10 Winter Comfort Foods to Warm Your Soul

Ah, winter. The season of oversized sweaters, mismatched socks, and pretending to love the outdoors while secretly plotting your next cozy night in. As the temperature drops, so does our willingness to eat anything that isn’t smothered in cheese, gravy, or some type of carb. Comfort foods aren’t just a meal in winter—they're a love language. So, wrap yourself in a blanket burrito, grab a fork (or spoon, depending on your vibe), and let’s dig into the top 10 winter comfort foods that are practically hugs in edible form.

Let’s start with a classic. Mac and cheese is the Taylor Swift of winter comfort foods: always iconic, always hitting the right notes. Whether you’re a boxed mac-and-cheese loyalist or someone who insists on making a "four-cheese bechamel," this dish is the creamy, cheesy cure for the cold. Bonus points if you throw breadcrumbs on top—because who doesn’t love a little crunch with their cheese?

Chili is basically winter’s answer to summer’s BBQ. Spicy, hearty, and perfect for topping with sour cream and shredded cheese (or, let’s be real, more cheese). It’s also highly customizable: beef chili, turkey chili, veggie chili—you’re the Picasso of your chili bowl. Just don’t forget the cornbread on the side; it’s non-negotiable.

Ah, the humble potato. Is there anything it can’t do? Potato soup is like a warm hug in a bowl—creamy, rich, and topped with bacon bits, shredded cheddar, and a scandalous amount of sour cream. Pair it with a crusty bread roll, and you’ve got yourself a winter masterpiece.

Shepherd’s pie is proof that layering isn’t just for fashion. With a base of savory meat and veggies, crowned by a golden crust of mashed potatoes, this dish is a multitasking hero. It’s like a casserole, but make it chic.

For the more adventurous eaters, hot pot is winter dining at its most interactive. You’re in control, dunking thinly sliced meats, veggies, and noodles into bubbling broth. It’s like dinner and a show—plus, you get to decide how spicy you want your broth, which is ideal for controlling both flavor and sweat levels.

Lasagna is the gift that keeps on giving. Layers of pasta, meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and an unhealthy amount of Parmesan? Yes, please. It’s the perfect food for when you’re stuck indoors because you overestimated how warm that "light jacket" would keep you.

Few things are as satisfying as breaking into the flaky, buttery crust of a chicken pot pie. It’s like opening a present, except instead of socks, you get creamy chicken and vegetables. Pro tip: Let it cool before diving in, unless you’re into scalding your tongue in the name of flavor.

Ramen isn’t just for broke college students anymore. This steaming bowl of noodle soup has leveled up, with rich broths, tender meats, and soft-boiled eggs that make you question everything you thought you knew about eggs. Slurping is mandatory, by the way—it’s the only way to eat it correctly.

Beef stew is the OG winter meal. It’s like a warm, beefy lullaby that tells you everything’s going to be okay. Tender chunks of meat, hearty vegetables, and a thick, savory broth—it’s practically begging for a biscuit to dip in it.

Technically, it’s a drink, but let’s be honest: winter comfort foods aren’t complete without something sweet. Hot chocolate, especially when topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, or (if you’re feeling fancy) a drizzle of caramel, is dessert and a hand warmer in one. Add a splash of peppermint schnapps if you’re feeling particularly festive.

And there you have it, the definitive winter comfort foods lineup. Each dish is like a mini vacation from the reality of frostbitten toes and endless layers. They’re not just meals—they’re experiences, therapies, and, frankly, excuses to stay in and avoid doing anything productive.

So, this winter, don’t just survive—thrive. Fill your plate (and your heart) with food that reminds you why winter isn’t all bad. Because when you’ve got mac and cheese in front of you, who cares if it’s snowing sideways outside?

Now that it's finally December, it's time to fully embrace Christmas songs. (Sure, some may have started long ago, but many like to wait until Thanksgiving is in the rearview.)

There are a surprising number of Christmas songs recorded by some of music's biggest icons. Many rockin' holiday tunes tend to be covers, but many artists have tried to pen the next Christmas classic. If they don't end up classics, they are often at least a lot of fun.

On one rare occasion, an original Christmas song inspired a theory that went viral. The song in question is the Paul McCarney hit "Wonderful Christmastime." The theory started on X (formerly Twitter) via Canadian actor Ryan George, who wrote, "Paul McCartney's 'Wonderful Christmastime' is about friends practicing witchcraft but then someone walks in and they have to suddenly play it cool."

McCartney was asked about the theory in a special Q&A about the song on his official website in December 2022. Sir Paul said when asked if the theory was true, "Oh yeah. Well, thank goodness they found me out. This is completely true, and in actual fact, I am the head wizard of a Liverpool coven. [Paul laughs] Either that… or it’s complete nonsense. And you know it’s the latter!"

Macca is then asked, "This theory may have come from people mishearing the lyrics. Could you confirm if the lyric is ‘the moon is right’ or ‘the mood is right’?" He responds, "It’s ‘the mood’! This is the mood; I’ve gathered together the witches and wizards... I’ve got ‘the mood’, which is what we in wizardry call it [laughs]. The thing is about this stuff, it’s so easy to convince half the people in the world. You do have to be a little bit careful! "

McCartney added, "No, it’s ‘the mood’. And you know what, I’m thinking about Liverpool Christmas parties, that’s really all I’m doing with that song. 'The mood is right, let’s raise a glass, the spirit’s up' – you know, all the stuff you do at Christmas. Particularly with my old Liverpool family parties."

To help fully get into the holiday spirit, consider adding these 25 songs to your Christmas playlist. Or you can try and see if Sir Paul has an opening in his coven.