Ina Garten is a woman after our own heart — even during a pandemic. “It’s always cocktail hour in a crisis!” Garten said in an Instagram video showing her pouring her quarantine cocktail into the biggest martini glass. That’s why she’s the first chef we turn to to gather ideas of what to make in the kitchen. More recently, we’ve been on the hunt for warm, comforting, hearty dishes to make to as we turn the corner from Winter Way and into Spring Street. (Forgive our cheesy jokes. We’re hangry.)
When we think of hearty dishes, our stomach immediately grumbles for carb-loaded, saucy pasta dishes, like Garten’s roasted veggie lasagna loaded with zucchinis, whole-milk ricotta, and cups upon cups of Rao’s marinara sauce. We also suddenly salivate for creamy corn chowder soups, like Garten’s corn chowder swimming with lobster chunks, Yukon Gold potatoes, celery, and bacon. And there’s plenty more Garten-penned hearty dishes from which to choose.
Pour yourself a glass of Garten’s quarantine cocktail and get ready to make the meal of your life; because, ahead, we’ve gathered 12 heavy, hearty, comfort food dishes you’d be remiss not to make while it’s still cold outside.
Lobster corn chowder
Pulled from Garten’s 2008 cookbook Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, this lobster corn chowder recipe is full of all the good stuff: butter, whole milk, heavy cream, potatoes, white wine, corn, and — of course — more than four pounds of lobster.
Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.
Unforgettable beef stew
Garten’s “unforgettable” beef stew is loaded with beef chuck, yellow onions, mushrooms, potatoes, garlic, peas, and lots of fresh herbs.
Get the recipe at Food Network.
Chicken stew with biscuits
For this intermediate-level stew that feeds eight, you’ll need chicken breasts, yellow onions, chicken bouillon cubes, carrots, peas, and parsley.
Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.
Roasted vegetable lasagna
Just because this lasagna has vegetables in it, doesn’t make it healthy — and it’s exactly what our weeks calls for.
Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.
Mac & cheese
This classic Garten recipe — one that calls for Gruyère cheese and cheddar — was published in the Barefoot Contessa host’s 2002 cookbook, Barefoot Contessa Family Style.
Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.
1770 house meatloaf
This meatloaf has a trio of meats: beef, veal, and pork.
Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.
Weeknight bolognese
Bolognese is perfect for beginners, and Garten’s recipe, specifically, is easy enough to make on a busy mid-week night. Get your hands on some lean ground sirloin and get cookin’.
Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.
Brisket with onions & leeks
If this brisket recipe — published in Cooking for Jeffrey and featuring onions, leeks, and two kinds of onions — is good enough for Garten’s husband, Jeffrey, then it’s more than good enough for us.
Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.
Chicken marbella
Don’t be intimidated by this dish; it’s actually a beginner-level recipe that anyone who loves Pinot Grigio-marinated chicken can handle.
Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.
Filet mignon with mustard & mushrooms
Nothing screams “hearty” like a filet mignon, and Garten’s unique recipe calls for whole-grain mustard, cremini mushrooms, shallots, and cognac.
Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.
Baked pasta with tomatoes & eggplant
In addition to making the beginner-level tomato and eggplant soup, this baked pasta dish requires just a few steps to make: boil pasta until its al dente, mix with the soup and cheeses, pour into three gratin dishes, bake, and sprinkle with more cheese.
Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.
Chicken chili
For a chili with plenty of protein and a bit of a kick, turn to Garten’s chicken chili.
Get the recipe at Barefoot Contessa.
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