51 Winter Weeknight Dinners to Keep in Your Back Pocket

If you’re anything like us, your cooking changes season by season. When the weather gets cold, that means reaching for hearty ingredients and comforting recipes—especially ones that come together fast or with the help of a trusted kitchen gadget like your slow cooker or favorite skillet. We look forward to making some of our favorite dishes in the winter, from baked pastas and creamy risottos to pot pies and meal-worthy soups—and we’ve rounded up all our best recipe ideas here. If you’re looking for a tried-and-true classic to make for your family, start with Chicken Marsala. The secret to amazing flavor? Cook the mushrooms and prosciutto strips in the same skillet as the chicken. That way you can take advantage of the brown bits and caramelized pieces left behind.

Ree flavors quick-cooking salmon fillets with store-bought teriyaki sauce and serves them alongside microwave jasmine rice for a complete meal in a matter of minutes.

Skirt steak has a long, flat shape so it only needs a few minutes per side to reach doneness.what to do with all that extra time? Make cheesy mashed potatoes from scratch — and get dinner on the table in well under an hour.

How many superfoods can you pack into one, quick-and-easy meal? This delicious weeknight dinner has four: walnuts, flaxseed, raw honey and salmon.

These quesadillas are one of Ree's family's favorite dinners. And let's be honest: When it's cold out, all you really need is something cheesy and carby, full of quick weeknight comfort.

You won't beleive how much flavor is packed into this 30-minute meal. Bold ingredients like garlic, white wine, Dijon mustard, fresh tarragon and bacon work together to create a chicken dinner that's sweet, saovry and well-seasoned.

Sun-dried tomatoes lend intense savoriness to Giada's pasta dinner, and punctured by the salty-sharpness of fresh goat cheese, it's ready in just 35 minutes.

"This recipe is a quick version of a wonderful soup I had in Mystic, Conn., a Portuguese community nestled by the sea in New England," Rachael says. "This soup is a winter wonder."

Bring big flavor to a simple pasta dish by loading it up with spicy Italian sausage, fresh herbs, artichoke hearts and sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil.

Rachael's 40-minute take on chicken pot pie is made even cuter and more convenient by being served in mugs with handles.

Put your oven to work during the week with this simple roast chicken recipe. Chicken breasts cook in apple cider soaking up tons of flavor while a fruit and veggie medley cooks on another rack simultaneously.

Can you believe Rachael's spaghetti and meatballs are ready in just 35 minutes?

Rachael's 30-minute pasta "fake-bake" is prepared primarily on the stove and then thrown under the broiler at the very end just until the cheese melts.

A "stoup" is thicker than soup and thinner than stew — and best of all, a one-pot meal.

It takes just 30 minutes to make Rachael's soup, a comforting recipe simmered with sweet Italian sausage and perfect for rainy days.

Precooked lentils are the key to this quick-and-delicious dinner. If you can't find them at your local supermarket, try cooking them over the weekend and storing them in the refigerator until you're ready to use them.

Baked potatoes stuffed with blue cheese, sour cream and chopped herbs are the perfect accompaniment to a substantial steak meal.

Who has time for risotto on weeknights? This creamy pasta dish is an ideal shortcut for any risotto-lover looking for a quick cheesy vegetarian version.

Add a can of beans to vegetable purees like we did here. It adds fiber and makes the soup extra filling.

Start this Thai-style curry in the morning and finish it off with a garnish of peanuts, cilantro and lime after work for a stress-free dinner.

Make the most of seasonal squash with this simple pork dinner. You'll roast butternut squash to bring out the sweet flavors and add capers for a touch of briny salt.

Food Network Magazine's version of this takeout favorite calls for half a jalapeno pepper to add some heat to the dish.

Turn refrigerated ravioli into a creamy, cheesy dinner that’s ready to eat in just 30 minutes.

Heavy cream and gorgonzla add rich, hearty flavor to this mushroom-based sauce.

Make your own mac and cheese for the kids with this shortcut recipe — all you need is milk and a few slices of American cheese!

Chicken soup always hits the spot on a chilly day. This one calls for hearty barley for something more filling.

Have your meat and potatoes between the bread for a hearty weeknight meal that's ready in just 35 minutes.

Sometimes you need fresher flavors to break up hearty comfort food during the winter months. These burritos are packed with shrimp and fresh avocado for lighter flavors that are still filling.

Skip the oversized casserole and turn shepherd's pie into a more individual affair. You'll top each baked potato with all the classic ingredients and broil them until the cheese is perfectly melted.

This retro stroganoff brings Ree back to her childhood in the 70's. It may be a vintage flavor, but your family will love it — and you'll love that it's ready to eat in just 40 minutes!