Cozy Recipes to Keep You Warm on Your Winter RV Adventure

Winter RV travel brings the joys of snowy landscapes and quiet evenings, but cold weather also calls for meals that warm both body and soul. With limited space and equipment, RV cooking requires creativity and planning.

Here are some cozy recipes tailored for RV kitchens, with both meat and vegetarian options, to help you embrace the season and make delicious meals on the road.

Slow-Cooker Stew (Meat or Vegetarian)

Few meals are as comforting as a classic stew, and a slow cooker—a staple for RV kitchens—makes it easy to prepare. This hearty dish combines your choice of protein, root vegetables, and flavorful broth for a one-pot meal.

Ingredients:

• Meat Option: 1.5 pounds beef stew meat, cut into chunks
• Vegetarian Option: 2 cups diced tofu or 1 can chickpeas, drained
• 4 cups vegetable broth (or beef broth for meat version)
• 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (vegetarian version: use tamari or soy sauce)
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons flour or cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

1. For the meat version, brown the beef chunks in a skillet before transferring to the slow cooker. For the vegetarian version, add tofu or chickpeas directly to the slow cooker.
2. Add all other ingredients except flour/cornstarch. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3. For a thicker stew, mix flour or cornstarch with water and stir in during the last 30 minutes.
4. Serve with crusty bread or over rice.

Creamy Potato and Leek Soup

This velvety soup is easy to make on your RV stovetop. Add bacon for a meaty twist or keep it vegetarian by skipping the bacon and using plant-based cream.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 large leeks, thinly sliced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup heavy cream (or plant-based cream for vegetarian)
• 3 tablespoons butter (or plant-based butter)
• Meat Option: 4 slices bacon, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. For the meat version, cook bacon in a pot until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
2. Melt the butter in the same pot (or skip bacon and use only butter for vegetarian). Sauté the leeks until soft.
3. Add potatoes and broth. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.
4. Blend the soup with an immersion blender until smooth.
5. Stir in cream, season with salt and pepper, and top with bacon if desired.

Skillet Chili Mac

Chili mac is the ultimate comfort food, and it’s perfect for RV cooking with a single skillet. Use ground beef or skip it for a vegetarian-friendly version.

Ingredients:

• Meat Option: 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• Vegetarian Option: 1 cup plant-based ground crumbles or 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups vegetable or beef broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or plant-based cheese)

Instructions:

1. Cook ground meat or plant-based crumbles in a skillet, then drain excess fat if needed.
2. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in broth, tomatoes, beans, macaroni, and spices. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10-12 minutes.
4. Sprinkle with cheese, cover, and cook until melted.
5. Serve hot.

Dutch Oven Pot Pie

A Dutch oven is a versatile tool for RV kitchens, and this pot pie can be made with chicken or a vegetarian filling like mushrooms and lentils.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Meat Option: 1 pound cooked chicken, shredded
• Vegetarian Option: 2 cups diced mushrooms and 1 cup cooked lentils
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 cup milk (or plant-based milk)
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 package refrigerated biscuit dough (or plant-based biscuits)

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in the Dutch oven. Cook onion and carrots until softened.
2. Add flour, stirring constantly, then gradually add broth and milk to form a thick sauce.
3. Add chicken or mushrooms and lentils, along with peas and thyme. Mix well.
4. Top with biscuit dough and cover. Bake at 375°F in an RV oven or over coals for 20 minutes.
5. Serve warm.

One-Pan Breakfast Hash

Start your day with this filling and flavorful breakfast. Use bacon or skip it for a vegetarian-friendly version.

Ingredients:

• Meat Option: 4 slices bacon, chopped
• Vegetarian Option: 1/2 cup plant-based sausage crumbles
• 4 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook bacon or plant-based sausage in a skillet. Remove and set aside.
2. Add potatoes to the skillet and cook until golden brown.
3. Add bell pepper and onion, cooking until softened.
4. Make small wells in the hash and crack an egg into each. Cover and cook until eggs are set.
5. Top with bacon or sausage and serve.

Spiced Hot Chocolate

Warm up with this simple yet elevated hot chocolate recipe, perfect for sipping by the campfire.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk (or plant-based milk)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Whipped cream (or plant-based whipped topping) for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until smooth.
2. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
3. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream.

Cooking in an RV doesn’t have to be complicated. These recipes offer meat and vegetarian options to suit all preferences, allowing everyone to enjoy hearty, comforting meals.

Whether you’re simmering a stew in a slow cooker or baking a pot pie in a Dutch oven, these dishes are designed to maximize flavor and convenience in your RV’s compact kitchen. So stock up, get cooking, and savor the flavors of winter on the road!