Chilly winter days beg for food that is filling, savory, and delicious, but by the time the day is over, it can be hard to get motivated to cook any kind of food for your family. Rather than warming up another pan of chicken nuggets or a frozen pizza, try these recipes. They are easy and inexpensive to make and much more nutritious than frozen, premade convenience foods.
Serving Size: 6 to 8
Total Time: 40 to 45 minutes
Soup is a perfect comfort food for winter, and with this recipe, it’s also a great way to get your kids to eat vegetables. We recommend making this dish over the weekend. That way, you have plenty of leftovers to start the week!
2 tbsp cooking oil (avocado or olive)
½ half sweet onion, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 stalks of celery with leaves, chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
2 qt. chicken broth
25 oz. (2 cans) diced tomatoes (undrained)
3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
¼ cup chopped parsley or 2 tablespoons dried parsley
½ tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup frozen green beans
1 cup frozen or corn
1 cup frozen peas
Serve the soup hot (with a loaf of crusty bread), adding extra parsley if desired.
Nutrients per serving:
Calories: 200
Carbs: 32g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 5.5g
Pro Tip: For the best flavor and easiest cooking experience, use a Dutch oven for this soup! 🍲 A Dutch oven distributes heat evenly, retains warmth for longer, and allows for easy stovetop-to-oven cooking if needed. Plus, it’s perfect for making big batches of soup that simmer to perfection. If you don’t have one yet, here’s my favorite dutch oven —a total game-changer for soups, stews, and beyond!
Serving Size: 6 to 8
Total Time: 25 to 30 minutes (excludes time spent cooking rice if starting the recipe with uncooked rice)
If you’re looking for something heartier, go for red beans and rice. This classic Louisiana comfort food has plenty of protein and nutrients and can even be served as a side in smaller portions with fried or barbecued chicken.
3 cups cooked white grain rice (such as Jasmine)
1 green bell pepper, diced
½ onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
3 tsp minced garlic
1 lb. smoked sausage, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
2 cans red kidney beans, drained
25 oz. (2 cans) diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 cup chicken broth
6 oz. (1 can) tomato paste
½ tsp crushed red pepper
2 tsp salt
2 tsp dried basil
¾ tsp sage
2 tbsp dried parsley
2 tsp black pepper
Serve the red beans and rice in bowls, ladling a spoonful of rice into the bowl, then topping it with a scoop of the mixture.
Nutrients per serving:
Calories: 467
Carbs: 53g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 20g
Serving Size: 3 to 4
Total Time: 45 minutes (10 minutes prep, 35 minutes cooking)
Calling all cheese lovers! This recipe is super easy to make and totally delicious—all you have to do is prepare the ingredients and then put them into a casserole dish. We love make-and-bake recipes like this because little supervision is involved—just throw it in the oven and wait for the timer to go off!
3 to 4 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper to taste
½ tsp garlic powder
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup bacon bits
8 oz. softened block of cream cheese
3 jalapeño peppers
Once the chicken is fully cooked, serve and enjoy!
Nutrients per serving:
Calories: 600
Carbs: 5g
Protein: 62g
Fat: 38g
Serving Size: 4 to 6
Total Time: 40 to 50 minutes (20 to 30 minutes prep, 20 to 25 minutes cooking)
What if we told you that you could turn a cheeseburger into a delicious (and healthy) casserole? If you don’t feel like Burger King or McDonald’s tonight, try out this quick recipe!
1 lb. ground beef, browned, crumbled and drained
30 oz. tomato sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
8 oz. package egg noodles, cooked according to package instructions and drained
1 cup sour cream
3 oz. softened cream cheese
½ large sweet onion, finely diced
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Nutrients per serving:
Calories: 467
Carbs: 38g
Protein: 23g
Fat: 27g
Making home-cooked meals for your family is less expensive than going out to eat, but we know how much of a hassle it can be. Whether you’re a stay-at-home mama or working a full-time job, cooking is still exhausting. Take a break from your busy life and try these four easy recipes—we know you’ll love them!
After you’re done trying these recipes, be sure to check out our website for more fun, easy, and budget friendly ideas!
