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30 Minute Dinners for Busy December Days Meal Plan (Dec 15)

ByStephanie Wilson Updated on

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The middle of December always feels like a busy blur - last-minute errands, holiday gatherings, and the constant question of "What's for dinner tonight?" This week's plan keeps everything easy, quick, and delicious with dinners that come together in 30 minutes or less.

These simple meals rely on pantry staples, bright vegetables, and lean proteins to help you stay nourished during the final stretch to the holidays.

Three December 30 Minute Dinners collage featuring pasta, curry, and salmon for weeknight dinners.

Dinner Meal Planning

Make weekly dinner planning easy! While nutritional needs differ, I invite you to use these dinner meals as inspiration and adjust as needed. Never miss a meal plan by signing up to receive an email link in your inbox every Sunday morning!

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Christmas Week Meals

For Christmas week, focus on simple, one-pan, or slow-cooker recipes that use fresh, seasonal ingredients and lean proteins. These dishes minimize effort while providing balanced nutrition amidst the holiday hustle - and leave plenty of time for wrapping gifts, baking cookies, and enjoying the season.

If you're planning ahead for the holiday, you may also enjoy my Christmas Dinner Menu and Christmas Eve Menu, each filled with festive, make-ahead options to help your celebrations feel effortless.

30 Minute Dinners for Busy December Days Menu

Here's what we're cooking this week - quick, flavorful dinners that fit easily into busy December evenings. Each recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, keeps clean-up simple, and brings a little calm to the holiday rush.

Monday: Easy Fried Rice with Broccoli Cabbage Slaw
A quick, veggie-packed fried rice using a simple broccoli-cabbage slaw shortcut you'll love for busy nights. Add leftover chicken, rotisserie turkey, or sautéed tofu for extra protein.

Tuesday: Ground Beef Sweet Potato Skillet
A nourishing, one-pan skillet that brings together lean ground beef, sweet potatoes, peppers, and warm spices. Easy cleanup, hearty flavors, and a perfect pre-holiday weeknight dinner.

Wednesday: Coconut Curry Chicken
Bright, cozy, and deeply flavorful - this coconut curry is filled with tender chicken and vibrant vegetables. Serve over rice or spoon into warm bowls with naan on the side.

Thursday: Greek Lemon Garlic Sheet Pan Salmon
A fast, fresh, Mediterranean-inspired sheet-pan dinner with flaky salmon, lemon, garlic, and herbs. Add quick-roasted vegetables or a leafy green salad to round out the plate.

Friday: Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage
A weeknight classic that feels special: savory sausage, tender pasta, and broccolini tossed together in under 30 minutes. Finish with Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon.

Treat of the Week: 5 Minute Christmas Crack
A festive, irresistible holiday treat made in minutes. Perfect for gifting, snacking, or bringing to last-minute holiday gatherings.

Have a delicious & festive week!

Signature of Stephanie Wilson, founder and recipe creator and write at 31Daily.com

RELATED: More 31Daily Dinner Ideas >>

30 Minute Dinners for Busy December Days Meal Plan (Dec 15)

This Week’s Recipes

1
Top view of coleslaw fried rice in a cast iron skillet with chop sticks resting on the side and red pepper flakes nearby.
Monday: Healthy Fried Rice Recipe
A quick and easy fried rice made with cold rice and a broccoli-cabbage slaw for extra veggies and flavor. A no-chop, 10-minute weeknight dinner that's comforting, customizable, and perfect for busy nights.
Healthy Fried Rice Recipe
2
Tuesday: High-Protein Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet
Tuesday: High-Protein Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Skillet
This ground beef and sweet potato skillet is a fast, hearty meal made with just five simple ingredients for a flavorful one-pan dinner.
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3
Wednesday: Coconut Curry Chicken (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)
Wednesday: Coconut Curry Chicken (Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free)
This coconut curry chicken is one flavor-packed, one-pan meal! Chicken simmers in the best creamy sauce layered with curry spices.
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4
Thursday: Greek Lemon Garlic Sheet Pan Salmon with Potatoes
Thursday: Greek Lemon Garlic Sheet Pan Salmon with Potatoes
This sheet pan salmon recipe with tomatoes and potatoes is so easy, mess-free, and a great go-to dinner for a busy night.
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5
Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage in a Cast Iron Skillet
Friday: Orecchiette Pasta with Sauce
This quick and easy Orecchiette Pasta recipe is made with delicious sausage, savory mushrooms, broccolini, and jarred marinara sauce. Packed with tremendous flavor, it's wonderful for quick, easy, and filling pasta dinners.
Pasta with Sausage Recipe
6
Christmas Crack Snack Mix on a parchment lined baking sheet with a glass jar for gifting.
Treat: 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?
Christmas Crack Chex Mix (5 Min Recipe)

Find More Quick Meal Plan Ideas

For more healthy ideas, see our past weekly dinner meal plans!

See more Meal Plans →

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Stephanie Wilson

Cookbook Author, Food Writer, and Chef

Stephanie Wilson is the founder of 31Daily.com, where she shares seasonal recipes, weekly meal plans, and teatime favorites to help readers gather around the table with joy. A certified private chef, cookbook author, and longtime event planner, she brings over 20 years of experience in catering, food writing, and media production—including network television work as a producer, director, and writer. Her work has been featured by Today.com, The Kitchn, Parade, and more.

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