30 Easy Winter Dinner Ideas (Best Recipes for Cold Winter Nights)

Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean you can’t get creative in the kitchen! We’ve pulled together 30 of our favorite Winter Dinner Ideas to warm you up for those cold nights. From pasta dishes, to fish, and hearty casseroles too, there are lots of new and classic recipes to try.

If the words “Mom, Dad, what’s for dinner?” make you cringe, it could be time to try something different. Your family may love classic lasagna, but a similar easier-to-make dish like Lasagna Roll Ups or Baked Ziti with Sausage could do the trick. 

Maybe you’re looking for a “set it and forget it” solution for busy weeknight dinners. For easy-prep meals that basically cook themselves, dig out your slow cooker and try Honey Garlic Chicken or Mississippi Pot Roast!

Baked Sockeye Salmon

If you enjoy salmon that’s rich and flavorful, give this recipe a try. Sockeye salmon is wild-caught fish with lean, deep red flesh. This dish is super easy to prepare. Just season the salmon, pop it into the oven and enjoy!  

Boneless Rib Roast

Prime rib is a popular favorite at steak houses everywhere. Now you can enjoy a succulent roast prepared in your own kitchen! This roast is prepared with salt, pepper, oil and fresh thyme or rosemary, allowing the meat to be the star of the show.

Turkey Tacos

Here’s a healthy take on tacos that’s ideal for low-carb eating. Instead of soft or hard taco shells, these flavorful tacos are served on lettuce! Your family will love the tex-mex flavors and this dish is ready to eat in just 20 minutes.

Easy Sirloin Steak

Beef and garlic pair wonderfully together here for a recipe that doesn’t disappoint. The steak is pan-seared on the stovetop, leaving your oven available for delicious sides like roasted asparagus and potatoes! Follow the instructions in the recipe for steak that’s done perfectly to your liking.

Shrimp Tacos

These vibrant tacos take just 15 minutes to prepare and will be your family’s new favorite dish for Taco Tuesday! Filled with avocado, mango, purple cabbage, cilantro and lime, you’ll adore its robust Cajun flavors. 

Lasagna Roll Ups

Looking for a lasagna dish that’s lighter than the classic? Give this recipe a try. Featuring the same cheesy flavors you’re used to, lasagna roll ups are faster to make and easy to serve. Add a crisp garden salad for a complete meal! 

Microwave Acorn Squash

Winter squash like acorn and butternut squash can take up to an hour to cook in a regular oven. This recipe shows you how convenient it is to prepare delicious acorn squash in the microwave oven instead! You’ll need just a handful of ingredients and we bet you’ll love the end result.

Vegetarian French Onion Soup

If you haven’t had French onion soup yet, you’re missing out on cheesy, comforting deliciousness! Don’t let the onions scare you. They’re gently cooked until tender and sweet, and pair perfectly with salty gruyere cheese and a rich broth. 

Coconut Chickpea Curry

Give this recipe a try the next time you’re craving a flavorful curry. It’s prepared with traditional curry ingredients like coconut milk, garam masala and diced tomatoes, and with the addition of protein-rich chickpeas, you won’t miss the meat. Try it on your next Meatless Monday! 

Avocado Pasta

If you have an abundance of ripe avocados on hand, skip the guacamole and use them in this recipe instead! Similar to a pesto, the avocados are blended with basil, garlic, lemon juice and salt and pepper until creamy. All you need to do is serve it over your favorite pasta!

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Looking for something different to prepare in your slow cooker? This honey garlic chicken uses juicy bone-in chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots, and green beans for the ultimate one pot meal! 

Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast

This crock pot roast is easy to prep in the morning and the results are amazing! In fact, in just 10 minutes you’ll have it ready to simmer all day. Serve this one with crusty bread to sop up the delicious gravy.

Sous Vide Beef Short Ribs

If you have a sous vide machine in your kitchen and love short ribs, this recipe is for you! Regarded as the perfect way to prepare tough cuts of meat with extraordinary results, your family will love the delicious red wine sauce and fall-off-the-bone tenderness of this dish. 

Shepherd’s Pie

It doesn’t get much more comforting than shepherd’s pie. This one is both prepared and baked in the same skillet for added convenience. Sneak in even more veggies – your kids will never know!

Best Ever Crockpot Beef Stew

Slow cookers are the kings of kitchen convenience and beef stew ranks high on our list of ideal comfort foods. Get this one started in the morning, for a deeply rich and flavorful meal when it’s time for dinner.

Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

Move over boxed mac and cheese! This baked made-from-scratch version is creamy, cheesy and decadent. Serve it with a bright green veggie for a delicious meal your kids will love.

Southern Fried Chicken

When we think of southern fried chicken, the word succulent comes to mind. Delightfully crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this recipe shows you step by step how to achieve perfect results.

Chicken and Dumplings

If you haven’t tried chicken and dumplings, you may not realize that it’s actually considered to be a soup or a stew. This recipe leans more towards a stew and is packed with veggies, shredded chicken and soft dumplings. It’s a dish that’s totally comforting and one you must try!

Baked Ziti with Sausage

This dish is loaded with perfectly spiced sausage, pasta, tomatoes and cheese. Easier to prepare than lasagna, you can serve it on busy weeknights or even for guests! Enjoy it with crispy garlic bread and a fresh side salad. 

Beef Stir Fry

Tried and true, stir frys are always a family favorite. This recipe features a sweet sauce you’ll love and can easily be customized to include any veggies you have on hand like carrots or broccoli. Serve over rice or noodles for an easy week-night meal.

Texas Roadhouse Chili

This copycat recipe is all about the meat! It has both ground beef and pork sausage as well as onions, peppers and seasonings. This is a filling dish that’s perfect for watching sports on gameday.

Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops

These tender and juicy pork chops are simmered in a delicious homemade cream of mushroom sauce! Ideal for busy weeknights, they’re ready to eat in just 30 minutes.

Beef Stroganoff

Here’s another dish that’s warm and comforting on a cold night. Originally from Russia, beef stroganoff is a stew-like dish that’s served over noodles. Sirloin or flank steak are good choices for the beef, and the entire dish takes just 45 minutes from start to finish. Serve with bright and crunchy green beans for a complete meal.

Jambalaya

This comforting one dish meal is a colorful blend of chicken, shrimp, sausage and rice. The delicious seasonings and vegetables come together perfectly for a dish that’s full of unique flavors and textures.

Chicken Piccata

Here’s a dish that comes together quickly for a tasty family meal. Featuring delightfully crispy chicken cutlets and a flavorful lemony sauce, it pairs nicely with rice, potatoes or noodles! Roasted brussels sprouts would be a great addition to this meal.

Creamy Chicken Marsala

If you’re looking for a new way to serve chicken breasts, give this recipe a try! Served in a creamy sauce that’s flavored with Marsala wine, this is the ideal dish to serve with fluffy mashed potatoes. And because you’re using chicken breasts, the recipe comes together fast enough for a weeknight dinner!

Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

Here’s a great recipe that’s ready to serve in just 15 minutes! Featuring a delicious homemade teriyaki sauce, this dish is best served over rice along with a side of bright crunchy broccoli. Get ready for the oohs and aahs from your family! 

Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf

Meatloaf is one of those dishes everyone loves. This recipe uses Lipton Onion Soup to season the meat to perfection. It’s incredibly easy to make and we bet you’ll have the ingredients in your pantry. Serve leftovers in a sandwich for lunch the following day!

Southern Cornbread Dressing

This cornbread dressing is the perfect stuffing for your next Thanksgiving turkey! It’s rich, delicious, and has a touch of sweetness that everyone will love.