When the weather turns cold and you’re spending more time in your campervan, there’s nothing quite like a hot meal to warm you up from the inside out. Whether you’re exploring the countryside or parked up for a quiet evening, cooking hearty dishes in your van can make those chilly nights feel extra cosy. Here are some simple, delicious, and warming meals you can easily prepare in your campervan to keep you toasty on the road.
1. Hearty One-Pot Stews
Stews are perfect for camper cooking – they’re filling, warm, and require minimal equipment. You can throw everything into one pot, making it a hassle-free way to cook in a small space.
Beef and Vegetable Stew
- Ingredients: Diced beef, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, beef stock, and herbs (like thyme or rosemary).
- Instructions: Brown the beef in a pot with a bit of oil, then add the chopped vegetables, garlic, and herbs. Pour in enough beef stock to cover the ingredients and let it simmer for 1-2 hours until the meat is tender and the veggies are soft.
Chili Con Carne
A spicy, flavorful chilli is a fantastic option for warming up on a chilly night. It’s easy to make in a campervan kitchen and can be paired with rice, bread, or even tortilla chips.
Spicy Chili Con Carne
- Ingredients: Ground beef, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, chilli powder, cumin, and paprika.
- Instructions: Brown the beef and onions in a large pan, then add garlic, spices, tomatoes, and beans. Let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes until the flavours meld together.
3. Creamy Pasta Dishes
There’s nothing like a creamy, cheesy pasta dish to make you feel cosy. Plus, pasta is a campervan staple since it’s easy to store and cook in small spaces.
One-Pot Creamy Garlic Pasta
- Ingredients: Pasta, garlic, cream or milk, parmesan cheese, butter, and spinach (optional).
- Instructions: Cook the pasta in salted water, then drain and set aside. In the same pot, sauté garlic in butter, add cream or milk, and mix in the cheese to create a creamy sauce. Stir in the pasta and spinach for a wholesome meal.
4. Soups and Broths
Soups are an excellent campervan meal as they’re easy to make, require minimal ingredients, and are incredibly warming. Whether it’s a simple tomato soup or a hearty vegetable broth, soup is a go-to for cosy camper dinners.
Butternut Squash Soup
- Ingredients: Butternut squash, onions, garlic, vegetable stock, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Instructions: Roast the squash until soft, then sauté onions and garlic in olive oil. Add the squash and vegetable stock, then blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Campfire-Style Baked Potatoes
If your camper setup includes an oven or even an outdoor campfire, baked potatoes are a simple yet satisfying meal. They’re versatile and can be topped with all kinds of delicious ingredients.
Loaded Baked Potatoes
- Ingredients: Potatoes, sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, green onions, and butter.
- Instructions: Bake the potatoes in your campervan oven (or wrap them in foil and cook over a campfire) until soft. Slice them open and fill with butter, sour cream, cheese, and bacon.
6. Curry with Rice or Naan
A fragrant curry is the perfect dish to fill your van with warmth and spice. Whether you prefer a vegetable curry or a meat-based one, this is a dish that will keep you warm long after dinner.
Simple Chicken Curry
- Ingredients: Chicken, curry powder or paste, coconut milk, onions, garlic, and your choice of vegetables (like peppers or spinach).
- Instructions: Cook the chicken and onions in a pan, then add garlic and curry powder or paste. Pour in coconut milk and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with rice or naan.
7. Hot Drinks and Desserts
No cosy camper meal is complete without something sweet or a warm drink to finish it off. Keep ingredients on hand for hot drinks and easy-to-make desserts to elevate your cold weather camping experience.
Ideas:
- Hot Chocolate: Mix cocoa powder, sugar, and milk for a rich, warming treat.
- Cinnamon Apples: Cook sliced apples with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar in a pan for a simple, warm dessert that feels like autumn in a bowl.
- Mulled Wine: If you’re in the mood for something a little more festive, warm up red wine with cloves, cinnamon, and orange slices.
Let us know if you try any of these yummy dishes – happy camping!
