Warm & Cozy Comfort Foods Perfect for a Winter Dinner

The days have gotten a little shorter; you have your warm coat out of the closet and in some places, you may even have a beautiful blanket of snow on the ground. Yes, friends. The winter months are here. But, this time is not all about the chillier weather. It’s also when we’ve welcomed a new year, celebrated the holidays with our loved ones and a time when we get to make all of the warm comfort foods we love to eat. 

You may have an idea of what defines comfort food for you and your family, but as a whole, the five food categories below are what many people would say make up that category (give or take a few): 

1. Pasta Dishes
2. Soups & Stews
3. Creamy Sauces
4. Potato Dishes
5. Casseroles

Doesn’t that list make you want to skip on over to the kitchen and whip up a comforting dish to warm up your heart and your stomach? Luckily, we have five comfort food recipe ideas ready to share, each one featuring at least one of the classic comfort foods above. Let’s dig in!

Comfort Food Recipe Ideas

Baked Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

Our first comfort food recipe features pasta in a cheesy, veggie-packed dish that’s a wholesome spin on the family favorite, mac and cheese. The sweet, nutty flavor of the butternut squash baked in this pasta dish makes it a cozy, wintry take on the classic recipe and adds vitamins, fiber and antioxidants. So, not only does this mac and cheese deliver a delicious and comforting meal, but it also nourishes your body with added nutrition. 

So, grab your squash, noodles, white cheddar, spinach and the rest of the ingredients you need from your neighborhood Food Lion and get ready to impress your family with this tasty recipe. Check out our recipe portal for the full list of ingredients so you can get cooking. 

To make this a complete meal, add some crumbled bacon and mix it in with your cheesy pasta mixture for a little protein. Then, bake all together. 

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Soup - the ultimate comfort food in the chilly winter months. And this soup recipe also includes another comfort food, pasta, or more specifically, egg noodles. 

You’ve probably had many bowls of chicken noodle soup, but this homemade recipe is made in the slow cooker so that you can prepare your ingredients at lunchtime and by the evening, dinner will be ready to enjoy. Serve with fresh Nature’s Promise bread from your local Food Lion bakery department to dip in the savory broth. 

Feeling a little pressed for time? Shred up some rotisserie chicken instead and cook on low with the other soup ingredients for two to three hours. Add the egg noodles 10 minutes before serving, as detailed in the recipe.

Now, get your slow cooker ready and take a peek at all of the tasty things that go in this comforting soup here.  

One-Pan Creamy Garlic & Herb Chicken

Like we said above, cream sauces are another comfort food. After all, the richness of a good creamy drizzle on a tasty dish adds depth and overall makes it feel a little extra special (like in this chicken recipe). 

You probably have a collection of your favorite go-to chicken dinners, but this cheesy One-Pan Creamy Garlic & Herb Chicken may quickly become a new family fave. Besides being scrumptious and oh-so heart-warming, it’s also quick and easy to make as well. In fact, all it takes is five simple steps, which can be completed in just 20 minutes. That’s it! And saving time is pretty comforting, too, right? 

Then, for serving, we recommend rice or mashed potatoes and a steamed or roasted vegetable like broccoli or asparagus. And voila! Your quick, easy and comforting dinner is served.

Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

No need to get multiple cooking vessels out with this recipe! Made in a skillet, our recipe for Shepherd’s Pie is simple but flavorful with a mixture of ground beef, vegetables, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings, topped with cheese and a thick layer of mashed potatoes - another comfort food. 

Bake your skillet meal in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes and allow it to cool for an additional five and get ready to see big smiles around the dinner table. This comfort food recipe is a classic St. Patrick’s Day dish and an incredibly easy meal to make during the cooler winter months, or after a busy workday. 

Go ahead - give it a try! You can find the full recipe here.

Chili Corn Casserole

Our last comfort food recipe is a wintertime favorite for dinner meals - a casserole. And this one is made with chili, cheese, polenta, corn, butter, scallions and a little salt for a warm and savory Mexican-inspired casserole that is an easy weeknight dinner solution. Another great thing about this dish is that it is easily reheated in the oven or microwave for leftovers throughout the week.

Want to add some more vegetables to this recipe to make sure your family gets some extra nutrition in their dinner? Diced bell peppers and onions would taste great baked in this casserole. 

Snag the full recipe, including the easy-to-follow cooking instructions here!

You now have five winter dinner ideas made with comfort foods. And there is plenty more recipe inspiration where these came from on our recipe portal! So, the next time you’re looking for a heart-warmingly delicious dish, give one of our recipes a try. Now, head on over to your nearest Food Lion to pick up the ingredients you need at low prices you can count on.