15 Hot and Hearty Winter Meals Perfect for Cold Weather

As the temperature dips, you just might find yourself craving hot and hearty meals that will warm you up. While many classic homestyle dishes like soups, casseroles and pasta can be comforting, they also tend to be diet traps. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up a list of 15 meals that are perfect for cold weather! They will give you that toasty feeling without setting your weight loss plans off track. Any of these dishes would be a great choice on a chilly day!

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1. Mushroom Parmesan Soup with Chicken >

Nothing warms the body on a chilly day quite like a bowl of soup. This particular soup has the down-to-earth goodness of hearty mushrooms blended with parmesan cheese, butter and cream. It has a whopping 18 grams of protein and is full of flavor. Serve it with a side salad for the perfect lunch combination.

2. Chicken Noodle Soup >

Is there any soup more classic than chicken noodle? It’s comfort food at its finest—particularly on a cold and dreary day. Our Nutrisystem soup has all the ingredients you love—a “mirepoix” of diced carrots and celery, tender chicken, curly noodles and a robust broth with just the right seasonings. It’ll fill you up and warm you up, too.

3. Cheesy Chicken Casserole >

A casserole is the quintessential comfort food and this one has all of the bases covered! It’s got tender white meat chicken, hearty peas, carrots and a blend of fiber-filled brown and wild rice. Plus, it’s all slow-cooked in a rich and creamy parmesan cheese sauce. While this dish will give you the homestyle goodness you love about a comforting casserole, it’s perfectly portioned to keep your healthy eating plans in check. You’ll also feel good knowing it packs in 17 grams of protein and four grams of dietary fiber.

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4. Homestyle Chicken >

This dish has all the flavor of a hearty chicken pot pie but with a healthy spin. It features chicken simmered in a rich broth, delicious egg noodles and wholesome veggies like carrots and celery. It’s an old-fashioned favorite that is sure to warm you up on the chilliest of days!

5. White Cheddar Mac and Cheese >

Looking for classic cold weather meals? the creamy goodness of mac and cheese is hard to beat. This particular mac and cheese dish features a creamy white cheddar cheese sauce with tender noodles, easily satisfying your comfort food fix. But unlike traditional mac and cheese, our version happens to also be a good source of protein and fiber.

6. Roasted Turkey Medallions >

Whether it’s close to Thanksgiving or not, we’d be remiss in not including a turkey dish on our list of hot and hearty cold weather meals. These roasted turkey medallions are made even more satisfying by being paired with a side of creamy mashed potatoes. At a mere 260 calories—and packed with 22 grams of protein—it’s comfort food you can feel good about.

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7. Ravioli Formaggio >

If it’s Italian comfort food you’re craving, then this Ravioli Formaggio will fulfill your pasta fix while keeping your weight loss plans intact. It features perfectly portioned, tender ravioli stuffed with a creamy combo of Romano and ricotta cheeses in a hearty and flavor-packed tomato sauce. It’s the decadent dish you’ve been craving but comes with zero guilt thanks to being a mere 270 calories.

8. Classic Pasta Fagioli >

If you’ve got a hankering for the hearty goodness of some yummy soup, then this is a dish you’ve got to try. Both tender pasta, beans and veggie are soaked in a delicious, savory broth that will leave you feeling as though you’ve splurged when that’s not the case at all!

9. Yellow Rice and Black Beans >

Here’s a meal that will warm you up while adding a bit of zest to your day. While you really can’t go wrong with classic rice and beans, this dish takes the flavor up a notch with a zesty medley of tomatoes, onions and spices. It’s just the right amount of spice for a chilly winter day!

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10. Chicken Parmesan >

What’s more classic Italian than a delicious chicken parmesan meal? Featuring breaded chicken breast topped with seasoned tomato sauce and low-fat mozzarella, this dish is served atop a bed of spaghetti. It’s comfort food at its best! But at only 270 calories, it’s also a diet-friendly dish that will still satisfy your cravings for a savory Italian meal.

11. Harvest Grain Bowl >

Grain bowls are all the rage right now—and for good reason. They’re packed with the hearty goodness of whole grains. This particular bowl combines chickpeas, lentils, brown rice and quinoa with some farm-picked favorite veggies. It’s warm, filling and healthy with 10 grams of dietary fiber and 10 grams of protein.

12. Chicken Enchilada >

If you’re craving Mexican food but also committed to a weight loss plan, then this dish will prove you can have the best of both worlds. It has everything you love about warm and comforting chicken enchiladas—tender white meat chicken, peppers, onions, tomatoes, sour cream and even melted cheddar cheese. It’s even served with a side of Spanish-style brown rice cooked in tomato sauce. It’s packed with 14 grams of protein and only 250 calories, making it a smart and satisfying.

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13. Salisbury Steak with Mac and Cheese >

This is one of those cold weather meals that absolutely screams comfort food. While a traditional version would be packed with fat and calories, we’ve found a way to make ours weight loss friendly without sacrificing flavor. You’ll also feel good about the 22 grams of satisfying protein that accompanies this dinner favorite.

14. Savory Chicken Pot Pie >

When the temperature starts dropping, nothing warms the body up like some good old home cooking. Among the classic home-cooked dinners you might remember from your youth, we’re guessing chicken pot pie is probably on the list. While the traditional recipe might be a diet detour, ours is a mere 250 calories while still spotlighting the tender chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, peas and creamy gravy that makes this a comfort food favorite.

15. Chicken Edamame Power Bowl >

If you’re looking for a dish that’s filling while also being weight loss friendly, then a power bowl is an excellent choice. This power bowl combines flame-broiled lean chicken with edamame and bell peppers—all coated in a delicious teriyaki-style sauce. With a trio of fiber-filled brown rice, lentils and farro at the base of this dish, it’s a warm and hearty meal that will leave you feeling full and satisfied.

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