This 12 Days of Easy, Healthy Dinners for Christmas Crazy plan is your secret weapon for keeping mealtime simple during the busiest month of the year. With a little planning now, you can cross “dinner stress” off your list and make space for all the things that truly matter this season.
12 Days of Easy, Healthy Dinner Recipes
December is here, and if your calendar looks anything like mine, it’s packed with holiday parties, gift wrapping, cookie baking, and maybe a school play or two. It’s the most wonderful—and let’s be honest, wildest—time of the year! With so much happening, figuring out what’s for dinner can quickly become the last thing on your mind.
That’s why I’ve created the 12 Days of Easy, Healthy Dinners for Christmas Crazy. Think of this as your advent calendar for meal planning, but instead of chocolates or trinkets, each “door” reveals a delicious, stress-free dinner idea. These recipes are designed to save your sanity during the busiest month of the year, so you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the holiday season.
How to Use This Plan
Unlike the typical Confessions week-long meal plan, this list is designed to work with your unique December schedule. It’s not about sticking to a rigid lineup of meals but giving you flexible, sanity-saving options to plug in wherever they fit best during the holiday madness.
Browse the Recipes: Start by looking through the list of 12 easy dinner ideas. Each recipe is quick to prepare, packed with flavor, uses similar ingredients and proteins, and all are perfect for keeping your family happy during this hectic month.
Print + Organize: Download the printable PDF to keep this meal plan at your fingertips. If you need a calendar, you can print this weekly calendar or this monthly calendar – these are just simple canva templates! First, write down your activities and engagements for the rest of the month, then plan your meals. Print or save recipes.
Make Adjustments: Mix and match recipes to fit your needs. Swap sides to suit your preferences, double recipes for leftovers, or skip a day entirely if you’re eating out or attending a holiday gathering.
Enjoy the Season: The beauty of this plan is that it clears headspace for the things that matter most. With meals planned, you’ll spend less time worrying about dinner and more time soaking up the magic of the holidays!
More Tips for an Easy December
Have Easy Sides on Hand:
- Freezer Brown Rice: Cook a big batch, freeze, and heat when you need an easy carb.
- Bagged Salad or Arugula: Toss with olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt for a fresh and easy side.
- Freezer Veggies: Freezer veggies are great for busy seasons. Just, steam, roast, or sauté—whatever works best for your meal.
- Pasta: Gluten-free or regular, it’s the perfect partner for saucy dishes.
- Baked Sweet Potatoes: bake or air fryer a few potatoes at the beginning of the week for another easy to grab side.
Plan Quick Breakfasts:
- Greek Yogurt & Berries: Add a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of your favorite granola for crunch.
- Batch-Cooked Pancakes or Waffles: Freeze extras and pop them in the toaster for a quick start to your day.
- Protein Shake & Sausage Patties: A balanced option when mornings are hectic.
Add in simple lunches:
- Grinder Salad: No cooking needed! Just layer deli meats, cheese, and veggies with your favorite dressing.
- Salsa Lime Chicken Bowls: Use shredded chicken, rice, beans, and a dollop of salsa for a flavor-packed lunch.
- Loaded Sweet Potatoes: Top baked sweet potatoes with leftovers from your dinners.
12 Days of Easy Healthy Dinners + Groceries
Groceries:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup seasoned gluten free breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt + more for sprinkling over top
- olive oil cooking spray
- optional ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
Groceries:
- 1 onion diced
- 1 large or 2 small green bell pepper diced
- 1 pound ground turkey chicken, or beef
- 14 oz petite diced tomatoes with jalapeños 1 can
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- Optional toppings: Greek yogurt, avocado, shredded cheese
Groceries:
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 thinly sliced chicken breasts 1 lb
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 3 cloves garlic diced
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes 2 cups if you are serving this with zoodles or pasta
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2B Mindset can use low fat
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
Groceries:
- 1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts about 3-4 Breasts
- 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes no salt added
- 1 cup frozen corn thawed
- 1 cup black beans no salt added, drained & rinsed
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 jalapeno diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups organic low sodium chicken broth or stock
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Tortilla Strips:
- Organic corn tortillas
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Himalayan salt
Optional toppings:
- Avocado, cheese, lime, Greek yogurt, cilantro
Groceries:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Sprinkle of pepper
- 2 pork tenderloins 1-1 ½ pounds each
- 2 teaspoons olive oil or olive oil cooking oil spray
Groceries:
Ginger Sauce
- ½ medium onion quartered
- Fresh ginger – I used about a 1 inch piece
- 1 tsp lemon juice + lemon zest
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
Yum Yum Sauce
- 1/2 cup Mayo
- 4 tsp naturally sweetened ketchup
- 1 tsp rice or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp butter melted
- 1/2- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2- 1 tsp garlic powder
- salt sprinkle, to taste
Hibachi Steak
- 1 lb sirloin or NY strip steak chopped into bite sized pieces
- 2 tsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil divided use
- 2 tablespoon butter divided use
- 1/4 large onion or ½ small cut into thick slices
- 2 cups (8oz) baby bella mushrooms sliced
- 2 cups (about 1 large or 2 small) zucchini chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 ½ tablespoons coconut aminos divided use
- Green onion optional garnish
- salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Groceries:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 1/4 lb Italian poultry sausage ground turkey, or lean ground beef
- 1 onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth or stock
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 14 oz tomato sauce
- Fresh basil
- 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
- 6 gluten free lasagna noodles broken into bite sized pieces (or use whole wheat)
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese I use Pecorino Romano
Groceries:
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- ¾ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 tsp salt plus more for chicken
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast
- 2 cups diced green bell pepper
- ½ cup diced onion
- 6 thin corn tortillas I use Mission brand – 3 for 1 yellow
- 1 cup black beans
- ⅔ – 1 1/3 cups of freshly shredded cheddar cheese
Toppings
- plain Greek yogurt, cilantro, fresh pico de gallo, diced avocado
Groceries:
- 1 lb Fresh green beans cleaned and ends removed; or buy the cleaned steam-in-the bag green beans to save more time
- 2 tsp Avocado oil can sub olive oil or coconut oil
- 1 lb Ground chicken
- 1 Tbsp Tomato paste
- ⅓ cup Coconut aminos can sub low sodium soy sauce if not gluten free
- 2 cloves Garlic minced or grated, can sub garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp Ginger grated, can sub ground ginger
- ¼ cup Honey or maple syrup
- 1 dash Salt
- 1 dash Crushed red pepper optional
- Brown rice or cauliflower rice for serving
Groceries:
- 8 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 head cauliflower shredded or riced in a food processor
- Additional salt and pepper to season the layers
- 1 small onion diced small (can omit or use less)
- 1 bell pepper diced (can omit or use less)
- 8 slices low sodium all natural turkey bacon (look for one without nitrates) cooked and diced (you could also sub 6 links of all natural turkey sausage)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese can reduce up to half
Groceries:
- Olive oil cooking spray
- 1 lb Ground Chicken can sub ground beef or ground turkey
- ½ tsp salt plus more to taste
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 bell peppers diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 ½ cups cauliflower rice
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste or ketchup
- 16 oz canned tomato sauce I use 2 (8 oz) cans
- 4 slices monterey jack or pepper jack cheese
- Optional garnish – fresh parsley
- Optional for serving – cooked brown rice
Groceries:
- 2 teaspoons avocado or coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons ginger
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon yellow curry powder or more to taste
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 1/4 cup chicken broth or stock
- 2 cups frozen butternut squash
- 1 lb boneless chicken tenders or chicken thighs diced
- 1/3 cup Coconut milk
- Salt
- Garnish with green onion + cilantro if you have them I didn’t!
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