Rainy Day Dinner Ideas

Rainy Day Dinner Ideas

Even though you’d rather have the weather be warm and sunny all the time, that’s not how the world works. Summer days inevitably turn into crisp, fall mornings. The leaves begin to fall, and you know it’s getting time to pack away the grill. However, that doesn’t mean you have to stop whipping up some great meals.  Autumn may bring cooler weather and darker days, but that means more time to cozy up indoors with your family. Warm your spirits and tummies with these Rainy Day Dinner Ideas for your family. 

Rainy Day Dinner Ideas

Chicken Noodle Soup

Fall is soup season, and what better way to stay cozy on a rainy day than with a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup? This recipe gets its flavor from cooking the chicken thighs directly in the broth. Once you add the onion, celery, carrots, bay leaves, and egg noodles, the smell will invite all of your kids to the kitchen. If you want it to be even more authentic, make your noodles.

Old-Fashioned Goulash

An old-fashioned goulash is a hearty meal that will warm up your bellies on a gloomy, rainy day. Goulash is often a staple in many families. If you don’t have your recipe, start with this one. It’s full of macaroni, beef, and tomatoes. Serve it with saltine crackers, and if you have any leftovers, you can put them in the freezer for an easy homemade meal on a busy night. 

Turkey Chili With Avocado

Although traditional chili calls for ground beef, you can make it a little healthier by using ground turkey and tons of veggies instead. Top off this delicious turkey chili with some avocado to make it creamier, and add a fresh squeeze of lime juice to bring all the flavors together. Once you try this version, you might not go back to the original. 

OREO Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies

Roast With Potatoes and Carrots

A tender pot roast with potatoes and carrots will entice you to stay indoors on a cool, rainy day. You can make it in a slow cooker, instant pot, or even the oven. Even though pot roast is a tougher cut of meat, it will pull right apart for melt-in-your-mouth goodness when it cooks all day in gravy. It’s easy, too — sear your roast, add your veggies, and slow-cook it. When done, plate it up and enjoy. 

Creamy Tomato Soup With Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese and tomato soup is a classic meal most everyone loves. Instead of using soup from a can, make your own with some diced tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable broth, and seasonings. To make it creamy, add a splash of heavy cream. Use a sturdy bread for your grilled cheese, like sourdough or a Pullman loaf. Add your favorite cheese, such as cheddar, which is ideal due to its firm texture and rich flavor, and let it melt between the bread slices. Dip your grilled cheese into the soup for the ultimate comfort.

Thai Red Curry

If you’re looking for a new recipe to add to your fall favorites, look no further. These Thai red curry meatballs are so delicious you’ll want to eat it for breakfast the next day. The flavors combine in a rich sauce, and it’s full of vegetables. The key to making this recipe stand out is to use aromatics like ginger, garlic, and onion. Serve it with rice, and feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. 

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie seems like it might be a challenging recipe, but it’s quick and easy, especially when you can use store-bought unbaked pie crusts. This recipe will have you and your family going back for seconds. It’s full of chicken, carrots, peas, celery, and onion, with a creamy sauce all baked to perfection. To make it extra moist and rich, double the sauce part of this recipe.

Easy Nutella Muffins Recipe

Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash

Fall is the perfect time to cook up as much squash as possible. Using seasonal ingredients makes your food taste better, and it’s much healthier for the environment. This Apple Sausage Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe combines butternut squash, apples, sausage, spinach, pecans, and aromatics for the perfect fall meal. If you’re not a fan of sausage, feel free to add another protein or other veggies in place of it. 

Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta

Speaking of squash, make use of all the pumpkin puree at the store for this alfredo. This Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta recipe uses six simple ingredients, and it’s super simple to put together, making it the perfect meal for a busier fall evening. Heat and stir together butter, garlic, pumpkin puree, and heavy whipping cream. Add the cheese, then the cooked pasta, and serve immediately. It’ll be sure to keep you cozy on a drizzly day.

Stuffed Peppers

Everyone loves a good stuffed pepper. This dish may seem fancy, but it’s an easy way to make use of these vegetables. Stuff a bell pepper with a mixture of ground beef, onion, sausage, diced tomatoes, rice, and marinara sauce, all topped with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake them in the oven, and you have a whole meal in one dish. 

Meals That Warm You Up

The next time you’re stuck inside on a fall day because of rain, try out one of these delicious recipes. They’ll help you stay warm and cozy. We hope that these Rainy Day Dinner Ideas inspire you. Happy cooking!