Top 20 winter dinner ideas

Sausage and mash pie in a pot and on a plate with peas

Of the winter soups, leek and potato is one of the most comforting and familiar. This recipe can be on the table in under an hour and is freezable, so if you batch cook it, you can reheat it later for a fuss-free lunch or dinner. You can also follow along with our helpful video tutorial.

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2. Winter panzanella

Cauliflower, radish, bread, chillies, anchovies and more in a bowl

This winter panzanella is made using winter produce, such as cauliflower and radish. Toast cubes of leftover bread for an extra-crunchy panzanella – an Italian salad packed with flavour.

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3. Winter salad

Winter salad with raisins, dill & walnuts on a plate

Salads don’t have to be enjoyed only in the summer. Make this salad where wonderful seasonal produce, such as cauliflower, is mixed with wintery flavours like dill and walnuts. Not only is it high in fibre, but it's also vegan-friendly and gluten free.

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4. Mushroom soup

Bowl of mushroom soup next to two toasted bread slices

Make the most of mushrooms with this comforting soup recipe using cream, onions and garlic. It’s super simple – taking only three steps to make – and freezable, so you can save the leftovers for another day. It goes perfectly with crusty bread, so why not impress your guests by making your own with our easy white bread recipe?

5. Charred leeks with anchovy dressing

Leeks coated in parmesan, hazelnuts and an anchovy dressing

We’ve made leeks the star of our elegant, simple starter. Hazelnuts add a creative crunch and the anchovy dressing gives the dish an umami depth of flavour.

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Mains

1. Chicken pot pie

Chicken pie with pastry top with some missing

Rustle up this chicken pot pie for an easy dinner. A family favourite, it can be made ahead and frozen for another day to make mealtimes easy. It’s high in protein and low in sugar and will warm you from the top of your head to the tips of your toes.

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2. Beef stew

Pot of stew with beef and carrots and celery

A traditional braised beef casserole with thick, rich gravy and chunky veg – it’s an ideal recipe for cheap cuts, as slow-cooking guarantees a tender dish. It’s a beautiful mid-week meal that only takes 15 minutes to prepare.

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3. Sausage & mash pie

Sausage pie with a mash top in a pot and on a plate with peas

Enjoy this ingenious take on a family favourite – sausage and mash. It combines two storecupboard ingredients into one hearty pie that can be easily frozen. It’s also high in fibre!

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4. Porchetta ragu

Be inspired by porchetta, the Italian rolled-pork dish. This ragu is ideal for guests as you can leave it simmering while you’re entertaining. This recipe serves 6-8 people but is also freezable, so if you have leftovers, you can reheat them quickly for a fuss-free supper.

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5. Chicken pasta bake

Baking dish of chicken pasta and a small serving on a plate

Curl up with a bowl of piping hot pasta on a chilly winter's night. This gooey cheese and chicken bake is a winning weekday dinner for the whole family, served straight from the dish with a dressed green salad.

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Desserts

1. Marmalade & whisky bread & butter pudding

Bread and butter pudding with whisky and marmalade

Upgrade the ultimate comfort dessert, bread and butter pudding. This one has citrus flavours from Seville orange marmalade and a woody kick from the whisky.

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2. Squidgy chocolate pear pudding

Chocolate pudding with almonds and pears

This hot, gooey chocolate pud, with dark chocolate and canned pears, can be made ahead and frozen – a perfect no-fuss dinner party dessert.

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3. Self-saucing sticky toffee chocolate pudding

Sticky toffee pudding in a baking tray with a chunk in a bowl and a bowl of spoons

Combine sticky toffee pudding sponge with a generous helping of chocolate chunks and chocolate sauce for the ultimate indulgent dessert. It pairs perfectly with our ultimate vanilla ice cream or homemade custard.

4. Dark & stormy fruit cake

Dark & stormy fruit cake on a cake stand

Enjoy this classic winter cake as a gorgeous centrepiece for your winter meal. Make this Christmas cake a couple of months in advance, if you can, and feed it with rum to give it time to mature and develop deep flavour and texture.

Discover more inspiration for Christmas cake decoration.

5. Winter compote

Pots of compote, clementine and cream and topped with almonds

These winter compote tumblers make for a great breakfast or healthier dessert. They need 20 minutes of cooling time, so they’re a great make-ahead dessert to pop in the fridge the night before.

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