Need to hunker down at home? These big-batch recipes are perfect for dinner tonight and leftovers tomorrow (and maybe even the day after). Don’t worry—we’ve got big-batch sides, desserts and breakfasts, too!
When it comes to hearty, soul-warming dishes, few can rival a comforting bowl of potato chowder. This creamy concoction, rich with the earthy flavors of potatoes and savory bacon, is a tried-and-true classic that promises to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Plus, the Crockpot does most of the work here, offering convenience without sacrificing flavor. Slow cookers are a game-changer for busy days, especially when you get to come home to the inviting aroma of creamy potato chowder that’s been simmering away all day.
Perfect for cozy weeknight meals or gatherings where a hungry crowd is involved (we’re looking at you, game day), this easy potato chowder recipe is a winner every time.
There’s a reason soup shows up in nearly every culture. Made with just a few humble ingredients, soup simmers away on the stovetop to become something shareable and deeply nourishing. Soups that freeze well carry that feeling even further, stepping in when you’re craving homemade goodness with a little more ease. Freezing soup means you’ll always have access to a spoonful of comfort and convenience, whether it’s a hearty beef stew or a light vegetable soup.
These freezer-friendly soups are the gifts that keep on giving, if you will. They’re designed for batch cooking and reheat beautifully, with textures and flavors that hold up after extended storage. You’ll find broth-based and blended soups that span the gamut from vegetarian soup recipes to meaty chilis and soups inspired by international recipes.
Whether you’re cooking ahead of time for a busy week or filling the best freezer containers for future comforting meals, these soups are up for the task. Simply thaw them in the fridge overnight, and all that’s left to think about is preparing the perfect sides for soup.
Calling all potato salad lovers! Have you ever tried swapping your Yukon golds for orange-fleshed sweet potatoes? This sweet potato salad recipe is a nice change from the old-fashioned potato salad you’d expect at a cookout or potluck. Loaded with sweet potatoes, tart cherries, crunchy walnuts and fresh parsley, it’s full of nutritious whole foods that bring some color to the picnic table.
As far as homemade dinners go, soup is the quickest and easiest way to put food on the table. But, honestly, cooking meat can often be time-consuming, so we turned to our favorite grocery store hero: the rotisserie chicken. These soups with rotisserie chicken come together quickly and are easy to make for busy weeknight dinners. They’re also incredibly tasty because the humble, precooked bird is oh-so-delicious.
We’ve gathered a variety of flavorful, highly-reviewed chicken soup recipes, including spicy, cream-based, vegetable-forward and protein-packed soups. We even have gluten-free and dairy-free soups, so there’s truly an option here for everyone.
You can certainly start these recipes by making rotisserie chicken at home, but the best rotisserie chicken from the grocery store also does the job just fine. Either way, making these soups is as simple as shredding the chicken and popping it into a stockpot. (Don’t forget to save the golden chicken skin for a sneaky pre-dinner snack!)
If you’ve got a slow cooker, we’ve got a recipe you have to try! This slow-cooker ranch chicken is a comforting meal that cooks in a single pot, minimizing the number of dishes for cleanup. Creamy, flavorful and warming, it’s one of those easy chicken dinners that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
In this recipe, chicken breasts are cooked slowly until they become tender and shreddable. Cream cheese and a can of condensed cream of chicken soup are added to give the chicken a rich, creamy consistency, and the dish is served over rice or noodles. It’s a wonderful set-it-and-forget-it meal, and it’ll make you want to keep more slow-cooker chicken breast recipes within reach!
When it comes to comfort food only a few dishes hit the mark quite like these oven-baked smothered pork chops. This recipe turns out subtly seasoned chops nestled in a rich, creamy sauce that’s just begging to be mopped up with a slice of bread or a forkful of mashed potatoes. And the best part? It all comes together in one pan. That means less cleanup and more time to savor every delicious bite.
Eat well for less—100 delicious, affordable recipes the whole family will love
It’s easier than you think to make hearty meals that are tasty, budget-friendly, and nutritious. Discover an easy cookbook that shows you how, with 100 inexpensive family recipes that use basic ingredients, and can be made in just a few steps.
This easy cookbook will help you whip up satisfying dishes like Crispy Coconut Drumsticks or Open-Face Turkey Sandwiches for everyone in the house for just $5. All it takes is the right recipe, a few tricks, and a little planning to make the most of your food budget.
Discover how versatile and flavorful cheap eating can be with an easy cookbook that offers:
Bring the whole family to the table with an easy cookbook that makes weeknight dinners easy and affordable.
These cozy winter comfort food recipes can warm up even the coldest nights.
With its spicy flavor, this dish is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s wonderful with side servings of picante sauce, guacamole and tortilla chips.— Effie Gish, Fort Worth, Texas
Before baking, cover and freeze lasagna up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake as directed, increasing time as necessary for a thermometer to read 160°.
Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let's Eat! 