30 Cozy Winter Side Dishes Worth Making On Cold Nights

During the chilly winter season, home-cooking is all about the comfort factor. This is the perfect time of year to embrace cozy, warming dishes that'll leave you feeling nourished. While picking the ultimate wintery main course obviously requires careful consideration, your selection of side dishes is equally important. If you're prepping for a dinner party or simply want to up your game for your next family dinner, there are plenty of deliciously comforting winter-worthy sides that can take your spread to the next level. And, we've rounded up some of the very best to inspire your next home-cooked feast.

Carb-forward sides are always a winner for keeping things hearty, but there are also plenty of veggie-based options in this lineup. From fluffy stuffed breads to cheesy-loaded fries and gooey gratins, there are countless ways to complement the main event of your meal, and many come with the added bonus of fast, fuss-free prep. So, consider this your go-to guide for winter side dishes that are worth making again and again.

These flaky cinnamon biscuits are an exceptionally versatile choice for pairing with other sweet and savory dishes. They'll fit right in alongside breakfast classics like bacon and eggs and cheesy casseroles, but you can absolutely serve them at dinnertime, too, where they'll shine as an accompaniment to roasted meats. Made with a classic buttermilk batter and topped with a sweet cream cheese glaze after baking, they're perfectly soft, flaky, and golden, and sure to disappear from the table fast.

Recipe: Easy Flaky Cinnamon Biscuits

For a side that perfectly blends elegance and comfort, try whipping up some cheesy prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. Made in just 20 minutes, this recipe sees the vibrant green spears seasoned and wrapped snugly in slices of the cured meat, before they're sprinkled with nutty grated Parmesan and baked to tender perfection. This leaves the Parmesan topping with a wonderfully crisp texture that makes each bite even more irresistible. These would pair beautifully with a juicy pan-seared steak or citrusy baked salmon fillet.

Recipe: Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus With Parmesan

The smoky warmth of Cajun seasoning and fluffy-crisp texture of roasted potatoes is an undeniably winter-appropriate duo, and here these elements come together in a rather mouth-watering way. To make the steak fries, you'll slice russet potatoes into thick wedges, toss them with olive oil and the spicy seasonings, then bake them until gloriously golden all over. And, what makes this side even more special is the homemade aioli, which features aromatic garlic, zesty lemon juice, and fiery cayenne pepper.

Recipe: Cajun Baked Steak Fries

Garlic bread is pretty great, but why stop there? This classic side becomes even more decadent with the addition of tender chicken breast and a silky Alfredo sauce. It's a totally moreish mashup that packs all of the cozy vibes, and a great one for tearing and sharing if you're serving it as part of a wider spread. For the ultimate juicy finish, the chicken breast is pan-seared, then sliced and layered atop the crusty bread with the Parmesan- and garlic-spiked sauce. After a quick bake, everything will be fantastically melty.

Recipe: Chicken Alfredo Garlic Bread

Crisp on the outside and soft in the middle, these sweet and salty pretzel bites are a truly moreish side that'll make any meal feel cozier. The chunks of yeasted dough are first boiled, then baked, to create that signature chewy texture. And, the standout star here is the gooey beer cheese dip, which blends sharp cheddar and creamy Gouda with malty beer and tangy mustard, making each golden bite taste infinitely more indulgent.

Recipe: Soft Pretzel Bites and Beer Cheese

Mashed potatoes are a trusty crowd-pleaser, and this Italian-style version of the fluffy favorite is made with just three ingredients. After boiling the russet potatoes, you'll mash them with a ricer for a super-smooth finish, then combine them with warmed heavy cream and a pinch of nutmeg. This leaves them with a gorgeous rich, creamy texture and just enough warmth to amp up the comfort factor. Try serving them up with herby roasted chicken and steamed greens like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Italian Mashed Potatoes

A great way to warm yourself up during the winter is by injecting your cooking with a little extra heat, and these hearty baked beans do just that. Starting with dried white beans allows you to build complex layers of savory flavor during the slow-cooking process, with ingredients like fiery ancho chili peppers, sweet molasses, umami-rich Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika making the final dish shine. Baking everything in a Dutch oven gives the sauce a lovely, thick texture, too.

Recipe: Extra Spicy Baked Beans

Fit for a winter gathering with friends, or a lazy day at home sheltering from the cold, nachos are the epitome of fuss-free comfort food. We love piling the crunchy tortilla chips with tender shreds of BBQ sauce-smothered pork and cheddar cheese, then baking everything until oh-so melty. And, fresh toppings are a must. Here, we incorporate creamy coleslaw, tangy pickles, and spicy jalapeños, which add plenty of textural contrast to the hearty base.

Recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos

Roasted carrots are a go-to pairing for a whole host of seasonal dishes, and these vibrant veggies taste even more delicious when coated with a sweet, sticky glaze. Maple syrup is an amazing tool for jazzing the carrots up, and to balance the sweetness with some rich, nutty flavor, we throw in chopped pecans, too. This way, you get tenderness and crunch in every forkful.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Maple Pecan Glazed Carrots

When a rustic feel is the goal, a side of colcannon is the perfect pick. A traditional Irish recipe, this dish sees buttery mashed potatoes enhanced with leafy greens. It's a fun way to inject some extra color and nutrients into a simple bowl of mash, and it's super easy to whip up, too. Just saute kale and green onions in butter before stirring them into the creamy potato base, and the colcannon is ready for serving alongside grilled meats, pan-fried fish, or tender roasted veggies.

Recipe: Easy Irish Colcannon

Packed with crunch and bold, aromatic flavor, these garlicky smashed potatoes are a tempting addition to the winter dinner table. Here, you'll make use of your trusty air fryer, baking the boiled, flattened, and coated spuds until those golden skins become ultra crispy, while the flesh within remains tender and fluffy. Ideal for dunking into a creamy dip, such as spicy mayo or herby ranch, the potatoes make for a crave-worthy side that everyone will love.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Air-Fried Garlic Smashed Potatoes

Souffles have to be one of the most impressive-looking side dishes, with their pleasing puffed-up tops making them a hit on the dinner party table. Here, we load the cornmeal-egg batter with nutty Parmesan and sharp cheddar, plus some warming spices and sunny corn kernels. The mixture will rise significantly as it bakes, creating that signature cloud-like texture and yielding a dessert that's both light and indulgent.

Recipe: Cheesy Corn Souffle

To make these decadent disco fries, we reach for a handful of convenience store-bought ingredients — that's frozen crinkle-cut fries, brown gravy, and mozzarella cheese. This trio comes together to create a fantastically cozy combination of flavors and textures, and the prep couldn't be simpler. After the fries have been partially baked, you'll add the gravy and shredded cheese. Then, pop everything back into the oven until melted and bubbly, and you've got a satisfying side that's packed with richness and savory depth.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Disco Fries

Earthy and mild, black beans are a brilliant canvas for enhancing with flavor-boosting herbs and spices. In this Cuban-style side dish, they're paired with sauteed green peppers, aromatics, and chili peppers, plus a selection of bold seasonings, including cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. Simmered until fragrant and saucy, the deeply savory mixture is brightened with a squeeze of lime and scattering of fresh cilantro. It'll taste amazing served atop fluffy rice, spooned into tacos, or as a side for barbecued meats.

Recipe: Cuban Black Beans

Golden, flaky cheese straws are pretty hard to resist, especially when they're served warm straight out of the air fryer. You can whip these beauties up using store-bought puff pastry sheets, sandwiching the rectangles with a rich medley of cheddar, Parmesan, and seasonings before slicing them into strips and gently twisting them. In just 10 minutes, the straws will have puffed up beautifully, delivering heaps of salty, cheesy crunch that'll complement a variety of tangy, creamy, and spicy dips.

Recipe: Air Fryer Cheese Straws

You really can't go wrong pairing cheese with potatoes, and this next dish combines the satisfying duo in an undeniably mouth-watering way. Gruyere is the cheese of choice, bringing its unique nutty, creamy depth to the tender slices of potato, which are stacked up with a luscious garlic-cream sauce to create a decadent baked gratin. Layering more of the shredded cheese on top ensures a golden brown, bubbly result that makes this dish as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Recipe: Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere

Mac and cheese gets a gourmet-style upgrade in this elegant take on the classic. To the al dente pasta and rich, cheesy sauce, we add tender chopped lobster meat, which gives the mac a subtle briny sweetness while adding extra bite. And, to complement this luxurious add-in, there's the fragrant earthiness of truffle oil and boozy warmth of Cognac, ensuring the final dish has a decidedly grown-up, restaurant-worthy edge.

Recipe: Steakhouse-Worthy Lobster Mac and Cheese

They might not look especially elegant, but bite into a tender, cheese-stuffed pierogi, and we guarantee you'll be impressed. The dough gets enriched with egg and sour cream, loading it with flavor and creating the perfect chewy texture. And, the indulgence continues with the filling — a simple mix of creamy mashed potatoes and shredded cheddar. After boiling the pierogies, you'll saute them with buttery onions to inject some welcomed aromatic depth, and a final toss with sour cream and fresh dill really takes things to the next level.

Recipe: Pan-Fried Potato and Cheddar Pierogies

What better way to stuff crusty French bread than with an extra helping of carbs? Filled with meaty ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, and al dente lasagna noodles, this stuffed loaf is a show-stopping twist on the classic Italian favorite. There's plenty of cheesy goodness here too, in the form of melty mozzarella and tangy Parmesan, and a generous brushing of garlic butter infuses the bread with even more savory richness.

Recipe: Cheesy Stuffed Lasagna Bread

The sweet and tangy taste of barbecue chicken pairs perfectly with fluffy baked potatoes, especially when the fluffy flesh has been enhanced with creamy, cheesy add-ins. Just pile the succulent, meaty shreds atop the spruced-up potato halves, sprinkle over some more shredded cheese for good measure, and bake until gooey. These will taste incredible with everything from refreshing leafy salads to warming stews, or try serving them with a bowlful of spicy chili and a dollop of sour cream.

Recipe: Barbecue Chicken-Stuffed Twice-Baked Potatoes

Did you know you can bake a gorgeously fluffy beer bread loaf with just three ingredients? By combining self-rising flour, honey, and ale into a smooth batter and baking the mixture in a loaf pan, you'll end up with a rustic, cake-like bread. When the loaf is fresh out of the oven, the golden top will benefit from an extra brushing of honey. Once you've cut it into nice, thick slices, we highly recommend topping each piece with a generous pat of salted butter.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Honey Beer Bread

Offering a flavorful balance of sweet and savory notes, these beef and sweet potato empanadas are great for feeding a hungry crowd. Their handheld nature makes them an ideal grab-and-go side for buffet-style meals, and they can easily be prepped ahead for stress-free entertaining. The buttery dough is rolled into circles and filled with a protein-rich, well-rounded medley of roasted sweet potato, sauteed ground beef, aromatics, and spices, before the folding, crimping, and baking ensue. Those shiny golden tops really couldn't get any more appealing.

Recipe: Crispy Baked Beef and Sweet Potato Empanadas

For a fresher take on potato gratin, try subbing in vibrant slices of zucchini. These keep things vegetarian-friendly, while injecting some green goodness into the dish, but the overall vibe remains cheesy, cozy, and satisfying. The tender pan-fried rounds are layered up in a baking dish with a rich Parmesan-cream sauce and topped with breadcrumbs, which crisp up beautifully as this nourishing side bakes. The resulting dish would make an ideal pairing for flaky baked fish or juicy grilled chicken breast.

Recipe: Simple Zucchini Gratin

Breading and air-frying mushrooms is a top-tier method for creating an impressively crispy coating, as proven in this surprisingly fuss-free recipe. First, we dredge the button mushrooms in flour, then beaten egg, and a final layer of garlicky Parmesan-spiked breadcrumbs, before popping them in the air fryer. The side of homemade spicy aioli is also a must, with its bold, zesty flavors complementing the umami-rich mushrooms and cheesy coating exceptionally well. These tempting bites would instantly upgrade a steak dinner or bowlful of creamy pasta.

Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Mushrooms With Spicy Aioli

You might've enjoyed spinach and artichoke in a creamy dip, but this elegant pairing also makes an exceptional filling for hollowed-out zucchini halves. Enhanced with fragrant garlic, zesty lime, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes, the creamy sauteed veggie mixture is spooned into each pleasing green "boat" and baked to let those wonderful savory flavors meld. Feel free to top each portion with something fresh, such as chopped parsley, basil, or green onions, or add a little crunch by sprinkling over some toasted nuts or breadcrumbs.

Recipe: Spinach and Artichoke Zucchini Boat

Mushrooms and bell peppers are popular choices for stuffing, but don't overlook the humble tomato. These juicy delights are the perfect shape for filling with savory goodies, bringing plenty of tangy flavor and a sturdy yet tender texture that'll keep everything safely enclosed in the hollowed-out fruit. Spicy pimento cheese spread and Italian sausage deliver plenty of richness here, transforming the tomato into a standout side that will go down a treat at brunch or dinner, perhaps with a cheesy omelet, some crusty bread, or other Mediterranean-inspired sides.

Recipe: Pimento Cheese and Sausage-Stuffed Tomatoes

This Mexican-inspired casserole takes the humble cauliflower and turns it into a hearty, flavor-packed bake that's ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. The riced cauliflower is cooked with a colorful array of vegetarian-friendly extras, such as sauteed peppers and onions, fire-roasted corn, green salsa, and canned beans, with warming spices and melty cheddar boosting the cozy vibes. Serve it straight from the oven topped with fresh cilantro, avocado, and jalapeños for a lower-carb take on your typical rice casserole.

Recipe: Mexican Cauliflower Rice Casserole

Making bread from scratch is often far more approachable than anticipated, and with this cheesy, olive-studded recipe, there's minimal hands-on effort required. The yeasted garlic and herb dough can simply be shaped into a ball with the filling ingredients stuffed inside (kneading isn't essential), then left to rise before baking. Using a Dutch oven yields a delightful crispy crust and chewy, fluffy interior that'll have people thinking you picked the loaf up from a fancy artisan bakery.

Recipe: No-Knead Olive Cheese Bread

Sprouts often get a bad rap, but these humble veggies become infinitely more appealing when stuffed with meaty, spicy chorizo. Each sprout is halved and hollowed before getting lightly roasted to bring out its natural caramelized sweetness. Then comes the filling — a moreish mix of robust, savory ingredients, including sausage, sharp cheddar, scallions, and white wine. Piled atop the sprouts and baked until the cheese melts, the result is a wholesome, bite-sized treat that's guaranteed to win over even the most stubborn of sprout-haters.

Recipe: Chorizo-Stuffed Brussels Sprouts

Italian-style mains like pizza and pasta certainly fit into the winter warmer category, and a side of buttery garlic knots will make the ultimate accompaniment. The chewy bites are made with a simple yeasted dough and shaped into rustic knots before being brushed with a rich Parmesan-garlic butter blend. Baked until lightly browned, the knots are fantastic served warm with a side of tangy marinara, or other Italian sauces like Alfredo or pesto.

Recipe: Classic Buttery Garlic Knots