From hearty chicken and dumplings to sweet bread pudding, these cold weather recipes will remind you of the comforting meals grandma used to make.
34 Cold Weather Recipes That Are Just Like a Hug From Grandma
Updated Apr. 28, 2024
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Balsamic Roasted Chicken Thighs with Root Vegetables
I will always remember the way my grandmother's house smelled when she made these balsamic chicken thighs every Sunday. Ever since she gave me the recipe, the heartwarming flavors always take me back to my childhood. — Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York
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Best Lasagna
What makes this classic lasagna recipe so spectacular? Homemade meat sauce and plenty of cheese. Best of all, it's easy to make lasagna ahead of time so dinner can be ready in a flash.
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Sunday Roast Chicken
This recipe proves that comfort food doesn't have to be full of unwanted calories. Mixed with orange and lemon juice, my roast chicken is both flavorful and healthy. —Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island.
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Grandma's Carrot Cake
My grandma was very special to me. She had a big country kitchen that was full of wonderful aromas any time we visited. This was one of her prized cake recipes, and it continues to be a favorite from generation to generation. —Denise Strasz, Detroit, Michigan
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Chicken and Dumplings
This homestyle chicken and dumpling soup recipe is just like mom's with its classic mirepoix base and doughy drop dumplings.
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Bacon Pasta
This bacon pasta recipe is a simple, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for weeknight meals. Combining crispy bacon with a slow-simmered tomato sauce and al dente spaghetti, it’s a comfort food classic.
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Grandma Edna's Cajun Pork
My grandma used to make this for our family on special occasions. We love to carry on the delicious tradition. —Tonya Cline, Greenville, Ohio
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Hungarian Goulash
This Hungarian goulash recipe features tender chunks of beef and a rich sauce infused with paprika and caraway seeds. It's a warm and comforting slow-cooker meal that is best served over egg noodles.
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Beef and Mushrooms with Smashed Potatoes
I was inspired to make this recipe after I couldn't stop thinking of a similar dish served in my elementary school cafeteria more than 50 years ago! I like that it's quick to make, and my husband and grandchildren love it. —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland
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Tourtieres
Some time ago, a co-worker brought a meat pie to lunch. The aroma was familiar—after one taste, I was amazed to discover it was the same pie my grandmother used to serve when I was a youngster! She shared the recipe, and I have been enjoying it ever since. —Rita Winterberger, Huson, Montana
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Chicken Potpie Casserole
Make our easy chicken potpie casserole for dinner tonight. It doesn't get much cozier than a casserole rich with gravy and veggies and topped with fluffy biscuits.
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Banana Bread Pudding
Warm and indulgent, this banana bread pudding makes a wonderful main dish for a weekend brunch or a family breakfast.
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Great-Grandma's Italian Meatballs
My great-grandmother started this easy meatball recipe with our family. We use ground beef and turkey for these meatballs, and the flavor’s so good, you won’t miss the extra calories. —Audrey Colantino, Winchester, Massachusetts
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Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff
No more standing and stirring at the stove. This creamy Stroganoff preps in a skillet, then cooks all day while you’re away. —Sarah C. Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire
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Homey Mac & Cheese
I also call this "my grandson's mac and cheese." Zachary has been to Iraq and Afghanistan with both the Marines and Navy, and I've been privileged to make his favorite casserole for him for over 20 years. —Alice Beardsell, Osprey, Florida
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German-Style Beef Roast
My grandmother used to make this, and I adapted it for my slow cooker. You’ll love its convenience and great taste. —Lois Stanley, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
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Cabbage Roll Skillet
Have a happy helping of this quicker take on something our grandmothers would make. We serve it over brown rice. It also freezes well. —Susan Chickness, Pictou County, Nova Scotia
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Super Simple Scalloped Potatoes
I’ve made many types of scalloped potatoes but I always come back to this rich, creamy and fail-proof recipe. This is a dish where the bottom gets scraped clean. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
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Maple-Glazed Pork Chops
The best foods are sometimes the simplest. Our maple-glazed pork chops, with a sweet, tangy glaze of maple syrup and cider vinegar, come together quickly, and they're so delicious you'll be thinking about making them again before you finish eating.
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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!
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Gran's Apple Cake
My grandmother occasionally brought over this wonderful cake warm from the oven. The spicy apple flavor combined with the sweet cream cheese frosting made this recipe one that we treasured. Even though I've lightened it up, it's still a family favorite. —Lauris Conrad, Turlock, California
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Pork Roast
A simple herb rub and a brown sugar crust create a tender, flavorful pork roast. Serve with pan juices and your favorite sides for a family meal everyone loves.
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Fettuccine Carbonara
Make restaurant-caliber fettuccine carbonara with its simple, creamy sauce in the comfort of your own kitchen.
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Grandma's Rice Dish
My grandmother often made this casserole when I was young. I forgot about it until one day I found myself adding the same ingredients to leftover rice. The memories came flooding back. —Lorna Moore, Glendora, California
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Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pot Roast
Slow-simmered and seasoned with rosemary, mustard and thyme, this tender and tasty crock pot roast and potatoes recipe is so easy to make and always a hit. Substitute burgundy or brandy plus a half-cup of water for the broth…the aroma of this English roast recipe is wonderful! —Jeannie Klugh, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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Grandma Schwartz's Rouladen
This was one of my Grandma Schwartz's recipes. Grandpa Schwartz was a German butcher and this was one of his (and our) favorite meals. It's an extra-special beef entree when served with mashed potatoes made with butter and sour cream. —Lynda Sharai, Summer Lake, Oregon
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Double-Duty Heavenly Citrus Ham
This recipe is special because it's based on the ham my grandma and mom used to make for holidays. Leftovers can be frozen up to 3 months and thawed before using. You'll want to remember this recipe for Easter! —Penny Hawkins, Mebane, North Carolina
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Gingerbread Cake
Indulge in the ultimate warming treat with a homemade gingerbread cake. Rich, spiced flavors are paired with a velvety caramel sauce for a truly decadent dessert.
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Swedish Meatballs
Mom fixed this Swedish meatball recipe for all sorts of family dinners, potluck suppers and PTA meetings. The scent of browning meat is intoxicating. Add to that the sweet smell of onions caramelizing, and everyone’s mouth starts watering. —Marybeth Mank, Mesquite, Texas
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Lamb Stew
This traditional Irish Guinness stew recipe is the perfect dish to serve for an authentic St. Patrick's Day meal.
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Caramel-Apple Skillet Buckle
My grandma used to bake a version of this for me when I was a little girl. She would make it using fresh apples from her tree in the backyard. I've adapted her recipe because I love the combination of apples, pecans and caramel. —Emily Hobbs, Springfield, Missouri
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30-Minute Chicken Noodle Soup
This quick and easy chicken noodle soup recipe is perfect for a cold, wintry day. It is my favorite thing to eat when I'm not feeling well; it makes me feel so much better. —Lacy Waadt, Payson, Utah
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Beef Roast Dinner
Because this healthy dish is slow-cooked, you can use less expensive roasts with results as mouthwatering as the more costly cuts. Change up the veggies for variety, nutrition or to suit your tastes!—Sandra Dudley, Bemidji, Minnesota
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Bread Pudding with Nutmeg
I always make this bread pudding recipe for my dad on his birthday and on holidays. He says it tastes exactly like the bread pudding with nutmeg he enjoyed as a child. —Donna Powell, Montgomery City, MissouriOriginally Published: September 25, 2018
