I’ll admit that I’m a rather picky eater. I know which foods I like, and I prefer to stick to a predictable menu. However, this makes it far too easy to grow bored and dissatisfied with the same meals repeatedly.
I recently underwent a meal-prep overhaul and discovered a few classic dishes to enhance with personal touches. (Bonus points for simple prep and easy clean-up!)
Consider these cozy, filling recipes that are perfect for getting all members of your family through the winter funk:
1. Classic Potato Soup
Who doesn’t love soup on a cold winter day? Potato soup is thick, creamy, and filling, making it a surefire delight for even the pickiest eaters.
To feed 6 people, you’ll need:
8 medium/large russet potatoes
6-8 slices of cooked bacon (precooked bacon is a quick option, or use 3 oz bacon bits)
8 oz cream cheese
32 oz chicken broth
10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
1 c cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Wash, peel, and grate potatoes. Squeeze out the natural water in the potato pieces. For 5-7 minutes, fry the potatoes (essentially making hash browns). Place potato pieces in a large pot with chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, salt, and pepper. Cook on medium to medium-high heat until the ingredients have blended. Shred bacon and add to the mixture. Add cheddar cheese and let it melt. Once the cheese has melted and the ingredients are combined, add the cream cheese last to thicken the soup. (It’s recommended to put the cream cheese into cubes and spread it throughout the pot to avoid glowing.) Once the cream cheese is blended, feel free to garnish with more bacon pieces and cheese. Let the soup cool slightly and serve—pairs well with bakery bread.
(For a crockpot version [so you don’t have to shred potatoes], consider this recipe from Plowing through Life.)
2. Homemade Beef Stroganoff
I’ve always enjoyed beef stroganoff, but since having my son, I’ve become more conscious of the ingredients in my meals. Thus, I knew I could no longer choose Hamburger Helper’s boxed option. I found a homemade version from The Butcher’s Wife, but have since tweaked the recipe to make the meal more flavorful and creamy.
To feed 6 people, you’ll need:
1 lb. ground beef
10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup
8-10 oz sour cream
16 oz dried penne pasta
1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tbsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook the pasta, drain it, and set it aside. In a large skillet, brown ground beef. Drain ground beef (optional). Then combine ground beef with cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Allow these ingredients to blend on medium-low heat. Once mixed well, add the pasta and let the stroganoff cook on low heat until warm throughout. Let cool slightly and serve—pairs well with bread and salad (or another green veggie, like English peas).
*For additional flavor, add 2 tbsp butter and salt to noodles as they cook. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet as the beef cooks.
3. Bonnie Sue’s Original Chicken and Rice
During the winter months, I prepare this dish almost every week. It’s an easy recipe with fast clean-up that makes for a filling meal for your pickiest eaters. (It’s my grandmother’s own recipe, giving it a bit of nostalgia for me. So I thought I’d name it in her honor!)
To feed 4-6 people, you’ll need:
32 oz chicken broth
1 cup rice (I prefer long jasmine white rice)
Roughly 25 oz shredded chicken (I use Valley Fresh’s organic shredded chicken that’s precooked.)
1 stick of butter (4 oz)
Salt and pepper to taste
In a pot, combine all ingredients. Let the broth evaporate until the rice is cooked and the chicken is warm through. Let cool slightly and serve—pairs well with bread and green beans.
(Told you this one was easy!)
4. Hearty Bread Crumb Spaghetti
Spaghetti might not seem like a traditional “winter” dish, but I’ve created my own recipe that thickens up this Italian meal and gives it a cozy feel.
To feed 4-6 people, you’ll need:
1.5 lb. ground beef
24-32 oz spaghetti sauce (I prefer the Bertolli organic tomato, basil, & garlic brand)
1 lb fettuccini noodles
Breadcrumbs to taste
Mozzarella cheese to taste
Parmesan cheese to taste
Salt to taste
Cook, drain, and set aside noodles (but keep warm). In a large skillet, brown ground beef. Drain ground beef (optional). Return beef to the skillet and add spaghetti sauce and salt. Layer breadcrumbs, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese until the sauce is thickened. Combine with noodles and serve—pairs well with bread and salad.
*For additional flavor, add 2 tbsp butter and salt to noodles as they cook. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet as the beef cooks.
5. Extra Creamy Chicken Casserole
My mom made this delicious chicken casserole when I was growing up, and it quickly became a favorite among my girlfriends during sleepovers. If you need a warm, filling meal that everyone will enjoy, add this to your recipe list.
To feed 4-6 people, you’ll need:
3-4 large chicken breasts
12-16 oz sour cream
10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
1 sleeve Ritz crackers
Salt to taste
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook and shred chicken. In a greased baking dish, combine chicken with sour cream and cream of chicken soup. Add salt to taste. Crumble crackers and spread on top. Cook for 22-24 minutes. Let cool, then serve. Makes for a heftier dinner with bread, English peas, and corn.
*For additional flavor, add 2 tbsp butter and salt to the chicken as it cooks. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and drizzle it over the top of the crackers before baking.
A Few Extra Steps to Make Meals More Meaningful
JAMA Pediatrics conducted a study that has proven the substantial benefits for children who sit down with their families for dinner at least three to four times each week. It establishes healthier bonds and enhances communication and openness. It also minimizes the risks of eating disorders and violence in youth.
Like other seasons, winter is filled with its own extracurricular activities: ballet recitals, basketball and hockey practices, church events, and other gatherings that pack your schedule tight. However, as much as possible, I encourage you to make family meals a priority. Add them to the calendar to symbolize their importance.
If time is tight, prioritize fellowship over the “homemade” aspect of food. Grab a Chick-fil-A or a pizza to make up for the extra time usually spent preparing food. It sounds a bit extreme, but as JAMA has proven, the mental, emotional, physical, and even spiritual health of your children can be altered by how well you protect and implement healthy family mealtimes.
Meanwhile, before you enjoy yummy food with your loved ones, consider having people take turns leading the prayer each evening. Or have everyone say a short round-robin prayer. The Garland family strictly implements a no-screens rule where phones and electronics are put away. (Bonus points if you turn off all televisions so there isn’t any distracting background noise!) Our family also enjoys going around in a circle and sharing one thing we are grateful for that day. (The younger your children, the more hilarious this gets!)
Stay warm, happy eating, and God bless!
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Foxys_forest_manufacture
