December cooking has a unique rhythm. The sun sets at 4:45, the calendar fills up with school programs and holiday shopping, and somehow dinner still needs to make it to the table every night.
Most of us white-knuckle our way through the winter with too many heavy meals, too little energy, and absolutely no plan.
Let’s put an end to the back-of-the-freezer meals and cereal-for-suppers. I’ve built a simple menu for you that feels cozy and doable. Let cooking be a calming moment in your day, with festive flavors and no-fuss recipes. WIth this list, you’ll enjoy your December more.
This week’s lineup is full of comforting dinners rooted in winter favorites that don’t steal your evenings away. From bright, buttery shrimp to slow-cooked roasts to the kind of tray-bakes that practically cook themselves, each night will give you something warm to look forward to.
Try these flavorful, nourishing dinners this week to make your season as simple as it is satiating.
🧑🍳 Monday: Shrimp Scampi Pasta
The Feast of Seven Fishes (Festa dei Sette Pesci) sounds like a party I want to be invited to. It’s an Italian-American Christmas Eve dinner featuring an elaborate meal of fish and seafood, and in my imagination, it’s out of this world.
Until I get an invite, I satisfy my seafood cravings with this Shrimp Scampi Pasta. It’s filling, feels fancy, and is done in a flash (perfect for the weeknights leading up to Christmas). I swap the light butter for grass-fed butter and toss in a big handful of arugula to my serving at the end.
🧑🍳 Tuesday: Apple Cider Pork Roast
This is the dinner that makes you look like a stay-at-home star from 1950, but actually takes minutes to prep. It’s one of those tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone recipes, and this one’s packed with warm winter flavors, like apple cider, rosemary, and thyme.
To make it weeknight-friendly, simply sear the pork, then add everything to your slow cooker. Cover it and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
🧑🍳 Wednesday: Beef Stew
We can’t have December without a hearty beef stew. And this recipe hits that rich, deep flavor perfectly without any unhealthy shortcuts. Think melt-in-your-mouth beef chunks, tender root vegetables, and a red wine, tomato broth that continues to build flavor as it simmers.
Don’t miss that this recipe is slow-cooker-friendly. First, sear the meat in a skillet. Once that’s done, add the cooked meat and vegetables into the slow cooker, and pour all the broth and aromatic ingredients on top (minus the flour). Let this cook on low for about 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Finally, mix the flour with some water and mix it into the slow cooker until the sauce thickens up a bit.
🧑🍳 Thursday: Roasted Chicken Quarters Tray Bake
When I want the feel and flavor of a roasted chicken but don’t have the culinary energy to tackle a whole bird, this recipe is my go-to.
Leg quarters rubbed with olive oil and seasonings turn into the crispy-skinned, juicy chicken I’m craving. This recipe adds sprigs of rosemary for that warming winter aroma and two cups of baby potatoes. All you have to do is toss the tray in the oven and serve it with a salad. Dinner done.
🧑🍳 Friday: Pork Tenderloin
Let’s talk about this tenderloin…It roasts in the oven with potatoes and veggies, which means your whole meal is done in one dish. The result? A garlicky, herby, juicy dinner that takes 30 minutes of prep time. You’ll look forward to leftovers for lunch—that is, unless you gobble it all down at dinner.
🧑🍳 Saturday: Sheet Pan Gnocchi
This is what we all are really looking for when we search for “weeknight dinners”—something you can dump on a sheet pan, toss in the oven, and forget about it until the timer goes off.
No boiling is required for this gnocchi dinner. Gnocchi, when baked, becomes tender and perfectly chewy. That texture, paired with the hot pop of a cherry tomato, bite of broccoli, and creamy contrast from the feta cheese, makes the perfect bite. I add sweet Italian chicken sausage to the pan to make this meal complete.
🧑🍳 Sunday: Red and Green Stuffed Peppers
Comforting, crowd-pleasing, and easy enough for a lazy Sunday night. These stuffed peppers are loaded with ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and melty cheese. Grab green and red peppers from the grocery store to give this classic meal a Christmas flair.
🧑🍳 Sick Day: Healing Thai Chickpea Soup
When cold season strikes, I whip out this Thai-inspired chickpea curry soup recipe.
Here’s why you’ll love it: Toasted brown rice and warm, saucy broth bring all the cozy feels we crave in winter. Lemongrass and minced ginger bring the brightness we miss when we’re pounding stews night after night. It’s the perfect combo. Plus, this soup will soothe sickness when it strikes.
Is Simple Your Style?
The magic of weeks like this isn’t just the hours saved. It’s how you feel when your meals are planned, balanced, and doable. December can be calm. Your energy can be steady. You can do better than surviving the season. It’s time you enjoyed it.
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If you’re ready for healthier routines that really stick, join us. You’ll get everything you need to make weeks like this your new normal—dozens of delicious recipes included.
