40 Midwestern Recipes That Will Keep You Warm All Winter Long
40 Midwestern Recipes That Will Keep You Warm All Winter Long
Read Time: 18 mins
40 Midwestern Recipes That Will Keep You Warm All Winter Long
It really hits the spot on chilly fall and winter days
9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Turkey Stew with Dumplings Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 15 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband and I love dumplings, and this mild-tasting, homey dish has flavorful ones floating on a tasty turkey and vegetable stew. It really hits the spot on chilly fall and winter days. —Rita Taylor, St. Cloud, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 255 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 995mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein. 4/39 Tater Tot Casserole 52 Reviews Test Kitchen
I like to make this Tater Tot casserole when time before supper is short
Approved JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to make this Tater Tot casserole when time before supper is short. If we have unexpected company, I just double the ingredients and use a 13×9-in. pan. I call it my Please Stay Casserole! —Jean Ferguson, Elverta, California Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 570 calories, 35g fat (12g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1357mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 26g protein. 5/39 Badger State Stuffing 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Badger State Stuffing Recipe photo
Feel free to use your favorite beer or dried fruit to make the dish your own
by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Your family will love the contrasting sweet, savory and slightly tart flavors in this spin on a Thanksgiving classic. Feel free to use your favorite beer or dried fruit to make the dish your own. —Andrea Fetting, Franklin, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 271 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 700mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. 6/39 Ground Venison Burgers 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Ground Venison Burgers Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:
Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Even folks who aren’t fans of ground venison recipes will enjoy these zippy burgers, deliciously topped with pepper cheese and a cool lime-mustard mayonnaise. My son, who’s an avid hunter, gave me this super venison burger recipe. —Jerry Honeyager, North Prairie, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 442 calories, 22g fat (8g saturated fat), 130mg cholesterol, 685mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g protein. 7/39 Breakfast Apples 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 5 min Servings 5 cups Go
It has a delicious nutty flavor
to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I have handed out this recipe to more people than any other. It has a delicious nutty flavor. Use it to top waffles or pancakes. Or mix with vanilla or plain yogurt for a light and quick dessert. Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 133 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 47mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. 8/39 Cheesy Wild Rice Soup 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved The musical “Waitress” Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings (2qt.) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We often eat easy-to-make soups
when there’s not a lot of time to cook
when there’s not a lot of time to cook. I replaced the wild rice requested in the original recipe with a boxed rice mix to make it even faster. —Lisa Hofer, Hitchcock, South Dakota Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 464 calories, 29g fat (14g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 1492mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein. 9/39 Cast-Iron Loaded Breakfast Biscuits 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Cast-Iron Loaded Breakfast Biscuits Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These loaded breakfast biscuits are full of
hearty breakfast ingredients like eggs, bacon, mushrooms and cheese!
hearty breakfast ingredients like eggs, bacon, mushrooms and cheese! They are perfect to bake up on the weekends, then freeze for a quick weekday breakfast. A gluten-free flour blend can be substituted for the all-purpose flour. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 biscuit: 356 calories, 22g fat (11g saturated fat), 141mg cholesterol, 653mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein. 10/39 Cast-Iron Banana Bread 19 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cast-Iron Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love this
cast-iron banana bread because it cooks evenly every time
cast-iron banana bread because it cooks evenly every time. The end result is so moist and delicious! —Ashley Hudd, Holton, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 330 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. 11/39 Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheese Soup 49 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This creamy, cheesy broccoli soup tastes just like the one served at Panera Bread! My family requests it all the time. You can even make
your own homemade bread bowls with the recipe on my blog, Yammie’s Noshery
your own homemade bread bowls with the recipe on my blog, Yammie’s Noshery. —Rachel Preus, Marshall, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cup (calculated without bread bowl): 422 calories, 32g fat (19g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 904mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein. 12/39 Cauliflower Gratin 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cauliflower gratin is a lower-carb side dish that pairs well with pork, ham or beef. It’s so creamy and delicious that even the kids will ask for
This meal in one is
seconds! If you like a little crunch, sprinkle buttered bread crumbs over the top after 30 minutes of baking. — Mary Zinchiak, Boardman, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 196 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 291mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein. 13/39 Pork Chops ‘n’ Pierogi 15 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Pork Chops ‘n’ Pierogi Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The Polish dumplings are traditionally served as a meal, with applesauce or sour cream. This meal in one is
a different way to use pierogi
a different way to use pierogi. —Greta Igl, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 730 calories, 33g fat (18g saturated fat), 154mg cholesterol, 1207mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (45g sugars, 5g fiber), 36g protein. 14/39 French Dip Sandwich 22 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved French Dip Sandwiches with Onions Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 30 min Servings 14 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I want to impress company, these satisfying sandwiches are my first pick for the menu. I serve them au jus, with the cooking juices in individual bowls for dipping.
No time to make it from scratch?
—Florence Robinson, Lenox, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 399 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 1099mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein. 15/39 Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 10 pancakes Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These blueberry cornmeal pancakes are one of my family’s favorite breakfasts. No time to make it from scratch? No problem! My grandmother’s standby of store-bought corn muffin mix makes quick work of the job. —Carolyn Eskew, Dayton, Ohio Nutrition
17/39 Beef Burgundy Over Noodles 10
Facts: 2 pancakes: 251 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 454mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 4g fiber), 6g protein. 16/39 Cheesy Garlic Herb Quick Bread 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 1 loaf (12 slices) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This could be the perfect bread for any dish. The sharp cheddar cheese makes it irresistible.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 233 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 175mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein. 17/39 Beef Burgundy Over Noodles 10
Whenever I serve it to guests, they always request this
Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I got this delightful beef burgundy recipe from my sister-in-law many years ago and have used it ever since. Whenever I serve it to guests, they always request this. The tender beef, mushrooms and flavorful sauce are delicious over noodles. —Margaret Welder, Madrid, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 376 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 88mg cholesterol, 391mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1
💡 Frequently Asked Questions
No time to make it from scratch?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
Ranch Pigs in a Blanket 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Ranch Pigs in a Blanket Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Who knew you could amp up the fun factor for pigs in a blanket?
Answer coming soon. We are working on detailed responses to this common question.
⭐ Expert Tips
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Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.
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Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.
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Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.
✅ Key Takeaways
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These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.
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Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.
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Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.
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