10 Warm Dinner Ideas Perfect For A Cold Fall Night
Fall nights can get pretty chilly, especially if you find yourself out in the cold for a long period of time. And while a hot shower can usually do the trick, sometimes you need a little something more to warm your body up internally. Here are 10 warm dinner ideas perfect for a cold fall night!
1. Spaghetti and Meatballs
Spaghetti and meatballs is a classic dish that never fails to disappoint. A good tomato sauce, along with some tender meatballs, will have you feeling warm in all the right places. Also, an added side of cheesy garlic bread will make the meal even better, or just plain bread if you’re not a fan of garlic.
2. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
You can’t go wrong with a well crafted grilled cheese and some creamy tomato soup on the side. The meal is bound to warm up right up on a cold chilly fall night. Plus the prep is relatively easy, meaning that you can get to eating as soon as possible.
3. Barbecue Pork and Rice/Veggie
A balanced meal of sliced barbecue pork, with some rice and a steamed vegetable on the side, is an ideal meal on a cold fall night. The dish gives you a nice intake of meat, starch, and vegetable, giving you a fairly healthy dish, as well. You will certainly feel full after, not leading you to turn to some tempting warm pie later on in the evening.
4. Broiled Scrod and Potato/Veggie
The fall months are not peak time for seafood, but for you fish lovers this does not mean you can’t get your fix. Some scrod broiled with the right breadcrumb seasoning will have you feeling like it’s summer again. And paired with the proper creamy mashed potatoes and a steamed vegetable (I’d recommend broccoli, peas or green beans) you will be warmed right up from the frigid weather outside.
5. Rotisserie Chicken Dinner
A rotisserie chicken meal is an easy and delicious dinner idea for a fall night. Most supermarkets already have precooked chickens that just require a little reheating with you get home. Paired with a nice starch side of either rice or potatoes along with a steamed veggie and you’re looking at a balanced meal. If you want to be healthier, I’d recommend the dish without chicken gravy, but if you’re really craving it, a little on the side won’t kill you.
6. Layered Lasagna
A layered lasagna is a meal that will have you feeling all warmed up after eating. A combination of sauce, meat, ricotta, and mozzarella, this dish is quite satisfying. You just want to make sure the lasagna is cooked properly, or else you’re looking at a meal that is less than desirable. But if done right you will be having leftovers for days!
7. Spinach Pies
A healthier and vegan-friendly option to warm up you would be spinach pies. The pies are easy to make. With the use of crescent rolls, just add a little chopped spinach, place in the oven and you have a warm and veggie-filled meal.
If you want a little more flavor I’d add in some shredded cheese. You can even add in some chicken or beef if you don’t want the dish to be vegan or vegetarian.
8. Fettuccine Alfredo
Another pasta dish, alfredo is the perfect meal if you’re sick of tomato sauce. The dish is relatively easy to prep. Just cook the fettuccine and heat up some alfredo sauce and voila you have a plate that will warm your body right up after being out in the cold!
9. Chili Dogs
Longing for a hot dog on the grill? Well, it may be a little hard to grill on a cold fall night, but you can still have that hot dog. A chili dog is a nice alternative as it adds more flavor to a hot dog that might kind of bland if it was just plain after being boiled. This dish is however you want to top it, whether you want a little sour cream on top or some cheese. It will warm you right up and satisfy those taste buds!
10. Turkey Cheddar and Bacon Panini
An interesting sandwich option for a cold night is a turkey, cheddar, and bacon panini, which will leave you feeling full and satisfied. I would add in a steamed veggie on the side if the sandwich isn’t enough on its own, or if you want a more balanced meal. Either way, this sandwich is a hit among your friends and family!
