Soup season is in full swing, as is stew season, roast season, and cozy-recipe season. In other words, it’s time to roll out the recipes and prep the kitchen for all our favorite comfort foods!
When I think of cozy comfort foods, I think of my mom. She made the best soups and stews with lots of veggies and different cuts of beef. She always added her home canned tomatoes to the broth to make it extra rich. The soups and stews were a little different every time depending on what she had in the cupboard, but we could always count on hot cornbread to go with it.
We’ve rounded up 8 cozy comfort foods to keep you warm this winter season.
1. Hearty Dutch Oven Beef Stew
When the temps drop, a hearty stew and a fire in the hearth are just what we need to stay warm.
INGREDIENTS:
For the meat:
- 3 pounds whole boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 1.5 inch chunks
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Olive oil
For the stew:
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 large carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup red wine (or beef broth)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
- 4 cups beef broth, plus more as needed
- 3 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced (see note below)
- 2 dried bay leaves
- Chopped parsley
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Frozen or fresh green peas (optional)
2. Tuscan Sausage and Vegetable Stew
Savor a taste of Italy right from your own warm kitchen table with this Tuscan-style stew.
INGREDIENTS:
- extra virgin olive oil
- 13.5oz kielbasa, quartered then chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped small
- 2 medium-sized carrots, chopped small
- 1 shallot or small onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- homemade seasoned salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 15oz can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
- 15oz can great northern OR garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups chicken broth or stock
- parmesan cheese rind (optional)
- 2 cups diced peeled Russet potatoes (~1 medium-sized potato)
- 2 packed cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
3. Best Pot Roast Recipe
A rich, flavorful pot roast just speaks of the holiday season, doesn’t it? While a roast may take time, the wait is certainly worth the rich flavors.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 whole (4 to 5 pounds) chuck roast
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 whole onions
- 6 whole carrots (up to 8 carrots)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 c. red wine (optional, you can use beef broth instead)
- 2 c. to 3 cups beef stock
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, or more to taste
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, or more to taste
4. Stuffed Pepper Soup
If you love traditional stuffed peppers, why not make a soup of it? A great thing about this recipe is that you can cook this over the stove or in a crockpot — your choice!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 small yellow onion chopped (1 cup)
- 1 cup chopped red bell pepper (a little over 1/2 of a medium)
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (14.5 oz) cans petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz) can low-sodium beef broth
- 2 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 tsp dried basil*
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white or brown rice (I love both options)
- Cheddar or mozzarella cheese, for serving (optional)
5. Fall-Apart Roasted Pork Shoulder with Rosemary, Mustard and Garlic
Mmmm… tender meat that’s been cooked slow and low over the course of an afternoon makes for the coziest wintertime supper.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
- 3 anchovies, rinsed
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons coarse Dijon mustard
- 1 6-pound boneless pork shoulder trimmed of excess fat and tied
6. Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup
Sometimes you just crave a comforting bowl of warm chicken noodle soup like mama used to make.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- Kosher salt freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 1/2 pounds bone-in, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 1/2 cups wide egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, or more, to taste
7. The Best Classic Chili
Chilly weather calls for a bowl of chili. You just can’t go wrong with this dish!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion -diced
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper* -optional
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
8. Easy Chicken and Dumplings
Pillowy dumplings in a creamy broth is a match made in winter heaven.
Hint: short on time? Substitute homemade dumplings with a can of cut-up frozen biscuits. We’ve tried it and can confirm — it’s still delicious!
INGREDIENTS:
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 12 oz (1 can) evaporated milk
- 32 oz (1 quart) chicken stock
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper (or to taste)
- salt, to taste
For the dumplings:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon, baking powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 3/4 cup (6 oz) whole milk
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
**
We hope you stay warm and cozy this Christmas season!
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