10 Super Easy and Simple Winter Recipes That Are Perfect for Cozy Meals:
1. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
1. In a pot, combine crushed tomatoes, vegetable broth, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10-15 minutes.
3. Stir in heavy cream and chopped basil. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and a drizzle of cream.
2. Garlic Butter Shrimp Pasta Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (such as linguine or spaghetti)
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Instructions:
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Add shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Toss cooked pasta with garlic butter shrimp. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
3. Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving
- Instructions:
1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
3. Add sliced flank steak and cook until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Add broccoli florets to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until tender-crisp.
5. Pour in the sauce mixture and stir to coat the beef and broccoli.
6. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until heated through and sauce has thickened slightly.
7. Serve hot over cooked rice or noodles.
4. Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish and brush with honey mustard mixture.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
5. Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and chopped basil leaves.
2. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and toss gently to coat.
3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve immediately as a refreshing side dish or light lunch.
6. Simple Lemon Garlic Butter Pasta Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Instructions:
1. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Add cooked spaghetti to the skillet. Toss with lemon zest, lemon juice, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through and flavors are well combined.
5. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.
7. Quick and Easy Vegetable Stir Fry Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, broccoli)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving
- Instructions:
1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add mixed vegetables to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
4. Pour sauce mixture over vegetables and stir to coat evenly.
5. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until heated through and sauce has thickened slightly.
6. Serve hot over cooked rice or noodles.
8. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp curry powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss cubed butternut squash and diced onion with olive oil, curry powder, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet.
3. Roast in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, stirring halfway through, until squash is tender and lightly caramelized.
4. Transfer roasted squash and onion to a pot. Add vegetable broth and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
5. Use an immersion blender to puree soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer soup in batches to a blender and blend until smooth, then return to the pot.
6. Stir in coconut milk until well combined. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
7. Serve hot, garnished with a swirl of coconut milk and a sprinkle of curry powder.
9. Easy Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Drizzle salmon with olive oil. Season with minced garlic, fresh dill, salt, and pepper.
4. Arrange lemon slices on top of each salmon fillet.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
6. Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh dill and lemon wedges.
10. Creamy Mushroom Risotto Recipe
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (such as cremini or shiitake)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Instructions:
1. In a large skillet or pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; cook until softened.
2. Add Arborio rice to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until lightly toasted.
3. Pour in dry white wine (if using) and cook
for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the wine is absorbed.
4. Begin adding the chicken or vegetable broth, one ladleful at a time, stirring frequently. Allow each ladleful of broth to be absorbed before adding the next. This process will take about 20-25 minutes until the rice is creamy and tender.
5. Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, sauté sliced mushrooms with a bit of olive oil until they are golden brown and tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Once the risotto is cooked to your desired consistency (creamy but still slightly firm to the bite), stir in grated Parmesan cheese and sautéed mushrooms.
7. Remove from heat and let the risotto rest for a few minutes. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
These super easy and simple winter recipes are perfect for quick meals that are still delicious and satisfying. Enjoy the cozy flavors of the season with these delightful dishes! 🍲🔥
