7 Hearty Dinner Ideas for Cold Winter Nights

What do you fix for dinner on a cold winter night? You need something heavy to keep you warm, like creamy soups, roasts, and all the veggies. With the right appliances, you can make hearty dinner ideas at home without heading out in the cold. 

Go-to hearty dinner ideas are perfect for those cold winter nights when you need something extra to warm you up. These foods are thick and heavy — and will stick around for a while to give you a little extra layer of warmth. Some of them may even wrap you up in nostalgic memories. 

Whether you want to put a new spin on an old comfort food recipe or you are looking to experiment and try something new, we have 7 hearty dinner ideas for cold nights that you must try. 

1. Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie is one of the most popular comfort foods. With a creamy sauce containing vegetables like carrots, peas, onions, and chicken, all surrounded by a flaky crust – what more could you ask for? Plus, there is nothing quite like that first break of the top crust as the steam pours out.

Many variations exist, but a classic chicken pot pie takes the cake. The best part is that you can make a pot pie and have it for dinner or make a few and pop them in your freezer to have at a later time.

2. Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

Want to feel as though you are down on the bayou and not surrounded by freezing weather? Shrimp and sausage gumbo should do it. It all starts with a roux of butter, flour, onions, celery, and bell peppers. And once you have it perfect, you can assemble this stew-type dish. Include andouille sausage and shrimp, garlic, cajun seasoning, scallions, and fire-roasted diced tomatoes. 

Serve with a side of rice — and enjoy it while listening to some fine jazz hits. 

3. Brown Stew Chicken

A Jamaican staple, brown stew chicken has many flavors that will have your tastebuds dancing to the sound of steel drums. It may have a simple name, but this is no simple dish. This dish is made with chicken thighs and mixes ingredients like ketchup and brown sugar, along with Scotch bonnet, ginger, thyme, soy sauce, and allspice. 

It is sweet, it is spicy, and it is oh-so-juicy. 

Brown stew chicken served with rice and pigeon peas can bring the Caribbean home to your cold weather. What better way to warm up on a cold night? 

4. Lobster Bisque

Soups are made for cold weather. They are the perfect food to warm the body from the inside out. And lobster bisque is no exception. It is creamy and made with a seafood stock containing a nice surprise of tender lobster pieces.

Many people avoid making lobster bisque, but those who love finding their way around the kitchen and creating delicious meals know nothing is impossible. Not even lobster bisque.

So gather your ingredients and heat the kitchen – and your tummy. This is a great main dish to serve with a fresh baguette or grilled cheese. 

5. Beef Stew

Looking for the epitome of hearty dinner ideas? Here it is – beef stew. It is thick, hot, and very filling. This type of dinner requires no sides or additions because it is stuffed full of potatoes, carrots, peas, and any other veggies you want to add. And, as its name states, it also has tender chunks of beef. 

Beef chuck is a great roast for this dish, though you are welcome to use any cut of meat you prefer. 

It is so easy and filling. It saves well, too. 

6. Lentil Lasagna

Lasagna with lentils? We know you may never have thought of it, but we ask you not to knock it until you try it. This dish is packed with goodness — for your mouth and your body. Black lentils have a great texture and work well with the spicy tomato-basil sauce used instead of traditional pasta sauce. 

With flavors of garam masala and turmeric, along with traditional lasagna noodles, mozzarella, and parmesan, you will have a unique combination. It is a filling, warming dish, and we guarantee you will go back for seconds. 

Did we mention that lentils are a nutrition powerhouse? ‘Nuff said. Make the lasagna. 

7. Mississippi Pot Roast

With a few ingredients and major flavor, a Mississippi pot roast is one of the tastiest pot roasts you may ever enjoy. Most people don’t know why or how it got its name, but they have no problem making it disappear. 

All you need is a chuck roast, ranch packet seasonings (or make your own from scratch), au jus, and an entire jar of pepperoncini — juice and all. And don’t forget the butter!

Sear the roast until it is slightly brown, then roast all the ingredients together for a couple of hours. It will be tender and delicious. 

Serve your Mississippi pot roast with mashed potatoes, green beans, or any veggies you’d like. One thing’s for sure: you are going to warm up. 

Conclusion

There are so many hearty dinner ideas that you can make on cold nights when you have the right tools — and that means having the right appliances. Bring your dishes up a notch with a professional kitchen range that simmers just right and an in-wall oven for even heating that will elevate your hearty dinner ideas.

Whether you are looking to start fresh or are due for an upgrade, THOR Kitchen has a wide array of refrigerators, ranges, cooktops, microwaves, and more to help you out. Each is designed for a professional cooking experience in the privacy and warmth of your own home. 

Don’t settle for just any food – create the best when you cook with the best. 

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