Cozy Winter Dish Ideas For Lunch Or Dinner

As the air turns chilly, there’s no better excuse to head home and whip up a comforting meal. These effortless dishes allow you to plan a week’s worth of dinners with minimal effort. Let’s explore these straightforward recipes that are perfect for the winter season.  

Spicy Salsa Verde Chicken Casserole 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×10-inch baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine two cups of shredded rotisserie chicken, ¾ of a cup of cooked white or brown rice, one jar of salsa verde, ½ cup of sour cream, one cup of shredded Mexican cheese, and one can of diced tomatoes with the juice.  

Place the mixture into your baking dish and add more shredded Mexican cheese on top. Next, slice up two fresh jalapenos and add to the top of the cheese. Bake until golden and bubbly, and serve with freshly chopped cilantro and even more yummy salsa!  

Easy Baked Ham and Cheese Crossiants  

What better than a cheesy warmed sandwich on a winter’s day? Serve it with a side of your favorite soup, and it’s a complete comfort meal.  

Begin by grabbing your favorite deli cut of ham and a super melty cheese like Swiss or Havarti. Next, pick up some of the large buttery croissants in the bakery to make this a quick lunch or weeknight dinner.  

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Slice the croissants in half, and layer the bottoms in a 9×10-inch baking pan. Next, spread a mixture of mayo and Dijon mustard onto the croissants.  

Place the sliced ham on the croissants and add the sliced cheese. Place the tops back on and cover them with some melted butter, a pinch of garlic, parsley, and poppy seeds. Bake until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted.  

Simple Hearty Minestrone Soup   

A simple, healthy, and tasty one-pot soup is perfect for a chilly winter day. This soup has it all—chunky vegetables with a smooth tomato broth. Pair it with melty grilled cheese, and you have the perfect cold-day meal.  

Add two tablespoons of olive oil, one diced yellow onion, a few ribs of celery, peeled and chopped carrots, and a few crushed garlic cloves to a large, heavy-bottom pot and season with a touch of salt. Once the onions are translucent and the garlic fragrant, add chopped yellow squash and a diced zucchini, followed by a can of diced tomatoes and a can of drained and rinsed kidney beans.  

Finish by seasoning with Italian seasonings, basil, and oregano. Allow the flavors to cook together, then pour over one can of tomato sauce and a quart of vegetable broth. Once the broth is simmering away, cook some of your favorite smaller-sized noodles and add to the soup once you’re ready to eat!  

Wrapping Up Cozy Winter Dish Ideas  

These simple and delicious cozy dinners or lunches will warm you on a cold winter day. Plus, they require minimal ingredients and are sure to feed a crowd or leave you plenty of leftovers, which is a win-win for everyone!