15 Cozy Weeknight Dinners That Make You Feel at Home
When the day winds down and the evening settles in, the right dinner can bring a sense of calm that’s hard to beat. These cozy weeknight meals are here to help you slow down and reconnect with the simple joy of a warm plate of food. Made with everyday ingredients and easy steps, they offer comfort without the extra work. Whether it’s a creamy pasta, a one-pot stew, or a baked dish that fills the kitchen with good smells, these recipes are perfect for the kind of nights when you want something that feels like home.
Homemade Tuna Helper
This tasty tuna pasta dish makes a great midweek dinner and can be on the table in under half an hour using pantry staples. If you’ve used boxed tuna helper in the past, you might be wondering whether homemade tuna helper is better, and the answer is definitely yes! With a copycat recipe this quick and easy (that doesn’t use soup), it’s always worth making your own. This cheesy, creamy, budget-friendly tuna noodle casserole is sure to appeal to the whole family.
Get the recipe: Homemade Tuna Helper
Chicken Riggies
If you’ve never tried this bold, comforting pasta dish from upstate New York, now’s your chance. This recipe delivers tender chicken, a rich tomato cream sauce and a spicy kick from cherry peppers that gives every bite serious flavor. It’s hearty, cheesy and perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests with ease. With a quick homemade sauce and simple ingredients, chicken riggies deserve a spot in your regular dinner rotation. Just be warned, once you try it, you might be hooked.
Get the recipe: Chicken Riggies
Pork Chop and Rice Casserole
Picture this: you’re in desperate need of a comforting, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal that’ll make your soul feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Well, hold on to your oven mitts, because this pork chop and rice casserole recipe is about to swoop in and save the day! With minimal prep time and easy-to-find ingredients, this casserole is a breeze to make! With its perfect blend of tender pork chops, creamy rice, and savory seasonings, all combined in one easy-peasy dish, this casserole is the ultimate solution for those “I don’t wanna cook but I gotta feed the fam” kind of nights.
Get the recipe: Pork Chop and Rice Casserole
Mexican Chicken Pasta Casserole
When you need something hearty, cheesy and full of bold flavor, fiesta Mexican chicken pasta casserole is a winning option. Packed with tender chicken, black beans, corn, green chilis and creamy cheese, it’s a one-dish meal that satisfies everyone at the table. This crowd-pleasing casserole is perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks or game days. It’s easy to prep, simple to customize and makes great leftovers. Serve it hot from the oven, garnished with fresh cilantro and your favorite toppings.
Get the recipe: Mexican Chicken Pasta Casserole
Hearty Beef Chili
A hearty beef chili recipe is great for any type of occasion from game day to a special gathering. It’s a great dish to choose when the evenings are chilly and you want to tuck into something delicious and warming. Whether you prefer chili with stew meat or ground beef (or even some of each) you’re going to love the following beef chili recipe. The flavors are in a league of their own!
Get the recipe: Hearty Beef Chili
Baked Feta Pasta
If you love a low-effort, high-reward meal, this baked feta pasta is about to become your new favorite! Bursting cherry tomatoes, creamy baked feta, and fresh basil come together in the oven to create a rich, velvety sauce—no stirring required until the very end. It’s no wonder this dish took TikTok by storm; it’s as easy as it is delicious! Whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner or impressing guests with minimal effort, this pasta delivers bold Mediterranean flavors in every bite. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it on repeat!
Get the recipe: Baked Feta Pasta
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
Cozy, comforting and hearty, this slow cooker pepper steak recipe makes a great weeknight dinner. It’s packed with succulent beef, sweet onions, crisp peppers, and a tasty sauce. You can make this dump-and-go Crockpot recipe with your choice of beef steak, maybe sirloin, bottom round or skirt, crisp veggies and plenty of mouthwatering seasonings. This Chinese-inspired meal is delicious over rice (or noodles) and has plenty of sauce for everyone.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
This creamy Tuscan chicken orzo recipe from xoxoBella is just the most delicious meal for comfort food lovers. The chicken comes out juicy and deeply flavored in a perfectly balanced cream, broth, and white wine sauce. My Italian chicken orzo dish tastes (and looks) like something from your favorite Italian restaurant. Except – it’s so easy to make. Creamy sun-dried tomato sauce (aka the famous marry me sauce) and hearty orzo is a winning combination. One pan Tuscan Chicken and Orzo is an easy Italian pasta that the whole family will be wild about!
Get the recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
I absolutely love making slow cooker ham and bean soup from xoxoBella. It’s the ultimate comfort food, especially during the colder months! This recipe is perfect for using up leftover ham, and it’s so easy to put together. Soak the beans the night prior and then just toss everything into the Crockpot and let it simmer all day. The combination of creamy white beans, ham, and veggies creates a hearty meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. Plus, it’s budget-friendly and can feed a crowd, making it a staple in my kitchen!
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
Hamburger Steak and Gravy
This cozy and delicious hamburger steak and gravy recipe from Bella at xoxoBella is so good. The juicy hamburger steaks and sweet, rich brown gravy with onions make a classic pairing, whether served over mashed potatoes, egg noodles or fluffy rice. The depth of flavor will certainly have you coming back for more. If you’re looking for an economical alternative to steak, this version is every bit as satisfying and comforting.
Get the recipe: Hamburger Steak and Gravy
Italian Drunken Noodles
If you are a fan of drunken noodles, this recipe with an Italian flair is for you! This flavorful dish makes a great midweek dinner and will be devoured. Expect bold, vibrant flavors and a dish that’s perfectly delicious and satisfying. Italian drunken noodles are made with hot Italian sausage, fresh vegetables, white wine, fresh herbs and pappardelle noodles. This fusion Italian dish, based on the Thai favorite, can be tweaked to your preference with different vegetables or meats.
Get the recipe: Italian Drunken Noodles
American Chop Suey
American chop suey is a hybrid dish made with pasta, beef, vegetables, and a Worcestershire sauce spiked tomato sauce. This New England classic recipe is also known as American goulash, chili mac, beefaroni, hamburger casserole, Johnny Marzetti, or hamburger and macaroni in other parts of the US. This old-fashioned American chop suey recipe is a great weeknight dinner that is ready in 40 minutes. It’s a comfort food that the whole family will love!
Get the recipe: American Chop Suey
Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole
Saddle up and get ready to enjoy a delicious and comforting home-cooked meal that’s easy enough for cooks of all levels! This hearty cowboy meatloaf and potato casserole is really delicious. It’s a flavorful combination of beef, bacon, cheese, potatoes, and more, flavored with BBQ sauce, chili powder, garlic, and more. Whether you’re a cowboy, cowgirl, or just extra hungry, this fully loaded meal is a complete feast in one dish. Perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, this decadent take on a classic shepherd’s pie will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. You just have to give this mashed potato meatloaf casserole a try!
Get the recipe: Cowboy Meatloaf and Potato Casserole
Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles
There’s nothing quite like a warm, comforting bowl of slow cooker beef and noodles to make a chilly evening feel extra cozy. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, this dish delivers melt-in-your-mouth beef and rich, creamy flavor—all with the ease of a Crockpot. It’s a lifesaver on busy days when you want a hearty homemade meal without standing over the stove. Whether you grew up eating something similar or you’re trying it for the first time, this recipe is pure comfort food magic. It’s going to be a family favorite that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Noodles
Slow Cooker Ham Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Can you think of a more tempting winter warmer than slow cooker ham broccoli cheddar soup? This rich, thick and hearty crockpot soup is not only packed with flavor but it’s packed with nutrients as well. The perfect comfort food recipe to make with leftover ham, I just know you’ll love this delicious chunky soup as much as I do.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Ham Broccoli Cheddar Soup
