Winter Weeknight Dinners

Weeknight dinners are a breeze when you plan ahead. These easy, delicious and affordable meals from Food Network are perfect for those chilly winter nights.

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Chicken Marsala

Tyler Florence cooks cremini mushrooms and prosciutto strips in the same skillet that the chicken is cooked in, to keep the brown bits and caramelized pieces of the chicken in the overall dish.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Marsala

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Eggs and Parmesan cheese act as a thickener to make a creamy sauce for this pasta. The eggs will cook as the mixture is stirred into the hot spaghetti. To thin out the sauce, add a bit of reserved pasta water.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Tomato Bisque

By incorporating heavy cream, minced bacon and spices, it's easy to transform a can of tomatoes into a silky soup.

Get the Recipe: Tomato Bisque

Chicken with Brussels Sprouts and Apple Cider Sauce

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.

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Brussels Sprouts with Apple Cider Sauce

Angel Hair with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

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.

Get the Recipe: Angel Hair with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Goat Cheese

Chicken Quesadillas

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.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Quesadillas

Chicken Mug Pie

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

Get the Recipe: Chicken Mug Pie

Portuguese Chourico and Kale Soup

"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."

Get the Recipe: Portuguese Chourico and Kale Soup

Chicken Sausage, Pepper and Onion Pasta Fake-Bake

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.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage, Pepper and Onion Pasta Fake-Bake

Chicken Provencal "Stoup"

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

Get the Recipe: Chicken Provencal "Stoup"

Spaghetti and Meatballs

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

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Fusilli with Sausage, Artichokes and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

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.

Get the Recipe: Fusilli with Sausage, Artichokes, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Sausage, Beans and Broccoli Rabe Soup

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

Get the Recipe: Sausage, Beans and Broccoli Rabe Soup

Florentine Meatballs

Drizzle spinach-packed turkey meatballs in a creamy provolone cheese sauce for a delectable update on meatball night that's ready to go in 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Florentine Meatballs

Slow-Cooker Beef Paprikash

The low-and-slow option makes perfect sense for a workday — eight hours later and dinner is served!

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Paprikash

Easy Chicken Curry with Vegetables

Even the pickiest kids will love Melissa's Easy Chicken Curry with Vegetables. Bulking up the curry with broccoli and carrots stretches the chicken breasts even further.

Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Curry with Vegetables

Winter Minestrone

Pureed cannellini beans with beef broth add a creaminess to this hearty soup, and whole cannellini beans add another layer of texture. Giada De Laurentiis' secret weapon in this recipe is a frozen Parmesan rind: It melts slowly and adds a salty, buttery flavor to the soup.

Get the Recipe: Winter Minestrone

French Onion Soup

Layered with brandy, dry sherry and sweet onions, Ina Garten's soup staple is best soaked up with crusty bread.

Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup

Rachael's Lemon Chicken

Turn your dinner into a takeout-inspired meal at home with Rachael Ray's chicken dish.

Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken

Asian Marinated Pork Chops

Make your own pan-Asian fusion dinner on a budget with Melissa d'Arabian. Pan-roast the pork chops to a juicy perfection and serve with an orange glaze. Use a combination of easy-to-find ingredients plus a few specialty items from the international aisle in your supermarket.

Get the Recipe: Asian Marinated Pork Chops

Taco Pockets

Rachael adds onions directly into beef patties so they keep a little bit of extra moisture. Turning the lean meat and traditional taco seasonings into patties makes the finished dish much easier to eat in a soft tortilla wrap.

Get the Recipe: Taco Pockets

Chunky Chicken Chowder

Before transforming it into a warming soup with potatoes, corn and heavy cream, brown the chicken in the pot to add intense savory flavor.

Get the Recipe: Chunky Chicken Chowder

Carrot-Ginger Soup with Roasted Vegetables

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

Get the Recipe: Carrot-Ginger Soup with Roasted Vegetables

Slow-Cooker Chicken Curry

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.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Curry

Chipotle Steak with Collard Greens

In just 35 minutes, you'll have a delicious chile-rubbed steak dinner, with a lip-smacking sauce and quick-cooked collard greens to pair.

Get the Recipe: Chipotle Steak with Collard Greens

Creamy Orzo with Mushrooms

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.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Orzo with Mushrooms

Pork with Sweet-and-Sour Squash

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.

Get the Recipe: Pork with Sweet-and-Sour Squash

Pork and Green Bean Stir-Fry

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

Get the Recipe: Pork and Green Bean Stir-Fry

Chicken-Fried Steak with Cream Gravy

The fact that these country-fried steaks are cooked completely in the oven and not in splattering hot oil makes them doable on a busy workday when you want some fast and hearty. Even the creamy stovetop gravy is easy.

Steak with Blue Cheese Potatoes

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

Get the Recipe: Steak With Blue Cheese Potatoes

Herb-and-Mustard Sirloin with Baked Potatoes

This 30-minute steak and potato dinner is going to be a standby in your weeknight repertoire.

Get the Recipe: Herb-and-Mustard Sirloin With Baked Potatoes

Beef Stroganoff

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!

Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff

Baked Spinach Ravioli

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

Get the Recipe: Baked Spinach Ravioli

Maple-Glazed Chicken

Toss chicken with apples and maple syrup for a delicious dinner that's ready in just 30 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Maple-Glazed Chicken

Carne Asada Tacos with Carrot-Pepper Slaw

It doesn't take long to grill sirloin steaks for carne asada tacos. Shred carrots and grate bell peppers for an easy, crunchy slaw.

Get the Recipe: Carne Asada Tacos With Carrot-Pepper Slaw

Salisbury Steaks with French Onion Gravy

For the meat lover, there's no more satisfying dish than Salisbury steak. Soft, savory onions bring out every bite of the ground sirloin patties.

Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steaks with French Onion Gravy

Four-Cheese Pasta with Peas and Ham

Creamy pasta plus ham and cheeese equals a meal that will please the whole family.

Get the Recipe: Four-Cheese Pasta With Peas and Ham

Broccoli Soup

The key to achieving this soup's silky texture is using a blender and adding a touch of cream.

Get the Recipe: Broccoli Soup

Sausage, White Bean and Tortellini Soup

Use store-bought pesto, canned beans and tortellini to cut down on time.

Get the Recipe: Sausage, White Bean and Tortellini Soup

Winter Layered Salad with Beets and Brussels Sprouts

Layered is the new chopped! We've taken winter's best vegetables and gone vertical for this colorful salad. We love the tender-chewy barley, but it can be swapped out for your favorite whole grain, like brown rice or quinoa.

Get the Recipe: Winter Layered Salad with Beets and Brussels Sprouts

Slow-Cooker Pork with Noodles

On a chilly night, there's nothing better than a warming bowl of Asian-style soup, loaded with rice noodles, bok choy and tender pork.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pork With Noodles

Mushroom-Gorgonzola Cream Sauce

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

Get the Recipe: Mushroom-Gorgonzola Cream Sauce

Thai Pork and Noodles

Skip the restaurant and make these Thai rice noodles that are mixed with pork chops. The secret ingredient? Brown sugar.

Get the Recipe: Thai Pork and Noodles

Stewed Chicken with Andouille

This hearty dish incorporates chicken thighs with chunks of andouille sausage. Fill up on the stewed okra before you chow down on the meat.

Get the Recipe: Stewed Chicken With Andouille

Flank Steak with Broccoli Mac and Cheese

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!

Get the Recipe: Flank Steak with Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Baked Rigatoni with Swiss Chard and Sausage

This cheesy baked pasta is made even better with sweet Italian sausage and swiss chard. Dollops of creamy ricotta and mozarella get melty in the oven to bring the whole dish together.

Get the Recipe: Baked Rigatoni with Swiss Chard and Sausage

Chicken and Barley Soup

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

Get the Recipe: Chicken and Barley Soup

Cuban Beef-and-Potato Sandwiches

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

Get the Recipe: Cuban Beef-and-Potato Sandwiches

Shepherd's Pie Baked Potatoes

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.

Get the Recipe: Shepherd's Pie Baked Potatoes

Shrimp and Avocado Burritos

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.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp and Avocado Burritos

Cape Cod Pot Pie

This deconstructed take on traditional pot pie pairs buttery cod fillet with crunchy leeks and creamy garlic-herb cheese.

Get the Recipe: Cape Cod Pot Pie

Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms

Smother ground beef and sage patties with a mixed mushroom sauce and serve with buttered egg noodles.

Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak With Mushrooms

Spaghetti with Quick Turkey Chili

Turn ground turkey into an easy chili and serve over spaghetti for dinner that's done in just 35 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti With Quick Turkey Chili

Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

A traditional corned beef dinner, complete with hearty vegetables like rutabaga and cabbage, is easy to make with a slow cooker.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage