A 7-Day Meal Plan of Winter Dinners When Your Fridge Is Bare

Updated: Dec. 21, 2021

Don't want to venture outside? These simple dinners don't require a lot of ingredients, so you'll be able to whip them up easily. And a lot of them can be customizable to what you have on hand.

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Sunday: Gnocchi with Spinach and Chicken Sausage

Dinner’s easy when I can use ingredients typically found in my fridge and pantry. —Laura Miller, Lake Ann, Michigan
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Monday: Air-Fryer Pork Chops

These air-fryer pork chops get their rich flavor from Creole seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Bonus: They’re low in carbs, too! —Dawn Parker, Surrey, British Columbia
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Tuesday: Smothered Burritos

My brother-in-law teased that I only knew five ground beef recipes. I proved him wrong with my inventive spicy burritos. —Kim Kenyon, Greenwood, Missouri
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Wednesday: Feta Tomato-Basil Fish

I rely on my husband for the main ingredient in this fuss-free dish. He fills our freezer after his summer fishing trip. —Alicia Szeszol, Lindenhurst, Illinois
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Thursday: Satisfying Tomato Soup

After craving tomato soup, I decided to make my own. My sister Joan likes it chunky-style, so she doesn’t puree. Serve it with a grilled cheese sandwich. —Marian Brown, Mississauga, Ontario
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Friday: Skillet Mac & Cheese

This super creamy mac ‘n’ cheese is so simple it seems almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it too. —Ann Bowers, Rockport, Texas
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Saturday: Crescent Beef Casserole

This flavorful meal-in-one dish is all you need to serve a satisfying and quick weeknight dinner. It’s on the table in just 30 minutes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Find more 7-day meal plans.