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Jul 7, 2016

29 cozy recipes to get you excited about cold winter evenings

By: Jennifer Bartoli and The Canadian Living Test Kitchen

These hearty, warm and cozy recipes will (almost!) have you wishing that winter would last longer!

Gravy-Smothered Beef and Mushrooms

Spoon this chunky, gravy-rich stew over baked potato wedges and top with cheese curds to make the most divine homemade poutine imaginable. Or serve the stew straight-up over smooth mashed potatoes for a yummy comfort food dinner.

Beef and Mushroom Pie

Although this meat lover's pie filling would make an endlessly satisfying meal on its own, mounding it between two flaky pie crusts brings it to a new level of deliciousness. Serve with a lemony salad.

Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese

If comfort food is what you're after, nothing beats a generous helping of creamy, oozy mac and cheese. This recipe is the yummiest version – and the only one you'll ever need.

Beef Stew With Cheese Biscuits

Cooking the shallots until caramelized creates the flavour base, and their subtle sweetness naturally balances out the sharp blue cheese. If you're not a fan of blue, try extra-old Cheddar instead.

Slow Cooker French Leek Soup

We've swapped beef broth for chicken broth and onions for tender leeks but kept all the flavour in this lighter version of classic French onion soup. When you get home, just toast the baguette, broil the cheese and enjoy!

Michael Smith's Favourite Maritime Seafood Chowder

Michael Smith, P.E.I.'s culinary ambassador, shared his favourite chowder recipe with us. Made with easy to find ingredients and fresh Maritime seafood, it's sure to become a favourite in your home too.

The Ultimate Potato Gratin

The combination of a creamy potato filling and cheesy breadcrumb crust makes this recipe one of our favourites. Gruyère cheese is notoriously strong-smelling, but it mellows nicely as it melts.

Slow Cooker Beef Ragu

This hearty sauce is best served over a short pasta with lots of nooks and crannies it can tuck into and cling to. This ragu also makes a delicious lasagna filling when layered with sheets of fresh pasta and ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.

The Ultimate Lasagna

This gooey, cheesy lasagna is a hearty party favourite, so if you're going to bring a main dish to bring to a potluck, this is it! Assemble it ahead of time and finish it off in the oven before serving.

Make-Ahead Beef Enchiladas

With a hearty beef filling, gooey cheese and zesty sauce, this enchilada dish is impossible to resist—especially when topped with a cool dollop of sour cream.

30-Minute Turkey Chili

This simple, yet delicious chili doesn't take very long to make the night before. The best part is that it can be portioned and frozen for a quick grab-and-go lunch any day of the week.

Olive Chicken Tagine With Dried Fruit Couscous

The fragrant spices of North African cuisine come to life in this Moroccan-style tagine. If you're entertaining over the weekend, this makes a great main.

Slow Cooker Mushroom Chili

This veggie-loaded chili is so hearty that even meat lovers will ask for seconds. To freeze it, cook as directed, but don't add the mushrooms. Cook them separately and add to the chili after reheating it. Serve with crusty bread to soak up every bit of sauce.

The Ultimate Chicken Pot Pie

Comfort food at its finest, this classic creamy casserole packs buttery herb-flecked pastry and rich savoury chicken in every delightful bite.

Crunchy Parmesan-Topped Double Potato Mash

If you're making this recipe ahead of time, choose a large shallow ovenproof dish, which will decrease the time needed to warm it in the oven while the turkey is resting.

Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

Stovetop space is often limited when preparing big meals, so avoid the crunch and make this classic creamy side in your slow cooker, instead! Bacon makes this dish extra-indulgent, but you can easily omit it if you prefer to keep it vegetarian.

Slow Cooker Japanese-Style Beef Curry

In Japan, cooks often make curry using a packaged mix, serving it over steamed rice and topping it with a fried pork cutlet. Here, we've ditched the store bought mix for a beefy homemade rendition of this gravy-rich stew. Choose a spicy curry powder instead if you prefer a dish with extra kick.

Hearty Meatball and Fennel Soup

Warm up cool evenings by filling empty tummies with hearty soup. Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese over top or add a handful of cooked noodles to make leftovers new again.

Spinach and Chicken Soup With Parmesan

Rotisserie chicken adds a pleasant oven-roasted flavour to this soothing vegetable- and-noodle soup. It also cuts prep time dramatically.

Roasted Cauliflower Soup With Cheddar Crostini

The longer you roast the cauliflower (without burning it, of course!), the richer the flavour. Extra-old Cheddar adds a boost of savoury sharpness to this thick, creamy soup. For a milder soup, use old or medium Cheddar.

Curried Lentil and Chicken Soup

Chicken thighs are less expensive than breasts, and they give this robust soup added heartiness. If you don't have plain yogurt, top each bowl with sour cream. Cost: $3.15/serving

Chicken and Dumplings

This quick version of a southern classic uses store-bought gnocchi instead of the traditional dumplings. Serve with a tossed salad and multigrain rolls or your favourite buttermilk biscuits.

Creamy Meatballs and Noodles

If you have time, chill the meatballs in the fridge for 10 minutes before frying; they'll hold their shape a little better.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This saucy pulled pork is perfect piled high on buns. They're also great for sliders if you're looking for a delicious appetizer. Top with garnishes like tangy coleslaw, pickled jalapeños, sour cream and shredded cheese.

Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce

Mushrooms have a delicate flavour and texture that makes them perfect partners for a rich cream sauce. Toss with fresh pasta and thin with a little pasta water to desired consistency.Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Beer and Cheese Fondue Dip

It doesn't get more retro than cheese fondue, and this twist on the classic Swiss recipe gets a hit of Calvados at the end. This dip is best served warm and bubbly, so it's worth rooting around in your basement to find that longhidden fondue set. Serve with blanched asparagus, broccoli, boiled potatoes or sliced apple.

Classic Cabbage Rolls

Our classic recipe for hearty cabbage rolls is a labour of love that won't disappoint. Use two smaller cabbages rather than one large head, as the leaves will be more consistent in size. The best leaves for rolling are in the middle of the head, so save the outer ones for coleslaw or soup. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a little fresh dill.

Slow Cooker Carbonnade Beef Pot Roast

This roast, inspired by a classic Belgian stew, is juicy and tender over mashed potatoes, and the leftovers make the ultimate hot sandwich. Cook the bacon and onion mixture the night before so it's ready to add to the slow cooker in the morning without a lot of fuss.

Thai Chicken and Coconut Milk Soup

This aromatic Thai-inspired soup is the perfect comfort food to warm up a cold winter evening. Top with finely sliced red chilies for a little extra kick, if desired. You can also swap the rice with noodles, or serve it without a starch, as a brothy starter soup.

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Gravy-Smothered Beef and Mushrooms

Beef and Mushroom Pie

Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese

Beef Stew With Cheese Biscuits

Slow Cooker French Leek Soup

Michael Smith's Favourite Maritime Seafood Chowder

Related article

Collections

29 cozy recipes to get you excited about cold winter evenings

The Ultimate Potato Gratin

Slow Cooker Beef Ragu

The Ultimate Lasagna

Make-Ahead Beef Enchiladas

30-Minute Turkey Chili

Olive Chicken Tagine With Dried Fruit Couscous

Related article

Collections

29 cozy recipes to get you excited about cold winter evenings

Slow Cooker Mushroom Chili

The Ultimate Chicken Pot Pie

Crunchy Parmesan-Topped Double Potato Mash

Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

Slow Cooker Japanese-Style Beef Curry

Hearty Meatball and Fennel Soup

Related article

Collections

29 cozy recipes to get you excited about cold winter evenings

Spinach and Chicken Soup With Parmesan

Roasted Cauliflower Soup With Cheddar Crostini

Curried Lentil and Chicken Soup

Chicken and Dumplings

Creamy Meatballs and Noodles

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Related article

Collections

29 cozy recipes to get you excited about cold winter evenings

Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce

Beer and Cheese Fondue Dip

Classic Cabbage Rolls

Slow Cooker Carbonnade Beef Pot Roast

Thai Chicken and Coconut Milk Soup

Related article

Collections

29 cozy recipes to get you excited about cold winter evenings

Related article

Collections

29 cozy recipes to get you excited about cold winter evenings

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