5 Cozy Winter Meals Proven To Uplift and Nourish the Soul

Comfort foods have a way of nourishing both body and soul. During times of grief, simpler, heartwarming dishes can provide a feeling of safety and nostalgia. Each of the following meals can be made in batches, shared with loved ones, and stored for later, making them especially helpful during difficult times.

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Baked Ziti

Credit: Allrecipes

Ingredients (Serves 6–8)

• 500 g ziti pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (about 15 ml)
• 500 g Italian sausage (mild or hot), casing removed
• 1 small onion (around 80 g), finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic (about 6 g), minced
• 700 g tomato sauce (or passata)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil (about 2 g)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (about 2 g)
• 200 g ricotta cheese
• 250 g shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 50 g grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190 °C (375 °F).
2. Cook pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente (slightly firm). Drain and set aside.
3. In a large pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
4. Stir in onion and garlic; cook until softened (3–4 minutes).
5. Add tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sauce, ricotta, and half of the mozzarella.
7. Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
8. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden on top.

Shepherd’s Pie

Credit: Food Network

Ingredients (Serves 6)

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (about 15 ml)
• 1 onion (around 80 g), chopped
• 2 carrots (around 120 g total), peeled and diced
• 2 cloves garlic (about 6 g), minced
• 500 g ground lamb (traditional) or ground beef
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (about 15 g)
• 250 ml beef stock
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (about 2 g)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 700 g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 50 g butter
• 100 ml milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190 °C (375 °F)
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, and garlic until softened (5–6 minutes).
3. Add ground lamb (or beef). Cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Stir in tomato paste, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pour in the stock, simmer for 10 minutes, reducing slightly.
5. Meanwhile, boil potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain, then mash with butter, milk, and a pinch of salt.
6. Transfer the meat mixture into a baking dish. Top with the mashed potatoes, smoothing the surface with a spoon or fork.
7. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.

Chicken Pot Pie

Credit: Taste of Home

Ingredients (Serves 6)

• 2 tablespoons butter (about 30 g)
• 1 onion (around 80 g), chopped
• 2 carrots (around 120 g total), chopped
• 2 stalks celery (around 120 g total), chopped
• 2 cloves garlic (about 6 g), minced
• 300 g cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (about 24 g)
• 300 ml chicken stock
• 100 ml milk or cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (about 2 g)
• 1 sheet puff pastry or pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200 °C (400 °F)
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened (6–7 minutes).
3. Stir in flour, cooking for about 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually pour in chicken stock, whisking to avoid lumps.
4. Add milk or cream, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thickened.
5. Fold in the cooked chicken, then transfer mixture to a pie dish.
6. Roll puff pastry over the dish, sealing edges and cutting slits for steam to escape.
7. Bake for 20–25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

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Baked Mac and Cheese

Credit: Allrecipes

Ingredients (Serves 6)

• 400 g elbow macaroni
• 2 tablespoons butter (about 30 g)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (about 16 g)
• 500 ml milk
• 250 g shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder (about 2 g) (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180 °C (360°F)
2. Cook macaroni in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour to form a roux.
4. Gradually pour in milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
5. Stir in cheddar cheese, mustard powder (if using), salt, and pepper until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
6. Mix cheese sauce with cooked macaroni. For a baked version, transfer to a casserole dish, top with extra cheese, and bake for 15–20 minutes until bubbly.

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Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Food Network

Ingredients (Serves 6)

Meatloaf

• 500 g ground beef
• 1 onion (around 80 g), finely chopped
• 1 egg
• 50 g breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons ketchup (about 30 g)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (about 5 ml)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Mashed Potatoes

• 800 g potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 50 g butter
• 100 ml milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180 °C (360 °F)
2. In a bowl, mix ground beef, chopped onion, egg, breadcrumbs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Shape into a loaf in a baking dish.
3. Bake for about 45–50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 71 °C (for beef).
4. Meanwhile, boil potatoes in salted water until tender (around 15–20 minutes). Drain.
5. Mash potatoes with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until creamy.
6. Slice the meatloaf and serve alongside the mashed potatoes.

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Why These Dishes Are Good Meals at Times of Grief

1. Warm and Familiar: Dishes like baked ziti, Shepherd’s Pie, chicken pot pie, mac and cheese, and meatloaf with mashed potatoes evoke memories of home and childhood. Their comforting flavors can bring a sense of security and solace.
2. Easy to Share: Casseroles and pies are designed to feed a group. During grief, friends and family gather to support one another, and these meals are easy to portion out.
3. Meal Prep Friendly: Most of these dishes can be assembled in advance, refrigerated, and then baked when needed. This is especially helpful when someone experiencing loss might not have the energy to cook each day.
4. Nourishing: These meals tend to be hearty and filling, helping people maintain energy levels during emotionally difficult times.