What's for Dinner? 20 Cozy Weeknight Recipes to Make in February

By Kelly Vaughan

January 23, 2020

Christopher Simpson

From vegetarian tacos to a spiced take on classic beef stew, here's what we're cooking all month long.

Start Slideshow

1 of 21

Christopher Simpson

In many parts of the country, February often brings in some of the most frigid temperatures and the biggest snowfalls of the year. That's why we want to cozy up with warm and comforting dinner recipes all month long. To help you craft your own menu for the month, we're sharing a selection of family-friendly meals that go from pantry to plate in under one hour. And, as always, Monday dinners are meatless.

There's plenty of comfort food to indulge in, such as our Test Kitchen's Favorite Mac and Cheese. One big pot of this will keep the whole family warm—and there may even be leftovers for lunch! Looking for a pasta dish that's a little more nutritious? Our recipe for Swiss-Chard and Feta Pasta lets the winter green take center stage, while tangy Greek feta, dried currants, and toasted pine nuts build texture and flavor.

If you're trying to keep your healthy New Year's resolution going, Sea Bass with Kale and Cannellini Beans is a delicious, protein-packed meal that feels worthy of a special occasion. But with just 35 minutes needed to prepare this recipe from start to finish, you can make it any day of the week. Just as impressive is our Creamy Mustard Chicken with Couscous, pictured here. You don't need a passport or a culinary degree to prepare this French bistro-inspired main course.

Even in the midst of a snowfall or busy weeknight, our quick dinner recipes are sure to appeal to your entire family and inspire your palate.

Advertisement

Advertisement

2 of 21

Swiss-Chard and Feta Pasta

Christopher Testani

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Perhaps the best part of this dish is its unexpected use of calamarata, a thick ring-shaped pasta. Or its use of dark, leafy Swiss chard. Or tangy crumbled feta in place of traditional Italian cheeses. Perhaps it's all good.

3 of 21

Brussels-Sprout Tacos

Lennart Weibull

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sweet and spicy roasted Brussels sprouts take the place of meat in these delicious vegetarian tacos. Like any taco recipe, the toppings are the star of the show—here, we're using roasted peanuts, avocado, lime juice, and sliced red onion.

Advertisement

4 of 21

Saffron Risotto with Shrimp and Peas

Sidney Bensimon

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

With its transformative yellow hue and floral flavor, saffron takes creamy risotto to the next level. Shrimp and peas (we're using frozen) make the perfect combo in a dish that will warm you up mid-week.

5 of 21

North African Beef-and-Carrot Stew with Mint

Romulo Yanes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Aromatic and satisfying, this recipe adds cinnamon and cayenne pepper to classic beef stew. Serve it over couscous for the most comforting 35-minute meal ever.

6 of 21

Test Kitchen's Favorite Mac and Cheese

Armando Rafael

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Yes, mac and cheese can be dinner. Yes, adults can enjoy it, too. And yes, you should absolutely make our best-ever version tonight.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

7 of 21

Creamy Broccoli-and-Spinach Soup

Yuki Sugiura Photography

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Some nights, soup just hits the spot. This nourishing and nutrient-rich green soup will encourage you to keep your healthy eating resolution going. Feel free to serve with crusty bread for something a little bit heartier.

8 of 21

Sea Bass with Kale and Cannellini Beans

Armando Rafael

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Buttery and tender, sea bass doesn't need to be reserved for a special occasion; enjoy it any day of the week—just be sure to purchase it sustainably.

9 of 21

Instant Pot Chicken Curry

Bryan Gardner

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If you received an Instant Pot for the holidays, now's the time to put it to good use. The key to fabulous curry is all in the spices and this recipe is full of them—cumin, coriander, Spanish paprika, chili powder, and cinnamon.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

10 of 21

Curried Steak with Scallion Rice and Peas

Ren Fuller

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Tender, juicy, and budget-friendly flank steak is the perfect cut to serve atop white rice with sugar snap peas. Its flavor is enhanced by Massaman curry paste, which is a warm Thai ingredient that lights up everything in this one-bowl dinner.

11 of 21

Shrimp and Clams a la Plancha

Dana Gallagher

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Even if you can't dine al fresco, you can certainly enjoy this Spanish-inspired shellfish dish made for a Friday crowd. From the homemade romesco sauce to the garlicky beans, there's big time flavor all throughout that's not to be missed.

12 of 21

Butternut-and-Boursin Shells

Yunhee Kim

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Soft and creamy boursin cheese takes on a whole new life in this vegetarian pasta dish featuring butternut squash, baby arugula, and toasted hazelnuts.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

13 of 21

Broiled Spicy Pork and Pineapple

Joseph De Leo

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sweet pineapple is a succulent complement to pork; the pork is broiled for a few minutes then removed while pineapple and scallions continue to cook. Pile the mixture atop steamed rice and build even more flavor with sauce made from fresh ginger and lime juice.

14 of 21

Creamy Lemon-Barley Soup

Louise Hagger

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Heartier and creamier than traditional chicken noodle soup, this nourishing bowl contains satisfying ingredients like whole-grain barley, protein-rich chicken breasts, watercress, and leeks.

15 of 21

Roasted Cod with Potatoes and Olives

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This fabulous, balanced dinner just so happens to be a sheet pan supper. First, roast rosemary potatoes, then add the fish fillets, tomatoes, and olives and cook for 15 to 20 more minutes.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

16 of 21

Baked Chicken Veracruz

Julia Gartland

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

There are three words that sum up the wonder of chicken thighs: fatty, flavorful, and forgiving. Here, we've paired them with red potatoes, canned fire-roasted tomatoes, and green olives for a fabulous Mexican-inspired meal. It takes an hour to cook, but the oven does most of the work, leaving you time to kick back with a glass of wine—or fold the laundry!

17 of 21

Mostly Greens Frittata

Bryan Gardner

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Frittatas don't need to be reserved for breakfast only—when mixed with spinach and Swiss chard, it's a vegetarian meal that the whole family will request again and again.

18 of 21

Spiced Indian Shrimp

Sidney Bensimon

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Here's a clever new way to use jarred marinara. Try mixing it with spiced shrimp and serving over couscous for a fast, flavorful weeknight dinner.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

19 of 21

Spaghetti with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon

Yunhee Kim

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We're not calling this carbonara—in fact, it might be better. Fatty, marvelous bacon adds a savory flavor to this spaghetti dish with Brussels sprouts.

20 of 21

Chow Mein

Martyna Szczesna

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Anyone can make a delicious Chinese-American meal at home. Here's our version of one of the all-time best takeout meals—and you'll have it on the table in just 25 minutes.

21 of 21

Seared Scallops with Celery and Golden Raisin Salad

Martyna Szczesna

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

End the month with this healthy, restaurant-quality dinner. To get that golden brown sear on each side of the scallops, pat them dry with a paper towel and use a super-hot skillet. Serve with a slightly sweet, crunchy salad on the side.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Up Next

Advertisement