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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    18 Cheap Cold Weather Meals That Will Keep You Cozy

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on January 21, 2025, updated January 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    When the temperature drops, there's nothing better than a warm, hearty meal to keep you cozy. From comforting soups to filling casseroles, these 18 budget-friendly recipes are perfect for chilly days. They’re easy to make and will warm you up from the inside out.

    Beef Tamale Casserole

    Beef Tamale Casserole.
    Photo credit: Jam Jar Kitchen.

    Tamale Pie is a simple and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy. With just a boxed cornbread mix, ground beef, and a few items from your pantry, you can whip up a filling meal in no time.

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    Hamburger and Potato Casserole

    Hamburger and Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bitz & Giggles.

    This is a comforting Midwestern casserole with ground beef and green beans, all topped with cheesy mashed potatoes and crispy French fried onions. It's a warm and filling dish that's perfect for chilly evenings.

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    Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

    Easy Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup Recipe
    Photo Credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This slow cooker minestrone soup is a filling vegetarian meal packed with pasta, beans, and zucchini. It's a simple and tasty dinner that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Chicken and Dumpling Casserole

    Chicken and Dumpling Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    Bisquick Chicken and Dumpling Casserole is a hearty dish packed with tender chicken and veggies in a creamy sauce. It's a simple meal that everyone will enjoy.

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    One Pot Chicken Dumpling Soup

    A bowl of chicken dumpling soup.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Chicken dumpling soup is a cozy dish that's perfect for chilly days. This simple recipe is quick to prepare in about 40 minutes, using rotisserie chicken and refrigerated biscuit dough, along with tasty veggies in a creamy broth.

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    Stovetop Tuna Casserole

    Stovetop Tuna Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Our Love Language is Food.

    This tuna noodle casserole is a simple twist on a classic dish. With real ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, it's a great meal for the whole family.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup.
    Photo Credit: That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

    Chicken Enchilada Soup is a cozy Mexican dish that's simple to make in a slow cooker. It's perfect for chilly winter days when you want something warm and hearty.

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    Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili

    Instant Pot Vegan Chili (Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili)
    Photo Credit: Hey Nutrition Lady.

    This Instant Pot Vegan Chili is quick and easy to prepare in your pressure cooker. It's filled with butternut squash, quinoa, black beans, and smoky chipotle peppers, making it a healthy and hearty meal perfect for chilly days.

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    One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta

    One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This dish features a rich, creamy sauce that clings to the pasta, complemented by tender kale and flavorful Italian sausage. It's a comforting meal perfect for chilly evenings.

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    Ground Beef and Potato Casserole

    Ground Beef and Potato Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Zona Cooks.

    This cheesy casserole is great any time of day. It's packed with soft potatoes, ground beef, onions, cheese, and a creamy mushroom sauce.

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    Instant Pot Chicken Soup

    A bowl of chicken soup.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This Instant Pot Chicken Soup is ready in just over an hour and is perfect for a cozy dinner. It's creamy with a hint of spice, making it a comforting meal for chilly evenings.

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    Red Kabocha Rice Soup

    Red Kabocha Rice Soup
    Photo Credit: tried and true recipe.

    Red kabocha rice soup is a comforting dish perfect for chilly days. This recipe is a great way to enjoy the flavors of kabocha squash in a warm and satisfying meal.

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    Pink Pasta Sauce

    Pink pasta on a shallow, white bowl.
    Photo Credit: XOXOBella.

    This pink sauce pasta features a creamy tomato sauce with onion, garlic, and melted mozzarella cheese mixed with perfectly cooked spaghetti. It's a comforting dish that anyone who enjoys Italian flavors will love.

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    Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

    Photo credit: The Fresh Cooky.

    This dinner is simple to make and full of great flavor. With tender pasta and Italian sausage in a creamy tomato sauce, it's a filling meal that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Papa’s Gone All Day Stew

    Papa’s Gone All Day Stew
    Photo Credit: Easy Budget Recipes.

    This stew is a classic comfort food that serves a crowd, making it great for family dinners. It's simple enough to whip up on a weekday too.

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    Chicken Tortilla Soup

    Chicken Tortilla Soup.
    Photo Credit: That Skinny Chick Can Bake.

    This soup is perfect for any time of the year. It's filling, nutritious, and has a nice kick to it, making it a great choice for chilly days.

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    Crescent Roll Taco Bake

    Crescent Roll Taco Bake.
    Photo Credit: The Urben Life.

    This taco bake is a simple dish that combines seasoned ground beef and creamy refried beans wrapped in a soft, buttery crescent roll crust. Top it with your favorite taco toppings for a quick and satisfying dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup

    Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup.
    Photo Credit: Valerie's Kitchen.

    Get this hearty Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup simmering in your slow cooker and you'll come home to a wholesome and comforting weeknight dinner. It's loaded with chunks of tender beef, vegetables, and wholesome barley.

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    More Recipe Roundups

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      16 Simple Romantic Dinner Dishes with Just a Few Ingredients
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      21 Hearty Veggie Loaded Casseroles You Need to Try Tonight
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      17 Gnocchi Recipes That Are So Good You'll Want Seconds
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      21 Crockpot Chicken Dinners for When You’d Rather Not Cook

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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