What to Cook Next: Our Best February Recipes
Warmer weather may still be several months away, but there’s plenty to look forward to this month, and this list of our best February recipes will help you make the most of it. Make plans to invite your closest group of friends over for a Valentine’s Day soiree. Or host the most raucous Super Bowl party on the block while offering up some of our favorite snacks. The Lunar New Year offers the perfect opportunity to perfect your dumpling-folding or noodle-pulling. Whatever your agenda looks like this month, don’t let the cold and ice keep you from having a great time.
Doing some meal planning or sorting out your game day spread? Save all of your favorites in the Epicurious iOS app.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Tiffany Schleigh1/31Buffalo Chickpea Dip
Some of our best February recipes will no doubt be a hit at your Super Bowl party, but consider whipping up these dishes whenever a snack craving hits. Here, Zoe Denenberg cleverly swaps in canned chickpeas in place of the standard shredded chicken to make a vegetarian-friendly dip with lots of tangy, spicy punch.
Photo by Squire Fox2/31Clementine Pound Cake
Dress up pound cake with fragrant citrus and showstopping swooshes of chocolate.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Drew Aichele3/31Morning Glory Muffins
Laurie Ellen Pellicano, who developed this recipe inspired by the 1970s classic, says these muffins are best served warm. We’d argue they’re best served warm and preferably in bed with a cup of coffee.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne4/31Our Favorite Mac and Cheese
To béchamel or not to béchamel, that is the question. Our answer? Béchamel, baby. This mac and cheese recipe will walk you through the process without stress, and the results are perfectly silky, with tons of flavor and the creamy-crunchy contrast you crave.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou5/31Pork and Chive Dumplings
This recipe yields lots of dumplings, which is very good news. Keep some in your freezer for a quick weeknight dinner.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova6/31Flourless Chocolate Cake
Some might say flourless chocolate cake is the mic drop of desserts. But this impressive, elegant cake is truly simple to make. It also gets extra points for being naturally gluten-free.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich7/31Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Is there anything an air fryer can’t do? Here, the handy appliance transforms basic cauliflower into a crispy, chewy bite awaiting a blanket of zippy hot sauce. Serve with all the traditional wing accoutrements like blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich8/31Vegetarian Black Bean Chili
This pantry-sourced chili allows for as much creative customization as your Dutch oven is deep—just don’t skimp on the peppers, onions, and toppings. Serve while everyone’s watching the game.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Judy Haubert10/31Lemon-Pepper Artichoke Wings
Canned artichoke hearts make a convincing argument for keeping your Super Bowl spread vegetarian this year.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Styling by Joseph De Leo11/31Simple Hot Cocoa for One
This classic hot cocoa recipe works equally well with dairy or milk made from nuts, soy, rice, or oats.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Ottaviano13/31Simple Roast Chicken
Nothing warms up a home like a chicken roasting in the oven. Serve this one with a simple green salad and mashed potatoes for an elegant meal fit for company.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova14/31Sticky Rice With Mango
This classic combination of ripe mango, luscious coconut milk, and sticky rice has been a popular Thai dessert for centuries. Want it faster? Check out this microwave version of the recipe.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne15/31Molten Double Chocolate Mug Cake
When you need dessert for one in a flash, reach for a mug, not your cake pans.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone16/31Simple Spinach Dip
We’ve all been there: guests show up unexpectedly and you need to whip up something to snack on, ASAP. In about 20 minutes, you can have this tasty dip on the table ready to go with crackers, pita chips, or whatever crunchy veggies are in your fridge. Serve with an icy vodka martini and they’ll think you had it planned all along.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne18/31One-Pot Chicken and Biscuits
Serving this cozy one-pot meal is a surefire way to put a smile on the faces of everyone at your table.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by John Bjostad, Lillian Chou19/31Lo Bock Go
Serve this savory turnip cake on Lunar New Year for an auspicious start to the year ahead.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Kate Schmidt20/31Boneless Buffalo Chicken "Wings"
This easy recipe makes a solid case for boneless wings during football season. And thanks to buttermilk, hot sauce, and blue cheese dip, you might not even even notice the white meat swap. Prefer a version with bones to snack on? Check out our collection of wings recipes.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova21/31Cheese Fondue
February is the perfect time to dig out the fondue pot, whether you’re hosting a party or planning a romantic night for two.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce22/31White Chicken Chili
Canned white beans bulk out this chicken chili recipe, helping stretch your grocery budget a little further.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell24/31Pozole Verde Con Hongos
This vegetarian posole relies on meaty mushrooms and hearty hominy to become a filling, soul-nourishing meal-in-a-bowl. It’s one of our favorite Mexican soups for winter.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou27/31Golden Beet Cake With Cream Cheese Ermine Frosting
The cream cheese frosting is reason enough to make this carrot cake–inspired dessert, which replaces carrots with golden beets for a similar texture and a slightly more savory flavor.
Photo by Shutterstock30/31Béchamel Sauce
A well-made béchamel is the key to croque monsieur, lasagna, and a host of other comfort food classics.
