- Recipes
Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor
Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.
updated Feb 4, 2021
comments
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
One thing that always makes this mid-winter month feel brighter is that it is such a great month for cooking and eating. From Super Bowl Sunday and Lunar New Year to Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras, plus cozy snow-day eats, there’s a huge selection of really fun and delicious things to cook and bake this month.
Whether you’re into football or not, it’s hard to resist the lineup of snacks that go along with game day. Since we’ll be watching at home, we like the idea of sticking with one or two favorites, like a tray of cheesy nachos, oven-baked wings, or cheesy air fryer mozzarella sticks. You also can’t go wrong with a big pot of chili.
February 12 is Lunar New Year, and I’m excited to ring in the Year of the Ox by making Chinese dumplings at home and a lucky noodle stir-fry.
We’ve always been strong believers that Valentine’s Day is more fun celebrated at home, and this year we’ll all be doing that. Since it falls on a weekend, I love the idea of celebrating with a special breakfast like ricotta pancakes, sticky buns, or double chocolate muffins. You can’t go wrong with easy sheet pan steak frites or cacio e pepe for dinner.
Friendly reminder that February will also treat you to a long weekend (if you have President’s Day off!). Will you use it to bake a batch of cookies or perhaps a loaf of bread? Or maybe a cozy batch of Polish potato dumplings?
Most of all, we’re leaning on warming dinners that don’t require a ton of effort and leave us with leftovers for WFH lunch or to pop in the freezer for another time. Here are 28 of our favorite winter recipes to inspire your cooking all month long.
1
/
28
Chicken Pot Tot Hotdish
"I'm excited to make my favorite hotdish for my boyfriend for the first time!", says Studio Food Editor Jess. "He grew up in Jersey, so I want to introduce him to the deliciousness that is hotdish! My favorite is this one from Molly Yeh that I have been making. It gets topped with tater tots and is the perfect cold weather comfort food".
Go to Recipe
2
/
28
Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
These timeless cookies at the top of Senior Contributing Food Editor Sheela's list this month. "I've been hankering for soft, chewy, cinnamon-flecked oatmeal raisin cookies for weeks now and I am so overdue to satisfy my craving," she says.
Go to Recipe
3
/
28
Sheet Pan Steak Frites
Want a simple, yet special Valentine's Day dinner for your family? Follow Food Editor Meghan's lead. "We have a special family tradition of making Sheet Pan Steak Frites for Valentine's Day dinner and I look forward to it every year".
Go to Recipe
4
/
28
Cheesy Vegetable Melts
The month Deputy Food Director Grace is leaning into veggies and comfort food. "I really want to make these Vegetable Melts! It feels like a fun way to eat sandwiches for dinner, while still packing in tons of greens".
Go to Recipe
5
/
28
Mini Baked Alaskas
Production Editor Tracey is planning a sweet Valentine's surprise for her family in the form of these adorable mini baked Alaskas. She plans to personalize them with each person's favorite ice cream flavor.
Go to Recipe
6
/
28
This is the warm and cozy dinner to keep in the lineup for your next snow day, or for when you need a mostly hands-off dinner. It requires very little attention on your part, but you’re rewarded with a dinner that tastes like you’ve been standing at the stove all day.
Go to Recipe
7
/
28
Spicy Sticky Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
"My husband and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day," says Lifestyle Director Lisa, "but I usually try to do some sort of baking project for the holiday. I don't know why. It's just nice to have a little treat to share together! Chocolate doesn't usually do it for us but these cinnamon rolls are pushing all the right buttons. Gooey, warm, and rich? Happy Valentine's Day to us"!
Go to Recipe
8
/
28
The Lightest, Fluffiest Buttermilk Pancakes
These are Food Editor, Kelli's go-to Saturday breakfast, and with Pancake Tuesday coming up, she'll also be slotting them into her weeknight meal plan.
Go to Recipe
9
/
28
King Cake
If you're up for a baking project this month, there's no better time to make a festive king cake.
Go to Recipe
10
/
28
Miso Salmon
Slow roasted miso salmon isn't just big on flavor and irresistibly tender, it's also foolproof and nearly impossible to overcook.
Go to Recipe
11
/
28
Roasted Cabbage with Mustard Vinaigrette
Like everyone else at Kitchn, Senior Contributing Food Editor Sheela has been on a cabbage kick this winter. This simple roasted cabbage is the one that hooked her, and she plans to keep making it all month long.
Go to Recipe
12
/
28
Nachos Recipe
This month Food Director Nina is excited about making snacks, whether that be for Super Bowl or just for a fun weekend dinner. We all need something to look forward these days...like nachos for dinner!
Go to Recipe
Cacio e Pepe
Cacio e Pepe is the best Valentine’s Day dinner in all the land, according to Features Director Arie. Cheese, carbs, salt, and pepper. The end.
Go to Recipe
14
/
28
Kopytka
Stidio Food Editor Amelia loves ALL things dumpling and I cannot wait to try these Polish potato dumplngs with onions and bacon.
Go to Recipe
15
/
28
Creamy Polenta with Mushroom Ragù
If you're craving something ultra-cozy for these cold winter days, follow Managing Editor Lauren's lead with a bowl of this wholesome, comforting dinner.
Go to Recipe
16
/
28
Double Chocolate Muffins
Here's how Food Editor Meghan is fun weekend breakfast for her family this month, "Just for kicks I want to serve cupcakes for breakfast and I think these Double Chocolate Muffins are going to be just the thing for a Valentine's Day breakfast".
Go to Recipe
17
/
28
Chinese Lucky Noodle Stir-Fry
Food Editor-at-Large Christine has her sights set on making her mom’s lucky noodles for Chinese New Year. They're super tasty and also hopefully good luck for the year of the ox.
Go to Recipe
18
/
28
Vegetable Jambalaya
Inspired by the Southern original, this one-pot version doesn’t have a long cooking time, yet comes together with a lot of delicious, slow-cooked flavor. Want to bulk it up a little more? Add some cooked seafood, sausage, or beans towards the end of cooking.
Go to Recipe
19
/
28
Whether you're observing Lent or just a quick meatless dinner you can get on the table, crispy fish tacos are always a good idea.
Go to Recipe
20
/
28
Easy, Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes
With a long weekend on the horizon this month, a stack of extra-fluffy pancakes is definitely in order. These have a hint of lemon which makes them feel special.
Go to Recipe
21
/
28
Interim Executive Editor Carey is all about making a really good, really hearty chili. The kind that simmers for a long time and when people taste it they are like "oh, what's that subtle spice in there? I like this." The secret to this one: Investing your prep time in chili powder from scratch.
Go to Recipe
22
/
28
Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
We don't like to play favorites, but these are perhaps the very best thing to make in your air fryer. And if you're into the Super Bowl for the snacks, consider these a must.
Go to Recipe
23
/
28
One-Skillet Chicken Thighs with Curried Cabbage and Chickpeas
You can't go wrong with crispy chicken thighs and cabbage, and Assistant Food Editor Nicole has her sights set on this skillet dinner.
Go to Recipe
24
/
28
Buffalo Wings in the Oven
Lifestyle Editor Lauren doesn't need a sports related reason to eat wings, but since the Super Bowl is coming up, what the heck! She plans to eat these buffalo wings next weekend, the weekend after that, and the weekend after that.
Go to Recipe
25
/
28
Vegan Chili
If you're especially excited eat chili this month, you're not alone. Lifestyle Editor Riddley is, too, and this hearty vegan chili is on her must-make list because it comes together fairly quickly and makes plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day (or to freeze!).
Go to Recipe
26
/
28
Classic Chinese Dumplings (Jiaozi)
This is an easy, basic Chinese dumpling recipe that’s freezable for when you need a quick meal.
Go to Recipe
27
/
28
Valentine’s Day Puppy Chow
With her kids home from school, Contributing Editor Patty is taking every excuse to bring joy to our days. This month, that means making lots of Valentine's Day treats - like Puppy Chow - that we can make together and drop off for friends.
Go to Recipe
28
/
28
Creamy, Satisfying Mushroom Soup
If you want to really treat yourself, having this on hand for your WFH lunch will really perk up your week. This soup treats you to a double dose of mushrooms, plus a silky, mushroom-infused vegetable broth that gets partially pureed and kissed with a touch of cream at the very end for just a hint of richness.
Go to Recipe
Filed in:
Recipe Roundup
winter
