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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    20 Deliciously Affordable Dinners for Chilly Nights

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on January 17, 2025, updated January 10, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    As the temperatures drop, cozying up with a warm meal becomes a must. These 20 affordable dinner ideas are perfect for chilly nights, offering comfort and satisfaction without breaking the bank. From hearty soups to filling casseroles, these recipes will keep you warm and happy all season long.

    Slow Cooker Beef Stew

    Slow cooker beef stew on a pot.
    Photo Credit: Fed by Sab.

    This stew is a cozy meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for chilly days. It features tender beef cooked with potatoes, carrots, and peas in a hearty broth.

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    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta

    Hearty Italian White Bean Soup with Pasta.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    This Italian white bean soup is perfect for chilly evenings. It's creamy with a coconut milk and sun-dried tomato base, packed with pasta, white cannellini beans, and fresh spinach, making it a hearty meal for busy weeknights.

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    Crockpot Mac and Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is creamy and simple to prepare, using a blend of cheddar and American cheeses. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it cook on low, with no need to cook the pasta beforehand.

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    Walking Taco Casserole

    Walking taco casserole on a baking dish.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    This walking taco casserole is a quick and easy meal that you can whip up in just 25 minutes using only one pan. It's a fun twist on your usual taco night that the whole family will enjoy.

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    Chili Dog Tater Tot Casserole

    Chili Dog Tater Tot Casserole.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    This casserole is a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy. It's straightforward to make, filling, and perfect for chilly evenings.

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    Short Rib Chili

    Short Rib Chili
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    This beef short rib chili is a great choice for chilly days, requiring only a few minutes of prep before it simmers on the stove or in a slow cooker. Packed with beans, veggies, and tender shredded beef, it’s a hearty meal that warms you up.

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    Mac and Cheese Pizza

    20 Minute Mac and Cheese Pizza
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Bacon mac and cheese pizza is quick to make, taking only 20 minutes to prepare. It's a fun way to use up leftover mac and cheese.

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    Vegan Chili with Black Beans

    Vegan Chili Recipe with Black Beans
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie Blog.

    This vegan chili is quick to prepare in just 15 minutes and is packed with delicious flavors, featuring black beans and split red lentils. It's a great option for a cozy meal on a chilly day.

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    Southwestern Turkey and Rice Casserole

    Southwestern Turkey and Rice Casserole
    Photo Credit: Tried and True Recipes.

    This turkey and rice casserole is packed with cheesy, spicy, and creamy flavors, all topped with a crunchy corn tortilla layer. It's a comforting dish that's perfect for chilly evenings.

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    Instant Pot Carrot Ginger Soup

    A bowl of carrot soup.
    Photo credit: Piping Pot Curry.

    This hearty soup is quick and easy to prepare, perfect for chilly evenings. In just 30 minutes, you can have a delicious meal that will help you through the week.

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    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles

    Crockpot Chicken and Noodles.
    Photo Credit: Bowl Me Over.

    This cozy meal is quick to prepare and perfect for chilly evenings. It's the kind of comfort food that warms you up and satisfies your hunger.

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    Roasted Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Soup

    Roasted Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Vegan Lunch Box.

    This butternut squash soup is simple to make and features roasted squash and red pepper. It's a great option for lunch or dinner, especially on chilly days.

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    Loaded Chicken & Potato Casserole

    Loaded chicken potato casserole.
    Photo credit: Food Folks and Fun.

    This dish features tender chicken mixed with golden potato cubes, all topped with crispy bacon, melted cheese, and a bit of green onion. It's a comforting meal that's perfect for chilly evenings.

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    30 Minute White Bean Soup with Kale

    30 Minute White Bean Soup with Kale
    Photo Credit: midwest foodie blog.

    This creamy vegan white bean soup is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes with ingredients you probably already have at home. It's a hearty and satisfying meal that's great for chilly evenings.

    Get the recipe

    American Goulash

    American Goulash
    Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon.

    American Goulash is a simple, one-pot dish that combines ground beef, tomatoes, and macaroni noodles. It's a cozy meal that's great any time of year and even better the next day.

    Get the recipe

    Spicy Vodka Pasta

    spicy vodka pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This version of Vodka Pasta is spicy, creamy, and packed with flavor, and you can even make it without any vodka. It's a great choice for a cozy dinner on a chilly night.

    Get the recipe

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    This dish features plenty of chicken and broccoli, making it a hearty meal that will fill you up. It's perfect for cold weather and you'll likely have some leftovers to enjoy later.

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    Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce

    Instant Pot Spaghetti with Meat Sauce on a bowl.
    Photo Credit: Midwest Foodie.

    Instant pot spaghetti is simple to prepare with just 9 ingredients and only one pot. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it a great option for busy weeknights.

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    Baked Ham Penne Pasta

    Baked Ham Penne Pasta.
    Photo credit: Miss in the Kitchen.

    Baked Ham Penne Pasta is a comforting dish that everyone loves. It's a filling meal with penne pasta, tasty ham, and a creamy garlic cheese sauce, making it great for using up leftover ham.

    Get the recipe

    Cheeseburger Macaroni

    CHEESEBURGER MACARONI.
    Photo credit: Cook Dinner Tonight.

    This recipe makes easy, cheesy hamburger mac in about 30 minutes. This one-pot dish couldn't be easier!

    Get the recipe

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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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