Much like warming soups and chilis, stews are a cool-weather classic that often deliver a complete meal in just one bowl. A hearty beef base may be the most traditional, but there are plenty of options for mix-ins: chicken, seafood, beans, sausage and more.

It all comes down to layering flavors and complementary ingredients when simmering a pot of hearty stew. Check out some of Food Network’s best-ever stews below for fun and tried-and-true ideas alike to stay warm all season long.

Chicken Stew

“Make a big pot. It tastes even better the next day,” Giada De Laurentiis explains of her top-rated recipe, which she beefs up with fresh veggies and kidney beans. She also gets it on the table in less than an hour.

Beef Stew with Root Vegetables

The secret to The Pioneer Woman’s especially tender beef is the low-and-slow cooking process. She lets the meat simmer for a few hours in the rich, savory broth, then adds the veggies.

Beef and Butternut Squash Stew

‘Tis the season for all things squash, including Giada’s wine-spiked stew. This hearty vegetable stands up well to the heartiness of the beef and pairs well with the sun-dried tomatoes.

Green Chile Stew

Simmered with a duo of bell peppers as well as diced chile peppers, Food Network Magazine’s big-batch stew is studded with pork and potatoes, and it is best served with warm flour tortillas.

Jack’s Brunswick Stew

“My daddy’s Brunswick stew is very rich and creamy,” Trisha Yearwood notes of this fuss-free recipe. It boasts three kinds of ground meat, potatoes and cream-style corn, all of which you whirl in the food processor while building the stew.

Slow-Cooker Sausage, Bean and Pasta Stew

According to the chefs in Food Network Kitchen, “Two secret ingredients do double-duty in this sausage stew: Fire-roasted canned tomatoes boost the flavor and add smoky backbone, while a Parmesan rind (which you can get on its own in many supermarkets) adds a savory, just slightly cheesy note and tons of body.” Perhaps best of all is the hands-off cooking time, as the slow cooker does most of the work for you.

Bean, Kale and Egg Stew

Ready to eat in only 35 minutes, this good-for-you stew from Food Network Kitchen is finished with runny-yolk eggs, which will break open in the broth and create rich flavor as you dig in.

Mexican Fish Stew

Lime-marinated tilapia and tender potatoes beef up Food Network Magazine’s 30-minute fish stew, which is spiked with ancho chile powder for a punch of bold flavor.

Related Links:

Warming Soups and Stews

Slow Cooker Recipes to Make in Your Crock Pot

Comforting Casserole Recipes