Getting dinner on the table has never been easier thanks to these quick dinner recipes! Check out this meal plan that includes 31 main and side dishes that are ready in 30 minutes or less.
31 Quick Dinners for Your December Meal Plan
Updated on Oct. 07, 2024
Day 1: Turkey Biscuit Skillet
My mother always made this while I was growing up. Now I make it for my husband and kids. I cut the biscuits into smaller pieces so they will brown nicely on top. I also sometimes add mushrooms to this recipe because my family likes them so much. —Keri Boffeli, Monticello, Iowa
Goes Great with:Â Swiss Cheese Bread
1/30
2/30
Day 2: Easy Sweet and Spicy Chicken
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
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.
3/30
Day 3: Chickpea Tortilla Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings (3 quarts)
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.
4/30
Day 4: Smoky Spanish Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
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.
5/30
Day 5: Bavarian Apple-Sausage Hash
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
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.
6/30
Day 6: Po'Boy Tacos
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
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.
Also, explore the list of easy dinners to make between Christmas and New Year’s.
7/30
Day 7: Chicken Pesto Meatballs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
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 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. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
8/30
Day 8: Beef Barley Skillet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
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 fat), 71mg cholesterol, 707mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 8g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable.
9/30
Day 9: Salmon with Tomato-Goat Cheese Couscous
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
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.
10/30
Day 10: Sausage and Swiss Chard Pasta
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
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.
11/30
Chicken & Spanish Cauliflower “Rice”
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
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. —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.
12/30
Day 12: Sausage-Topped White Pizza
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
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. —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.
13/30
Day 13: Cheesy Fiesta Beef Casserole
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
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. —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.
14/30
Day 14: Gnocchi with Spinach and Chicken Sausage
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Dinner is easy when I can use ingredients typically found in my fridge and pantry. —Laura 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.
16/30
Day 16: Garlic Tilapia with Mushroom Risotto
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
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:
1 serving: 432 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 964mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein.
17/30
Day 18: Fig-Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
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 Sandusky, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
2 pork slices with 2 tablespoons sauce: 239 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 509mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein.
18/30
Day 19: Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My chicken bundles are simple, clean and comforting. Serve them with wild rice and green beans for one of our favorite meals. —Jim Knepper, Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken roll-up with 2 tablespoons sauce: 253 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 601mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1-1/2 fat.
19/30
Day 20: Chorizo Spaghetti Squash Skillet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Get your noodle fix minus the pasta with this spicy one-dish meal. It's a fill-you-up dinner that's low in calories—which makes it a weeknight winner in my book! —Sherrill Oake, Springfield, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 255 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 704mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 4g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
20/30
Day 21: Spicy Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this easy skillet dish to use up the boil-in-a-bag rice in my cabinet. The result packs a lot of flavor. —Sonali Ruder, New York, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 461 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 1816mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 35g protein.
21/30
Hamburger Stew
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this hamburger stew recipe from a woman at our church, Lois Henry, when I needed a way to use up our bounty of home-canned tomatoes. My husband loves it, and I like that it's easy to warm up for a carefree dinner in the winter months. —Marcia Clay, Truman, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 191 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 689mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 12g protein.
22/30
Day 23: Quick Moroccan Shrimp Skillet
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my niece was attending West Point, she was sent to Morocco for five months. I threw her a going-away party complete with Moroccan decorations, costumes and cuisine, including this saucy shrimp dish. Whenever I make it now, I think of her and smile. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 335 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 626mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
23/30
Day 24: Hash Brown-Topped Steak
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I enjoy cooking together. One night we were craving grilled steak and cheese-stuffed baked potatoes but were feeling a little impatient. Here's the quicker meal-in-one idea we invented. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 403 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 703mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 45g protein.
24/30
Day 25: Spiced Salmon
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious, moist fish is very quick and easy to prepare. It gets a little sweetness from brown sugar, but overall the seasonings are mild and give this dish broad appeal. It's a wonderful way to enjoy healthy salmon.—Donna Reynolds, Innisfail, Alberta
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked salmon: 256 calories, 17g fat (4g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 330mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat.
25/30
Day 26: Pork Chops 'n' Pierogies
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The Polish dumplings are traditionally served as a meal, with applesauce or sour cream. This meal in one is a different way to use pierogi. —Greta Igl, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 730 calories, 33g fat (18g saturated fat), 154mg cholesterol, 1207mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (45g sugars, 5g fiber), 36g protein.
26/30
Day 27: Turkey a La King
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a smart way to use up leftover turkey. You might want to make a double batch! —Mary Gaylord, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 297 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 591mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein.
27/30
Day 28: Easy Stuffed Poblanos
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My partner adores these saucy stuffed peppers—and I love how quickly they come together. Top with low-fat sour cream and your favorite salsa. —Jean Erhardt, Portland, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
2 stuffed pepper halves: 312 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 1039mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.
28/30
Day 29: Italian Sausage Veggie Skillet
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We love Italian sausage sandwiches, but because the bread isn't diet-friendly for me, I created this recipe to satisfy my craving. If you like some heat, use hot peppers in place of the sweet peppers. —Tina Howells, Salem, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 251 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 417mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch.
29/30
Day 30: Jalapeno-Swiss Turkey Burgers
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These easy turkey burgers are extra juicy and loaded with flavor. I think the spicy jalapenos give it just the right level of heat, but feel free to adjust the amount to amp it up or tone it down. —Wanda Allende, Orlando, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 burger: 375 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 767mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein.
30/30
Day 31: Crab Egg Foo Yong
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Enjoy a classic Chinese takeout without leaving your home. This makes a quick dinner and is as delicious as what you would get in any restaurant. —Beverly Preston, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces : 297 calories, 16g fat (3g saturated fat), 269mg cholesterol, 1159mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
