Best Snow Day Foods: What to Make When the Bread Aisle Is Empty

This weekend's weird rain/snow mixture is on its way -- Do you have favorite snow day snacks on hand? Here are some perennial favorites.

We've all been there. Snow is falling, and it's beautiful to look at, but you really don't feel like braving the untreated roads to go out and get something to eat. Once you get there, you know that bread and milk will be gone, so what should you make?

You want something sweet, you want something salty, you don't want anything you've already got in your cupboards. Stocking just a few of these options will help stave off the snow-day munchies and let you stay home in your PJs with your movies.

1. Popcorn and seasonings

A jar of popcorn will last almost forever in your cupboard. Pop it in a pan or in the microwave in a brown paper bag, but don't be scared to think outside the box when it comes time to season it! Some of my favorite combinations are fresh-grated Parmesan and garlic powder, adobo seasoning, or butter, garlic powder, and paprika.

2. Frozen pound cake and berries

My favorite childhood treat was a slice of frozen Sara Lee pound cake. Topped with Cool Whip and a sauce made with frozen berries and sugar, this is nice enough to serve for dessert at any dinner party. Simply simmer the frozen berries with a few spoonfuls of white or light brown sugar to taste. Store the extra sauce in a jar for other pound cake emergencies.

3. Chili mac

Keep a few cans of chili in your cupboard at all times to mix with a box of cooked macaroni. You can dress it up and add some extra beans, tomatoes, or corn, but make sure you bake it all in a dish with some shredded cheese on top. Yummy enough to satisfy even the pickiest in the house!

Courtesy of Kraft

4. Cinnamon rolls

Even if you don't have time to make this from scratch, a tube of refrigerated dough will do in a pinch. The best part of all is that this will make your house smell amazing as they bake.

5. Soup

My favorites are the creamy soups on a cold day: tomato bisque, New England Clam Chowder, or broccoli cheese soup are all high on my list. If you're feeling adventurous, get the ingredients to cook your own and make a snow day activity out of it! Here's a great, simple recipe for broccoli cheese soup.

6. Cheese grits

This may be the most controversial item, but cheese grits are really so delicious and comforting. When paired with crumbled bacon or breakfast sausage, you've got a hearty breakfast perfect for the snow shoveler in the family. Keep a bag of grits in the cupboard and use any kind of cheese you have in the fridge.

7. Loaded baked potatoes

Simply scrub and bake some russet potatoes at 350 degrees until soft, at least an hour. Let everyone pick their own toppings, from butter to shredded cheese, bacon, or even steamed broccoli! Hot, delicious, AND filling!

Courtesy of Serious Eats

**All photos in this article are courtesy of Unsplash unless credited otherwise.

What do you think of our snow day food list? Do you have a favorite that we didn't include? Let us know in the comments below!