When the weather gets cooler and you don’t have time to braise some beef cheeks, roast a chicken or cook with your slow cooker, turn to these quick and easy winter dinner ideas. Made from ingredients that are in season, these quick and easy recipes for winter make for fabulous entertaining meals and simple weeknight dinners.
We have comfort food dishes, buttery steaks and quick dinner recipes that use just one pot. We have fast vegetarian recipes for cold weather and easy (and cheesy) recipes for pasta lovers who are short on time. Plus, of course, everyone’s winter food favourite: easy soup recipes that will see you through the chilliest of winter days. Plus, we have a few easy winter dessert recipes to supplement our quick winter dinner recipes.
From big, warming bowls of noodles to speedy dessert recipes, these quick and easy winter dinner ideas and recipes will take you only about 30 minutes to make – and still impress the table.
Here are our best winter dinner recipes for fuss-free weeknights.
Chinese egg drop soup
This warm and comforting Chinese-style egg drop soup is the definition of a winter warmer.
A cheat’s recipe for spinach and ricotta ravioli
When it comes to these filled quadrilaterals, it pays to think outside the square.
Snapper curry with green beans and coriander
This mild yellow curry is incredibly easy to whip up when you’ve got a good-quality curry powder on hand. Add a generous squeeze of lime to enhance the flavour.
Fast chilli con carne
Some purists believe there is no room for beans, but we think they add a rich, earthy flavour.
Chana masala
A comfort bowl that’s ready in minutes.
Tony Tan’s char kway teow
Char kway teow is a perennial Malaysian favourite for a reason. Tony Tan shows us how it’s done.
Grilled steak with gochujang butter
Gochujang plus butter. Why didn’t we think of this before?
Leek, chorizo, cauliflower and chicken bake
Punchy chorizo steals the show in this bake of cauliflower, chicken and leek, with hints of oregano adding some autumn flavours to this quick and tasty dinner.
Bar Alto’s mussels with chilli, garlic and white wine
Mussels steamed in white wine and spiked with chilli – it’s a combination that can’t be beat.
Grilled rump steak with Massaman curry sauce
Quick, easy, warming, and hearty, this recipe for grilled rump steak with Massaman curry is the perfect way to add intrigue to your regular Wednesday steak and chips.
Cheat’s wonton soup
This wonton soup is an express version of the recipe that cuts time, not flavour.
Pintxo-style chopped steak sandwiches
A speedy steak snack that’ll transport you to a Spanish wine bar at first bite.
Harissa chicken with carrot, rice and quinoa pilaf
Chicken, boring? Things look up with the addition of harissa, the North African spice paste.
Stir-fried sweet potato noodles with tofu
Easy, quick, and vegetarian — this is the ultimate weeknight meal.
Parsnip soup with truffle and hazelnuts
Roast a few thin wedges of parsnips in a 180°C oven for 25 minutes and serve on the side for some extra crunch.
Torn pasta soup with fennel and parmesan croutons
Made with a flavoursome vegetable stock and adorned with crunchy croutons and shreds of fennel, this torn pasta soup recipe makes for a quick and easy dinner.
Broccoli soup with Gorgonzola toasts
The creamy soup uses broccoli stalks for the soup base and sauteed florets as a garnish. Add Gorgonzola toasts for dipping and you’ve got a satisfying meal.
Tarragon chicken thighs with crisp prosciutto, fennel and cabbage
For a variation on this dish, skip the frying step, and wrap the chicken thighs in the prosciutto and throw them straight in the oven.
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Miso noodle soup with mushrooms and ginger
For a dish that’s light yet satisfying, it’s hard to go past a bowl of miso soup.
Pork schnitzel with parsnip mash
Swapping flour for hazelnut meal adds a great nuttiness that complements the flavours in this dish nicely.
Lamb meatballs with burghul, yoghurt and mint
These meatballs are quick to make and delicious to eat – add a sizzling butter infused with chili flakes and mint to make it really burst with flavour.
Chicken, carrot and orange tray bake with chive butter
A one-tray roast with the added boost of flavoured compound butter. You won’t look back.
Rigatoni with chicken ragù and green sauce
This light ragù is freshened up further with a herb-packed green sauce.
Gnudi with brown butter
These ricotta and spinach dumplings are surprisingly quick to make. We’ve laced them with dill, but marjoram also works well, as does some crumbled feta for a spanakopita-inspired twist.
A classic cream of pumpkin soup
And it’s super quick to whip up.
Harissa-grilled mackerel with potatoes, zucchini and mint
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for Harissa-grilled mackerel with potatoes, zucchini and mint
Golden-syrup dumplings with ginger and spice
These sticky and warm golden dumplings will disappear in a snap. Make double.
Spiced pear, buttermilk and almond skillet cake
A one-pan dessert winter warmer to bake the cold-weather blues away.
Corella pear tarte Tatin
For a tart that’s as good as it looks.
Greek rice pudding with pistachios and lemon (Rizogalo)
This Greek rice pudding recipe with the sweetness of vanilla, pistachio and candied lemon will become a winter favourite.
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