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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Cheap Cold Weather Dinners That Will Warm You Up

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

    When the temperature drops, nothing beats a warm, hearty meal to keep you cozy. Here are 20 budget-friendly dinner ideas that are perfect for cold weather. These recipes are not only easy to make but also packed with flavor, ensuring you stay warm and satisfied all season long.

    Miso Vegetable Soup

    A bowl of miso vegetable soup.
    Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This comforting soup is packed with healthy ingredients, flavorful broth, and soft veggies in every bite. It comes together quickly and you can easily adjust it to your taste.

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    Chicken Butternut Squash Soup

    Chicken Soup with Butternut Squash.
    Photo Credit: Like Hot Keto.

    This chicken soup is simple to prepare and all done in one pot. The winter squash brings a nice warmth, making it feel like a cozy fall meal.

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    Spicy Roasted Cauliflower Soup

    Spicy Roasted Cauliflower Soup.
    Photo Credit: Casual Foodist.

    This soup is warm, filling, and good for you. It's simple to prepare and perfect for chilly days.

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    Beet Pasta

    Beet Pasta.
    Photo credit: Gluten Free Stories.

    This creamy sauce combines tender beets with creme fraiche, feta cheese, sautéed onion, and garlic for a smooth finish. It's a great topping for any pasta dish.

    Get the recipe

    One Pan Falafel Bake

    Falafel bake on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Happy Veggie Kitchen.

    This easy one pan dinner is both simple and delicious. With premade falafel, beans, tomatoes, kale, and a cheesy topping, this vegetarian casserole is a comforting meal you'll want to make often.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti

    Crockpot Chicken Spaghetti.
    Photo Credit: Cheerful Cook.

    This is a simple meal that you can throw together quickly on busy weeknights. With familiar flavors that everyone in the family enjoys, this easy dinner is bound to be a regular in your home.

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    Beef and Barley Stew

    Beef and Barley Stew.
    Photo Credit Chew Out Loud.

    This stew is cooked in a slow cooker, resulting in a tender and tasty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for chilly evenings when you want something warm and satisfying.

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    Chicken Pot Pie Soup

    Chicken Pot Pie Soup.
    Photo Credit: Cincy Shopper.

    Chicken Pot Pie Soup is simple to prepare using frozen veggies and leftover chicken. This hearty soup is great for keeping warm on chilly days.

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    Spanish Chicken Stew

    Spanish chicken stew with rice.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This chicken stew is easy to whip up using rotisserie chicken and is full of lemon and rosemary flavors. It's a great option for chilly evenings when you want something warm and comforting.

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    Creamy Polish Parsnip Soup

    Creamy Parsnip Soup-Polish Way.
    Photo Credit: The Tastes of Life.

    This soup is rich and smooth, ideal for cold evenings. It's made with healthy ingredients and is great for any time you need a warm meal.

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    Creamy Vegan Wild Rice Soup

    Creamy Vegan Wild Rice Soup
    Photo Credit: My Quiet Kitchen.

    Wild rice soup is packed with vegetables like kale and butternut squash, and it's simple to prepare in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop. It's creamy but still light, and completely dairy-free!

    Get the recipe

    Chunky Roasted Veggie Soup

    Chunky Roasted Veggie Soup.
    Photo Credit: Debra Klein.

    This is an easy and healthy way to put dinner on the table during a busy weeknight. It’s perfect for when the weather is chilly and you want something warm and filling.

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    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup

    Slow Cooker Pizza and Pasta Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This hearty soup is packed with pizza flavors and bow-tie pasta, making it a hit with the whole family. It's also great for freezing, so you can enjoy it on busy nights without much work.

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    Meatball Casserole

    Meatball casserole served on a dish.
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    This Meatball Casserole is a filling and tasty dish that combines juicy meatballs and pasta in a creamy marinara sauce with melted cheese. It's perfect for a cozy dinner on a chilly night.

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    Easy Taco Casserole

    Easy Taco Casserole.
    Photo Credit; The Clean Eating Couple.

    This quick dinner is perfect for chilly evenings. It's a hearty taco casserole packed with ground beef, tortillas, and plenty of cheese, all ready in under an hour.

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    Homemade Spaghettios

    Homemade Spaghettios.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Homemade Spaghettios offer a warm and comforting meal that reminds you of childhood favorites. This quick 30-minute dish is a great way to enjoy a classic with fresh ingredients instead of the canned version.

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    Lemon Chicken Couscous Soup

    Lemon Chicken Couscous Soup
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipe.

    This dinner is easy to prepare and perfect for chilly evenings. It simplifies the process of making homemade stock, so you can enjoy a warm meal without much effort.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a warm and tasty dish that's super easy to prepare. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

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    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Much Butter.

    Chicken bacon ranch casserole is a great choice for dinner. It combines creamy, cheesy, and smoky flavors that everyone in the family will enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Slow cooker lasagna.
    Photo Credit: Foodess.

    This Slow Cooker Lasagna is packed with cheesy goodness and flavor. The slow cooker does all the work, from simmering the meat sauce to baking the lasagna, without the hassle of boiling noodles separately.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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    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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