My Favorite Cooler Weather Recipes
Nine Cozy Soups, Stews, And Comfort Food Dinners
The first stretch of cooler weather always makes me want to get something good cooking. Give me a pot of soup, a dinner with plenty of gravy, and a piece of bread to clean up whatever is left on the plate, and I am happy.
These are some of my favorite cooler weather recipes from The Tipsy Housewife. There are classic soups, cozy bowls of pasta, and hearty dinners that make staying home sound like a very good plan. Some are perfect for a slower afternoon of cooking, while others are just what you need when you want a comforting dinner without much fuss.
Whether you are feeding the family, planning a quiet dinner for two, or looking for something warm to enjoy after a chilly day, there is a recipe here for you.
Find Your Next Cozy Dinner
Click a recipe name to open the full post with ingredients, instructions, and a printable recipe card.
Classic Soups
Cozy Pasta Bowls
Hearty Comfort Food Dinners
Classic Soups For Chilly Days
There is something about having soup cooking that makes the whole house feel a little cozier. These are the bowls I turn to when I want familiar flavors and a meal that feels like someone is taking care of me.
Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
This is the soup to make when you have time to let a pot simmer and want the reward of a flavorful homemade broth. A whole chicken cooks low and slow with carrots, celery, onions, and garlic, with potatoes and little noodles rounding out the bowl.
It is simple, familiar, and exactly the sort of dinner I want when the weather turns cold. Make it for your own household or share some with someone who could use a comforting meal.
World’s Best Tomato Soup
I know that is a big name for a bowl of soup, but I stand by it. This creamy tomato soup gets its rich flavor from V8 juice, diced tomatoes, a little Marsala cooking wine, and fresh herbs. Heavy cream brings everything together.
It tastes like you gave it much more time than it actually requires. Add a crispy, buttery grilled cheese sandwich and you have the kind of dinner that makes a cold, gray day considerably more enjoyable.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
If you love chicken pot pie but do not feel like assembling one, this soup belongs on your list. Chicken, carrots, celery, and onions come together in a creamy broth, and baked puff pastry on top gives you that flaky bite you are hoping for.
My version was inspired by the wonderful soup at Bauer’s Dam in Conover, Wisconsin. It brings a little Northwoods comfort to your own kitchen, wherever you happen to live.
Classic Minestrone Soup
This is a hearty soup that puts simple ingredients to good use. Tomatoes, beans, potatoes, vegetables, and pasta make a satisfying bowl, while a Parmesan rind adds extra savory flavor to the broth.
It is a good choice when you want plenty of variety in every spoonful. I originally made this batch to tuck meals into my aunt’s freezer, and Mr. Tipsy enthusiastically helped take care of the leftovers at home. A bowl of this and some bread can easily become dinner.
Cozy Pasta Bowls With Plenty Of Broth
Sometimes I want pasta, sometimes I want soup, and sometimes I see no reason to choose. These recipes give you a little of both.
Tomato Pastina
Tiny pasta, tomatoes, chicken tomato bouillon, and Parmesan cheese make this a comforting meal with a short ingredient list. The pastina gives the bowl a creamy texture without needing cream, and you can adjust the broth to suit how soupy you like it.
This is one of my favorites for an evening when I want something warm but do not have much energy for cooking. Finish it with more Parmesan and cracked black pepper, then settle in with your bowl.
Instant Pot Ravioli In A Tomato Parmesan Broth
Frozen cheese ravioli makes this an especially handy dinner to keep in your rotation. It cooks in a tomato Parmesan broth with help from a packet of Parma Rosa sauce mix, giving you a cozy pasta dinner with very little prep.
The finished dish is brothy, so bring out the bowls and have some crusty bread ready for dipping. The recipe post also includes a method for making it without an Instant Pot.
Hearty Dinners For Gravy Lovers
Soup gets plenty of attention when the temperature drops, but I am also very happy to welcome gravy season. These are the dinners for when you want something especially hearty.
Classic Beef Stew
Tender beef, carrots, onions, potatoes, and sweet peas come together in a savory gravy that makes this a true cooler weather favorite. V8 juice adds flavor to the base, and quick cooking tapioca helps thicken the gravy.
I especially love making this in my speckled roaster. It is a good dinner for a day when you can let the oven do its work, and the recipe makes enough to feed a crowd or save portions for another meal.
Golden Onion Chicken & Gravy
The onions roast underneath the chicken, soaking up the drippings and building the flavor for a rich homemade gravy. A little turmeric adds warmth and that lovely golden color.
This is the kind of dinner that feels right at home beside a generous helping of mashed potatoes. It has that familiar, old fashioned comfort food appeal, and the recipe post includes a slow cooker option, too. If you are the person who always asks for extra gravy, start here.
Steakhouse Beef Stroganoff
Tender beef, buttery mushrooms, onions, and a rich savory gravy make this a satisfying dinner for a chilly evening. Egg noodles soak up all that flavor and turn it into the sort of meal you look forward to sitting down to.
This version has the hearty flavor of a steakhouse dinner with the comfort of a home cooked meal. I like the noodles mixed right in, but you can also serve the beef and gravy over mashed potatoes or rice.
A Good Excuse To Stay Home For Dinner
Cooler weather has plenty going for it, but getting back to these recipes might be my favorite part. A warm kitchen, a good dinner, and permission to put on comfortable pants early in the evening is a pretty appealing combination.
Save this roundup for the next time you are wondering what to make. Whether you choose a simple bowl of pastina or a hearty beef dinner, I hope you find a new favorite to keep you cozy.