Menu Plan Monday ~ December 19/16 Christmas Edition!
Introduction
Menu Plan Monday is your secret weapon for a stress-free, joyful holiday week. By organizing your meals ahead of time, you can ensure every night is delicious, festive, and worry-free—giving you more time to savor the spirit of the season with loved ones. This Christmas Edition menu plan offers a thoughtfully balanced lineup of classics and new favorites that are sure to impress and delight throughout the busy week of December 19th.
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Menu Plan
The week leading up to Christmas is often hectic, but meal planning brings peace, purpose, and flavor to your table. From cozy breakfasts and festive lunches to crowd-pleasing dinners and decadent desserts, you’ll be ready for every celebration—or just an easy family night in. Each recipe is simple yet special, making meal prep a breeze.
This Week’s Holiday Menu
Here’s a sample Menu Plan for the week of December 19th, designed with the holiday season in mind:
Monday: Slow Cooker Beef Stew, crusty bread, and a side of steamed broccoli
Tuesday: Cranberry-Glazed Chicken, sweet potato mash, and garden salad
Wednesday: Baked Ziti with garlic knots
Thursday: Turkey Tortilla Soup and homemade cornbread
Friday: DIY Pizza Night—let everyone create their own festive pie
Christmas Eve (Saturday): Glazed Ham, roasted vegetables, and Caesar salad
Christmas (Sunday): Classic Roast Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans almondine, and gingerbread for dessert
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this menu plan to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—making your grocery trip faster and stress-free, especially during the holiday rush!
Instructions & Daily Prep Suggestions
- Review each recipe’s ingredient list and preparation steps before the week begins.
- Batch prep key items that repeat (like chopping onions or carrots) for efficiency.
- Start your slow cooker meals in the morning so dinner is hands-off at night.
- For Christmas Eve and Day, prep stuffing, chop veggies, and bake desserts the day before when possible.
- Encourage family members to help—assembling pizzas or decorating gingerbread is a fun group activity!
- Store leftovers for quick lunches or to free up time later in the week.
Weekly Meal Planning
Planning your week with a festive Christmas menu not only reduces stress, but also helps minimize food waste and control expenses—a win during the busiest season! Save and schedule this menu plan to plan cooking days and instantly create a smart shopping list that blends overlapping ingredients—so you’ll buy just what you need.
Planning Benefits:
- Consolidates ingredients across the entire week’s recipes
- Organizes your list by grocery store section for quick shopping
- Prevents overbuying and forgotten essentials
- Makes meal prep more efficient and enjoyable
Pro Tip: When you schedule your week’s recipes, you’ll see exactly how ingredients like potatoes or carrots add up across multiple meals, so you never run out—or let holiday food go to waste.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep time for the full week’s menu: 60–90 minutes (can be broken up by meal or batch-prepped on the weekend)
Cook times vary per recipe:
– Slow Cooker Stew: 6–8 hours
– Cranberry Chicken: 45 minutes
– Baked Ziti: 40 minutes
– Turkey Soup: 35 minutes
– Pizza Night: 25 minutes
– Ham & Turkey Dinners: 2–3 hours (most can be prepped ahead)
– Desserts: 30–40 minutes
Summary
Celebrate the joy of the season by taking the guesswork out of menu planning! This Christmas Edition Menu Plan Monday ensures every night is delicious and memorable—while keeping meal prep easy and efficient. Happy Holidays, and happy meal planning!
