Insanely Easy Weeknight Dinners For January
Comfort food is the BEST way ward off any winter blues, trust us.
We know better than most that after all the holiday hustle and bustle in December, January can be… a bit of a bummer. It’s COLD out, it gets dark crazy early, and yet life must go on and dinner’s gotta get on the table. Join us this January as we make as much comfort food as possible, attempt to form some better habits (this is THE year those New Year's resolutions are gonna stick, we swear), and dream of spring (only 2 months to go!). We’ve got 40 recipes to help inspire you to make dinner this January—one for every day of the month, and then some.
We’ve included a good mix of entirely new recipes, like our garlic bread pizza, our cheesy pierogi and kielbasa skillet, and our vegetable biryani, as well as some older favorites, like our brie spaghetti, our copycat Big Mac, or our marry me chicken. We also know many of you might be embarking on some New Year's resolutions, so we’ve included a number of our favorite keto, vegan, vegetable-forward, and air-fryer recipes here too. Take a peek at our vegan risotto, our cacio e pepe sweet potato noodles, our air fryer orange chicken, or our keto pork chops for inspiration—you never know, maybe you’ll enjoy them so much, you’ll stick with it all year long.
We’re also taking some inspiration from where you might be at mentally and emotionally this month and filling this list with comfort foods. We don’t know about you, but we find a little solace in foods that remind us of being a kid, so we’ve included our sloppy Joes, our air fryer hot pockets, our homemade chicken nuggets, and our taco spaghetti. We implore you to take the time this January to figure out what brings you comfort, and make it to lift your spirits when you’re feeling blue. Chinese Lunar New Year is also this month (January 22, 2023) and is the perfect opportunity to try out some new recipes and spend time with family. Our homemade pork dumplings are perfect to combine the two—we can’t think of a better project to while away the wintery, January evenings while we wait for spring.
Amish Beef & Noodles
The Amish have made many amazing contributions to the world of food (pies, friendship bread, haystack dinners, Amish peanut butter... the list goes on!), but no dish is more iconic than beef and noodles. Chunks of juicy slow-cooked beef mingling with tender egg noodles in a rich broth? It’s comfort in a bowl.
Get the Amish Beef & Noodles recipe.
Vegan Crunchwraps
We updated the fast food favorite to be totally vegan and completely irresistible. Creamy vegan queso dip and meaty lentils make a satisfying filling while a quick trip in a hot skillet adds crunch to every bite.
Get the Vegan Crunchwraps recipe.
Vegetable Biryani
Vegetable biryani usually contains yogurt-coated, spiced vegetables that are then layered between rice and steamed all together. A saffron liquid is poured over, then the dish is topped with caramelized red onions. Spices such as cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and cloves will complement the dish too, which we’ve included in the recipe—but you can choose your own adventure and use up what you have on hand.
Get the Vegetable Biryani recipe.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Typically deep- or pan-fried in oil, the option to air fry orange chicken instead saves a ton of calories and fat. Of course, this dish is perfect over rice or whole grains, but if you're looking for a low-carb side, serve this over simple air fried vegetables, letting them soak up the extra sauce in place of grains.
Get the Air Fryer Orange Chicken recipe.
Lobster Risotto
A simple combination of fresh aromatics, white wine, and seafood stock transforms humble Italian rice grains into the dreamy, cheesy, luscious rice porridge that we’ve all come to love. And adding fresh, faintly sweet lobster meat is all that’s needed to take your risotto over the top.
Get the Lobster Risotto recipe.
Air Fryer Hot Pockets
Hot pockets are a delicious convenience, but a box can be a little costly, not great if you're trying to save money this January. Instead, make your own easy fillings (or use leftovers!), wrap them in crescent roll sheets, and pop 'em in your air fryer. Easy peasy (and WAY cheaper!).
Get the Air Fryer Hot Pockets recipe.
Marry Me Chicken
When Delish editors started devouring these crispy chicken thighs soaked in a savory sun-dried tomato-thyme cream sauce, people started blurting out "I'd marry you for that chicken" and "OH MY GOD THAT'S MARRIAGE MATERIAL." 'Nuff said.
Get the Marry Me Chicken recipe.
Keto Beef Stew
Making beef stew keto-friendly only means a couple simple swaps. Don't worry, it's still just as silky and deeply comforting. We make up for the lack of thickener (no flour on keto!) by ensuring that we really reduce the stew to create something rich and stick-to-your-ribs good.
Get the Keto Beef Stew recipe.
Taco Spaghetti
One-pot taco spaghetti is a fast-as-can-be weeknight dinner that pairs all your favorite taco fixin’s with spaghetti rather than taco shells. It's perfect for those January nights when you just cannot stand the thought of a sink full of dirty dishes.
Get the Taco Spaghetti recipe.
Take your time and give this homemade dumpling process lots of love—餃子 (jiao zi) are often made in the company of loved ones around Chinese New Year to celebrate families gathering together. Their shape resembles Chinese gold ingots and are meant to represent prosperity, wealth, and health. May each one bring you a bite-sized pocket of blessing this January!
Get the Homemade Dumplings recipe.
Chickpea Noodle Soup
This is an incredible vegan version of chicken noodle soup, made with chickpeas instead of chicken and orecchiette instead of egg noodles. Cooking the pasta in the soup will yield a velvety, substantial broth, but for a leftover-friendly version this January, boil the noodles separately so they don’t bloat in the broth over time.
Get the Chickpea Noodle Soup recipe.
Chicago-Style Thin-Crust Pizza
That’s right, the Windy City, celebrated for creating colossal deep-dish pizza, has a lesser known thin crust pizza subculture. The cornmeal (added beneath the dough in the skillet) is indispensable for its signature texture, and you’ll likely find the pizzas cut into squares, not triangles.
Poutine
Poutine is not only Canada's national dish, but this squeaky cheese-and-gravy-laden pile of fries is pure comfort food. Sure, maybe it's not an every night meal, but in the middle of winter, we say whatever gets you through to spring is part of a balanced diet. 😋
Get the Poutine recipe.
Cowboy Stew
Featuring a spicy tomato broth studded with bacon, kielbasa sausage, ground beef, potatoes, pinto beans, and corn, a bowl of this stew is sure to keep you full from dusk 'til dawn, whether that's roping cattle on the ranch or schlepping from yoga to the office to cooking dinner after work. Serve this with buttered cornbread instead of tortilla chips for an even more filling meal.
Get the Cowboy Stew recipe.
Cacio E Pepe Sweet Potato Noodles
Looking to convert a spiralized veggie skeptic? Make them these cacio e pepe sweet potato noodles. Tossed in buttery black pepper sauce and showered with Parmesan and Pecorino, these sweet potato noodles are so delicious that no one will even think about asking for “regular” pasta.
Instant Pot Potato Soup
If you love a loaded baked potato brimming with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and chives, you'll go crazy for this easy soup recipe. Bonus: After throwing all your ingredients into your Instant Pot, you'll have the coziest, most comforting potato soup on your hands in under an hour.
Get the Instant Pot Potato Soup recipe.
Lemony Chicken & Potatoes With Feta
Freshen up a classic dish, lemon chicken and potatoes, by spooning the most flavorful olive, almond, and parsley sauce over top. Prepared from the pan drippings, the sauce is so simple to make without getting out an extra pot. The best part? This entire recipe is made in just one dish, making dinner (and cleanup) easier than ever this January.
Coconut Curry Salmon
Coconut milk and spice go so well together here, making a rich, but not heavy, sauce that really tastes and feels far more complicated than it is. The salmon simmers in the milk keeping it very tender and flaky and extra flavorful. Spoon the sauce over the salmon a few times as it cooks to give it a nice coating.
Get the Coconut Curry Salmon recipe.
Creamy Gochujang White Chicken Chili
This creamy, red-tinted spin on white chicken chili incorporates sweet and savory gochujang for a unique spin on a classic winter dinner. It's got lots of chili flavor without a ton of heat, meaning this can be enjoyed by everyone in the family this January (even the spice-averse!).
Creamy Pesto Baked Gnocchi & Chicken Skillet
What isn’t pesto good in? It’s a sauce that turns any dish into kitchen gold, especially this totally comforting and delicious gnocchi and chicken bake. For the perfect pesto touch, stir a dollop into the tomato mixture to coat everything, then dollop the top with more right out of the oven for a fresh finish.
Get the Creamy Pesto Baked Gnocchi & Chicken Skillet recipe.
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.
