17 cozy dinners for cold December days

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Welcome the winter chill as you explore our specially curated list of 17 cozy dinners, brimming with family-friendly recipes that include everything from rich, velvety soups to hearty stews and mouth-watering casseroles. These dishes are not just meals; they’re a warm embrace on cold December nights, designed to bring families together and fill your home with the comforting aromas of winter cooking.

A pot of veggie lentil soup, filled with vegetables and lentils.
Turmeric Lentil Soup. Photo Credit: An Off Grid Life.

Venison Stew

Venison stew in a red pot with a wooden spoon.
Venison Stew. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

As December’s cold nights set in, Venison Stew offers a comforting and hearty meal. It is ideal for game meat lovers and adds a unique twist to your winter dining experience.
Get the Recipe: Venison Stew

Turkey Spinach Wraps

Turkey wraps on plate.
Turkey Spinach Wraps. Photo credit: Recipes from Leftovers..

A cozy yet healthy option, Turkey Cranberry Spinach Wraps offer a delightful, lighter dinner choice. Their easy preparation and heartwarming fall flavors make them a perfect pick for the winter season.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Spinach Wraps

Sausage Kale Bean Soup

Sausage, kale and bean soup in pot with a wooden spoon.
Sausage Kale Bean Soup. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

The short days and long nights of the last month of the year demand comforting meals, and Sausage Kale Bean Soup is a perfect choice. Its heartiness warms up the coldest evenings, offering a cozy balance for winter dining.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Kale Bean Soup

Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce

Creamy zucchini pasta sauce with shaved parmesan.
Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

In the chilly December evenings, transform late-season zucchinis into a comforting Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce. This dish is a delightful blend of richness and nutrition, perfect for cozy dinners.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta Sauce

Ptarmigan Grouse Stew

Ptarmigan spruce grouse stew
Spruce Grouse/Ptarmigan Stew. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Ptarmigan and grouse stew, with its rich flavors and hearty ingredients, is a quintessential comfort food for winter days. Its warm, savory broth and tender meat make it an ideal dish to cozy up with during the chilly season.
Get the Recipe: Ptarmigan Grouse Stew

Turmeric Lentil Soup

A pot of veggie lentil soup, filled with vegetables and lentils.
Turmeric Lentil Soup. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

As the temperature drops, nothing beats the warmth of Turmeric Lentil Soup. This hearty dish, brimming with lentils and invigorating turmeric, promises a nourishing and comforting meal for those cold evenings.
Get the Recipe: Turmeric Lentil Soup

Chicken Salsa Black Bean Casserole

Chicken black bean salsa casserole.
Chicken Salsa Black Bean Casserole. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

Wave farewell to fall yet maintain its lively flavors in your December dinners. The Chicken Salsa Black Bean Casserole is a cozy yet zesty blend, perfect for warming up chilly evenings.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Salsa Black Bean Casserole

Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Hashbrown and hamburger casserole in white pan.
Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

As cold December days roll in, indulge in the ultimate comfort dish: Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole. This one-pan sensation melds succulent ground beef with golden hashbrowns, all enrobed in a luscious, cheesy embrace – a sublime culinary bridge from summer to fall.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

A baking dish full of chicken enchiladas is surrounded by cut limes, a halved avocado, and a green linen.
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Embrace December dinners easily using a slow cooker for these tantalizing Chicken Enchiladas. Effortlessly prepared, they promise a burst of flavor – just set, forget, and return home to a dinner that’s splendidly ready to relish on a cold winter’s evening.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Roasted Half Chicken

Two roasted chicken halves on a white platter with lemon and parsley.
Roasted Half Chicken. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

A Roasted Half Chicken is a quick yet lavish choice for cold December nights, offering a burst of warmth and flavor. It’s the perfect blend of simplicity and extravagance for a winter evening meal.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Half Chicken

Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Bowl of copycat Olive Garden chicken gnocchi soup in a bowl with breadsticks in the background.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

As December’s chill sets in, Chicken Gnocchi Soup offers a warm embrace with its tender chicken, pillowy gnocchi, and rich, creamy base. It’s the ideal comfort food for these cold nights, blending heartiness and flavor in every spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Image shows baked cheesy chicken enchiladas in a blue Pyrex casserole.
Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

As December’s chill sets in, warm up with easy-to-make Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas. Combine convenient store-bought items like canned sauce and pre-cooked chicken for a cozy, quick dinner delight.
Get the Recipe: Semi-homemade Chicken Enchiladas

Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

Easy cheesy hamburger casserole in bowl with onion garnish.
Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

As December’s cold wind blows, the Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole offers warmth and simplicity, combining ground beef, cheese, and pasta into a comforting meal that delights children and adults too. Its straightforward ingredients and hassle-free preparation make it a perfect choice for cozy dinners.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cheesy Hamburger Casserole

Homemade Smoky Baked Beans

Image shows a white casserole dish filled with homemade baked beans on wooden table with a silver spoon sticking out from it.
Homemade Smoky Baked Beans. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Warm up your December dinners with Homemade Smoky Baked Beans, capturing the essence of summer memories. These beans offer a rich, comforting flavor, perfect alongside grilled meats or as a hearty stand-alone dish.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Smoky Baked Beans

Vibrant Delight Rainbow Pizza

Rainbow Pizza filled with colorful tomatoes and green fresh chives around it.
Vibrant Delight Rainbow Pizza. Photo credit: Low Carb – No Carb.

Warm up your December dinners with Vibrant Delight Rainbow Pizza. This dish, brimming with vegetables in a cheerful rainbow arrangement, brings a burst of color to your winter table.
Get the Recipe: Vibrant Delight Rainbow Pizza

Maple Miso Chicken

Maple miso chicken in cast iron skillet.
Maple Miso Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

As December’s chill sets in, warm up with Maple Miso Chicken, a delightful fusion of Eastern and Western flavors. Its harmonious mix of sweet maple and savory miso offers a cozy, comforting taste perfect for winter evenings.
Get the Recipe: Maple Miso Chicken

Black Bean Chili

Black Bean Chili Soup
Black Bean Chili Soup. Photo credit: An Off Grid Life.

A hearty black bean chili soupo, brimming with tender black beans and sweet corn, offers a comforting blend of flavors that is ideal for a cozy December dinner. This warming dish is seasoned with a rich blend of spices, creating a satisfying meal that brings both warmth and joy to chilly winter evenings.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Chili Soup

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