio rice and stir to coat.
    7. Add white wine and cook until the liquid has been absorbed.
    8. Begin adding the simmering broth to the rice mixture, one cup at a time.
    9. Stir occasionally until the liquid has been absorbed before adding more.
    10. Continue to add broth until the rice is tender and creamy.
    11. Once the rice is cooked, add the roasted butternut squash, Parmesan cheese, butter, salt, and pepper.
    12. Mix until well combined.

🍚🍷🎃🧀🥄🍴

A bowl of creamy and golden Butternut Squash Risotto

6. Hot Chocolate

No winter comfort food list would be complete without some hot chocolate. This classic winter drink is perfect for a cozy night in, and it’s easy to make.

  • Ingredients:
    • 2 cups milk
    • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
    • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/4 cup chopped chocolate
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Instructions:
    1. In a small saucepan, heat milk over medium heat.
    2. Once the milk is hot, whisk in cocoa powder, granulated sugar, chopped chocolate, and vanilla extract.
    3. Whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
    4. Serve hot.

🍫🥛🍵👌🍴

A steaming mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Cozy Up with These Winter Comfort Foods

Winter comfort food is all about hearty, warm, and satisfying meals that will keep you cozy all season long. Try out these six delicious recipes and enjoy a cozy night in with your loved ones.

A cozy winter scene with a fire burning in the fireplace and a bowl of creamy tomato soup on the coffee table.