The Best Ina Garten Recipes For Winter

You might not have a spare barn behind your house, a sprawling herb garden on the grounds or a palatial kitchen even professional restaurants would be jealous of, but that doesn't mean you can't entertain like you're the star of a Barefoot Contessa holiday special. Pull out your favorite chambray button-up and grab your fanciest bottle of vanilla: We're cooking our way through Ina Garten's best winter recipes this season.

As expected, cracking open a can of condensed soup is the last thing you'll see Garten do. A pinch of saffron gives a spicy warmth to her spin on this childhood classic, while grilled cheese "croutons" replace Goldfish crackers.

Every holiday spread needs a showstopping dessert, and this Goliath of a chocolate cake—with its layers of coffee meringue buttercream—doesn't disappoint. 

Need help getting your greens in this winter? Just look to this ultimate side dish of spinach swirled into a creamy cheese sauce that's baked until it's bubbling. 

The seafood in this fragrant dish takes only a few minutes to cook, making it perfect for all your last-minute entertaining needs.

This sweet breakfast casserole means less time flipping French toast in front of the stove and more time sleeping in.

Contrary to what your Italian grandmother may have taught you, you don't have to dedicate an entire Sunday to making a bowl of stick-to-your-ribs pasta.  

The only thing more important than the drinks at a cocktail party? Having a bowl of these glossy candied nuts on hand.

Apple cider, honey and orange take the edge off this soothing beverage, making it just a little too easy to sip by the fire—not that there's anything wrong with that. 

More than a pound of grated cheddar and Gruyère is all you need to make it through those impending cold fronts.

Of all the roast chicken recipes Garten has created throughout the years, it's this butterflied, cast-iron skillet version that has us coming back for seconds every time.