On The Menu Week Of December 13th

Get dinner ideas, holiday-inspired menus, and 36 mix-and-match recipes with main dishes, sides, salads, and desserts for an easy week of meals.

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I truly cherish this beautiful month. December has a way of bringing out the best in our homes and our hearts, and I’m grateful for every tradition, every gathering, and every moment spent preparing for Christmas. This week, I’m tying up loose ends, baking a few treats, and getting the house ready for loved ones who will be joining us soon. There’s nothing quite like opening your doors to family during the holidays.

And even in the midst of all the bustle, we can still enjoy comforting, delicious meals around the table. Here’s what’s ON THE MENU the week of December 15th…

Salmon’s on the menu, again. We eat salmon about once a week, and I am getting quite a file of great salmon recipes. Here’s one more to add to the others!

Sweet and spicy orange salmon looks so so good!

Sweet and Spicy Orange Salmon

Roasted Asparagus

Cucumber Salad

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I have a little confession to make. I am a bit of a Caesar salad snob. It’s all about the dressing. Kick the bottled Caesar salad dressing to the curb and make your own. What a difference. You can even freeze the dressing in ice cube trays and melt a cube or two as needed. Also, if you have not tried it with anchovies, give it a try. Your salad dressing won’t taste fishy, but anchovies add a salty, umami-rich flavor we all LOVE!

Tonight’s pasta is made in one pan.

One Skillet Cheesy Penne Pasta

The Best Caesar Salad With Homemade Salad Dressing

Cheesy Garlic Bread

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Creamy Parmesan Herb Chicken with Mushrooms is the kind of comforting, old-fashioned good meal we all appreciate during a busy season. Tender, golden chicken simmers in a rich, velvety sauce filled with mushrooms, garlic, and plenty of Parmesan. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but special enough to serve when family is gathered around the table. A true keeper you’ll want to make again and again.

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I can’t wait to make this hearty Slow Cooker Beefy Nacho Soup. It’s the kind of cozy, stick-to-your-ribs meal that’s perfect for these chilly December days. Everything goes right into the slow cooker, and by dinnertime, you have a rich, cheesy, beefy soup that feels like pure comfort in a bowl. It’s easy, family-friendly, and just the thing to enjoy when the house is bustling, and you want something warm waiting for you at the end of the day. If you like chicken, instead try my Chicken Taco Soup. It’s a family favorite.

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A spiral ham is really a bunch of meals in one. I make it for dinner, then portion all the leftovers into freezer bags for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. And the bone makes the most wonderful Ham and Bean Soup.

Even though the cost of ham is high right now, I can still make it go a very long way.

I love the glaze on this baked ham from Roti And Rice!

Spiral Ham with Pineapple Brown Sugar Glaze

Scalloped Potatoes

Roasted Green Beans with Bacon

Tonight is all about comfort, because I’m making spaghetti with Grandma Lo Bianco’s famous meatballs. My boys absolutely love them. A dear friend shared this recipe with me, and let’s just say they have earned their reputation. Beware, enjoy, and eat them at your own risk, LOL. They are tender, full of flavor, and the kind of meal that brings everyone running to the table.

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Our grandkids just light up when we serve breakfast for dinner, so when they come to Gigi and Pops’ house, we happily oblige. These Chocolate Chip Pancakes are always a hit. They are fluffy, sweet, and cooked with the kind of love only grandparents can give. It is such a simple joy to gather everyone around the table for a treat that feels both fun and familiar.

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I am not a big dessert eater, but give me peppermint bark, and I will eat every last piece. There is something about that mix of rich chocolate and cool peppermint that feels like Christmas to me. It is simple and nostalgic, and it always reminds me of holiday gatherings and kitchen counters filled with tins of homemade treats. Even though I usually pass on sweets, peppermint bark is my one true weakness. It disappears fast around here, so I always tuck away a little just for myself.

Peppermint Bark

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I think this SAUSAGE POTATO AND KALE SOUP will be great to have on hand!

CRANBERRY MEATBALLS will be part of our Christmas appetizers!

And BAKED OLIVES AND FETA will be right next to the meatballs!

I think this PINECONE CHEESEBALL is so delicious and so tasty!

I serve CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST CASSEROLE every Christmas morning. Thank goodness it is a make-ahead recipe.

Our grandkids will love this CHRISTMAS TREE PIZZA.

Here are MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS COOKIES!

Salad? Try HOLIDAY HONEYCRISP SALAD.

I’m thinking of serving PRIME RIB for Christmas dinner. I’ll be checking out this recipe!

This cozy mulled cider is filled with warm spices and is perfect for sipping all day long.

GARLIC MUSHROOM CAULIFLOWER SKILLET is beautiful!

For my gluten-free friends, CRUSTLESS SPINACH AND MUSHROOM QUICHE.

These Pomegranate-Glazed Christmas Ribs are a festive, flavorful twist on a holiday main dish.

Our Favorite Christmas Cookies are timeless treats that bring classic holiday flavor to every cookie plate.

Sausage Balls are always a fun treat for your holiday spread.

I really want to try this Tuscan-Style Roasted Turkey.

Can you ever get enough homemade Christmas candy?

More Recipes To Enjoy

Easy Dinner Recipe Roundup– Get 45 quick and delicious recipes in our easy dinners roundup. From one-pan wonders to 30-minute meals, simplify your cooking while savoring mouthwatering flavors.

Happy cooking, friends…