As temperatures continue to drop and the wind gets colder, there is nothing more wonderful than a warm meal and a full belly. Though comfort food is welcome all year round, it’s the ultimate way to combat darker days and frigid weather. These comforting recipes will leave you feeling satisfied, from soups to stews to casseroles, and the best part is that they don’t take ages to prepare and cook. These winter-inspired dishes are easy to make and are nourishing and filling. Here are four of the best homemade recipes during the winter season:  

Easy Lemon Piccata  

This Lemon Piccata recipe is quite deceiving because it looks like a fancy dish that would take hours to prepare, but it’s unbelievably easy to whip up with the ingredients you already have in your home. It’s the ideal dish for a date night, busy weeknight, or even a Sunday dinner. This recipe is from DamnDelicious, and it will leave a lemon zest aroma in your house for hours. Here is a recipe for Easy Lemon Piccata:  

Ingredients  

• 1 pound spaghetti 
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut crosswise in half  
• Kosher salt and pepper to taste  
• ½ cup all-purpose flour  
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided  

• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• ¼ cup diced shallots  
• ¾ cup chicken broth  
• ¼ cup dry white wine  
• Juice of 1 lemon  

• ½ cup heavy cream  
• ¼ cup capers, drained  
•  2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves  

Directions  

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.  

• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Working one at a time, dredge chicken in flour.  
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, flipping once, until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm.  
• Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the skillet. Add garlic and shallots, frequently stirring until fragrant, about 2 minutes.  
• Stir in chicken broth, wine, and lemon juice. Cook, occasionally stirring, until slightly reduced, about 5 minutes.  
• Gradually whisk in heavy cream until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in capers.  

• Serve immediately with pasta and chicken, garnished with parsley, if desired.  

*Note: Additional chicken broth can be used for white wine as a non-alcoholic substitute* 

Turkey Biscuit Stew  

This chunky stew makes for a hearty supper, especially during the winter, and does a fantastic job of warming your belly and satisfying your soul. This recipe was found in Taste of Home and is quite delicious. This meal is perfect for a snowy day, but equally great for dinner with friends. Here is a recipe for Turkey Biscuit Stew: 

Ingredients  

• 1/3 cup chopped onion 
• ¼ cup butter, cubed 
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 
• ½ teaspoon salt  

• 1/8 teaspoon pepper  
• 1 can (10 ½ ounces) condensed chicken broth, undiluted  
• 2 cups cubed cooked turkey  
• 1 cup cooked peas  
• 1 cup cooked whole baby carrots  

• ¾ cup 2% milk  
• 1 tube large, refrigerated buttermilk biscuits  

Directions  

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. In a 10-inch cast-iron or in another oven-proof skillet, sauté the onions in butter until tender.  
• Stir in flour, salt, and pepper until blended. Gradually add broth and milk and bring to a boil.  

• Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Add the turkey, peas, and carrots, and heat through.  
• Separate biscuits and arrange them over the stew.  
• Bake until biscuits are golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.  
• Serve, and enjoy!  

Creamy Mashed Potato Soup  

Who doesn’t love soup? Who doesn’t love creamy mashed potatoes? What about if we combined those two to make the ultimate comfort food dish? That’s right, this recipe from Food and Wine takes you step-by-step to make the best soup you’ll ever have! Here is a recipe for Creamy Mashed Potato Soup:  

Ingredients  

• 1 medium-size yellow onion, finely chopped 
• 2 large celery stalks, finely chopped  

• 2 ½ – 3 ½ cups dashi or chicken stock  
• 3 cups mashed potatoes  
• ¼ cup whole milk (optional)  
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt, to taste  
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, to taste  

• Unsalted butter and soy sauce for serving  
• Chopped mitsuba or celery leaves for garnish  

Directions  

• Combine onion, celery, and 2 ½ cups dashi (or chicken stock) in a small Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  
• Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, occasionally stirring, until vegetables are tender – 35-40 minutes.  

• Add mashed potatoes to the dashi mixture, and whisk until well combined. Stir in milk, if desired, for a creamier texture. Stir in the remaining 1 cup dashi, ¼ cup at a time, to thin the soup to desired consistency.  
• Cook over medium-low heat, occasionally stirring until warm, 4-6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.  
• Top servings with butter and drizzle with soy sauce. Garnish with mitsuba or celery leaves and indulge!  

Cheesy Beef and Shells  

If you grew up loving Hamburger Helper, you’re going to love this quick and easy version of cheesy beef and shells. The whole thing couldn’t be easier, only taking 40 minutes to make and it epitomizes the saying “comfort food for the soul”. From the website The Kitchn, here is a recipe for Cheesy Beef and Shells:  

Ingredients  

• 1 tablespoon olive oil  
• 1 pound lean ground beef  
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt  
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder  

• 1 teaspoon onion powder  
• 2 cups beef broth  
• 8 ounces dried pasta shells  
• 1 (15-ounce) can of tomato sauce  
• 8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)  

• ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half  

Directions  

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound of ground beef and cook until cooked through and browned.  
• Season with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more.  
• Stir in 2 cups beef broth, 8 ounces dried pasta shells, and 1 (15-ounce) can of tomato sauce. Cover and cook until the shells are tender and the sauce is slightly thickened 8 to 10 minutes.  

• Shred 8 ounces of sharp white cheddar cheese (about 2 cups).  
• Remove from the heat and stir in ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half and 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately and enjoy! 

We hope these homemade recipes for indulging in the winter inspire you, satisfy you, and keep you braving the cold weather. Give us a shout at [email protected] for any further suggestions or questions that you may have!  

Happy cooking, friends!