There’s nothing better than a home cooked meal to warm up from a frigid Minnesota day but often we can forgo the creative exercise of cooking to get a pizza or grab some takeout. I’d like to share some of the recipes that my girlfriend Emily and I have found to be tasty and pretty thrifty.

Penne with vodka sauce
A vodka sauce is one of those things that you see on menus of Italian restaurants everywhere but would rarely think to make. I’d surmise that this is because the thought of putting vodka in a dinner seems like it would take some culinary mastery to pull off. I can tell you that no culinary mastery is needed to concoct this delicious sauce — and it’s sure to warm you up.

Naan with curried chickpeas
I have a soft spot for any and all flatbreads. Personally, I think utensils are just a missed opportunity to eat more bread. This recipe calls for a little patience to let the naan dough rise, but let me tell you, it’s worth it. The fluffy, delicious naan, topped with the perfectly spicy chickpeas is nothing short of heavenly.

Pizza topped with kale and tomatoes (and bacon)
This pizza crust recipe is a go-to, not only because it’s easy and tasty, but also because it makes two pizzas’ worth of dough, which is perfect for throwing in the freezer for a later date. Topping this crispy crust with sautéed kale and tomatoes puts this pizza over the top. Also, if you’re looking to add some meat to your meal, you can’t go wrong with throwing some crushed bacon on top.

Lasagna soup
This soup provides a healthier, less labor-intensive spin on lasagna. With carrots, tomatoes, onions and zucchini, this soup packs in the vegetables, but what really makes this soup special is the dollop of the ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan at the bottom of each bowl. This is another dish that is sure to be a welcome end to a frozen day.

Black Bean Burgers
Easy and tasty veggie burgers are hard to come by, but this recipe checks all of those boxes. These burgers are flavorful and moist and are capped off by the mouthwatering combination of lettuce, tomatoes and sriracha mayo (aioli if you’re feeling fancy). Throw all of this on top of a toasted bun and you’ve got a meal you’ll go back to again and again.