Your December Meal Plan
Updated: Jul. 19, 2022There's no need to wonder what you should make for dinner during the busy holiday season, we've figured it out for you! Here is a delicious dinner, plus a perfect side dish, for each day of December.
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Day 1: Sausage and Swiss Chard Pasta
I whipped up lunch with fresh produce from the farmers market, and the result was amazing. —Kate Stiltner, Rockford, Michigan
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Creamy Paprika Pork
When I was little, I would often ask my mom to make "favorite meat." She knew I was requesting this homey pork recipe. It's been in my family for more than 30 years and it's still a favorite! —Alexandra Barnett, Forest, VirginiaGoes Great with: Garlic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard Sauce
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Day 3: Smoky Spanish Chicken
After enjoying a similar dish at a Spanish tapas restaurant, my husband and I were eager to make our own version of this saucy chicken at home. If I want to make it extra healthy, I remove the skin from the chicken after browning. —Ryan Haley, San Diego, California
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Barley Risotto and Beef Stroganoff
I was missing my Russian grandma's barley porridge and beef stroganoff, so I combined the two dishes. Cook the barley using the risotto method to keep the grains whole and irresistibly chewy. —Tatiana Kireeva, New York, New York
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Day 5: Over-the-Border Shrimp Enchiladas
These enchiladas have a bit of a kick, thanks to chili powder and green chiles, but the deliciously creamy sauce balances it all. —Beverly O'Ferrall, Linkwood, Maryland
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Day 6: Orange Beef Lettuce Wraps
This is a lighter version of a restaurant favorite. I also recommend trying these wraps with ground chicken or turkey.—Robin Haas, Cranston, Rhode Island
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Day 7: Salmon with Tomato-Goat Cheese Couscous
Rich with goat cheese and tomato, this recipe works for a weeknight supper or an elegant company dinner—and is adjustable for number of people. —Toni Roberts, La Canada, California
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Grandma's Swedish Meatballs
My mother made these hearty meatballs when we were growing up, and now my kids love them, too. My daughter likes to help shake the meatballs in flour. —Karin Ness, Big Lake, Minnesota
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Day 9: Gnocchi with Spinach and Chicken Sausage
Dinner is easy when I can use ingredients typically found in my fridge and pantry. —Laura Miller, Lake Ann, Michigan
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Day 11: Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops
These sweet, spicy chops can be thrown together in minutes, but they definitely don't taste like it. Serve them with a side of jasmine rice and you'll feel as if you're on a tropical vacation. —Allison Ulrich, Frisco, Texas
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Day 12: Teriyaki Beef Roast
My father and I created this pot roast with a hint of Japanese flair. It will make your taste buds dance! try this for family or company. —Mary Flurkey, Golden, Colorado
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Day 13: Baked Chicken with Bacon-Tomato Relish
We eat a lot of chicken for dinner, so I'm always trying to do something a little different with it. My children love the crispiness of this chicken, and my husband and I love the flavorful relish—you can't go wrong with bacon! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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Day 14: Crumb-Topped Sole
Looking for a low-carb supper that’s ready in a hurry? These buttery sole fillets have just a dab of rich sauce and are topped with toasty bread crumbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Day 15: Santa Fe Chicken Pizza Pie
Give your pie a Southwest twist when you slather on the taco sauce and top with black beans, green chiles and kicked-up chicken strips. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Glazed Smoked Chops with Pears
My husband would eat pork chops every day if he could. Luckily, they're good prepared in all sorts of ways, including with pears. —Lynn Moretti, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
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Day 17: Mile-High Chicken Potpie
Classic chicken potpie gets extra homey when it's loaded with a creamy filling and baked tall in a springform pan. This deep-dish marvel is perfect for Sunday dinners. —Shannon Roum, Food Stylist, Taste of Home magazine
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Thai Scallop Saute
Just open a bottle of Thai peanut sauce to give this seafood stir-fry some serious authenticity. —Taste of Home Test KitchenGoes Great with: Golden Beet Curry Risotto with Crispy Beet Greens
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Day 19: Chorizo Spaghetti Squash Skillet
Get your noodle fix minus the pasta with this spicy one-dish meal. It's a fill-you-up dinner that's low in calories—which makes it a weeknight winner in my book! —Sherrill Oake, Springfield, Massachusetts
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Meatball Cabbage Rolls
My mother often had these cabbage rolls simmering in her slow cooker when my family and I arrived at her house for weekend visits. The mouthwatering meatballs tucked inside made these stand out from any other cabbage rolls I've tried. —Betty Buckmaster, Muskogee, Oklahoma
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Steak & Mushroom Stroganoff
This homey recipe of steak and egg noodles in a creamy sauce is just like what we had at my gran's house when we visited. It's one of my favorite "memory meals," as I call them. —Janelle Shank, Omaha, Nebraska
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Stuffed Salmon
You could get stuffed salmon from a big-box store, but my fillets are loaded with flavor from crab, cream cheese and savory herbs. We love them. —Mary Cokenour, Monticello, Utah
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Day 23: Slow-Cooker Short Rib Ragu over Pappardelle
An irresistible sauce gives the beef in this short rib ragu another dimension of flavor. Nearly any starchy side, such as potatoes or polenta, will work in place of the pasta. Short ribs are my crowd-pleaser weekend meal for all occasions. —Missy Raho, Morristown, New Jersey
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Epiphany Ham
I wanted to cook a ham but didn't have the ingredients for my usual glaze recipe, so I made substitutions. You can, too! Instead of black cherry, try another flavored soda, or use sweet-and-sour sauce in place of duck sauce. —Edith Griffith, Havre de Grace, Maryland
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Crown Roast of Pork with Mushroom Dressing
It looks so elegant that everyone thinks I spent a lot of time on this roast. But it's actually so easy! The biggest challenge is to remember to order the crown roast from the meat department ahead of time. —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania
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Turkey Dumpling Stew
My mom made this stew when I was young, and it was always a hit. Since it's not time-consuming to make I can fix it on a weekend for our children, who love the tender dumplings. —Becky Mohr, Appleton, Wisconsin
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Day 27: Quick Moroccan Shrimp Skillet
When my niece was attending West Point, she was sent to Morocco for five months. I threw her a going-away party complete with Moroccan decorations, costumes and cuisine, including this saucy shrimp dish. Whenever I make it now, I think of her and smile. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania
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Pepper Steak with Squash
Serve this colorful stir-fry with savory strips of flank steak and plenty of veggies over rice for a satisfying supper that's on the table in less than half an hour. —Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California
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Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Fans of spicy chicken wings will love this rendition that turns it into pizza. Serve it up with blue cheese dressing and crisp celery, just like the tasty original. —Shari DiGirolamo, Newton, Pennsylvania
Originally Published: November 27, 2018
