Your Diabetic-Friendly Meal Plan for January

Day 1: Beef & Rice Stuffed Cabbage

This recipe is special to me because it’s an easy one-pot meal that tastes like you spent the whole day in the kitchen. My family loves it. —Lynn Bowen, Geraldine, Alabama

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Roasted Chicken with Potato Wedges

I grow herbs and dry them for use all year. Knowing that the rosemary and thyme are from our garden makes this cozy roast chicken dinner even better. —Tanya Borkholder, Milford, Indiana

Tarragon-Dijon Pork Chops

For my smoky chops, I add tarragon for a hint of herbs. If you like a lot of sauce, double or triple the ingredients. —Julie Danler, Bel Aire, Kansas

Comforting Beef Barley Soup

When the weather outside is nippy, we want a bowl of soup that’s chock-full of beef, barley and veggies. It's the most delicious way to warm up. —Sue Jurack, Mequon, Wisconsin

Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs

Everyone goes for this super moist, garlicky chicken, including my fussy kids. For your holiday buffet or family gathering, serve it with rice or noodles. —Carole Lotito, Hillsdale, New Jersey

Day 6: Slow-Cooked Pork Stew

Try this comforting pork stew recipe that’s easy to put together, but tastes like you’ve been working hard in the kitchen all day. It’s even better served over polenta, egg noodles or mashed potatoes. —Nancy Elliott, Houston, Texas

Bow Tie & Spinach Salad

With pasta salad, it’s easy to change up ingredients. We like to add grilled chicken and pine nuts, and sometimes we substitute black beans for the garbanzo beans. —Julie Kirkpatrick, Billings, Montana

Chicken Pesto Roll-Ups

One night I looked in the refrigerator and pondered what I could make with chicken, cheese, mushrooms and pesto. This pretty dish was the result. Add Italian bread and a fruit salad for a complete meal! —Melissa Nordmann, Mobile, AL

Citrus-Herb Pork Roast

The genius combination of seasonings and citrus in this tender roast reminds us why we cherish tasty recipes. It's nice to serve with hot noodles to soak up any extra citrus gravy. —Laura Brodine, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Deviled Swiss Steak

This main dish is satisfying all by itself, but you can also serve the Swiss steak over hot mashed potatoes. —Melissa Gerken, Zumbrota, Minnesota

Easy Cuban Picadillo

My girlfriend gave me this delicious recipe years ago. I’ve made it ever since for family and friends, and they all love it. My daughter loves to take leftovers to school for lunch the next day. —Marie Wielgus, Wayne, New Jersey

Hamburger Casserole

This hamburger casserole recipe is such a hit it's traveled all over the country! My mother originated the recipe in Pennsylvania, I brought it to Texas when I married, I'm still making it in California, and my daughter treats her friends to this oldie in Colorado. It's hearty, yet simple to prepare. —Helen Carmichall, Santee, California

Lemony Parsley Baked Cod

The trick to avoid overcooking a good piece of fish is to cook it at a high temperature for a short amount of time. Do that and the fish stays moist and tender. —Sherry Day, Pinckney, Michigan

Moroccan Lamb Lettuce Wraps

I am a huge fan of both Moroccan lamb and lettuce wraps. This combination—with the creamy dressing and crunchy cucumber—makes a tasty slow-cooked dish. The wine and chili powder add even more flavor elements. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Pinto Bean Tostadas

Ready-to-go pinto beans and crispy corn tortillas prove how easy it is to make a healthy meal. Chili powder kicks up the fun, making this a popular pick for vegetarians and meat eaters alike. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

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

Presto Pizza Patties

Craving both beef and pizza? These patties feature both in an open-faced sandwich. And they're lighter than you'd think! —Barbara Schindler, Napoleon, Ohio

Slow-Cooker Salmon

I love this slow-cooker salmon recipe because it's healthy and almost effortless. The salmon always cooks to perfection! —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

Skillet Chicken with Olives

While I was visiting my cousin Lilliana in Italy, she made this heavenly chicken for lunch. Now it's a family favorite stateside, too. —Rosemarie Pisano, Revere, Massachusetts

Slow-Cooker Rump Roast

I enjoy a good pot roast, but was tired of the same old thing. So, I began experimenting. Cooking the beef in horseradish sauce gives it a tangy flavor. Even my young children love this slow-cooker pot roast with its tender veggies and gravy. —Mimi Walker, Palmyra, Pennsylvania

Slow-Cooker Curry Pork

I’m a stay-at-home mom, and the slow cooker helps me create dishes like this pork with a curry and cumin rub. I also add a splash of coconut milk. —Beverly Peychal, Waukesha, Wisconsin

Southern Seafood Gumbo

I tasted a similar dish at a local restaurant and later duplicated it pretty closely. I trimmed it down a bit and no one in my family seemed to mind. —Susan Wright, Champaign, Illinois

Spicy Veggie & Lentil Soup

I enjoy this recipe because it’s meatless, inexpensive and simply delicious! You can substitute any vegetables you like—it’s all a matter of preference. Serve warm pita bread on the side. —Geraldine Hennessey, Glendale, New York

Spinach and Artichoke Pizza

My from-scratch pizza has a whole wheat crust flavored with beer. Top it with spinach, artichoke hearts and tomatoes, then add chicken or ham and fresh basil if you want to include meat. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario

Spinach and Shrimp Fra Diavolo

This quick shrimp fra diavolo is spicy, garlicky, saucy and loaded with delicious shrimp. Plus, with the addition of spinach, you’re also getting a serving of veggies. When you need a perfect low-fat weeknight meal that is easy to pull together, this is it. You can substitute arugula or kale for the spinach if you'd like. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

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

Tilapia with Citrus Sauce

The lemon, lime and orange sauce adds zest to this flaky, delicate-flavored fish. —Francis Garland, Anniston, Alabama

Turkey Salisbury Steaks

My mother always made Salisbury steak. When I married, I developed my own, and it just may be the recipe my husband asks for the most. —Leann Doyle, Patchogue, New York

Turkey Stroganoff with Spaghetti Squash

My twin sister and I came up with this entree after we both successfully lost weight but still wanted to indulge in comfort food. Spaghetti squash is a fantastic healthy alternative to pasta, and we use it in many recipes. —Courtney Varela, Aliso Viejo, California

Tuscan Chicken and Beans

Rosemary and beans make a nice rustic Italian meal in this flavorful dish. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan

Weeknight Pasta Squiggles

This zesty pasta dish is ideal for busy weeknights. It contains just a few ingredients, is easy to prep, and tastes so comforting when the weather turns cool. A salad on the side makes this healthy pasta recipe a meal. —Stacey Brown, Spring, Texas