DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
It’s almost January, and that means we have a brand new year to look forward to. What better way to start it off strong than by testing out new recipes? Between soups and chili, pasta, and steak, we have plenty of comfort food options to warm us up on those cold winter days and lighter options for when we want to eat a little healthier, too.
Italian Wedding Soup
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
There’s nothing like a hot bowl of soup to help keep things cozy in wintertime. This Italian wedding soup with homemade meatballs and orzo pasta does the trick and then some while only requiring a few ingredients to come together in under an hour. And since it’s so hearty, you don’t even have to serve it with anything (except some bread, of course). As a top-rated recipe with over 700 reviews, home cook Verna also weighs in and says, “I have been looking for a recipe like this for years since I first had it in an Italian restaurant,” and the results are “wonderfully delicious.”
Chef John’s Chicken Fricassee
A creamy and savory delight, this classic plate looks impressive but isn’t hard to create. Named after a culinary term referring to browned meat stewing in a pan, this is relatively all it takes to get the chicken cooked to perfection. Recipe creator Chef John says you can “play around with any and all of the ingredients,” but many users, including katiekelley78, said that the recipe is “excellent as is!”
Air-Fried Bang Bang Salmon
If you want tender salmon fillets in record time, this air-fried version will do the trick. Whether you have fresh or frozen, this recipe calls for it all, offering a tasty spicy sweetness you’ll love, all thanks to a sauce made of sweet chili and Sriracha. But don’t just take our word for it, one Allrecipes member says this salmon is “perfectly cooked and delicious every time! Definitely my favorite salmon recipe!” Oh, and did we mention it takes only ten minutes to cook?
Easy Quinoa Salad
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
We love a warm and heavy meal, especially in the winter months, but sometimes we crave something on the lighter side. The quinoa with black beans fills us up while the lime juice adds a nice citrus flavor that gives some serious summer vibes (which we’ll happily take). Keep it as-is or add lean meat to the mix for even more protein. While eating it right away is great, many reviewers say it tastes the best the next day. Home cook Jennifer Gidcumb Hall says, “I like it best chilled, especially after flavors have time to really set in.”
Baked Cranberry Oatmeal
Skip the instant oatmeal and make your own! After bringing a milk mixture to a boil on the stove, pour it over your oats and pop it in the oven for about a half hour. This easy recipe calls for apples, cranberries, and walnuts but can be customized to your liking, adding other fruits or even vegetables. One Allrecipes member says, “If I have carrots on hand I shred some and add that as well, it reminds me of carrot cake when I do this.”
Sheet Pan Turkey Chili with Cornbread “Dumplings”
We’re big fans of making a big ol’ pot of chili and always enjoy trying new recipes to see what sticks. This is one of the more unique versions we’ve ever seen since we’re making it not with a pot but with a sheet pan. However, with an even easier clean-up, we’re definitely in. Plus, it is “quite tasty,” says user Marjohnal.
Pro Tip: This can be pretty spicy so if you want to keep things more on the milder side, use less chili powder and jalapeños.
Gnocchi with Sage-Butter Sauce
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Whether you’re looking for a top-notch side or a full-on comfort meal, this pasta dish can be both. A sage-butter sauce is heavenly paired with tender bites of gnocchi. It’s quick and easy which is a huge benefit for many reviewers, including one Allrecipes member who says it is “simple and with really nice flavor.” Sometimes the pasta can get sticky though, so keep the boiling to a minimum of about two minutes.
Perfect Flat Iron Steak
Who says you have to go out to get a high-quality steak? This recipe brings quality meat to your home. A simple marinade of olive oil, garlic, red wine, and chives helps make this steak tender while adding loads of flavor. Reviewer TxLady2 says it’s the “best steak ever,” making us even more excited to give it a try, especially when served with the right side that complements all this steak has to offer.
Green Beans Almondine
Judging by its fancy-sounding name, you might think this French side dish has an elaborate preparation. Thankfully, that’s anything but the truth. It only calls for four ingredients (along with salt and pepper), and the ease of microwaving the green beans makes for a quick and simple dish that comes together in just minutes. The results say it all, as user Joan Ford Dyer explains how they received “compliments from everyone! It was delicious!!”
Apple Tarte Tatin
Want to impress your guests with a dessert that looks like you got it from a bakery? We do, too. Luckily, this tarte tatin made of caramelized apple slices inside a flaky pastry is also super easy to create, calling for only apples, sugar, dough, and butter. Home cook Tinaaa says the “recipe was so much simpler than others I had read, but just as tasty.”
Pro Tip: Granny Smiths are typically the best to use for this recipe because they are nice and tart, but other varieties can work, too, including Honeycrisp, which is sweet but still a bit tart.
Mom’s Chicken Pot Pie
Comfort food at its finest, this homemade pot pie is delicious, easy to make, and mom-approved. Cooked chicken, potatoes, and veggies stuffed inside a buttery pie crust pastry is a dream fresh out of the oven. It’s a recipe that is great as-is or tailored to your preferences, says reviewer techstu63, noting that either way this recipe is “beyond good.”
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Fabeveryday
Spaghetti served in a meat sauce is always a hit. This recipe enhances the standard version with a combination of cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream in the tomato sauce, bringing out various new flavors and an ultra-creamy texture. One Allrecipes member says, “I was looking for a new twist on an old favorite and I found it with this recipe.”