31 Extremely Worthwhile Recipes To Make This December (Because It's Officially Comfort Food Weather)

    When the temperature drops, the food gets cozy.

    Hannah Loewentheil
    by Hannah Loewentheil

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Hello and welcome to the final month of 2021. Yes, it is already December (seriously, where did the time go!?), which means it's not only the holiday season — but also prime comfort food season. Here are some of the best warm, cozy, feel-good recipes to try this month.

    Here's what's in season this month:

    A list of produce.
    BuzzFeed

    1. Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Frittata

    A frittata with butternut squash spirals and goat cheese.
    Girl on the Range / Via girlontherange.com

    Make this veggie-packed frittata on Sunday and enjoy it all week long for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.

    Recipe: Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Frittata

    Alexandra Cooks / Via alexandracooks.com

    When someone offers you the opportunity to eat cake for breakfast, you take it.

    Recipe: Cranberry and Orange Buttermilk Breakfast Cake

    3. Mashed Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl

    Sweet potato bowl with blueberries and granola clusters.
    Eat With Clarity / Via eatwithclarity.com

    Start your next breakfast bowls with mashed sweet potato at the base and get creative with the toppings. Anything from fresh fruit and granola to scrambled eggs and avocado is fair game.

     Recipe: Mashed Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl

    4. Creamed Spinach Baked Eggs

    Creamed spinach baked eggs.
    Budget Bytes / Via budgetbytes.com

    It's like spinach artichoke dip and shakshuka in one, and you're going to want some bread to sop it all up.

    Recipe: Creamed Spinach Baked Eggs

    5. Persimmon Banana Nut Bread

    Sliced persimmon banana bread.
    Chef de Home / Via chefdehome.com

    For those with a morning sweet tooth, this seasonal take on banana bread — baked with puréed persimmon and walnuts — is just what you're looking for.

    Recipe: Persimmon Banana Nut Bread

    6. Beet, Fennel, and Radicchio Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts

    Beet and fennel salad with pine nuts.
    Yummy Beet / Via yummybeet.com

    Not your average salad, this colorful medley is the perfect mixture of flavors thanks to sweet beets, bright fennel, bitter radicchio, and creamy feta. 

    Recipe: Beet, Fennel, and Radicchio Salad with Feta and Pine Nuts

    7. Bacon Beer Cheese Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    Cheesy broccoli bacon soup.
    Plays Well With Butter / Via playswellwithbutter.com

    A cross between two classic winter soups, this cheesy blend is so comforting. Pro tip: heat up a jumbo soft pretzel for dunking.

    Recipe: Bacon Beer Cheese Broccoli Cheddar Soup

    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    Low in carbs but certainly not in flavor, this hearty spaghetti squash with Bolognese basically makes itself, thanks to the slow cooker.

    Recipe: Crock Pot Spaghetti Squash Lasagna Bolognese

    9. Sausage, Pepper, and Onion Stromboli

    A stromboli filled with sausage, pepper, and onion.
    Skinny Taste / Via skinnytaste.com

    You don't need a pizza oven or any fancy equipment to make this stromboli stuffed with peppers, onion, and spicy or sweet sausage. If you want to save time and effort, just grab your favorite store-bought pizza dough.

    Recipe: Sausage, Pepper, and Onion Stromboli

    Chelsea's Messy Apron / Via chelseasmessyapron.com

    Even if you're not a "salad person," chances are you'll love this crunchy and tangy combination of shredded Brussels sprouts, apples, dried cranberries, kale, sunflower seeds, feta, and avocado. If you want to add more protein, toss in anything from shredded chicken or roasted chickpeas to grilled shrimp.

    Recipe: Brussels Sprout Salad With Creamy Lemon Dressing

    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    This Chinese-inspired dish looks restaurant-quality, but turns out it comes together on one sheet pan. Oh, and it's baked from start to finish. No deep-frying required whatsoever.

    Recipe: Sheet Pan Sesame Chicken and Crispy Brussels Sprouts

    12. Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon

    The New Baguette / Via thenewbaguette.com

    This plant-based Bourguignon features all the flavors you love about traditional beef stew. It's savory and hearty and comforting, but this version ditches the meat for mixed mushrooms.

    Recipe: Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon

    Crumbs and Caramel / Via crumbsandcaramel.com

    There's a secret ingredient I'll be using in every single pasta recipe from here going forward, and it's umami-packed miso.

    Recipe: Garlic Miso Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

    14. Italian Sausage Butternut Squash Soup

    Easy Weeknight Recipes / Via easyweeknightrecipes.com

    Looking for an easy family dinner everyone will enjoy? This one-pot soup has you covered.

    Recipe: Italian Sausage Butternut Squash Soup

    15. Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry

    The Modern Proper / Via themodernproper.com

    Better than take-out, this veggie-packed stir-fry loaded with asparagus, peppers, and now peas is just begging to be served over a big bowl of rice.

    Recipe: Garlic Shrimp Stir Fry

    Eat Well 101 / Via eatwell101.com

    You really only need a handful of basic ingredients to whip up this cheesy dish: boneless chicken breasts, cream cheese, spinach, mozzarella, garlic, and some seasonings.

    Recipe: Spinach Chicken Casserole with Cream Cheese and Mozzarella

    17. Garlic Butter Herb Steak and Mushrooms

    Steak with mushrooms in a skillet.
    The Recipe Critic / Via therecipecritic.com

    Fancy enough for date night but easy enough for any old weeknight meal, this steak with garlicky mushrooms is just so good.

    Recipe: Garlic Butter Herb Steak and Mushrooms

    18. Potato Leek Gratin

    The Modern Proper / Via themodernproper.com

    Your favorite potato gratin gets a little flavor boost with the help of leeks and a trio of Blue, Gruyère, and Parmesan cheese.

    Recipe: Potato Leek Gratin

    19. Cheesy Broccoli Kale Pesto Pizza

    Peas and Crayons / Via peasandcrayons.com

    Don't want to make pizza from scratch? Don't sweat it. Any store-bought flatbread or naan will do the trick here. It's the toppings that really count.

    Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli Kale Pesto Pizza

    20. Teriyaki Salmon with Baby Bok Choy and Shiitakes

    Teriyaki salmon with bok choy in a bowl.
    Feasting at Home / Via feastingathome.com

    This sheet pan meal takes only about 15 minutes of hands-on prep time. Then, toss it into the oven and wait for dinner to be served.

    Recipe: Teriyaki Salmon with Baby Bok Choy and Shiitakes

    Wild Greens and Sardines / Via wildgreensandsardines.com

    Whether you serve it as a hearty side dish or plant-based main, this cauliflower will shine at your table. It gets crispy on the outside but melts like butter when you take a bite.

    Recipe: Shawarma-Spiced Cauliflower Steaks with Herb Tahini Sauce

    22. Mac 'n' Cheese with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Breadcrumbs

    Mac 'n' cheese with bacon breadcrumbs.
    The Original Dish / Via theoriginaldish.com

    There's nothing better than discovering a new recipe that turns childhood favorite mac 'n' cheese into a totally acceptable adult recipe. 

    Recipe: Mac 'n' Cheese with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Breadcrumbs

    23. Vegan Mushroom and Cabbage Pierogi

    Lazy Cat Kitchen / Via lazycatkitchen.com

    If you don't have the time to make homemade dough, pick up a box of store bought dumpling wrappers. They might not be traditional, but they'll certainly get the job done. Boil, pan-fry, or air fry these babies to your liking.

    Recipe: Vegan Mushroom and Cabbage Pierogi

    24. Nutella-Stuffed Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

    Peanut butter Nutella sandwich cookies.
    The Hungry Kitchen Blog / Via thehungrykitchenblog.com

    These sandwich cookies may seem totally fancy, but you only really need a handful of simple ingredients to bake them.

    Recipe: Nutella-Stuffed Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

    25. Pomegranate Cream Tart

    A Spicy Perspective / Via aspicyperspective.com

    Refrigerated pie crust (or homemade, if you feel like over-achieving) plus five ingredients is all you need for this colorful and wintery tart.

    Recipe: Pomegranate Cream Tart

    26. Apple Cider Donut Cake

    Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons / Via kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com

    I'd like to have a word with the genius who decided to take apple cider donuts — fall's most delicious treat — and turn it into a shareable, celebration-worthy cake.

    Recipe: Apple Cider Donut Cake

    27. Chai Spice Brownies

    Chai spiced brownie squares.
    Cookie Named Desire / Via cookienameddesire.com

    It might seem like an unlikely combination, but spicy, aromatic chai is the perfect compliment to rich and fudgy brownies.

    Recipe: Chai Spice Brownies

    I Am Baker / Via iambaker.net

    This cake might seem a bit complex, but all of the ingredients and instructions are pretty straightforward. Trust me, even a novice baker can handle it.

    Recipe: Gingerbread Cake with Salted Caramel Buttercream

    29. Spiced Persimmon Old Fashioned

    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    There's something about the combination of oaky, caramel-y bourbon mixed with tangy, sweet persimmon that makes this cocktail irresistible, even if you're not typically a whiskey lover.

    Recipe: Spiced Persimmon Old Fashioned

    30. Winter Aperol Spritz

    Two winter Aperol spritzes in glasses.
    Platings and Pairings / Via platingsandpairings.com

    If you thought Aperol spritzes were just for summertime, think again. This cranberry-infused cocktail is a seasonal take on the warm weather favorite

    Recipe: Winter Aperol Spritz

    31. Chai Espresso Martini

    Two chai espresso martinis.
    Half Baked Harvest / Via halfbakedharvest.com

    Introducing your new favorite winter cocktail. Creamy, boozy, and ever-so-spicy, this drink hits all the right notes.

    Recipe: Chai Espresso Martini