30 Minute Cozy & Healthy December Dinners Meal Plan (Dec 16)

ByStephanie Wilson Posted on Updated on

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For the last full week before Christmas, we’re making Cozy and Healthy December Dinners in 30 minutes (give or take a few). Flavorful, stress-free, delicious meals for a busy week!

A collage of three healthy December dinners: beef and broccoli on rice, bruschetta on a white plate, and creamy pasta with shrimp, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes in a skillet. Each colorful dish is garnished with herbs and spices.

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Dinner Meal Planning

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Cozy Season

This week marks the last full week before Christmas. Can you believe it? I say it every year, but it seems especially true this year.

While I keep myself organized (or try to, barring storms), there is always a last-minute scramble. This is that scramble week for me, and maybe you too.

If so, these cozy and healthier December dinners are perfect for a week when we’re getting things done!

Let’s take a look at the menu.

30 Minute Cozy & Healthy December Dinners Menu

Monday’s dinner is all about cozy and beautiful flavors in a healthier version of the traditional creamy wild rice soup. I’ve trimmed it down but retained all the flavors we love. I’m using leftover turkey in the recipe, but shredded cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken is an easy substitute. Freeze some additional chicken to get a jumpstart on Friday’s meal! Serve with fresh greens.

Tuesday’s dinner is a quick and simple skillet meal with ground beef and broccoli– one of my all-time favorite combinations. If you love it too and adore your Instant Pot for weeknight meals, see my Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe. Serve with your favorite grain (like rice).

Wednesday’s dinner is another favorite cozy meal. It’s a one-skillet dish, ready in 30 minutes and packed with cozy flavors and cozy ingredients, like gnocchi. Wednesdays are made for cozy meals! Serve with fresh greens.

Thursday’s dinner is a 20-minute seafood dish with fish fillets like tilapia, flounder, grouper, etc. The flavor-packed sauce is a must! Serve with roasted vegetables, cauliflower or broccoli rice, or your favorite grain or spiralized veggies.

Friday’s dinner is a cozy Friday meal made with cooked leftover chicken (see note in Monday’s recipe) that’s quick, easy, and healthy. Serve with cornbread or drop biscuits and as always, a fresh green salad!

The Treat is festive. It’s quick. It’s delicious– and worthy of the season. Did you know that as of today, December 20, we are 5 days from Christmas?

Have a beautiful, delicious and cozy week!

RELATED: More 31Daily Dinner Ideas >>

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30 Minute Cozy & Healthy December Dinners Meal Plan (Dec 16)

Cozy December Dinners Recipes

1
A white bowl filled with a creamy turkey wild rice soup. Garnished with fresh herbs, the bowl is placed on a wooden board with a white and brown embroidered cloth.
Monday: Creamy Chicken (Turkey) Wild Rice Soup
This creamy Turkey Wild Rice Soup is perfect for days when you have leftover turkey or chicken and are craving a hearty, warm, and creamy bowl of good-for-you soup!
See the Recipe
2
Tuesday: 30-Minute Ground Beef Dinner
Tuesday: 30-Minute Ground Beef Dinner
If you love beef and broccoli, make this easy and affordable version at home in just 30 minutes. Ground beef and broccoli stir fry is a weeknight win, especially when served with rice.
See the Recipe
3
Top view ofEasy Skillet Tuscan Gnocchi Recipe with Sausage in a black skillet.
Wednesday: Skillet Tuscan Gnocchi with Sausage
This Tuscan Gnocchi recipe is an easy one-skillet dish cooked in a creamy tomato sauce, with sausage, spinach, and fresh herbs– in 30 minutes or less!
See the Recipe
4
Thursday: Broiled Fish with Tomato Caper Sauce
Thursday: Broiled Fish with Tomato Caper Sauce
Broiled Fish with Tomato Caper Sauce is an easy fish recipe with fresh tomatoes, garlic, shallots and capers ready in under 20 minutes.
See the Recipe
5
A close-up of a creamy chicken chili served in a white bowl, garnished with lime slices, cilantro, and jalapeño slices. The bowl sits on a white plate with an orange cloth underneath. In the background are small orange pumpkins, cilantro sprigs, and another bowl of the same chili.
Friday: Butternut White Chicken Chili
Warm up with a bowl of Butternut White Chicken Chili. Creamy, flavorful, and packed with protein and veggies, it's comfort food everyone will enjoy.
See the Recipe
6
Pile of Christmas crack and red and green M&Ms next to a half full glass jar.
5 Minute Christmas Crack Chex Mix
Tis the season for sweet and salty, and easy. This simple Christmas Crack can be made in 5 minutes or less — and is incredibly tasty. Does it get better than that?
See the Recipe

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A bowl of rice topped with beef and broccoli, garnished with green onions. A fork rests in the bowl. The text "Cozy & Healthy December Dinners" is displayed in a circle on the image. Various small bowls with sauces and seeds are on the side.

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