24 Frigid-Weather Dinners To Heated You Right Up

Southerners aren’t the hardiest people in cool weather. The weather down here is hot practically year-round, so when temperatures do drop, people tend to stock up on groceries, swaddle themselves in blankets, and hunker down with something hot to eat. Even though we can’t handle the cool, we are experts in comfort food, as these recipes from our Test Kitchen show.

Take your pick from belly-warming soups and stews, cozy casseroles, hearty meat mains, prosperous pastas, and more. You might actually start looking forward to cool weather!

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

These twice-baked potatoes are so overstuffed with goodness, they qualify as a main dish. Or serve them alongside your favorite cut of beef for a snowy day-steakhouse meal.

FOOD PHOTOGRAPHS: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; RECIPES: MARIANNE WILLIAMS; FOOD STYLING: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLING: MARY CLAYTON CARL JONES

The bold Creole flavors of this dish will transport you to bright New Orleans. Loaded with andouille and shrimp and plenty of spices, it’s a belly filling and heart warming meal.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Tangy, savory, and a little bit sweet, caramelized onions add so much depth and richness to the humble post roast. Serve over potatoes, rice, or your favorite starch.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Traditional meatballs in marinara sauce are great, but try something novel and flavor them up with ranch seasoning and pepperoncini and serve over hearty mashed potatoes.

Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We’ve published many recipes for this Southern classic over the years, and this is a reader favorite for its pillow dumplings and creamy broth.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee Montiel

Chicken soup tastes even more comforting when you add cream and rice, plus collard greens for extra heartiness.

Brittany Conerly; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

Frozen puff pastry makes this pot pie extra pretty and gives you a flaky golden top without having to fuss with a pie crust.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee Montiel

Seasoned pulled pork makes this recipe come together in just 30 minutes, although the prosperous broth tastes like its been simmered all day.

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Egg noodles and baked ham combine with mushroom soup, vegetables, and lots of cheese to make this crowd-pleasing casserole.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Prissy Lee Montiel

If you’ve only had this type of soup from a can, treat yourself to this delicious and savory homemade version, which only requires 30 minutes of cooking.

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

If you need dinner in a hurry but don’t want to sacrifice flavor or comfort, this ground turkey chili flavored with chipotle will fit the bill nicely.

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

If snow days make you nostalgic for boxed mac and cheese, this upgraded-but-easy version will make you feel hot all over.

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Buffy Hargett

A cheesy baked pasta can really hit the spot on a cool evening. This one is packed with noodles, Italian sausage, mozzarella, and ricotta.

Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

This Tex-Mex chicken soup is filled with warming spices and enough of a kick to assist shake off the winter blues.

Beef And Barley Soup

Fred Hardy; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

If you’re looking for a recipe to fill your house with a delicious aroma, try this old-fashioned soup. It requires a some time to cook, but you’ll be rewarded with meltingly tender beef.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless 

Tasty any night of the week, but especially on a cool one, this roasted chicken is practically foolproof and is made in a single pan.

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

A good bowl of potato soup is all about the toppings, so don’t skimp on the Cheddar and bacon.

Bone-in pork chops always feel like a treat, especially when paired with a creamy Dion sauce and caramelized apples and onions.

Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

If it’s cool outside and you need to feed a crowd (or you love leftovers), try this rib-sticking stew filled with sausage, potatoes, beans, and vegetables.

Antonis Achilleos

Taco seasonings, shredded chicken, cheese, and a corn muffin mix make give this cozy casserole a tamale-like flavor, but without all the rolling and steaming.

Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

For many people, beef stew is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food, and this recipe makes the cooking process as straightforward as can be with your handy sluggish cooker.

Robby Lozano; Food Stylist: Renu Dhar; Prop Stylist: Keoshia McGhee

Hiding under a blanket of golden cornbread (made with your favorite mix) is a layer of creamy, cheesy chicken, making an straightforward all-in-one dinner.

Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

This swift and filling skillet supper is perfect for when you need a comforting cold-weather meal but have less than 30 minutes to get it on the table.

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

As this recipe proves, a soulful Bolognese sauce doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.