As we reach the heart of winter, finding time to get outside becomes much more difficult. However, the occasional day will allow for a warm meal outside, and it’s always handy to have some ideas ready for when that happens. Here are a few recipes that you can enjoy, whether in your screened porch or as you watch the snow fall from indoors.

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Grilled Cheese Ingredients

• 11⁄4 cups finely shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

• 1 jar (4 oz) diced pimentos

• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

• 1⁄4 cup finely sliced scallions

• 1⁄4 cup 2% Greek yogurt

• 1 Tbsp olive-oil mayonnaise

• Few shakes Tabasco

• 8 slices of bread

• Butter

Tomato Soup Ingredients

• 3 lbs Roma tomatoes, halved lengthwise

• 2 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling

• 4 cloves garlic, peeled

• 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock

• Salt and black pepper to taste

CHICKEN POT PIE

Ingredients

• 1 (3 1/2-pound) broiler fryer

• 2 quarts water

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

• 1 stalk celery, cut into 2-inch pieces

• 1 medium onion, quartered

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 (16-ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables

• 2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup milk

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1 1/4 teaspoons pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

• 2 hard-cooked eggs, sliced

• 1 (9-inch) refrigerated piecrust

Slow Cooker Chili

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil

• 1 yellow onion, chopped

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped

• 2 lb. ground beef

• 4 garlic cloves, chopped

• 2 tbsp. chili powder

• 1 tbsp. ground cumin

• 2 tsp. dried oregano

• 1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes

• 1 8-oz. can tomato sauce

• 3 15-oz. cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed 

• 1 14-oz. can beef broth

• 1 chipotle chile in adobo

• 2 tbsp. adobo sauce, from 1 can of chipotle chiles in adobo

• 1 1/2 tsp. salt

• 1 tsp. ground black pepper

• Sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, sliced jalapeños, and tortilla chips, for serving

Skillet Spinach Lasagna

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground mild Italian sausage

• 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 ½ teaspoons dried Italian seasoning

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

• 1 (16-oz.) container ricotta cheese

• 1 large egg

• 8 ounces (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

• 6 ounces no-boil lasagna noodles

• 7 cups loosely packed baby spinach (about 5 oz.), divided

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

Baking Sheet Pizza W/Olives & Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

• 1½ pounds pizza dough

• 1⅓ cups tomato sauce

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese    

• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

• 1½ cups diced provolone cheese

• ½ red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

• 1½ cups pitted marinated olives

Have you tried any of these recipes or ones that we previously listed? Let us know by tagging us with your thoughts and food pictures on social media.