10 Cozy Cold Weather Recipes to Warm the Soul
/When you’re in full-on cozy mode during the winter, there’s no better time to get cooking. A warm oven or stovetop, comfy clothes (no need to get out of your PJs) and the promise of a comforting meal to warm the soul — what could be more inviting?
We have the perfect cold weather recipes for spending the day indoors. Some keep it simple — one-pot meals, slow cooker recipes or dishes made in an Instant Pot® — while others beg you to take your time.
There are plenty of cold weather recipes to choose from: soups and stews, filling meals with enough for leftovers and, of course, lots of cheese (the ultimate comfort food!).
Speaking of cheese, what makes all these cold weather recipes so good — and good for the planet? They all include sustainably made dairy, and in particular, the crowd favorite: cheese. The Nerd Herd is working alongside our more than 6,000 family-owned dairy farms to help reduce their carbon footprint — all while continuing to make the delicious dairy products you love. Who’s the Nerd Herd? Learn more at DFANerdHerd.com.
Whatever you choose to make, these cold weather recipes will fill you up: body and soul, and you can feel good about how the dairy in them is good for the planet, too.
While not a combination that comes top-of-mind, jalapeño poppers and macaroni and cheese are one perfect pairing. This macaroni and cheese dish has all the spicy flavor of the jalapeño appetizer we all know and love with the comfort of mac n’ cheese.
Get our jalapeño popper mac recipe.
2. Sausage-Stuffed Acorn Squash With Chestnuts, Apples and Gruyere
Stuffed vegetables offer endless possibilities of deliciousness, and this sausage-stuffed acorn squash is no exception. Incomplete without the cheese, the rich Gruyere in this stuffed acorn squash complements the pork, apples and chestnuts for a delicious dish that works as a meal or side.
Get our sausage-stuffed acorn squash recipe.
3. Brown Butter Wild Rice Pilaf With Lemon-Maple Vinaigrette
Wild rice is toasted in browned butter to make this nutty and aromatic wild rice pilaf. It’s a flavorful side dish that’s as easy to put together as it is stunning. Pair it with a salad or soup for a satisfying winter meal.
Get our brown butter wild rice pilaf with lemon-maple vinaigrette recipe.
Enjoy the best of a hearty beef chili and a creamy macaroni and cheese all in one bowl with this easy cold weather recipe. Topped with perfectly melty queso Oaxaca, this melty cheese coats every nook and cranny in this one-pot wonder of a meal.
Get our chili mac n’ cheese recipe.
Satisfying and creamy, this soup will warm up your belly on a chilly winter day. Thanks to steak tips (or beef stew meat), this soup is extra filling and perfect for a meal all on its own.
This comforting take on classic chili calls for a rotisserie chicken to speed up prep time. Made in one pot, you’ll have a bowlful of this creamy soup ready to devour in 30 minutes.
Get our creamy white chicken chili recipe.
Break out two of winter’s infamous shortcuts — the slow cooker and cream of mushroom soup — for a no-fuss version of a restaurant favorite.
Get our five cheese and mushroom slow cooker risotto recipe.
For those curious about how to make homemade ravioli — pasta from scratch takes time to make, but it’s oh-so worth it in the end. From mixing, kneading and rolling out the dough to filling, cooking and enjoying the ravioli, this cold weather recipe isn’t just cooking, it’s also a fun activity.
Get our homemade three-cheese ravioli with red sauce recipe.
Channel your inner French chef with this slow-braised beef Burgundy stew, also commonly referred to as beef bourguignon. Our beef Burgundy stew recipe is loaded with flavorful red wine, roasted vegetables and plenty of butter.
Get our beef Burgundy stew recipe.
Take this childhood classic to the next level with a boost of flavor and extra health benefits from kimchi. A traditional Korean fermented food, kimchi is a mix of fermented vegetables and seasonings, usually cabbage. It’s slightly sour and pairs perfectly in a gooey grilled cheese sandwich.
Get our kimchi grilled cheese sandwich recipe.
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How Dairy Farmers Keep Their Cows Warm and Cozy During the Winter
As you’re enjoying a warm dish, you might start to wonder if the lovely ladies who make the milk going into your meal (or any of its other delicious forms!) are warm, too. Rest assured that although it may be cold outside, dairy cows are toasty warm.
Family dairy farmers work hard to keep their cows comfortable, no matter the weather. They hang curtains or plastic in the barn to keep out harsh winds, and they lay down fresh, dry bedding for them to snuggle in. In fact, dairy cows are right at home in colder weather and are happiest between 40 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Idahoan family dairy farmers like husband and wife Richard and Kim Korn, are well accustomed to donning their snow boots and winter coats to care for their cows during the winter.
Read their story to learn even more ways they care for their cows.