21 Recipes You’ll Doubt at First, But Will Love as Winter Favorites

Winter recipes can sometimes look unusual at first but quickly become favorites once tried. These 21 dishes are simple to prepare and bring warmth and flavor to cold days. Try these ideas and watch them turn into must-haves for the season!

Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

Craving something hearty? Baked Cauliflower with Cheese has got you covered. Once baked, the golden, cheesy crust will have you coming back for seconds. It's comfort food that'll keep you snug and satisfied.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cauliflower with Cheese

Carrot Cake In A Mug

Carrot mug cake. — Carrot Cake In A Mug. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Got a mug and a couple of minutes? Whip up Carrot Cake In A Mug. No need to wait for the oven when the microwave can bring out that sweet, carrot-y goodness. Perfect for cozy evenings when you want to snuggle with a treat.
Get the Recipe: Carrot Cake In A Mug

Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Spicy and cheesy, Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake fuses your favorite flavors in one dish. No need for wings when you can have it all in a comforting pasta form. Just when you thought pasta couldn't get any better, this dish proves you wrong.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

Everything-Seasoned Sautéed Beet Greens

Don't toss those beet greens! Transform them with Everything-Seasoned Sautéed Beet Greens. They'll turn into a garlicky, everything-spice wonder that's unexpectedly tasty. Pair it with your favorite grain for a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Everything-Seasoned Sautéed Beet Greens

Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Two bowls of hot and sour soup. — Chicken Hot and Sour Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Who needs takeout when you can make Chicken Hot and Sour Soup at home? It's the ideal mix of spicy and tangy flavors that warms you right up. This soup will surprise you with its depth of flavor. It's not just a meal; it's an experience on a cold night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Hot and Sour Soup

Cauliflower Cheese

Turn that cauliflower into something extraordinary with Cauliflower Cheese. It's a creamy, cheesy transformation that will steal the show on any dinner plate. Best enjoyed on chilly days, it's like wrapping your taste buds in a warm blanket.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Cheese

Vegan Cashew Carrot Ginger Soup

Meet the smooth, gingery blend that is Vegan Cashew Carrot Ginger Soup. It's a nourishing concoction that will make you feel cared for inside out. Truly a mug-full of warmth for those extra frosty evenings.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Cashew Carrot Ginger Soup

Chicken Divan

A casserole dish with cheese and broccoli on a napkin. — Chicken Divan. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Bring some excitement to your table with Chicken Divan. It's a casserole that combines chicken and broccoli in a creamy cheese sauce. Think of it as your deliciously indulgent way to brave the freezing weather.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Divan

Spicy Kale & Potato Curry

Heat up your nights with a bowl of Spicy Kale & Potato Curry. It's a robust, warming dish that brings together spuds and greens in a way you wouldn't believe. Perfect for when you need a little kick to beat the chill.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Kale & Potato Curry

Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot

Pork tenderloin on a cutting board next to a slow cooker. — Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Set it and forget it with Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot. Imagine the aroma filling your home as it cooks to perfection. Tender, flavorful, and simply irresistible. It's the kind of meal that makes a cold, lazy day feel special.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot

Green Chili Chicken Soup

Overhead shot of a pot of the soup with two bowls of the soup and garnishes. — Green Chili Chicken Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

With just the right amount of heat, Green Chili Chicken Soup comes to the rescue. It's hearty, filled with tender chicken, and has that warming spice you didn't know you needed. Each spoonful is a step towards feeling toasty. Dive into a bowl and let the warmth take over.
Get the Recipe: Green Chili Chicken Soup

Adzuki Bean Coconut Curry

Discover the magic with Adzuki Bean Coconut Curry. Its rich, coconutty base will envelop those sweet adzuki beans in a warm embrace. It's a blend that will fascinate and keep you toasty.
Get the Recipe: Adzuki Bean Coconut Curry

Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole

Cabbage beef casserole inside cast iron. — Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

When cabbage meets beef and cheese, Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole is what you get. It's a trio that feels like a warm embrace. This casserole guarantees to fill you up and keep you cozy. A hidden gem for the winter months that'll surprise you.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cabbage Beef Casserole

Easy Creamy Taco Soup

Creamy Keto Taco Soup with gresh avocado slices and lime. — Easy Creamy Taco Soup. Photo credit: Low Carb - No Carb.

If tacos were a soup, they'd be Easy Creamy Taco Soup. Creamy, spicy, and utterly fulfilling. Dive into a bowl and let each spoonful comfort you against the cold. It’s like your favorite taco decided to become your favorite soup.
Get the Recipe: Easy Creamy Taco Soup

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Combine mac 'n cheese with chili, and Slow Cooker Chili Mac is born. It's filling, cheesy, and has that comforting chili warmth. A slow-cooked wonder that's waiting to be devoured on any frosty evening. Let each bite warm you up from the inside.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Potato Soup

Sometimes, simplicity wins, and that's what Potato Soup is all about. It's potatoes doing what they do best—being effortlessly delicious. Let it be your homemade hug on a cold night.
Get the Recipe: Potato Soup

The Ultimate Vegetarian Stew

When it's cold and you're searching for comfort, look no further than The Ultimate Vegetarian Stew. Chunky veggies and hearty pulses unite to form your winter shield. It's a bowl that promises to ward off the frost with every spoonful.
Get the Recipe: The Ultimate Vegetarian Stew

Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookies

Craving cookies with a twist? Try baking some Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookies. Their rich tahini twist will surprise you, and their chewiness will keep you munching happily. Perfect for pairing with a hot drink when the wind howls outside.
Get the Recipe: Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookies

Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

Low angle shot of stuffed pepper soup in a white bowl. — Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Let's talk about turning classic stuffed peppers into a soup with Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup. It's all the flavors you love, simplified into a bowl. Easy to make and even easier to devour. On a brisk evening, this is the comfort you'll be grateful for.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup

Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Indulge in the lighter side with Coconut Cauliflower Rice. It's fluffy, coconutty, and surprisingly satisfying. A fabulous side dish that pairs well with just about anything. Especially perfect for when you want to keep things cozy yet light.
Get the Recipe: Coconut Cauliflower Rice

Greek Chickpea Soup

Venture into a bowl of Greek Chickpea Soup and discover how hearty chickpeas can be. It’s simple, flavorful, and incredibly warming. This soup might just become your go-to for when the weather outside is frightful. A perfect blend of simplicity and warmth for your winter table.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chickpea Soup