When the temperature drops, there’s nothing better than a warm, hearty meal that fills your kitchen with amazing smells and brings everyone to the table. This collection has all the cozy classics: nostalgic comfort dinners, creamy casseroles, bubbling soups and stews, hands-off slow-cooker meals, and the sides and desserts that make any meal feel complete. 

These are the recipes your family will ask for again and again, all season long.

Side shot of a bowl of slow cooker white chicken chili with all of the toppings.

Classic Comforts

These are the meals that taste like home. Meatloaf with a rich glaze, creamy beef stroganoff, tender pork chops smothered in gravy. They’re the kind of dinners that have been warming up families for generations, and they’re just as satisfying today as they’ve always been.

Square overhead shot of sliced Southern meatloaf on a platter.

What We're Eating

Southern Meatloaf
This Southern meatloaf recipe uses cornbread crumbs and a blend of ground beef and pork for a moist, flavorful twist on the classic. The ketchup-Worcestershire glaze adds a sweet and savory finish that the whole family will love.
Front shot of a spatula in a big skillet of homemade Salisbury Steak with mushroom and onion gravy

What We're Eating

Homemade Salisbury Steak
This easy homemade Salisbury Steak is an updated and upgraded version of the classic TV dinner!
Square close up overhead shot of a bowl of Bisquick chicken and dumplings.

What We're Eating

Farmhouse Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and Bisquick dumplings are perfect for cozy weeknight dinners!
Square overhead shot of a serving spoon in a chicken pot pie with pie crust.

What We're Eating

Chicken Pot Pie with Pie Crust
Mom's chicken pot pie with pie crust is comfort food at its best. A creamy, savory filling loaded with tender chicken and vegetables, baked under a buttery, flaky crust.
Square overhead shot of a bowl of Dutch oven beef stew.

What We're Eating

Dutch Oven Beef Stew
This old-fashioned Dutch oven beef stew is full of tender chunks of meat, fresh vegetables, and diced potatoes in a thick, rich gravy.
Square overhead shot of a white bowl full of the best beef chili recipe on a white table with lots of toppings.

What We're Eating

Beef Chili
This classic beef chili is thick, rich, and incredibly flavorful. Made with ground beef, beans, and a blend of zesty seasonings, it's comfort food at its best.
Overhead shot of a skillet of hamburger steak.

What We're Eating

Hamburger Steak
Hamburger steak with mushroom gravy (or "poor man's steak") is an affordable, easy dinner!
Square close up of homemade sloppy joes on a plate.

What We're Eating

Old Fashioned Sloppy Joes Recipe
An easy 30-minute dinner made with simple pantry staples and a sweet, tangy homemade sauce.
Square overhead shot of smothered pork chops in a cast iron skillet.

What We're Eating

Smothered Pork Chops
A classic Southern comfort dish that combines tender, juicy pork chops with a rich onion gravy.

Cozy Casseroles and Bakes

If you love the “dump it in a dish and let the oven do the work” approach, these casseroles are for you. They come together quickly, bake up bubbly and cheesy, and make enough to feed a hungry family on a cold night.

Square overhead shot of easy chicken broccoli rice casserole on a white table.

What We're Eating

Dump-and-Bake Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
Chicken, broccoli, and rice cook together in a single dish for an easy, healthy, and family-friendly dinner!
Close up square shot of a wooden spoon serving a chicken and stuffing casserole.

What We're Eating

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
There's nothing cozier (or easier!) than this old-fashioned chicken stuffing casserole!
Square overhead shot of a dish of homemade lasagna.

What We're Eating

Homemade Lasagna
The best homemade lasagna recipe includes thick layers of noodles, Italian sausage, ground beef, and cheese in a made-from-scratch sauce!
Square overhead shot of a bowl of creamy baked mac and cheese.

What We're Eating

Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
The best rich and creamy mac and cheese! Assemble in advance for easy holiday meals, potlucks, and weeknight suppers.
Square overhead shot of king ranch chicken casserole in a vintage enamelware pan.

Dinner

King Ranch Chicken Casserole
A cozy and comforting King Ranch chicken casserole includes layers of creamy, zesty chicken, cheese, and corn tortillas.
Square overhead shot of a pan of dump and bake meatball casserole.

Dinner

Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole
​​​​​​​You don't even have to boil the pasta for this easy meatball casserole!
Square overhead shot of a pan of chicken parmesan casserole.

What We're Eating

Dump-and-Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This easy one-dish dinner is healthy, easy to prepare, and incredibly family-friendly!
Square overhead image of a white dish full of the original tater tot casserole recipe.

What We're Eating

Tater Tot Casserole with Green Beans
This hearty comfort food classic includes ground beef, green beans, and corn in a creamy sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese and crispy tater tots. It's an easy, family-friendly dinner that comes together with just 10 minutes of prep.
Overhead shot of chicken penne pasta casserole on a wooden table in a white dish.

What We're Eating

Chicken Pasta Casserole
Just stir all of the raw ingredients together in a dish and this creamy chicken penne pasta is ready for the oven!
Square overhead shot of a platter of stuffed peppers with rice.

What We're Eating

Stuffed Peppers with Rice
Classic stuffed bell peppers with rice, ground beef, two different types of cheese, and Italian herbs are baked in tomato sauce until tender and flavorful.
Square overhead shot of dump and bake 3 cheese baked ziti.

What We're Eating

Dump-and-Bake 3-Cheese Baked Ziti
This creamy, cheesy baked ziti uses a simple dump-and-bake method, so there's no need to boil the pasta first. Cottage cheese, Parmesan, and mozzarella create layers of melty goodness, while the uncooked ziti bakes right in the marinara sauce. It's a cozy, crowd-pleasing dinner with just 10 minutes of hands-on prep.
Square overhead image of chicken spaghetti casserole in a white baking dish.

What We're Eating

Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
This easy, cheesy chicken spaghetti casserole is classic comfort food!
Square close up shot of baked eggplant parmesan on a server.

What We're Eating

Grandma’s Baked Eggplant Parmesan
Crispy baked eggplant slices are topped with marinara and melted mozzarella for a cozy Italian dinner. This easy recipe uses Corn Flakes cereal for an extra-crunchy coating without frying.

Soups, Stews, and Chilis

There’s nothing quite like a bowl of soup on a cold night. These are the recipes we come back to all winter long. Ladle them into big bowls, add some crusty bread on the side, and settle in.

For more soup inspiration, check out our Easy Soup Recipes collection.

Square overhead shot of a bowl of easy taco soup.

What We're Eating

Easy Taco Soup
Simmer a pot of this easy taco soup recipe on the stovetop or in the Crock Pot!
Square overhead shot of a bowl of Crock Pot chicken stew.

What We're Eating

Crock Pot Chicken Stew
Full of tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, and fresh herbs, this slow cooker chicken stew is a cozy, hearty dinner that practically makes itself. Just layer everything in the pot and let it simmer.
Square overhead shot of a bowl of crockpot white chicken chili.

What We're Eating

Crockpot White Chicken Chili
A creamy and comforting crockpot white chicken chili loaded with beans, corn, and flavor, perfect for busy weeknights and family-friendly meals.
Square overhead image of a bowl of easy crock pot potato soup with toppings.

What We're Eating

Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup
A creamy, cheesy, and comforting easy Crock Pot potato soup topped with your favorite baked potato fixings.
Square overhead shot of a bowl of crockpot broccoli cheese soup.

What We're Eating

Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup
A creamy, comforting broccoli cheese soup made in the slow cooker. This dump-and-go recipe is loaded with vegetables and melty cheddar for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Square overhead image of a bowl of easy chicken noodle soup.

What We're Eating

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
There's nothing cozier than a warm bowl of this easy chicken noodle soup on a chilly day!
Square image of vegetable beef soup

American

Vegetable Beef Soup
This old fashioned vegetable beef soup is a healthy and easy dinner for cool days!
Square overhead shot of hands holding a bowl of ham and bean soup with canned beans.

What We're Eating

Ham and Bean Soup with Canned Beans
Smoky and rich, this homemade, comforting ham and bean soup recipe with canned beans comes together quickly on the stovetop or in the slow cooker!

Dutch Oven and Slow-Cooker Dinners

Set it and forget it. These hands-off recipes let you walk away and come back to a house that smells incredible. Whether you’re using a Dutch oven or slow cooker, dinner practically makes itself.

Square side shot of a Dutch oven pot roast with potatoes and veggies.

What We're Eating

Dutch Oven Pot Roast
Tender and juicy, this Dutch oven pot roast recipe transforms an affordable cut of meat into a delicious comfort food dinner!
Square close up shot of a pork roast recipe in a white cast iron Dutch oven.

What We're Eating

Dutch Oven Pork Roast
Tender and juicy, this Dutch oven pork roast with vegetables, potatoes, and a simple pan gravy makes the best Sunday supper!
Square overhead image of a bowl of slow cooker beef stroganoff over egg noodles

What We're Eating

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
This Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff is an easier version of the comfort food classic — and it's packed with flavor!
Square overhead shot of Dutch oven pork chops with gravy on a table with a side of salad and bread.

What We're Eating

Dutch Oven Pork Chops
A flavorful mushroom gravy smothers tender and juicy Dutch oven pork chops!
Square overhead shot of a plate of slow cooker ranch pork chops.

What We're Eating

Crock Pot Ranch Pork Chops
You only need 5 minutes of prep to get these Crock Pot ranch pork chops into the slow cooker!
Square overhead shot of a bowl of Crock Pot beef stew.

What We're Eating

Crock Pot Beef Stew
A beef stew Crock Pot recipe that's cozy, comforting, easy, and good for you!

Classic Comfort Sides

Every great comfort meal needs a side or two. These classics round out any plate and turn a simple dinner into something that feels like home.

Square overhead shot of a bowl of sour cream mashed potatoes.

What We're Eating

Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, fluffy, and full of rich flavor, these sour cream mashed potatoes are the perfect easy, make-ahead side dish for any family dinner or holiday meal.
Square side shot of Aunt Bee's 3-ingredient easy potato casserole on a blue and white plate.

What We're Eating

Easy Potato Casserole
Aunt Bee's 3-ingredient cheesy potato casserole is a simple make-ahead side dish!
Square overhead shot of a dish of Grandma's cornbread dressing.

What We're Eating

Cornbread Dressing
This classic Southern cornbread dressing is moist, flavorful, and filled with the comforting taste of the holidays. The perfect side dish for turkey and gravy!
Square side shot of a plate of potato pancakes.

What We're Eating

Great Grandmother’s Potato Pancakes
My Polish great grandmother's potato pancakes are a family favorite comfort food!
Square close up side shot of a slice of Jiffy cornbread with creamed corn.

What We're Eating

Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn
Turn an easy boxed mix into tender, moist, and fluffy cornbread!
3 ingredient buttermilk biscuits with honey on a tray.

What We're Eating

3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits
You only need three simple ingredients for the best buttermilk biscuits!
Hand pulling out a piece of garlic bread.

What We're Eating

Pull Apart Garlic Bread
Soft, buttery, and full of garlic and herbs, this easy pull apart garlic bread bakes up beautifully in a bundt pan with just 15 minutes of prep.

Sweet Comfort

Because comfort food isn’t complete without something sweet. These desserts are cozy, nostalgic, and the perfect way to end a cold-weather meal.

Square close up side shot of easy banana pudding in a glass bowl.

What We're Eating

Easy Banana Pudding
This simple, shortcut, easy banana pudding recipe is the ultimate prep-ahead, no-bake dessert!
Square side shot of pecan pie bars on a serving tray.

What We're Eating

Easy Pecan Pie Bars
Classic Southern-style pecan pie bars with a tender shortbread crust and gooey pecan filling. Perfect for the holidays!
Square side shot of bread pudding on a plate

What We're Eating

Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
Southern bread pudding with bourbon sauce is an old-fashioned holiday dessert that's perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday supper!
Square side shot of Bisquick peach cobbler on a white table.

What We're Eating

Easy Bisquick Peach Cobbler
This Bisquick peach cobbler is an easy, old-fashioned dessert with juicy peaches, warm spices, and a buttery crust — ready for the oven in just 10 minutes!
Close up square side shot of a bowl of the best apple cobbler recipe with ice cream on top.

What We're Eating

Easy Apple Cobbler Recipe
A traditional apple cobbler recipe is one of autumn's most delicious, easy treats!
Square overhead shot of a bowl of apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.

What We're Eating

Apple Crisp
A warm and cozy apple crisp topped with a buttery oat crumble, perfect for fall gatherings or weeknight desserts.

More Cozy Recipe Collections

Looking for more cold-weather inspiration? These collections have even more ideas to keep your family fed and happy all season long.

Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or keeping it simple for your family, these recipes make cold nights a little warmer. Save this collection, bookmark your favorites, and come back whenever you need a cozy dinner idea. We’d love to hear which ones become your go-to comfort meals this season!

Square shot of Blair Lonergan from the food blog The Seasoned Mom serving a pie at a table outside.

Hey, I’m Blair!

Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you’ll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It’s down-home, country-style cooking!

Read More

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Comments

  1. Sandy Krohe says:

    Thank you fir all the great dinner ideas. I was running on empty.

    1. Blair Lonergan says:

      Oh, good! I’m so glad that this might provide a bit of inspiration!