January Healthy Meal Plan
Updated: Nov. 15, 2019New year, new you. This healthy meal plan includes family-friendly dinners and sides that will make it deliciously easy to keep your resolution.
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Day 1: Turkey Cutlets with Pan Gravy
Using cutlets or any boneless meat speeds up cooking time for this quick entree. You can use thin boneless, skinless chicken breast as well. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California 2 / 31
Day 2: Warm Squash & Quinoa Salad
Whenever I see butternut squash at the supermarket, I buy one. It's amazing tossed with earthy quinoa, Italian spices and crunchy pine nuts. And don't get me started on the browned butter! Yum. —Carly Taylor, Libertyville, Illinois
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Day 3: Pork with Sweet Potatoes
With sweet potatoes, dried cranberries and apple slices, this colorful pork dish is especially popular during fall and winter. —Mary Relyea, Canastota, New York 4 / 31
Day 4: Stir-Fry Rice Bowl
My meatless version of Korean bibimbap is tasty, pretty and easy to tweak for different spice levels. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut 5 / 31
Day 5: Sirloin Steak with Mushroom Sauce
A mouthwatering combination of rich brown mushroom sauce and tender strips of peppery steak is a wonderful way to end a busy day. It’s special enough to make for company and ready in less than 30 minutes. —Joe Elliott, West Bend, WI 6 / 31
Day 6: Lemon-Parsley Baked Cod
After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe that got two thumbs up from my picky meat-only eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod fish some oomph. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho 7 / 31
Day 7: Savory Braised Chicken with Vegetables
My braised chicken is a recipe my mom used to make when I was small. It tastes much more complicated than it actually is! —Michelle Collins, Lake Orion, Michigan 8 / 31
Day 8: Chili Tortilla Bake
A homestyle Tex-Mex casserole is all it takes to gather the whole family around the dinner table. With its popular flavors and bubbly cheese topping, there is never a need to worry about leftovers. —Celine Weldy, Cave Creek, Arizona 9 / 31
Day 9: Busy-Day Pork Chops
It was time to use or lose some pork chops I had in the fridge, so I dressed them in bread crumbs and Parmesan and baked them up. Necessity sure is the mother of invention, and in this case I invented an amazing healthy pork chop recipe. —Dee Maltby, Wayne, Ohio 10 / 31
Day 10: Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
This one-dish roast chicken with vegetables tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin 11 / 31
Day 11: Salmon with Spinach & White Beans
My husband, Oscar, is a Southerner at heart. This salmon with garlicky beans and spinach won him over at first bite. —Mary Ellen Hofstetter, Brentwood, Tennessee 12 / 31
Day 12: Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken
I live in Georgia, but I appreciate the tangy, sweet taste of Carolina barbecue chicken. In fact, my sons are more likely to show up to dinner if they know I'm serving this slow cooker recipe. —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia 13 / 31
Day 13: Italian Beef Tortellini Stew
This is my first completely original recipe—and it turned out to be awesome! It’s a hefty, rich stew, full of veggies, tender beef, a splash of red wine and simply wonderful flavors. —Tammy Munyon, Wichita, Kansas 14 / 31
Day 14: Peachy Pork with Rice
Peach preserves sweeten the spicy salsa in this delicious dish that’s nice enough for company. Adjust the heat level to taste by using mild or spicy salsa and seasoning. —Melissa Molaison, Hawkinsville, Georgia 15 / 31
Day 15: Portobello Polenta Bake
Any recipe with melted cheese in it is a favorite of mine. That's just one reason I love this polenta bake. It has a lot of protein for a meatless meal! —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington 16 / 31
Day 16: Caribbean Shrimp & Rice Bowl
I had a similar rice bowl on vacation and re-created this lighter version at home. It takes me back to the islands every time I make it. Try grilling the shrimp for more beachy flavor. —Lauren Katz, Ashburn, Virginia 17 / 31
Day 17: Terrific Turkey Meat Loaf
You'll love this moist, tender entree. Not only is it loaded with flavor, it's low in carbohydrates and saturated fat. —Wanda Bannister, New Bern, North Carolina 18 / 31
Day 18: Oven-Fried Chicken Drumsticks
This fabulous recipe uses Greek yogurt to create an amazing marinade that makes the chicken incredibly moist. No one will guess that it has been lightened up and is not even fried! — Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio 19 / 31
Day 19: Slow-Cooked Swiss Steak
This is one of my favorite recipes to make because I can flour and season the steaks and refrigerate them overnight. The next morning, I just put all the ingredients in the slow cooker, and I have a delicious dinner waiting when I arrive home from work. —Sarah Burks, Wathena, Kansas 20 / 31
Day 20: Pepper-Crusted Pork Tenderloin
Guests will be impressed by this elegant entree and its golden crumb coating with peppery pizazz. The meat slices up so moist and tender, you can serve it without sauce and still have a succulent taste-tempting main dish. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 21 / 31
Day 21: Easy Chana Masala
I love this quick and healthy Indian-inspired dish so much I always make sure to have the ingredients stocked in my pantry. It makes weeknight dinners feel a little more special. —Janeen Judah, Houston, Texas 22 / 31
Day 22: Crispy Almond Tilapia
Since changing to a healthier style of cooking, I’ve come up with new coatings for baked fish. I use almonds, panko bread crumbs and a smidge of hot sauce to add crunchy texture with nice heat. —Amanda Flinner, Beaver, Pennsylvania 23 / 31
Day 23: Black Bean Chicken with Rice
This spicy family favorite calls for just a few basic ingredients, so it’s quick and easy to stir up in your skillet on a weeknight. —Molly Newman, Portland, Oregon 24 / 31
Day 24: One-Pot Meaty Spaghetti
I used to help my mom make this when I was growing up, and the recipe stuck. It was a beloved comfort food at college, and is now a weeknight staple for my fiance and me. —Kristin Michalenko, Seattle, Washington 25 / 31
Day 25: Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Everyone will enjoy these fork-tender, slow cooker pork chops with a creamy, light gravy. Serve with a green vegetable, mashed potatoes and coleslaw or a salad. These are the best slow cooker pork chops. —Sue Bingham, Madisonville, TennesseeGoes Great With: Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Dijon & Rosemary
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Day 26: Tofu Chow Mein
This is an easy recipe for a "tofu beginner," as it teaches people how to use it. If you have time, one way to prepare it is to cut the tofu block in half and wrap well in a terry kitchen towel. Let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour to absorb excess water. For a complete meal, serve with Chinese soup and egg rolls! — Autumn SinClaire, Gold Beach, Oregon 27 / 31
Day 27: Greek Fish Bake
As a military spouse living overseas, I got the chance to try many styles of cooking. Here's a Mediterranean-inspired recipe that we still love today. —Stacey Boyd, Springfield, Virginia 28 / 31
Day 28: Confetti Kielbasa
Here's one of my husband's favorite dishes. When it's in season, substitute fresh corn for frozen. Add a dash of cayenne pepper if you like a little heat. —Sheila Gomez, Shawnee, Kansas 29 / 31
Day 29: Thai Chicken Peanut Noodles
My husband loves the spicy Thai flavors in this speedy, simple dish and often breaks out the chopsticks for a more immersive experience. — Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas 30 / 31
Day 30: Tortilla Pie
My husband and I enjoy this southwestern take on lasagna because it’s not as dense or heavy as traditional layered dishes made with pasta. Our two daughters enjoy the mild flavor. —Lisa King, Caledonia, Michigan 31 / 31
Day 31: Pork & Potato Supper
If you're looking for a down-home one dish dinner that can be easily made on a weeknight, then this recipe is for you. My husband made sure that I added it to the list of Allen family favorites. —Macey Allen, Green Forest, Arkansas Originally Published: November 29, 2017
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