31 Recipes to Make for December | Get Inspired Everyday!
Introduction
December is a month filled with festive gatherings, cozy nights by the fire, and vibrant holiday flavors. Planning delicious meals and treats throughout the month can be the highlight of the season—whether you’re prepping for an elegant holiday dinner, a casual family brunch, or simply seeking warming weeknight comfort food. This curated collection of “31 Recipes to Make for December” offers inspiration for every day of the month, keeping your meals exciting, seasonal, and utterly delicious.
Why Try These 31 Recipes for December?
This lineup is designed with variety and inspiration in mind: hearty soups for chilly evenings, festive appetizers for impromptu get-togethers, classic roasts, and decadent desserts that celebrate the flavors of the season. With this comprehensive list, you’ll never be at a loss for what to cook—making meal planning both joyful and stress-free!
How to Use This December Recipe Collection
Each recipe is crafted to be approachable and crowd-pleasing, emphasizing winter produce and holiday flair. Use this guide as your daily inspiration, or pick and choose your favorites to create the perfect weekly meal plan.
Sample Week from “Get Inspired Everyday!”
Here’s a look at what a festive December week could include:
- Day 1: Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
- Day 2: Cranberry-Orange Glazed Chicken Thighs
- Day 3: Garlic Herb Focaccia
- Day 4: Spaghetti Squash Alfredo Bake
- Day 5: Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin with Root Veggies
- Day 6: Easy Peppermint Chocolate Bark
- Day 7: Classic Beef Stew with Red Wine
Not only are these dishes big on flavor, but they bring comfort and togetherness throughout the season.
Ingredient Essentials for December Cooking
Keep your pantry and fridge prepped for success with these frequently used December favorites:
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe collection to automatically generate an organized shopping list—ingredients are sorted by grocery section for the ultimate convenience in meal planning.
Easy Recipe Instructions and Holiday Menu Ideas
While each recipe in this collection deserves its own spotlight, here are general steps and tips:
- Soups & Stews: Sauté aromatics (onion, garlic, herbs), add main veggies/meats, pour in broth, and simmer until flavors meld. Puree or leave chunky as desired.
- Roasts & Sheet Pan Dinners: Marinate proteins for extra flavor. Arrange with seasonal vegetables, drizzle with oil and herbs, and roast until caramelized and juicy.
- Bakes & Pasta Dishes: Layer cooked pasta or grains with rich, creamy sauces and bake until bubbly. Add cheese and breadcrumbs for a festive finish.
- Holiday Treats: Minimal-bake cookies, barks, and fudge use pantry staples and make perfect edible gifts. Combine, chill, and slice to share.
Weekly Meal Planning
Using these 31 recipes, you can seamlessly organize your December meals. Save and schedule these recipes to build a smart meal calendar and generate automatically-calculated, consolidated shopping lists.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically tallies all ingredients from multiple December recipes—no more guesswork
- Organizes your grocery list by store section for easy, efficient shopping
- Eliminates duplicate items, ensuring you buy exactly what you need
- Helps prevent food waste and last-minute meal stress
Pro tip: By scheduling recipes for the week, you’ll see overlapping ingredients (like herbs, cream, or veggies) and can plan smarter purchases—perfect for busy holiday weeks.
Cook and Prep Times for a December Week
Since the recipes vary, here’s an average for a balanced week:
Prep Time: 15–30 minutes per recipe
Cook Time: 25–60 minutes per recipe
Total Time: About 40–75 minutes per meal
Get Inspired Everyday This December!
With these 31 recipes to mix and match, meal planning for December becomes festive, manageable, and full of inspiration. Enjoy mealtime even more this season—one delicious recipe at a time!
