{"id":133341,"date":"2022-01-03T09:18:12","date_gmt":"2022-01-03T14:18:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/?p=133341"},"modified":"2024-12-30T13:19:30","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T18:19:30","slug":"winter-dinner-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bhgre.com\/bhgrelife\/winter-dinner-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Family-Friendly Winter Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you searching for <\/span>winter dinner ideas <\/span>that are simple to make and perfect for hectic weeknights? We understand. There is nothing better than digging into hearty soups, comforting casseroles, and other filling delights when the weather is blustery. The good news is that even on <\/span>wintry<\/span> weeknights when busy schedules are the norm, you can still make family-friendly recipes that satisfy. Read on as we reveal some of our favorite <\/span>winter dinner ideas <\/span>that the whole family will love.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheddar, Beef, and Potato Casserole<\/b><\/p>\n

If you are a fan of Shepherd\u2019s Pie, you are going to adore <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2019s \u201cCheddar, Beef, and Potato Casserole.\u201d The editors embraced it because they were also looking for \u201can ultra-comforting, family-friendly <\/span>dinner <\/span>recipe.\u201d This thoroughly satisfying meal takes the classic Shepherd\u2019s Pie <\/span>idea<\/span> and replaces the traditional mashed potato with a crispy hash brown topping that is too enticing to resist. On the inside, you have a \u201csavory mixture of saut\u00e9ed onions, ground beef, and mushrooms\u201d as well as \u201cmixed vegetables and cheddar cheese.\u201d The bake takes approximately 40 minutes, and you will want to finish it in the broiler for a final five minutes to crisp up the topping, according to the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0Don\u2019t be surprised if this becomes one of your go-to recipes for years to come.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Irish Beef, Cabbage, and Potato Soup<\/b><\/p>\n

While this may sound more like a St. Patrick\u2019s Day recipe than a <\/span>winter dinner idea<\/span>, trust us \u2013 you don\u2019t want to wait. <\/span>Real Simple<\/span><\/i><\/a> raves about adding this soup to your weeknight rotation because \u201c[this] hearty Irish fare tastes especially good on chilly <\/span>winter <\/span>nights\u201d and \u201c[from] start to finish the soup takes approximately an hour and a half.\u201d Browning the meat and simmering the beef with the potatoes and the other fixings are the most time-consuming element of this delicious recipe, while active prep is relatively short. And as the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> suggests: \u201cThe payoff will be clear when your entire family asks for seconds.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Quick Pork Goulash<\/b><\/p>\n

Goulash is another classic dish that is getting a reimagining from the food editors at <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a>. In this case, they found a way to make this Hungarian classic in under one hour \u2013 which is impressive for goulash with this much flavor.\u00a0The key to this quick <\/span>winter dinner <\/span>is the cut of the meat. As the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> explains: \u201cBy opting for quick-cooking tenderloin instead of the more common shoulder roast, the pork becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender in a fraction of the time.\u201d\u00a0They recommend serving this satiating dish over buttered egg noodles, but mashed potatoes, rice, bread, or elbow pasta are also thoroughly pleasing pairings with this rich goulash.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vegetarian One-Pot Pasta with Broccoli and Lemon\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

One of <\/span>Martha Stewart Living<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2019s favorite <\/span>winter dinner ideas <\/span>is a one-pot pasta dish that takes less than 30 minutes from start to serve. As the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> advises: \u201cThis vegetarian pasta dish is easy, delicious, and something everyone will love.\u201d While the recipe is vegetarian as is, it can easily be made vegan by either eliminating the Parmesan topping or switching to grated vegan cheese. This recipe is a great way to combine a healthy eating plan with comfort food.\u00a0 Plus, clean-up is a snap.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pea and Lettuce Soup With Ham and Cheese Tartines<\/b><\/p>\n

Pea soup is a <\/span>winter <\/span>staple, and when you combine it with ham and cheese tartines, you have a quick way to make a delicious <\/span>dinner <\/span>in about 25 minutes. Plus, as <\/span>Real Simple<\/span><\/i><\/a> points out, it\u2019s a great way \u201cto use that head of romaine lettuce before it spoils\u201d in the refrigerator.\u00a0It may seem strange that romaine is a secret ingredient in this bright green soup recipe, but it\u2019s true. And while the tartines may look complicated, the most critical elements are well-made ciabatta rolls and a broiler to help you perfectly melt that cheese.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boarding House Meatloaf<\/b><\/p>\n

Just the notion of meatloaf can make one think of childhood and warm, comfort food. It\u2019s no surprise that one of <\/span>Southern Living<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2019s most popular <\/span>winter dinner ideas<\/span> is the \u201cEasy Boarding House Meatloaf.\u201d The <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> describes this dish as \u201cfresh, filling, and oh-so-easy to make;\u201d just what you want on a cold night.\u00a0While the base of this meatloaf (lean ground beef, bell peppers, and onions) is filled with flavor, it\u2019s the homemade tangy sauce in this recipe that makes it sing. And, as the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> reveals: \u201cWith only 10 minutes of hands-on time, the Boarding House Meatloaf is the perfect recipe when you\u2019re rushed to make <\/span>dinner <\/span>on a hectic weeknight.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chickpea and Quinoa Tortilla Soup<\/b><\/p>\n

This tortilla soup is an excellent choice whenever the temperatures start to dip. <\/span>Real Simple<\/span><\/i><\/a> loves this <\/span>idea <\/span>because \u201c[the] vegetarian soup features good-for-you ingredients like quinoa and chickpeas, has big, bold flavors, and comes together in just 25 minutes.\u201d\u00a0You\u2019ll also love the wide variety of toppings that you can add to the soup before serving, including things like avocado, cheese, and tortilla chips. And, of course, you can never go wrong with a dollop of sour cream.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Cowboy Casserole<\/b><\/p>\n

If you love tater tots (or your kids do), you will want to add <\/span>Southern Living<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2019s \u201cCowboy Casserole\u201d to your weeknight <\/span>dinner <\/span>lineup because \u201cthe layer of crunchy tater tots that line the top of this casserole is its claim to fame.\u201d\u00a0The base of the family-friendly casserole is the ground beef that is flavored with taco seasoning. This recipe gets high marks for taking everyday ingredients in the cupboard, such as black beans, pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, and garlic, and turning them into an almost magical dish that is intensely satisfying. And, of course, the tater tots drizzled with shredded cheese are the perfect topper.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Blackened Chicken with Broccoli Slaw<\/b><\/p>\n

Chicken tenders are often a hit with busy families, and <\/span>Rachael Ray\u2019s In Season<\/span><\/i><\/a> agrees that these tasty treats are too tempting to skip this <\/span>winter<\/span>. The <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> recommends seasoning skillet-blackened chicken tenders with Cajun seasoning and oil, as well as serving them with broccoli slaw. It\u2019s a simple <\/span>dinner idea <\/span>that takes only minutes to prepare, cook, and serve. As the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a> cheers, \u201cthis meal is perfect for busy weeknights and hungry kids!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs<\/b><\/p>\n

Speaking of skillet dishes that the whole family will enjoy, <\/span>Southern Living<\/span><\/i><\/a> raves about this \u201cSkillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs\u201d recipe. According to the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a>, \u201cthe skillet is the secret to the slightly crispy sides of this mac and cheese.\u201d\u00a0Of course, this is not your ordinary mac and cheese. This recipe became one of the <\/span>Magazine<\/span><\/a>\u2019s favorite <\/span>winter dinner ideas<\/span>, in part, because it includes a sumptuous blend of \u201ccheddar, Velveeta, and whole-milk ricotta, and a generous amount of mayonnaise, which gives it a creamy texture and a slight tanginess.\u201d It\u2019s topped with buttery breadcrumbs, which are added to the skillet in the last 10 minutes of the bake. We can practically taste the gooey goodness and delectable crunch of this vegetarian dish already. Yum!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"