25 Comfort Foods Everyone Makes When It’s Cold Outside

When it is cold outside, comfort food becomes more than dinner. It becomes something people genuinely look forward to. These are the meals that warm the kitchen, fill the house with familiar aromas, and make winter nights feel easier and more relaxed. From hearty casseroles to slow-simmered classics, these comfort foods are the ones everyone turns to again and again when the temperatures drop.

Swiss Steak and Gravy

Swiss Steak and Gravy
Swiss Steak and Gravy. Photo credit: Vintage Recipes.

Classic comfort dish with tender beef simmered in a rich tomato-onion sauce until melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Get the Recipe: Swiss Steak and Gravy

Old Fashioned Beef and Noodles

Old Fashioned Beef and Noodles
Old Fashioned Beef and Noodles. Photo credit: Vintage Recipes.

Cozy stovetop beef and noodles with mushrooms, just like a classic home-cooked dinner.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Beef and Noodles

Cabbage Sausage Soup

Cabbage Sausage Soup
Cabbage Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Vintage Recipes.

Hearty cabbage soup with sausage and tomatoes that’s filling, flavorful, and perfect for chilly nights.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Sausage Soup

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Sour Cream Noodle Bake
Sour Cream Noodle Bake. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Ground beef casserole with noodles, sour cream, cottage cheese, and cheddar, ready in about 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Sour Cream Noodle Bake

Easy Chicken Pot Pie with Frozen Vegetables

Easy Chicken Pot Pie with Frozen Vegetables
Easy Chicken Pot Pie with Frozen Vegetables. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

A simple take on a comfort classic with tender chicken, vegetables, and flaky crust.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Pot Pie with Frozen Vegetables

Chicken Noodle Casserole

Chicken Noodle Casserole
Chicken Noodle Casserole. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Creamy chicken noodle casserole made with egg noodles and tender chicken.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Noodle Casserole

Classic Homemade Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze

Classic Homemade Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze
Classic Homemade Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Old-fashioned meatloaf topped with a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze.
Get the Recipe: Classic Homemade Meatloaf with Ketchup Glaze

Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe

Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe
Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Fall-apart pot roast with vegetables and gravy made quickly in the Instant Pot.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe

Sausage Mac and Cheese Casserole

Sausage Mac and Cheese Casserole
Sausage Mac and Cheese Casserole. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Creamy mac and cheese loaded with sausage for a hearty, budget-friendly dinner.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Mac and Cheese Casserole

Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Southern Chicken and Dumplings
Southern Chicken and Dumplings. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

A Southern staple with tender chicken and fluffy dumplings in rich broth.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Classic Beef Stroganoff

Classic Beef Stroganoff
Classic Beef Stroganoff. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Rich and creamy beef stroganoff that’s been loved for generations.
Get the Recipe: Classic Beef Stroganoff

Southern Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy

Southern Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy
Southern Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Crispy breaded steak topped with smooth, creamy white gravy.
Get the Recipe: Southern Chicken Fried Steak with White Gravy

Fried Cabbage and Sausage

Fried Cabbage and Sausage
Fried Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

One-pan comfort meal with crispy sausage, bacon, and tender cabbage.
Get the Recipe: Fried Cabbage and Sausage

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Juicy pork tenderloin wrapped in crispy bacon for an easy yet impressive dinner.
Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

Four Cheese Manicotti

Four Cheese Manicotti
Four Cheese Manicotti. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Cheesy manicotti filled with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan, baked in meat sauce.
Get the Recipe: Four Cheese Manicotti

Easy Homemade Clam Chowder with Bacon

Easy Homemade Clam Chowder with Bacon
Easy Homemade Clam Chowder with Bacon. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Creamy New England-style clam chowder with bacon and potatoes, ready in 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Clam Chowder with Bacon

Creamy Chicken Bisque with Vegetables

Creamy Chicken Bisque with Vegetables
Creamy Chicken Bisque with Vegetables. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Silky chicken bisque packed with vegetables for a cozy, comforting meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Bisque with Vegetables

Baked Pork Chops and Rice Casserole

Baked Pork Chops and Rice Casserole
Baked Pork Chops and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Pork chops baked with rice and creamy tomato soup for an easy comfort dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Pork Chops and Rice Casserole

Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Italian Sausage

Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Italian Sausage
Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Italian Sausage. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Hearty baked ziti loaded with meat, ricotta, and melted cheese.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ziti with Ground Beef and Italian Sausage

Easy Southern Chicken and Dressing Casserole

Easy Southern Chicken and Dressing Casserole
Easy Southern Chicken and Dressing Casserole. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

A comforting Southern casserole that’s simple enough for any night of the week.
Get the Recipe: Easy Southern Chicken and Dressing Casserole

Indiana Style Chili

Indiana Style Chili
Indiana Style Chili. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Mild chili made with ground beef, beans, RO-TEL, and tomato juice, perfect with Fritos.
Get the Recipe: Indiana Style Chili

Classic Dutch Oven Beef Stew

Classic Dutch Oven Beef Stew
Classic Dutch Oven Beef Stew. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Simple, hearty beef stew that proves old-school comfort never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe: Classic Dutch Oven Beef Stew

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
Crock Pot White Chicken Chili. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Creamy white chicken chili with Southwestern flavor made easy in the slow cooker.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

Chicken Francese

Chicken Francese
Chicken Francese. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Tender chicken cutlets in a lemon-butter sauce, a classic Italian-American favorite.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Francese

To Die For Pot Roast with Ranch Dressing

To Die For Pot Roast with Ranch Dressing
To Die For Pot Roast with Ranch Dressing. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Ultra-easy pot roast made with three packets for incredibly tender, flavorful meat.
Get the Recipe: To Die For Pot Roast with Ranch Dressing

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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