10 Cozy Meals That Make Cold Evenings Feel Better

When the sun dips early and the wind starts to pick up, nothing beats a steaming bowl of something delicious waiting on the table. These recipes focus on simple ingredients that fill the home with amazing aromas and keep everyone feeling warm from the inside out. Forget about complicated techniques and focus on easy, heart-warming dishes that the whole family will actually eat!

Easy Teriyaki Meatballs

Gluten-free meatballs on rice with bell peppers with chopsticks being held over the bowl and teriyaki sauce and a linen behind it — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A 30-minute, weeknight dinner, this easy, gluten-free meatball recipe is perfect for busy nights. These dairy-free meatballs are tender, simple, and flavorful. Furthermore, they're topped with a sticky, homemade teriyaki sauce! To learn more: Teriyaki Meatballs

Italian Sausage and Rice Skillet

Black skillet with rice, sausages, and peppers in a tomato sauce. — Image Credit: Image credit goes to.

This Italian Sausage and Rice Skillet is a cozy, one-pan dinner made for busy weeknights. Savory sausage, sweet bell peppers, leeks, and garlic are simmered in a simple tomato sauce for big flavor with minimal effort. Naturally gluten-free and hearty enough to feed a family, it’s the kind of meal everyone goes back for seconds of.

To learn more: Sausage Peppers and Rice Skillet

Slow Cooker Beef Steak Bites

Slow cooker steak bites mixed with soy honey garlic sauce. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Tender bites of beef simmered all day in a honey garlic sauce these slow cooker steak bites are an effortless recipe. Made with only four ingredients you can use these steak bites for easy meal prep, a tasty appetizer, or just a high-protein snack.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Steak Bites

Honey Garlic Crockpot Chicken

Paleo honey garlic chicken shredded on white rice in a bowl. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Tender, juicy bites of shredded chicken simmered in a paleo honey garlic sauce. This 5 ingredient crockpot chicken makes for the perfect weeknight dinner.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Keto Salisbury Steak

White plate with salisbury steak on it and a mushroom on top of them. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Deliciously seasoned ground beef patties cooked in the slow cooker and then smothered in a savory mushroom gravy. This gluten-free Salisbury steak recipe makes for a tasty Sunday night dinner. To learn more: Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

Stovetop Venison Chili Bowls

Spoonful of chili pulled out of a white bowl of chili. — Photo Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

A protein-loaded, comfort meal perfect for Sunday night dinner. This venison chili (also known as deer chili!) is full of classic flavor. Naturally gluten-free and easy to make, cozy up with a big bowl and warm up from head to toe.

Get the recipe: Stovetop Venison Chili Recipe

Gluten-Free Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup with carrots in a white mug with lemon and a spoon beside it. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Made from scratch in the slow cooker this gluten-free chicken noodle soup is a comforting blend of ingredients perfect for chilly nights. To learn more: Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Honey Baked Chicken Thighs

Honey and lemon baked chicken thighs with parsley on top in a baking dish. — Image Credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

Have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes with these ultra-juicy, honey-baked chicken thighs. Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free this busy weeknight dinner comes together with just a handful of ingredients and makes for a burst of sweetness in every bite.

Get the recipe: Honey Baked Chicken Thighs

Savory Beef Fajitas

Beef fajitas in tomato sauce with peppers in a black slow cooker. — Photo credit: Fit as a Mama Bear

The perfect recipe to come home to! These slow cooker beef fajitas are delicious no matter how you serve them. Made with homemade, healthy fajita seasoning and simmered all day in a savory blend, these steak fajitas are a recipe you’ll want to keep on hand!

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Fajitas

Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Looking for comfort food with a dairy-free twist? This dairy-free chicken alfredo casserole is the perfect weeknight meal. Filled with creamy alfredo sauce, and protein-packed with chicken, and silky sundried tomatoes throughout it, this gluten-free chicken casserole is one you’ll want to have on hand!

Get the recipe: Chicken Alfredo Casserole