Last Updated on February 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff

(Family Features) Coming inside from a cold day calls for moments spent under a blanket, around a warm fire and curled up with a hot bowl of delicious, comforting food. From chili to pasta, your winter menu is sure to feature filling dishes that warm you and your loved ones from the inside out.

For example, you can beat the chill with Pumpkin Chili, which uses Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin for a thicker, creamier texture and subtly sweet, earthy flavor. Plus, it comes together in around 30 minutes as an easy solution for busy weeknights or weekend fun.

Switch up pasta night with Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese for a rich, velvety texture that features cheddar and gruyere cheeses, but you can substitute other favorites like Monterey Jack, fontina or gouda. The extra creamy texture and flavor from cream cheese means you can save time without making a traditional cream sauce using flour for added convenience.

These hearty, filling recipes feature delicious, nutritious and high-quality Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin that adds warmth to the menu all year long mixed into baked goods, morning smoothies and more. With special care and premium quality in mind, the non-GMO pumpkin grown in the USA without preservatives can be your new go-to.

To find more ways to warm up this winter, visit greengiantvegetables.com.

Pumpkin Chili

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4

• 2          tablespoons olive oil
  
• 1          green bell pepper, chopped
  
• 1          yellow onion, chopped
  
• 1          pound ground turkey
  
• 1          tablespoon chili powder
  
• 1          teaspoon smoked paprika
  
• 2          teaspoons cumin
  
• 1/2       teaspoon garlic powder
  
• 1          cup chicken broth
  
• 1          can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
  
• 1          can (15 ounces) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
  
• 1          can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1. In Dutch oven over medium heat, heat oil. Add bell pepper and onion. Saute 5 minutes.
2. Add ground turkey and separate with spatula. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chili powder, paprika, cumin and garlic powder.
3. Add broth, tomatoes and pumpkin. Bring to boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer 10 minutes. Add kidney beans and simmer 3 minutes.
4. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 26 minutes
Servings: 10

• 1 1/2    pounds shell pasta
  
• 3          tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• 2          teaspoons minced garlic
  
• 1          tablespoon fresh chopped sage
  
• 4          ounces cream cheese, cubed
  
• 2          cans (15 ounces each) Green Giant 100% Pure Pumpkin
  
• 2          cups whole milk
  
• 2 1/2    cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
  
• 2 1/2    cups freshly grated gruyere cheese
  
• 2          teaspoons Dijon mustard
  
• 1          teaspoon salt
  
• 1/4       teaspoon cracked black pepper

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta when al dente, about 8 minutes.
2. In large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, heat butter. Add garlic and sage; saute 1-2 minutes, until garlic is lightly browned. Add cream cheese and pumpkin. Heat until cream cheese is melted and stir to combine.
3. Gradually stir in milk, cheddar and gruyere. Stir in Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Heat until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy, about 3 minutes.
4. Fold in cooked pasta.

SOURCE:
Green Giant

Last Updated on February 21, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Pizza Hut is bringing back its iconic Heart-Shaped Pizza for Valentine’s Day — and it’s doing it with a pop-culture assist from Backstreet Boys members Nick Carter and Howie Dorough.

Announced Feb. 10, the limited-time collaboration is titled “The Shape of My Heart-Shaped Pizza,” a nod to the group’s hit “Shape of My Heart” and a neat fit for a product that’s basically made for February 14.

A Valentine’s campaign built for social (and nostalgia)

Pizza Hut says it teamed up with Carter and Dorough to create a series of social spots inspired by “Shape of My Heart.” In one featured video, the duo leans into a playful generational debate — Millennial vs. Gen Z hand-heart gestures— before settling on the one thing both sides can agree on: sharing a slice.

The timing also taps into a bigger Backstreet Boys moment. The band recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its album Millennium and continues its “Into The Millennium” residency at SPHERE in Las Vegas, keeping the nostalgia engine running for longtime fans while pulling in younger audiences.

How to order Pizza Hut’s Heart-Shaped Pizza

The Heart-Shaped Pizza is available now through Feb. 22, with a medium one-topping option starting at $11.99.

Pizza Hut is pitching the limited-time pie as an easy win for Valentine’s Day — whether you’re planning a cozy night in, surprising someone with a low-lift dinner idea, or leaning into a solo celebration.

To learn more or place an order, Pizza Hut directs customers to: https://www.pizzahut.com/c/content/heart-shaped-pizza

Offer details (quick fine print)

• Limited-time offer
• Medium one-topping pizza
• Hand-tossed crust only
• Pizza arrives uncut
• Extra toppings/cheese cost more
• Availability, pricing, and participation may vary

What to watch for

Seasonal menu items are nothing new — but Pizza Hut’s heart-shaped pizza has the kind of built-in shareability brands chase: it’s instantly recognizable, it photographs well, and it’s tied to a calendar moment people already post about.

Adding Carter and Dorough gives the campaign a second hook: nostalgia that travels fast on social, plus a light “generational” angle that’s easy to remix in comments.

About Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, was founded in 1958 and operates nearly 20,000 restaurants across more than 110 markets and territories. The brand is known for icons like Original Pan and Original Stuffed Crustpizzas. Pizza Hut also continues to push digital ordering, with over half of transactions worldwide coming from digital orders.

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

Advertisement

Last Updated on February 20, 2026 by Daily News Staff

National Muffin Day has a way of sneaking up on us—one minute it’s a normal Friday, the next you’re suddenly thinking about blueberry crumbs, warm cinnamon tops, and whether “just one” counts if you also grab one for later. This year, Corner Bakery Cafe is leaning all the way into the holiday with a deal that’s as straightforward as it is tempting: any muffin for $2 on Friday, February 20, all day, at participating locations.

Corner Bakery Cafe president Erin Hasselgreen summed up the brand’s approach in the announcement: “If there’s a day to celebrate muffins, it belongs at Corner Bakery. We bake them fresh every day… and on February 20 we’re making it easier than ever to celebrate with $2 muffins all day long.”

Why National Muffin Day still matters

Food holidays can feel a little gimmicky—until they give you a reason to try something new, revisit a favorite, or turn an ordinary day into a small tradition. National Muffin Day is one of those low-stakes celebrations that fits almost any schedule:

• Breakfast on the go (no fork required)
• A mid-afternoon snack that feels like a reward
• A sweet pick-me-up that doesn’t need a special occasion

Corner Bakery is betting on that exact vibe: muffins as a comfort food that’s familiar, easy to share, and always welcome.

The $2 muffin lineup: classic, seasonal, and “grab an extra” flavors

Corner Bakery says the deal covers all muffin flavors, which means you can keep it classic or go seasonal depending on what your local cafe has available. The brand highlights a mix that hits the usual favorites and the cozy, winter-to-spring crossover cravings:

• Blueberry
• Chocolate
• Cinnamon Crumb
• Cranberry Orange
• Banana
• Pumpkin
• Pumpkin Cheesecake

If you’re the type who likes to make National Muffin Day a mini tasting flight, the $2 price point makes it easy to mix and match—one safe pick, one “why not?” pick.

Muffins are timeless for a reason

In the release, Hasselgreen calls muffins “one of those timeless bakery items that never go out of style… comforting, versatile, and always satisfying.” And honestly, that’s the whole appeal. Muffins sit right in the sweet spot between pastry and snack—less fussy than a layered dessert, more satisfying than a cookie, and flexible enough to pair with coffee, tea, or a quick breakfast run.

They also travel well, which is why they’ve become a go-to for:

• Morning meetings
• School drop-offs
• Road trips
• Office snack tables
• “I’ll eat later” moments that turn into “I’m eating now” moments

The details (so you don’t get surprised at the register)

Here’s what to know before you head out:

• Deal: Any muffin for $2
• When: Friday, February 20 (valid all day)
• Where: Participating Corner Bakery Cafe locations
• Note: Pricing and availability vary by location

Corner Bakery recommends confirming participation by contacting your local cafe.

A little National Muffin Day game plan

If you want to make the most of it, here’s a simple way to approach the day:

1. Pick your “must-have” flavor (the one you’ll regret skipping)
2. Add one seasonal wildcard (pumpkin cheesecake fans, this is your moment)
3. Grab a second muffin for later—because future-you always appreciates past-you

About Corner Bakery Cafe

Corner Bakery Cafe is a fast-casual restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and catering across 18 states and Washington, D.C. The brand traces its roots to a neighborhood bakery that started in downtown Chicago in 1991, built around fresh ingredients, artisan breads, and a “warm and comfortable place” feel.

For more information, visit cornerbakerycafe.com or follow Corner Bakery Cafe on social media.

Corner Bakery Cafe (official website)

PR Newswire (press release distribution)

Advertisement

National Day Calendar (National Muffin Day listings)

Corner Bakery on Facebook

Corner Bakery on Instagram

Corner Bakery on LinkedIn

Corner Bakery on TikTok

Explore STM Daily News Food & Drink for crave-worthy recipes, restaurant and brand news, seasonal picks, and the trends shaping what we’re eating and sipping right now. Start here: https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/