The Best Ina Garten Recipes For Winter

Warm up with the Contessa's best cold-weather comfort food

You might not have a spare barn behind your house, a sprawling herb garden on the grounds or a palatial kitchen even professional restaurants would be jealous of, but that doesn't mean you can't entertain like you're the star of a Barefoot Contessa holiday special. Pull out your favorite chambray button-up and grab your fanciest bottle of vanilla: We're cooking our way through Ina Garten's best winter recipes this season.

① Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons A post shared by Ina Garten (@inagarten) on Jan 12, 2017 at 11:00am PST

As expected, cracking open a can of condensed soup is the last thing you'll see Garten do. A pinch of saffron gives a spicy warmth to her spin on this childhood classic, while grilled cheese "croutons" replace Goldfish crackers.

② Devil's Food Cake

Every holiday spread needs a showstopping dessert, and this Goliath of a chocolate cake—with its layers of coffee meringue buttercream—doesn't disappoint. 

③ Spinach Gratin

Need help getting your greens in this winter? Just look to this ultimate side dish of spinach swirled into a creamy cheese sauce that's baked until it's bubbling. 

④ Shrimp and Swordfish Curry A post shared by Ina Garten (@inagarten) on Mar 14, 2017 at 9:37am PDT

The seafood in this fragrant dish takes only a few minutes to cook, making it perfect for all your last-minute entertaining needs.

⑤ French Toast Bread Pudding

This sweet breakfast casserole means less time flipping French toast in front of the stove and more time sleeping in.

⑥ Weeknight Bolognese

Contrary to what your Italian grandmother may have taught you, you don't have to dedicate an entire Sunday to making a bowl of stick-to-your-ribs pasta.  

⑦ Salted Caramel Nuts A post shared by Ina Garten (@inagarten) on Dec 6, 2016 at 10:40am PST

The only thing more important than the drinks at a cocktail party? Having a bowl of these glossy candied nuts on hand.

⑧ Mulled Wine

Apple cider, honey and orange take the edge off this soothing beverage, making it just a little too easy to sip by the fire—not that there's anything wrong with that. 

⑨ Mac and Cheese

More than a pound of grated cheddar and Gruyère is all you need to make it through those impending cold fronts.

⑩ Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken

Of all the roast chicken recipes Garten has created throughout the years, it's this butterflied, cast-iron skillet version that has us coming back for seconds every time.