31 Quick Dinners for Your December Meal Plan

Read Time: 14 mins

31 Quick Dinners for Your December Meal Plan2/30 Day 2: Easy Sweet and Spicy Chicken 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Easy Sweet and Spicy Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tangy pineapple and peppers, tender chicken and sweet marmalade make a delicious combo. The chili powder and picante sauce add zip. —Cassandra Corridon, Frederick, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 378 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 393mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (57g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein. Goes Great with: Mom’s Fried Rice 3/30

This vegan tortilla soup recipe is healthy, filling and family-friendly!

Day 3: Chickpea Tortilla Soup 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Chickpea Tortilla Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings (3 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This vegan tortilla soup recipe is healthy, filling and family-friendly! We love how hearty and flavorful it is. We like to play around with the different toppings we add each time it’s served. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 289 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 702mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 9g fiber), 13g protein. Goes Great with: Quick Buttermilk

Corn Bread 4/30 Day 4: Smoky Spanish Chicken 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After enjoying a similar dish at a Spanish tapas restaurant, my husband and I were eager to make our own version of this saucy chicken at home. If I want to make it extra healthy, I remove the skin from the chicken after browning. —Ryan Haley, San Diego, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 272 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 646mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber),

25g protein

25g protein. Goes Great with: Colorful Couscous 5/30 Day 5: Bavarian Apple-Sausage Hash 13 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This awesome recipe reflects my German roots. In the cooler months, nothing is as comforting as a hearty hash. Serve this versatile recipe as a side dish at a holiday meal or as a brunch entree over cheddar grits or topped with a fried egg. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, CO Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 310 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 715mg sodium, 25g

carbohydrate (19g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein

carbohydrate (19g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein. Goes Great with: Braised Dill Potatoes 6/30 Day 6: Po’Boy Tacos 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I intended to make tostadas, but I misread a couple of ingredients and had to use what I had on hand. I put my own twist on a po’boy recipe and ended up with something even better. —Cynthia Nelson, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Nutrition Facts: 2 tacos: 551 calories, 29g fat (5g saturated fat), 139mg cholesterol, 977mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (3g sugars,

5g fiber), 25g protein

5g fiber), 25g protein. Also, explore the list of easy dinners to make between Christmas and New Year’s. 7/30 Day 7: Chicken Pesto Meatballs 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These tender, pesto-stuffed meatballs get gobbled up in our house. They’re short on ingredients, but packed with flavor. I always make a double batch, freezing the other half for a busy night. —Ally Billhorn, Wilton, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup meatball mixture with 1 cup spaghetti: 422 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg

cholesterol, 706mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 32g protein

cholesterol, 706mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat. Goes Great with: Sweet Potato Panzanella 8/30 Day 8: Beef Barley Skillet 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This versatile dish goes together fast since it’s made with quick-cooking barley. You can make it with ground turkey or chicken and any color bell pepper that you have on hand. —Irene Tetreault, South Hadley, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 362 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable

fat), 71mg cholesterol, 707mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 8g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable. Goes Great with: No-Fuss Rolls 9/30 Day 9: Salmon with Tomato-Goat Cheese Couscous 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Salmon with Tomato-Goat Cheese Couscous Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Rich with goat cheese and tomato, this recipe works for a weeknight supper or an elegant company dinner—and can be easily adjusted to serve more people. —Toni Roberts, La Canada, California Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet

with 1 cup couscous mixture: 414 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 506mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 6g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat. Goes Great with: Mediterranean Cauliflower 10/30 Day 10: Sausage and Swiss Chard Pasta 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I whipped up lunch with fresh produce from the farmers market and the result was amazing. —Kate Stiltner, Rockford, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 487 calories, 25g fat (6g saturated fat), 34mg

cholesterol, 726mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein

cholesterol, 726mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein. Goes Great with: Shredded Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad 11/30 Chicken & Spanish Cauliflower “Rice” 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Chicken & Spanish Cauliflower “Rice” Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I learned about the paleo diet from some friends who now have tons of energy and are super fit. Since then, I’ve changed my eating habits, too. Everyone from my dad to my little nephew loves this chicken in Spanish cauliflower rice.

Pizza is easily one of my favorite dishes to prepare

—Megan Schmoldt, Westminster, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 227 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 492mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 5g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat. Goes Great with: Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan 12/30 Day 12: Sausage-Topped White Pizza Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love cooking, and I learned from Nana and Mom. Pizza is easily one of my favorite dishes to prepare. I switched up this recipe to make it my own.

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat

—Tracy Brown, River Edge, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 242 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 30mg cholesterol, 504mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat. Goes Great with: Garlic Bread 13/30 Day 13: Cheesy Fiesta Beef Casserole 24 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Nacho Casserole Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Over the years I’ve tweaked this recipe to end up with a delicious, quick weeknight meal. Feel free to spice

it up with jalapenos if you prefer a little heat

it up with jalapenos if you prefer a little heat. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 477 calories, 26g fat (9g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 1119mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 23g protein. Goes Great with: Homemade Guacamole 14/30 Day 14: Gnocchi with Spinach and Chicken Sausage 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Gnocchi with Spinach and Chicken Sausage Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Dinner is easy when I can use ingredients typically found in my fridge and pantry. —Laura

Boxed risotto makes it quick; mushrooms, shallots and cheese make it tasty

Miller, Lake Ann, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 604 calories, 28g fat (12g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 1226mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 4g fiber), 27g protein. Goes Great with: Balsamic Zucchini Saute Goes Great with: Homemade Barbecue Potato Chips 15/30 16/30 Day 16: Garlic Tilapia with Mushroom Risotto Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Boxed risotto makes it quick; mushrooms, shallots and cheese make it tasty. Serve the risotto alongside seasoned fish for a weeknight supper in a hurry. —Lynn Moretti, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts:

But for my husband, the dish just has to taste good

1 serving: 432 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 964mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein. Goes Great with: Roasted Carrots with Thyme 17/30 Day 18: Fig-Glazed Pork Tenderloin 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Fig-Glazed Pork Tenderloin Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like to experiment with unique flavors and try to make the food look photo-worthy, too. But for my husband, the dish just has to taste good. Here’s a supper that made us both happy. —Jean Gottfried, Upper

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