Sunday, January 25, 2026

Copycat Hearty Dinners to Get You Through January

Filling, comforting copycat meals that make cold winter nights easier.

Hi Friend,

By this point in January, most of us are looking for dinners that are simple, filling, and reliable. The kind of meals that don’t require a lot of thought, but still feel satisfying at the end of a long, cold day.

These copycat dinners are hearty, comforting, and perfect for getting you through the rest of winter. They’re familiar favorites that work just as well for busy weeknights as they do for slower weekends.

Here are a few simple, hearty meals to try:

Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole - Cheesy, comforting, and always a crowd favorite. This one works just as well as a main dish or a hearty side.
Wendy’s Chili - Thick, hearty, and packed with classic chili flavor. Great for making once and enjoying all week.
Popeyes Red Beans and Rice - Creamy, flavorful, and deeply comforting with every bite.
Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken - Juicy chicken topped with mushrooms, onions, and melted cheese. Filling and full of flavor.
Pei Wei Mongolian Beef -Tender beef in a sweet and savory sauce that comes together quickly and tastes just like takeout.

In My Kitchen

Affiliate disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

These tools make hearty dinners easier to pull together:

A wok for stir-fries and beef dishes, this has a great wooden handle to make it easy to use
A Dutch oven for chili and casseroles
A meat thermometer to keep chicken perfectly cooked

I hope this gives you a few dependable dinner ideas to help carry you through the rest of January.