Satisfying Suppers: 15 Cozy Recipes for Cold Nights

1. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

This classic soup is as comforting as it gets. The combination of fresh tomatoes, basil, and a touch of cream makes for a rich and flavorful dish.

Ingredients:

• • 2 tablespoons olive oil

• • 1 large onion, chopped

• • 3 cloves garlic, minced

• • 2 cans (14 oz each) diced tomatoes

• • 1 cup vegetable broth

• • 1 cup fresh basil leaves

• • 1/2 cup heavy cream

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until softened.

1. 1. Add diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Simmer for about 20 minutes.

1. 1. Stir in basil leaves and heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper.

1. 1. Puree with an immersion blender until smooth. Serve warm.

2. Rustic Chicken Pot Pie

No one can resist a classic chicken pot pie, especially on a cold night. This hearty dish combines tender chicken, vegetables, and a flaky crust.

Ingredients:

• • 1 pound chicken breast, cooked and shredded

• • 1 cup carrots, diced

• • 1 cup peas

• • 1/2 cup onions, chopped

• • 2 cups chicken broth

• • 1/2 cup heavy cream

• • 1 teaspoon thyme

• • Salt and pepper to taste

• • 1 prepared pie crust

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

1. 1. In a large skillet, combine chicken, carrots, peas, onions, broth, cream, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.

1. 1. Pour the mixture into a pie plate and cover with the pie crust, sealing the edges.

1. 1. Bake for 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

3. Beef and Barley Stew

This hearty stew filled with tender chunks of beef, nutritious barley, and assorted vegetables is perfect for a filling dinner on a cold evening.

Ingredients:

• • 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes

• • 1 cup pearl barley

• • 4 cups beef broth

• • 2 carrots, sliced

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 teaspoon thyme

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, brown the beef over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, cooking until softened.

1. 1. Add beef broth, carrots, barley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.

1. 1. Reduce heat and let simmer for at least one hour, or until beef is tender.

4. Baked Ziti with Spinach and Cheese

This baked ziti is a comforting pasta dish layered with marinara sauce, spinach, and a blend of cheeses that will satisfy your pasta cravings.

Ingredients:

• • 1 pound ziti pasta

• • 2 cups marinara sauce

• • 1 cup ricotta cheese

• • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• • 2 cups fresh spinach

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

1. 1. Cook ziti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

1. 1. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, marinara sauce, ricotta cheese, spinach, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

1. 1. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

5. Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This creamy soup tastes just like a fully loaded baked potato! Topped with bacon, cheese, and green onions, this soup is comfort in a bowl.

Ingredients:

• • 4 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 4 cups chicken broth

• • 1 cup heavy cream

• • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• • 1/2 cup bacon bits

• • Green onions for garnish

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a pot, combine diced potatoes, onion, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and simmer until potatoes are tender.

1. 1. Blend until smooth, then stir in cream and cheddar cheese.

1. 1. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with bacon bits and green onions.

6. Vegetable Curry

A warm and fragrant vegetable curry packed with spices and various vegetables makes for a nutritious meal, perfect to serve with rice or naan.

Ingredients:

• • 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, potatoes, etc.)

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated

• • 2 tablespoons curry powder

• • 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk

• • Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a pot, sauté onions, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.

1. 1. Add mixed vegetables and curry powder, stirring to coat.

1. 1. Pour in coconut milk and bring to a simmer. Cook until vegetables are tender.

1. 1. Season with salt and serve with rice or naan.

7. Classic Chili

This hearty chili is perfect for warming you up on a cold night. Packed with protein and flavor, it’s a real crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients:

• • 1 pound ground beef or turkey

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 cans (14 oz each) kidney beans

• • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

• • 2 tablespoons chili powder

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a large pot, brown the meat with onions. Drain excess fat.

1. 1. Add beans, tomatoes, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes.

8. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta

This quick pasta dish features succulent shrimp tossed in a garlic butter sauce with pasta, making it a delicious quick dinner for cold nights.

Ingredients:

• • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

• • 8 oz spaghetti or linguine

• • 4 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1/2 cup butter

• • 1/4 cup parsley, chopped

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

1. 1. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add shrimp and cook until pink.

1. 1. Toss in the cooked pasta and parsley. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

9. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers filled with a mixture of rice, beans, and spices make for a colorful and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• • 4 large bell peppers (any color)

• • 1 cup cooked rice

• • 1 can black beans, drained

• • 1 cup corn

• • 1 cup salsa

• • 1 teaspoon cumin

• • 1 cup shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

1. 1. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.

1. 1. In a bowl, mix rice, beans, corn, salsa, cumin, and half the cheese.

1. 1. Stuff the mixture into the peppers and place them in a baking dish.

1. 1. Top with remaining cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes.

10. Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon

This honey mustard glazed salmon is a light yet satisfying dish. It’s quick to prepare and delivers delicious flavors.

Ingredients:

• • 4 salmon fillets

• • 1/4 cup honey

• • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard

• • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

1. 1. In a bowl, mix honey, mustard, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

1. 1. Place salmon on a baking sheet and brush with the honey mustard mixture.

1. 1. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until salmon is cooked through and flaky.

11. Pumpkin Sage Risotto

This creamy pumpkin sage risotto is a seasonal delight that warms you up with comforting flavors and a bit of spice.

Ingredients:

• • 1 cup Arborio rice

• • 4 cups vegetable broth

• • 1 cup pumpkin puree

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 cloves garlic, minced

• • 1 tablespoon sage, chopped

• • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a pot, heat vegetable broth and keep on low heat.

1. 1. In a separate pan, sauté onion and garlic until softened.

1. 1. Add Arborio rice and stir for 2-3 minutes. Gradually add broth, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly until absorbed.

1. 1. Once rice is creamy, stir in pumpkin puree, sage, and Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.

12. Eggplant Parmesan

A meatless classic, eggplant Parmesan is layers of eggplant, marinara sauce, and cheese baked until bubbly and golden.

Ingredients:

• • 2 large eggplants, sliced

• • 2 cups marinara sauce

• • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• • 1 cup breadcrumbs

• • 2 eggs, beaten

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

1. 1. In a bowl, dip eggplant slices in beaten eggs and then coat with breadcrumbs.

1. 1. Fry eggplant slices in a skillet until golden on both sides. Layer in a baking dish with marinara and cheeses.

1. 1. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

13. Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup

A bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup is the ultimate comfort food, rich in nutrients and flavors that warm you from the inside out.

Ingredients:

• • 1 pound chicken breast

• • 4 cups chicken broth

• • 2 cups egg noodles

• • 2 carrots, diced

• • 1 onion, chopped

• • 2 celery stalks, diced

• • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. 1. In a pot, boil chicken breast until cooked through. Remove, shred, and set aside.

1. 1. In the same pot, add broth, vegetables, and seasonings. Bring to a boil.

1. 1. Add noodles and cook until tender. Stir in shredded chicken before serving.

14. Mulled Wine

While not a meal, this warm mulled wine is the perfect companion to cozy dinners on cold nights, filled with spices and delightful warmth.

Ingredients:

• • 1 bottle red wine

• • 1 orange, sliced

• • 2 cinnamon sticks

• • 5 whole cloves

• • 1/4 cup honey or sugar

Instructions:

1. 1. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients and heat over low heat.

1. 1. Let simmer for about 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.

1. 1. Strain and serve warm in mugs.

15. Chocolate Lava Cake

This decadent dessert is perfect for finishing off a cozy dinner. The gooey chocolate center paired with vanilla ice cream is an unforgettable treat.

Ingredients:

• • 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• • 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

• • 2 eggs

• • 2 egg yolks

• • 1/4 cup sugar

• • 1/2 cup flour

• • Butter and cocoa powder for greasing ramekins

Instructions:

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease ramekins with butter and cocoa powder.

1. 1. Melt butter and chocolate together in a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler.

1. 1. In another bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until fluffy. Pour in the chocolate mixture and stir to combine.

1. 1. Fold in flour and divide batter among ramekins. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until edges are firm but the center is soft.

1. 1. Let cool for a minute before inverting onto plates. Serve warm.