The Best Winter Recipe from Every State

No matter what state you live in, winter is the perfect time of year to indulge in hearty comfort foods and homey favorites. These recipes—one from each state—showcase the best of the U.S. when it comes to winter fare. In this collection, you’ll find cozy casseroles, hot soups and stews, bright citrus flavors and much more. Stay warm!

Keep cozy with grandma’s secret winter recipes.

Alabama: Carrot Fruitcake

Even those who don't care for fruitcake love this special holiday dessert. It's a fun way to dress up that old favorite, carrot cake. Try it—your friends and family will agree. —Ann Parden, Chunchula, Alabama

Alaska: Orange Ricotta Pancakes

These popular pancakes are likely to spark a craving. For a different twist, switch the citrus ingredient to lime or lemon juice.—Brehan Kohl, Anchorage, Alaska

Arizona: Bistro Mac & Cheese

I like to serve this mac & cheese with a salad and crusty bread. It's a satisfying meal that feels upscale, but will fit just about any budget. And because the Gorgonzola is so mild in this dish, even the kiddos will go for it. —Charlotte Giltner, Mesa, Arizona

Arkansas: Chicken Noodle Casserole

Everyone who tries this comforting cheesy chicken casserole asks for the recipe. It's so simple to make that sometimes I feel as if I'm cheating! —Kay Pederson, Yellville, Arkansas

California: Skillet Shepherd's Pie

Our top-rated shepherd's pie recipe delivers a cozy, filling, homestyle dinner that never disappoints.

Colorado: Chicken Enchilada Bake

Your family is going to gobble up this cheesy, southwestern and easy chicken enchilada casserole…and will ask for it again and again. It’s real comfort food! —Melanie Burns, Pueblo West, Colorado

Connecticut: White Bean Soup with Escarole

This escarole and bean soup recipe is tasty enough to make everyone forget how healthy it is. Better yet, it's quick and easy.

Also check out these healthy winter soups that’ll fill you right up.

Delaware: Double Whammy Eggnog Cookies

These cookies are an amazing way to use extra eggnog. They've become a new family classic. — Teresa Morris, Laurel, Delaware

Florida: Creamy Italian Chicken

Italian salad dressing mix is like a secret weapon for adding flavor to this creamy chicken dish. Served over rice or pasta, this Italian dressing chicken is rich, delicious and special enough for company. —Maura McGee, Tallahassee, Florida

Georgia: Gnocchi with White Beans

Here’s one of those no-fuss recipes you can toss together and cook in one skillet. Ideal for a busy weeknight, it’s also good with crumbled Italian chicken sausage if you need to please meat lovers. —Julianne Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia

Hawaii: Pineapple Ham Casserole

Living in Hawaii, I wanted to share this recipe which features pineapple. It's our most important fruit crop. —Marsha Fleming, Kula, Hawaii

Idaho: Big Soft Ginger Cookies

These ginger cookies are soft, easy to make and loaded with the flavors of fall.

Illinois: Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole

When you're looking for comfort and ease, this chicken broccoli casserole is the answer to your dinner dreams.

Indiana: Creamy White Chili

Years ago, as a time-starved college student, I got this wonderful recipe from my sister-in-law. She had made a big batch and served it to a crowd one night. It was a hit—and easy and quick. In all my years of cooking, I’ve never had another dish get so many compliments. —Laura Brewer, Lafayette, Indiana

Iowa: Roast Beef and Gravy

This slow-cooker roast beef and gravy is unbelievably easy. On busy days, I put this main dish in the crock and forget about it. My family likes it with mashed potatoes and fruit salad. —Abby Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa

Kansas: Mom's Meat Loaf

This traditional meat loaf recipe creates a tender, juicy meat loaf topped with a caramelized glaze. The best part: It’s so easy to make, and it’s ready to eat in about an hour!

Kentucky: Morning Maple Muffins

Maple combines with a subtle touch of cinnamon and nuts to give these muffins the flavor of a hearty pancake breakfast. But you don’t have to sit down to enjoy them. Our 2-year-old comes back for seconds, and even my husband—who doesn’t normally like muffins—likes these. —Elizabeth Talbot, Lexington, Kentucky

Louisiana: Shrimp Chowder

Move over, clam chowder! This shrimp chowder recipe is family-approved and ready to hit the table.

Maine: New England Lamb Bake

This dish is hearty and perfect for warming up on a chilly winter evening. The aroma is almost as delightful as the dish itself. —Frank Grady, Fort Kent, Maine

Maryland: Favorite Baked Spaghetti

This is my grandchildren's most-loved dish. It feels like a special dinner and is so cozy for cooler months. —Louise Miller, Westminster, Maryland

Massachusetts: Potluck Macaroni and Cheese

You'll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here's an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts

Michigan: Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread

Cinnamon quick bread can be eaten as an indulgent breakfast, a cozy midday treat or a warming dessert. This recipe is as easy as it is warm and delicious.

Minnesota: Favorite Hamburger Stew

Simmer up a big pot of hamburger stew to feed the whole crew. It's packed with beef, veggies, rice and potatoes, but you can add whatever else you like.

Mississippi: Easy Meatball Stroganoff

A quick and delicious twist on the classic, our meatball stroganoff uses frozen meatballs to get dinner on the table in just 30 minutes.

Missouri: Pork Chops with Scalloped Potatoes

This hearty and filling casserole of pork chops and scalloped potatoes with onions is a whole meal in one dish.

Montana: Four-Cheese Chicken Fettuccine

As a cattle rancher, my husband's a big fan of beef. For him to comment on a poultry dish is rare. But he always tells me, "I love this casserole!" I first tasted it at a potluck; now, I fix it for my family (we have a 3-year-old daughter) once or twice a month, and I'm asked to take it to most every get-together. —Rochelle Brownlee, Big Timber, Montana

Nebraska: Cheesy Ham Chowder

This ham chowder recipe is chock-full of ham, bacon, potatoes and cheese—all ingredients we love on their own, but even more so together. A warm bowl will warm you up from the inside, out!

Nevada: Cauliflower Au Gratin

Count on this dish to make new vegetable converts. Whenever I serve it, people ask me for the recipe. Sometimes I’ll substitute broccoli for all or half the cauliflower, and the green veggie tastes just as good! —Jacki Ricci, Ely, Nevada

New Hampshire: Mashed Potato Cups

I came up with this recipe as a way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. It's a nice alternative to the standard potatoes or rice. —Jill Hancock, Nashua, New Hampshire

New Jersey: Quick Cream of Mushroom Soup

This homemade version will change every opinion you ever had about cream of mushroom soup.

New Mexico: Apple Cider Chicken 'n' Dumplings

I came up with this recipe one fall when I had an abundance of apple cider. Adding some to a down-home classic was a delectable decision. —Margaret Sumner-Wichmann, Questa, New Mexico

New York: Corn Pudding

This sweetheart of a side is delicious, rich and perfect on a weeknight table or as part of a holiday spread. If you want to step up your side dish game, this triple-corn pudding is an excellent choice.

North Carolina: Ravioli Lasagna

Our four-ingredient ravioli lasagna is the perfect shortcut meal for when you're craving lasagna but don't have as much time to cook. It's an easy and delicious meal for any night of the week.

North Dakota: Slow-Cooked Sirloin

Making sirloin steak in a Crockpot is a simple, fool-proof method that gives you tender, fall-apart meat with plenty of gravy and none of the messy grease splatter.

Ohio: Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

My daughter gave me this recipe because she knows I love potatoes. The hearty casserole is loaded with a palate-pleasing combination of bacon, cheeses, green onions and sour cream. —Betty Miars, Anna, Ohio

Oklahoma: Simple Taco Soup

Love chili? Give our easy taco soup recipe a try. Filled with ground beef, chilies, beans and stewed tomatoes, this one-pot meal is a snap to put together. Everyone in the family will have fun adding their favorite toppings!

Oregon: Pretty Cranberry Coffee Cake

Cranberries make this coffee cake a beautiful quick bread that's perfect for the holidays. For extra shimmer, we add a drizzle of almond-flavored glaze. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Pennsylvania: Moist Chocolate Cake

This moist chocolate cake recipe with coffee reminds me of my grandmother because it was one of her specialties. I bake it often for family parties, and it always brings back fond memories. The cake is light and airy with a delicious chocolate taste. This recipe is a keeper! —Patricia Kreitz, Richland, Pennsylvania

South Carolina: Brown Sugar Oatmeal Pancakes

These oatmeal pancakes contain all the joy of a morning pancake stack while also including wholesome ingredients like oats and whole-wheat flour.

Tennessee: Slow Cooker Pork Chops

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make these juicy and tender slow-cooker pork chops.

Texas: Skillet Mac & Cheese

This skillet mac and cheese takes a few more minutes than the boxed stuff, but we promise the final result is worth it. A thick and creamy cheese sauce is stirred together with perfectly cooked pasta, then topped with whatever you like.

Utah: Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup

A batch of this creamy chicken noodle soup is our answer to soup season or flu season. The soup's satiating nature and wholesome taste will deliver warmth and coziness when you need it most.

Virginia: Simple Au Gratin Potatoes

Once you've tried homemade au gratin potatoes, you'll never reach for the boxed stuff again.

Washington: Italian Sausage with Bow Ties

We often have our favorite pasta when company comes over, and I’ve shared this Italian sausage recipe several times. Now many of my friends make it for their families, too. —Janelle Moore, Auburn, Washington

West Virginia: Skillet Chicken Stew

This chicken stew recipe is a comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, hearty vegetables and a rich, savory broth. Perfect for family dinners, it’s easy to make and full of flavor.

Wisconsin: Cheeseburger Soup

Find out why this easy cheeseburger soup recipe is one of the top-rated recipes on our site!

Wyoming: Pull-Apart Bacon Bread

I stumbled across this recipe while looking for something different to take to a brunch. Boy, am I glad I did! Everyone asked for the recipe and was surprised it called for only five ingredients. It's the perfect treat to bake for an informal get-together. —Traci Collins, Cheyenne, Wyoming