50 Nutritious Healthy Winter Dinner Ideas for a Healthy, Cozy Season
Embrace the chill with these healthy winter dinner ideas! Get ready to enjoy meals that are not only nutritious but also bursting with flavor, perfect for those frosty evenings.
Let’s face it, winter often means craving comfort foods that aren’t always the best for our health. But who says you can’t have the best of both worlds?
Forget about the dull, overdone health meals. Say goodbye to uninspiring salads that leave you cold and unsatisfied.
We need dishes that are not only warming and hearty but also aligned with our health goals. Who wants to overindulge in heavy, calorie-laden meals all season?
That’s why I’ve curated a list of wholesome and delightful winter dinners!
These healthy winter recipes strike the perfect balance between comfort and nutrition. They are packed with flavor and goodness, making them ideal for those seeking a healthier lifestyle without sacrificing taste.
This collection of winter meals includes:
- Nourishing soups, broths, and hearty chilis
- Hassle-free slow cooker recipes
- Quick and easy sheet pan dinners
- Family-friendly meals that even kids will love
- Single-skillet wonders for minimal cleanup
- Satisfying, warm casseroles with a healthy twist
There’s an incredible variety in this list, ensuring you won’t tire of the same old recipes.
(And they’re great for meal prep, too, so your lunch game will be just as strong.)
Get ready to dive into these scrumptious, health-focused winter dinners that will keep you cozy and content all season long!
1
Black bean & tortilla soup
Make the most of any tins of black beans in your cupboards and make this easy and satisfying soup. Serve with coriander, avocado, feta and pumpkin seeds
Check out this recipe
2
Prosciutto, kale & butter bean stew
Whip up this healthy stew in just 25 minutes with prosciutto, kale and butter beans. It's a low-calorie, low-fat dinner with three of your 5-a-day
Check out this recipe
3
Slow cooker spiced root & lentil casserole
Warm up on chilly days with this vegetarian slow-cooker stew. It's great for freezing and reheating for midweek meals
Check out this recipe
4
Diet cola chicken
Use a can of diet cola as a secret ingredient to enhance this chicken casserole. It's an easy and delicious weekday supper, best enjoyed with rice or pasta
Check out this recipe
5
Winter vegetable & lentil soup
Indulge in the ultimate comfort during those chilly days by savoring a nourishing homemade vegetable soup. This hearty creation not only warms your body but also fortifies your immune system with a generous dose of vitamin C. Plus, it's a delicious way to check off four of your daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.
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6
Sesame parsnip & wild rice tabbouleh
Get your fill of tasty veggies with our easy vegan parsnip & wild rice tabbouleh. Our simple winter salad is full of flavour, filling and 2 of your 5-a-day
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7
Miso lentil & cabbage soup
Make a filling soup with the help of green lentils, pancetta, white cabbage and mushrooms, along with miso flavours. It packs in three of your 5-a-day
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8
Root veg lentil bowl with herb pistou
Give your leftover Christmas veg a healthy makeover with this meal in a bowl. Packed with lentils, spinach and herbs, it's filling and flavourful. Try it with carrots or parsnips
Check out this recipe
9
Celeriac, hazelnut & truffle soup
Prepare this delectable vegan celeriac and hazelnut soup to kickstart your Christmas Day festivities. For an extra touch of indulgence, consider drizzling a hint of truffle oil over the soup. Alternatively, savor it as a comforting dinner option on a chilly winter evening, keeping it beautifully simple without the truffle oil.
Check out this recipe
10
Roasted roots & sage soup
Take comfort on cold days with a warming bowl of soup. Ours is full of veg, making it tasty, healthy and low in calories and fat
Check out this recipe
11
Chicken, leek & blue cheese pilaf
Delight in our gluten-free chicken dinner featuring the delightful trio of blue cheese, leeks, and walnuts. In just 45 minutes, you'll have a wholesome meal that not only satisfies your taste buds but also contributes to your daily vegetable intake with three servings of your 5-a-day.
Check out this recipe
12
Red cabbage, cauliflower & coconut dhal
Use up your leftover red cabbage and cauliflower at Christmas to make this easy dhal with coconut. It's satisfying, healthy and full of nutrients
Check out this recipe
13
Quinoa with stir-fried winter veg
Quinoa is protein-rich, low-fat, gluten-free and makes a nutritious change from rice or pasta
Check out this recipe
14
Squash & spinach fusilli with pecans
You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy this colourful low-fat, low-calorie squash and spinach pasta topped with pecans. It's tasty as well as healthy
Check out this recipe
15
Mushroom & potato soup
Porcini mushrooms give this healthy soup a real umami flavour boost. Pour into a flask for a warming, low-calorie lunch that you can take to work
Check out this recipe
16
Winter vegetable pie
One portion of this delicious vegetarian shepherd's pie contains all 5 of your recommended 5-a-day intake
Check out this recipe
17
Vegan chickpea curry jacket potatoes
Get some protein into a vegan diet with this tasty chickpea curry jacket. It's an easy midweek meal, or filling lunch that packs a lot of flavour.
Check out this recipe
18
Curried Chicken Pie – Recipes
You can’t beat a chicken pie. We fancied going with an Indian vibe with this one, so we’ve added some spice to the filling and some turmeric to the pastry. And you know how everyone loves a dollop of mango chutney with a curry? We’ve suggested spreading the pastry with chutney before you add the filling to get a blast of that lovely flavour.
Check out this recipe
19
Crispy Baked Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Cauliflower – Big Delicious Life
A whole head of cauliflower stuffed with a cheesy spinach and artichoke filling, topped with crispy parmesan Panko breadcrumbs and baked to golden brown perfection.
Check out this recipe
20
Sausage and Apple Hash with Whole Grain Mustard
Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet and savory with our Sausage and Apple Hash featuring whole-grain mustard. This versatile dish is a breeze to prepare and can be enjoyed from breakfast to dinner. Packed with baked potatoes, fresh fruit, and protein, it promises a delightful medley of flavors and textures in every bite. Picture the satisfying crunch of JUICI apples, the fluffiness of baked potatoes, and the savory goodness of meaty sausages, all enhanced by the zesty kick of whole-grain mustard. It's a delicious culinary adventure that awaits you!
Check out this recipe
21
Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Cracker Barrel-style chicken and dumplings. This simple yet delightful copycat recipe is ideal for those chilly evenings, promising a dinner that will be cherished by the entire family.
Check out this recipe
22
Butternut Squash Soup
Indulge in the rich and creamy delight of our butternut squash soup recipe. It's not only incredibly delicious but also a breeze to prepare. This culinary masterpiece makes for the perfect addition to your holiday dinner menu.
Check out this recipe
23
Chicken Piccata (Easy Recipe)
This easy recipe for chicken piccata is a simple yet superb dinner that’s ready in no time! Made with butter, lemon juice, white wine, and capers, the flavor is just to die for!
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24
Sausage Bake with Potatoes and Gravy
Indulge in the simplicity and deliciousness of our One-Pan Sausage Bake, featuring potatoes, carrots, and onions, all bathed in a sumptuous gravy. It's akin to a casserole, with perfectly golden-brown sausages and an irresistibly flavorful gravy that will leave your taste buds dancing with delight.
Check out this recipe
25
Old-Fashioned Beef Stew
This old-fashioned beef stew recipe is the perfect dish for chilly nights! Learn how to make it, plus get tips for cooking the best beef stew.
Check out this recipe
26
Crockpot Lasagna Soup (Easy Recipe)
Once you savor the goodness of our Crockpot lasagna soup, you'll find yourself making it a regular culinary delight! It captures all the beloved flavors of traditional lasagna in a convenient, hassle-free, one-pot meal that's sure to become a family favorite.
Check out this recipe
27
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Want a luxurious weeknight dinner experience? Try this Million Dollar Chicken Casserole! It’s an easy, family-friendly dish that tastes like a million bucks!
Check out this recipe
28
White Chicken Chili
This white chicken chili is the perfect recipe for chilly evenings! Using the slow cooker, it comes out perfect and delicious every single time.
Check out this recipe
29
Ikea Swedish Meatball Recipe
Ikea just released their famous recipe for Swedish Meatballs. Melt-in-your mouth meatballs covered in a creamy gravy that goes perfectly on top of your favorite pasta.
Check out this recipe
30
Ina Garten Mac and Cheese (Easy Recipe)
If you want a winner of a meal, try this Ina Garten mac and cheese recipe! Packed with a blend of two incredible cheeses, it’s simply perfect.
Check out this recipe
31
Ham and Potato Casserole
Looking for an easy dinner that is as hearty as it is delicious? This ham and potato casserole is for you! It is ideal for potlucks, weekly dinner, or holidays.
Check out this recipe
32
Julia Child’s French Onion Soup
This recipe for Julia Child’s French onion soup is comfort food at its finest. Learn how to make it, plus get tips for the most flavorful soup!
Check out this recipe
33
Baked Ziti (Easy Recipe)
Nothing quite beats a classic baked ziti! Made with ground beef, pasta, spaghetti sauce, and loads of cheese, it’s the ultimate comfort food dish!
Check out this recipe
34
Bisquick Chicken Pot Pie
Try this Bisquick chicken pot pie when you don’t have a ton of time on your hands! Made with just 6 ingredients, it’s bound to become a family favorite.
Check out this recipe
35
Trisha Yearwood Chicken Tortilla Soup
Get cozy in the winter months with this refreshing, flavorful recipe for Trisha Yearwood’s Chicken Tortilla Soup!
Check out this recipe
36
Hamburger Helper Lasagna (Homemade Recipe)
This Hamburger Helper lasagna is quick, easy, and so good! It tastes just as good as the boxed stuff, and it’s ready in as little as 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
37
Grandma’s Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe (Homemade From Scratch)
Grandma’s chicken noodle soup recipe is comfort food at its best. Whip up a pot today for everyone to enjoy!
Check out this recipe
38
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
We’ve unlocked the secret to Olive Garden’s delicious Chicken Gnocchi Soup. Now you can enjoy this hearty dish from home. Read on for the recipe!
Check out this recipe
39
Stuffed Pork Chops (Easy Recipe)
Everyone should have this stuffed pork chops recipe in their arsenal! Baked in the oven and stuffed with celery, onion, and cream of mushroom soup, you won’t be able to resist it.
Check out this recipe
40
Roasted Leg of Lamb – Damn Delicious
Roasted Leg of Lamb – This recipe is so good yet it doesn’t require too much time, effort or ingredients. It’s easy & fool-proof, even for you first-timers!
Check out this recipe
41
Creamy Pumpkin Soup Recipe
When fall rolls around, there’s nothing better than a comforting bowl of creamy pumpkin soup. Especially when it only calls for nine ingredients!
Check out this recipe
42
Easy Red Lentil Dal Recipe
This red lentil dal recipe is thick, creamy, & full of Indian spices. The ultimate vegan comfort food, made in one pot using pantry staples!
Check out this recipe
43
Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Make this cheeseburger meatloaf recipe for a dinner that tastes exactly like your favorite burger! It’s tender, juicy, and will quickly become your new favorite.
Check out this recipe
44
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff Stew
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff – fall apart slow cooked beef in a luscious, creamy Stroganoff sauce with buttery garlic mushrooms! This is a magnificant stew.
Check out this recipe
45
Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole Recipe
This chicken cordon bleu casserole has everything you love about the classic dish! It’s creamy, savory, and full of delicious flavor.
Check out this recipe
46
Lighthouse Inn Potatoes Copycat Recipe
Bring the taste of Lighthouse Inn Potatoes right into your own home! This iconic New England side dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that you’ll make time and time again.
Check out this recipe
47
Tamale Pie (Easy Recipe)
This tamale pie is so good, you’ll make it all the time! The recipe is packed with ground beef, cheese, green chiles, and a tasty corn muffin mix that can’t be topped!
Check out this recipe
48
Ham and Corn Chowder with Potato
Thick, creamy Ham and Corn Chowder made without cream! Simple to make, made with ham, corn and potato in a thick creamy béchamel based soup. 450 calories.
Check out this recipe
49
Paula Deen’s Crockpot Potato Soup
Paula Deen’s Crockpot Potato Soup is the perfect companion on a cold winter day. It’s thick, creamy, and requires just 10 minutes of prep time!
Check out this recipe
50
Detroit-Style Pizza Recipe
This Detroit-style pizza recipe has a soft and airy crust, a crunchy exterior, a sweet and savory sauce with cheesy, crusty edges. If you haven’t yet experienced the Detroit-style deep dish, you’re in for a treat!
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