21 extra cozy dinners your family will ask for again and again

Photo of author

| Published:

When the weather turns cold, everyone starts craving extra cozy dinners. These 21 recipes feature straightforward, hearty meals your family will want time and time again. With simple ingredients and quick prep times, these recipes are easy to make and big on flavor, setting you up for memorable family dinners that become a regular part of your weekly routine.

Twice baked potato casserole with bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in just 60 minutes, this one-pot soup effortlessly combines sweet potatoes and red peppers. It’s both quick and easy, perfect for weeknights or laid-back weekends. The warm and comforting character of this soup ensures it will become a recurring favorite for family dinners. Anyone can make this simple yet hearty dish.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Chicken Corn Soup

Two bowls of chicken corn soup garnished with parsley.
Chicken Corn Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pot soup packs in chicken, corn, and vegetables and is table-ready in under an hour. With its uncomplicated steps, it’s a reliable choice for a warm dinner any day of the week. The comforting mix of ingredients guarantees this will be a meal your family requests time and time again.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Corn Soup

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Roasted cubed butternut squash and spinach with sour cream.
Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This sheet pan dish is a no-fuss meal that brings together butternut squash, cauliflower, and bacon, all ready in less than an hour. A touch of mustard and a hint of sweetener round out the flavors. It’s a convenient yet comforting meal that your family will undoubtedly ask for regularly.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice baked potato casserole dish with cheese, bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Combining classic comfort foods like potatoes, bacon, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, this casserole is ready in no time. You can even prepare it in advance for extra convenience. The hearty ingredients ensure it’s a warm, comforting dish that your family will want as a dinner staple.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan of creamy dijon chicken with a spatula.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This chicken dish is table-ready in 30 minutes, featuring a rich Dijon mustard sauce and crumbled bacon. The quick cooking time and comforting flavors make it an optimal choice for chilly evenings. Expect this to become a go-to dish your family will request frequently.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a gold spoon.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Made in one pot, this mushroom-based soup is ready in 45 minutes. It’s a simple yet comforting choice, ideal for both weeknights and weekends. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, you’ll find this dish to be effortlessly warm and inviting.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Crock Pot Taco Soup

A bowl of crock pot taco soup topped with sour cream and cilantro.
Crock Pot Taco Soup. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

After a quick 20-minute prep, let your slow cooker handle the rest. Ground beef, spices, and pantry staples unite to offer warmth in a bowl. It’s a convenient dinner option that gives you more time to relax while still providing the cozy meals your family loves.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Taco Soup

Spinach Chicken Bake

A serving spoon serving of creamy spinach chicken bake.
Spinach Chicken Bake. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dish blends chicken, spinach, and cheese for a hearty meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. Its simplicity and comfort level make it perfect for a weeknight dinner. Your family will certainly ask for this one again and again.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Chicken Bake

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Chicken with creamy mushroom sauce in a pan.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In 30 minutes, you’ll have a warm, comforting meal of chicken in a rich mushroom sauce. This one-pan dish is easy to make and offers a hearty dinner for cold nights. Your family will find this meal irresistibly cozy and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

A spoonful of soup in a white pot.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This comforting soup brings Italian sausage and cream cheese together in one pot and is ready in just 30 minutes. The short preparation time and warming qualities make it a favored choice for a cold evening. Your family will likely ask for this dish on a regular basis.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Bowls of pumpkin soup with sprigs of rosemary.
Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Made with canned pumpkin and warming spices like cinnamon and ginger, this soup is done in about 40 minutes. This one-pot meal offers a comforting and seasonally appropriate option for dinner. Expect it to be a repeat request from your family during the colder months.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Cauliflower cheddar cheese bacon soup in a pot with a spoon.
Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in 30 minutes, this soup combines cauliflower, cheddar cheese, and bacon for a comforting meal. The quick cook time and one-pot method make it an easy yet cozy choice for a cold evening. This dish is sure to become a staple in your family’s dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Cheddar Cheese Bacon Soup

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded broccoli cauliflower casserole in a baking dish garnished with green onions.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

In just 30 minutes, this casserole transforms frozen vegetables, cheese sauce, and bacon into a warm, golden dish. The quick bake time and hearty ingredients make it an ideal choice for dinner on colder nights. It’s another dish your family will want again and again.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Creamy ground beef skillet with cauliflower rice garnished with fresh herbs with a fork.
Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan dish is ready in 30 minutes, blending ground beef, cheddar cheese, and cauliflower rice. It’s an easy-to-make, comforting option for cool evenings. Your family will appreciate its warming qualities and likely ask for it frequently.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Ground Beef Skillet with Cauliflower Rice

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Creamy sun dried tomato chicken served on a plate.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This one-pan dish takes 30 minutes and combines boneless chicken thighs with Italian spices, heavy cream, chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. Its rich sauce and spices make it a warming dinner option for cold nights. Your family will appreciate its heartwarming qualities and look forward to having it again.
Get the Recipe: Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Keto Zuppa Toscana

A bowl of keto zuppa Toscana with a spoon in it.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This soup takes an hour to prepare and features a blend of sausage and spices. While it’s a modern take on a classic soup, its unique and comforting flavors make it a standout choice for cold evenings. It’s the type of dish that your family will be eager to have on repeat.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan chicken in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Ready in 40 minutes, this dish combines chicken, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a creamy sauce. It’s well-suited for colder nights and is likely to become a family favorite for its comforting warmth and flavorful ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

A casserole dish with meat and spinach in it.
Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

A hearty meal ideal for brisk evenings, this casserole brings together ground beef, spices, cheddar cheese, and veggies. The comforting experience provided by this dish will make it a frequent request for family dinners.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Beef Casserole with Cauliflower Rice and Spinach

Creamy Garlic Chicken

A white skillet of creamy garlic chicken garnished with herbs.
Creamy Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

With a 30-minute cooking time and one-pan method, this chicken dish is a convenient yet heartening dinner option. The comforting elements of this meal make it ideally suited for cool, cozy nights, and a dish your family will want to revisit.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Garlic Chicken

Fajita Baked Chicken

Cheesy chicken fajita bake in a baking pan.
Fajita Baked Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This 30-minute one-pan dish features chicken breasts and mini sweet peppers. The warm and flavorful result makes it an excellent choice for dinner on cool evenings. Expect this dish to be a regular in your family’s dinner plans.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Baked Chicken

Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili

Sweet and spicy bacon and turkey chili garnished with avocado slices, sour cream, and cilantro.
Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Requiring just a little over an hour of cooking, this chili offers a unique blend of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. The filling and protein-rich meal is perfect for the cold season and is the kind of comfort food your family will want to enjoy over and over.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Bacon and Turkey Chili

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.