Winter Chef?

Full of those classic, warm gingerbread spices, these pancakes are basically like eating a cookie for breakfast. Do not skip the spiced maple syrup if you want to start your morning right.

Recipe: Gingerbread Pancakes with Spiced Syrup

A dinner that comes together on one sheet pan is a magical thing, especially when it’s as vibrant and flavorful as this one. The garlicky yogurt sauce that’s drizzled on top is the star of the show, and leftover sauce is an ideal topping for anything else you might cook — from burgers to salads to grain bowls.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Harissa Chicken with Leeks, Potatoes, and Yogurt

With this far more hands-off, weeknight-friendly version of risotto, your oven will do most of the work for you — from helping your risotto to reach peak creaminess (minimal stirring required!) to roasting the garlicky mushrooms that you’ll use as the topping.

Recipe: Oven Risotto with Garlic Roasted Mushrooms and Arugula

It may be simple, but this classic cabbage roll recipe is anything but boring. Plus, they’re perfect to feed a crowd by making a double (or triple) batch.

Recipe: Cabbage Rolls

This vegetarian main hits all the notes of an exceptional dinner, and the addition of chickpeas offers a necessary protein boost. You can even substitute the crème fraîche for a tahini sauce if you want to make this dish 100% vegan.

Recipe: Roasted Carrots with Farro, Chickpeas, and Herbed Crème Fraîche

Easy pasta dishes are a must during the winter. This one requires very minimal prep, and it also packs a punch thanks to a generous helping of Calabrian chiles.

Recipe: Lemony Calabrian Chili Pasta

The sweetness of the pomegranates mixed with the saltiness of the feta makes this dish extra special. Serve it with some fresh pita or roasted vegetables to really round everything out.

Recipe: Pomegranate Skirt Steak with Whipped Feta

The addition of freshly squeezed juice from oranges and limes makes this succulent chicken dish a real showstopper. If you’re hesitant to use a whole (or split) chicken, opt for skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs.

Recipe: Citrus Rosemary Chicken

Time to put all that incredible winter citrus to good use with this super easy one-bowl cake (that’s also gluten-free!). Seriously, even the most baking-averse can make this.

Recipe: Citrus Olive Oil Cake

This twist on a margarita will give you the refreshing taste of the classic with a cozy, seasonal upgrade. Make sure to grab reposado tequila for extra depth of flavor, and if you’re celebrating Dry January, swap out the tequila for an extra splash of cider or apple juice.

Recipe: Spiced Apple Margaritas

With a tangy dressing and a subtle pop of sweetness from dried fruit, this “slaw” is more like the main event. Top with your protein of choice for a complete meal, or use it to add some crunch to a sandwich or wrap. Bonus: it gets better and better the longer it sits in the fridge.

Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Slaw

This cozy, comforting dish is the vegetarian-friendly answer to butter chicken. It’s also dairy-free thanks to the addition of coconut milk, so go ahead and cook up this creamy meal for just about anyone this month.

Recipe: Coconut Butter Cauliflower

When you’re sick and tired of the same old salads, give this beet salad a spot on your weekly rotation. If beets aren’t your thing, try golden beets instead; they’re milder, a bit sweeter, and less earthy tasting. (And as a bonus, they won’t stain your hands and cutting board red.)

Recipe: Beet Salad with Citrus and Goat Cheese

Cooking these ingredients together in an Instant Pot supercharges your broth with a seriously impressive amount of chicken flavor. If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can easily recreate this recipe in a slow cooker or on the stovetop, so long as you’re careful to cook the chicken until it easily falls off the bone.

Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Citrus is A+ this time of year, so there’s never been a better time to load a whole bunch of it into a tangy, creamy smoothie. Come for the taste, stay for the serious (and necessary) hit of vitamin C.

Recipe: Winter Citrus Smoothie

These muffins are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast as you dash out the door and into the winter chill — or an unfussy snack (or dessert) when you’re stuck inside. The pops of tartness from burst cranberries complement the subtle sweetness of these muffins, and an easy orange glaze makes them simply unforgettable.

Recipe: Cranberry Orange Muffins

IMO, roasted cabbage is one of the most underrated foods out there, and these cabbage steaks prove it. After a visit to the oven with some olive oil and spices, thickly sliced wedges of cabbage become crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, all while retaining their substantial bite.

Recipe: Cabbage Steaks

To make this wintery dish vegetarian, swap the sausage out for the meat-free protein of your choosing — tempeh or chickpeas would both work very nicely.

Recipe: Stuffed Butternut Squash with Wild Rice and Sausage