40 Cozy Recipes To Warm You Up On A Rainy Day

When you look out the window and the rain is pouring down, all you want to do is snuggle up with a tasty, cozy meal.

We have put together a list of 40 of the best cozy recipes that are perfect for warming you up on a rainy day. Keep reading to find out more. 

1. Curried Sausages In A Cob

This recipe is ready in just over an hour and makes enough to serve 6 people, so it is ideal for feeding the whole family.

Curried sausages are very popular in Australia – the combination of tasty meat and aromatic flavors is warm and comforting, and serving them in a cob creates a wonderful presentation.

You make this recipe as mild or as spicy as you like depending on your personal preference.

2. Turkey Biscuit Stew

If you are looking for comfort food then it doesn’t get much better than turkey biscuit stew. It’s creamy and tender with mild but delicious flavors and golden biscuits to soak up the sauce.

You can use leftover rotisserie chicken instead of turkey, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner after a Sunday roast. The carrots and peas make this dish a nutritious option that is perfect for all the family to tuck in to.

3. Lentil Bolognes

Whether you follow a vegetarian diet or you just want to cut down on the amount of meat that you eat, you can still enjoy a flavorsome bolognese. This recipe is also vegan, and can be gluten free depending on what you serve it with.

This means that it is ideal for catering to various different dietary requirements. The lentils are full of nutrients including fiber, and using red wine helps to create a wonderfully rich flavor.

4. Creamy Corn Chicken With Garlic Butter And Bacon

Creamy corn is a wholesome and satisfying comfort food, and this recipe pairs it with other tasty ingredients to make one ultimate cozy meal.

The chicken is succulent with a perfectly crispy skin, the bacon has a golden crunch, and the garlic butter brings all of the flavors together with an aromatic punch.

This recipe uses thyme as the main herb, but you can use whatever kind of herb you prefer – sage, parsley or rosemary would also go well with this recipe.

5. Butternut Squash Soup

Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of warm, smooth, soup on a rainy day? You can enjoy it by itself or with crusty bread slathered with butter.

This soup is easy to make and is packed full of flavor, as well as being very nourishing. You can make it with pumpkin if you prefer, which is ideal for Fall.

6. Creamy Mushroom Soup With Rosemary And Garlic

Another great recipe for comforting soup is this mushroom soup with rosemary and garlic. The mushrooms have a rich, earthy flavor that is lifted by the fragrant rosemary.

The deep garlic ties all of the flavors together to create a satisfying, savory soup. Mushrooms are high in protein so this is a very filling soup.

One of the great things about this recipe is that you can easily adapt it to suit different dietary requirements like vegan, gluten free and keto.

7. Greek Style Lamb And Silverbeet Pie

A lot of people associate Greek cuisine with summer, but there are plenty of Greek recipes that are ideal for a rainy day. This pie is filled with deliciously soft lamb, tasty silverbeet leaves, feta and ricotta.

The ingredients are cooked in a rich stock and flavored with mint, dill and fresh lemon juice. The resulting flavor is deep yet bright, topped off with a golden filo pastry lid.

8. Chicken Piccata

Chicken piccata is a creamy, indulgent chicken dish that is ready in only 30 minutes. This makes it perfect for those busy weeknights when you need a comforting meal but you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

It is made with boneless chicken thigh filets which are really juicy and full of flavor. The rich sauce is made with double cream dry white wine, chicken stock, and fresh lemon juice with some chopped fresh parsley.

You can serve the chicken with potato and steamed vegetables, with crusty bread or even with pasta.

9. Pastitsio

Pastitsio is another cozy Greek meal. This baked pasta dish is traditionally made with ground lamb but also works well with beef.

Cinnamon is used to flavor the meat which gives a rich warmth to the meal, and nutmeg is used to flavor the creamy white sauce. It is similar to a lasagne or a moussaka in terms of flavor.

10. Pear And Blue Cheese Tart

Cozy, comfort food doesn’t always have to be rich and heavy. This light tart is the perfect balance of sweet and salty. The sweet pears and tangy, salty blue cheese make a perfect pairing.

Chopped walnuts are sprinkled over the top to add crunch and an earthy flavor.

It is finished off with baby rocket leaves for a peppery kick and a generous drizzle of honey to tie all of the flavors together. All of these tasty ingredients sit on top of a golden puff pastry base.

11. One Pan Sausage And Vegetables Bake With Gravy

Sometimes, all you crave when the weather is rainy is a big plate of meat and vegetables with plenty of gravy. Cooking a full roast dinner takes a long time and is not ideal for busy weeknights.

This one pan sausage and vegetable bake is perfect and is a fast way to satisfy those cravings. The clean up afterwards is easy as you only need one pan.

The gravy sauce takes on all the flavor from the sausages and the vegetables, making it rich and tasty.

12. Italian Style Meatball Soup With Vegetables

This slow cooker meal is great for when you have a busy day or you are out at work and you want to come home to a freshly prepared, cozy meal.

It is packed with fresh, nutritious ingredients and rich Italian flavors and it will fill your house with a mouthwatering aroma.

It only takes 15 minutes to prepare the ingredients before the slow cooker does all the hard work, and that includes making your own meatballs.

13. Rosemary Chicken Thighs With Roasted Grapes And Shallots

Fall is the perfect season to cook with grapes, and this recipe uses them in an unusual way. It can be made in a skillet which is nice and easy but provides great flavor and an ideal texture for all of the ingredients.

When you pan roast grapes, they take on a very intense flavor that bursts in your mouth and pairs perfectly with the soft, juicy chicken. This meal is wonderful paired with mashed sweet potatoes that have been flavored with fresh ginger.

14. Beef Stew

Beef stew is a classic comfort food that is perfect for enjoying in rainy weather.

The smell of the beef cooking will instantly give you a cozy feeling, and tucking into a bowl of succulent meat in a rich gravy with wholesome vegetables would cheer anyone up.

This hearty meal is simple but satisfying and can be enjoyed with whatever side dishes you fancy – mashed potatoes, chips, crusty bread, dumplings – there are lots of options.

15. Butternut Squash Lasagna With Mushrooms And Sage

There are lots of variations of vegetarian lasagna, but this one is particularly good for providing comfort on a rainy day. Butternut squash and sage is a fantastic combination of flavors that works especially well in pasta dishes.

The addition of the mushrooms introduces a different flavor and plenty of protein to make this dish very filling.

You can prepare this lasagna ahead of time which makes it ideal for cooking when guests are coming round and you don’t want to spend lots of time in the kitchen.

16. Slow Cooker Chicken Diane

These chicken drumsticks are cooked in the slow cooker in a  rich and creamy diane sauce for an easy comfort meal.

It only takes 15 minutes to prepare the ingredients and then you can leave them to cook in the slow cooker while you are at work or while you take some time to relax at home.

The recipe already includes chicken, potatoes and mushrooms in the sauce, so you don’t even need to make any side dishes to go with it if you don’t want to.

17. Chicken Cornbread Casserole

This rustic meal is hearty and comforting. One taste of the creamy, cheesy chicken filling combined with the sweet cornbread will make you feel cozy in an instant, regardless of how rainy it is outside!

If you have children, this is one of those meals that they will ask for again and again. It is really easy to make which is ideal for when you have had a busy week.

18. Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie is a classic recipe that is popular with everyone. This one has a biscuit crust which is really simple to make and pairs deliciously with the creamy, herby filling.

White wine is used in the sauce which adds a touch of indulgence to this humble, family favorite.

19. Red Wine Lamb Shanks With Creamy Mash

If you are hosting a dinner party or a special date night then this is the recipe you need to make. The lamb shanks are so tender that the meat falls off the bone and melts in your mouth.

The rich red wine sauce is so flavorsome and the creamy mash feels like a decadent treat. Serve it with steamed greens for a wonderfully balanced meal.

20. White Chicken Chili

You’ve probably cooked classic chili con carne plenty of times, but have you ever tried white chicken chili? It can easily be made in the slow cooker and it makes a nice change from your usual stews or a traditional chili.

It still has a nice kick to it. But the sauce is white and creamy soft, shredded chicken is used instead of ground beef. You can throw in whatever type of beans you prefer, but try to use a white bean variety if you can.

21. One Pan Spanish Style Tortilla

Spanish tortilla is a simple but delicious meal that is easy to customize. You can follow the recipe or you can throw in whatever you have in your fridge that needs using up.

This recipe uses only one pan which makes it ideal for a simple weeknight dinner served with a side salad or for an easy weekend brunch.

22. Tomato Soup

A lot of people eat tomato soup out of a tin, but it’s actually really easy to make your own from scratch. It is also much healthier and more nutritious, and will certainly be more cozy on a rainy day.

You can use fresh or canned tomatoes depending on how much time you have to make the soup. You could make a big batch of soup and freeze half so you always have some tasty soup ready for those cold, rainy days.

23. Split Pea Soup

Split pea soup is another classic soup that is easy to make from home. The trick to achieving the right flavor is to choose a good quality, smoky ham hock.

If you want to enjoy that smoky flavor without using meat then you can use smoked paprika instead. This soup is low in calories so it is ideal for anyone trying to watch their weight.

24. Stuffed Acorn Squash

This is a great meal to make to impress your guests. The acorn squash is stuffed with apple, parsnip and sage for a bite of cozy comfort. You can also use sausage if you want to make this a meaty meal.

It looks really appetizing on the plate and the maple syrup creates an interesting flavor that is reminiscent of Fall. You can serve this as an appetizer or as a main course with a delicious salad.

25. Creamy Skillet Mac And Cheese

If you love mac and cheese but you want to find a quicker way to make it than baking it in the oven then you need to check out this recipe. It is made in a skillet pan which is much easier than the traditional method, and it is ready much quicker.

Three different cheeses are used in this sauce to make it super creamy and indulgent. Once you have tried this recipe it will soon become your favorite comfort meal.

26. White Enchiladas

Just like the white chili we mentioned earlier, these white enchiladas make a lovely change from the classic tomato recipe. A white sauce is used that is flavored with green chillies for a spicy kick.

You can use chicken as your filling or make them vegetarian with tofu or cauliflower instead. The enchiladas are topped with plenty of cheese that melts in the oven for a stringy, oozy topping that is simply irresistible.

27. Sticky Pork Stir Fry With Noodles

When the rain is pouring down outside and you feel tempted to reach for that takeout menu instead of cooking, why don’t you have a go at this recipe for sticky pork stir fry with noodles?

It takes 10 minutes to prep and 15 minutes to cook, so your dinner will be ready much faster than if you ordered it in.

This recipe is simple to make and is much healthier than take out. It will satisfy all of your cravings and give you the comfort that you need.

28. French Onion Soup

French onion soup is something that you would usually eat at a restaurant, but it’s actually very easy to recreate this cozy dish at home.

The soup is made with rich beef stock and soft, caramelized onions. It is salty and savory, and is topped with a layer of soaked bread and melted cheese.

29. Chicken Marsala

If you want to indulge in restaurant quality food from the comfort of your own home then have a go at this recipe for chicken marsala. It is perfect served with creamy mash, or a cheesy potato gratin.

This meal uses Scilian marsala to create richness, and mushrooms for an earthy flavor.

30. Creamy Stroganoff Pasta Bake With Sausage

A creamy pasta bake is always a good meal to provide cozy comfort on a rainy day. This stroganoff pasta bake with tasty sausage takes half an hour to make and the recipe is simple to follow.

The creamy sauce is flavored with garlic, paprika, nutmeg and parsley to create that authentic stroganoff flavor, and the mushrooms and sausage make a yummy filling. The bake is topped with mozzarella cheese that melts while it is in the oven.

31. Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta

Tucking in to a big cheeseburger with crispy bacon is something that you often save for the weekend. But what if you crave those meaty flavors in the middle of the week?

This pasta recipe is the best of both worlds- you get to indulge in the meat that you are craving, but under the guise of a midweek pasta dish that you can feed to the whole family.

32. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Stuffed cabbage rolls are a Turkish delicacy. If you haven’t tried them before then you will be pleasantly surprised at how delicious they are.

The cabbage leaves are stuffed with ground meat and other fillings and cooked in a rich tomato sauce. The fragrant spices make this dish really unique and ideal for a rainy day.

33. One Pan Cauliflower Korma

This cauliflower korma is really easy to make as it is all done in one pan. It takes 15 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to cook, and is something that the whole family will enjoy.

It is an ideal recipe to cook if you need to cater for vegetarians, and you can also make it vegan by switching to a vegan greek yogurt (or using coconut cream).

34. Beef Pot Pie

If you are looking for a warming, cozy meal then it doesn’t get better than this beef pot pie. The meat is rich and tender, the pastry is buttery and flaky, and it is packed with healthy vegetables for a truly fulfilling meal.

This old fashioned comfort food will remind you of being a child, safe and sound at your grandparents house while the rain hammers down outside.

35. Chicken Biryani

The warmth of this authentic chicken biryani will certainly make you feel cozy on a rainy day. It is flavored with turmeric, cumin, coriander, chillies, cloves, garlic, cinnamon and cardamom, making it so flavorsome and hard to resist.

This sounds like a lot of ingredients but the method to make this curry is simple and easy to follow.

36. Chicken Fajita Traybake

Chicken fajitas is an easy and satisfying meal. With this tray bake recipe it just got even easier! The ingredients take 15 minutes to prepare and then you pop the tray in the oven and bake it for 25 minutes.

You can prepare your toppings, whip the tray and the oven and straight into the center of the table and dinner is served.

37. Garlic Toast Pizzas

If you want a tasty snack that is ideal for snuggling up and watching a movie on a rainy day then you should have a go at these garlic toast pizzas. They are cheesy and provide all the comfort of a pizza, but take minimal time and effort to make.

38. Teriyaki Fried Rice And Omelet

This fried rice recipe is a 10 minute meal that is packed with flavor, nutrients and interesting textures. If you want a bowl of satisfying food in a hurry then this should be your go to recipe.

39. Instant Pot Chili

You can’t beat an instant pot chili for a convenient, cozy meal. Serve it over rice or a jacket potato with plenty of cheese for a tasty comfort dish.

40. Birria

Birria is a flavorsome Mexican beef stew that is served in tacos. This is a really delicious meal to make which is perfect for cold, rainy weather to warm you up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can These Recipes Be Customized?

You can switch out different ingredients in these recipes to suit various dietary requirements or personal taste.

Can These Recipes Be Made In The Slow Cooker?

A lot of these recipes are slow cooker friendly or can be adapted to be cooked in the slow cooker. Some of them need to be made in a skillet pan or cooked in a specific way such as a pasta bake.

Are These Recipes Suitable For Vegetarians?

We have included some vegetarian recipes on this list, but a lot of the other recipes can easily be adapted to remove the meat.

Summary

Next time the weather is cold and rainy, have a go at one of these recipes to make you feel warm and cozy again.