On The Menu 1st Week Of January

This winter menu plan makes dinner easy. Find 7 comforting menus and 30+ delicious recipes for cozy, stress-free meals.

The New Year always feels like a gentle invitation to reset, especially when it comes to what we’re making for dinner. After weeks of holiday meals, treats, and busy days, I love easing back into simple planning, light prep, and food that feels comforting and good for us all at once.

A winter menu plan makes that reset so much easier. Knowing what’s for dinner takes the pressure off, helps us shop with intention, and gives us space to enjoy our evenings again. This week’s menu is filled with cozy, satisfying meals that feel just right for January, nourishing, familiar, and easy to bring to the table.

Whether you’re cooking for a full house or just a quiet dinner for two, I hope this week’s winter menu plan helps you care for the people you love, and yourself, one comforting meal at a time.

This week’s post has 40 delicious mix-and-match recipes with a delicious winter bent.

Here’s what’s On The Menu this week…

I have a real love for Tex-Mex food, and this dinner is one I come back to again and again when our whole family is together. It’s hearty, flavorful, and easy to make for a crowd, which is exactly what I want on a busy family night.

These oven-baked tacos are simple to prep, full of bold flavor, and always a hit at our table. They’re the kind of meal our grandkids love! Add a few fresh toppings and a simple salad, and dinner feels both fun and comforting.

Oven Baked Tacos

Homemade Refried Beans

Tomato, Cucumber, And Avocado Salad With Basil Dressing

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I truly believe pork is at its very best when it’s paired with a really good sauce. The right sauce adds richness and depth, and turns a simple cut of pork into something special without making dinner complicated.

This pork loin is tender, comforting, and perfect for a winter evening. The sauce brings everything together, making each bite flavorful and satisfying. Served with a simple side and a vegetable, this is one of those dinners that feels a little elevated but is still easy enough for a regular weeknight.

I don’t usually make dessert for a weeknight meal, but the one on tonight’s menu plan is super easy!

The Ultimate Pork Loin With Mushroom Sauce

Nani’s Sauteed Rice

Roasted Asparagus

Easy Cherry Crumb Dessert

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I absolutely love making a galette. It’s such an easy way to make a French-style pie without any fuss. Galettes look beautiful and a little fancy, but they are wonderfully forgiving and so simple to put together, which makes them perfect for a relaxed winter meal.

This savory galette is filled with vegetables and feels light yet satisfying, especially after all the rich holiday food. And because I’m clearly not finished with the Christmas cookie mood just yet, I’m adding another dessert tonight. Sometimes January still calls for a sweet, cozy treat, and I’m fully embracing that.

Tomato Galette

Greek Salad

Twix Cookie Bars

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Our home feels especially quiet now that the Christmas and New Year crowd has gone. After all the laughter, full tables, and busy days, that stillness always takes a little getting used to. It’s a softer pace, and in its own way, a sweet one.

Tonight’s dinner is just for Bobby and me, and rib-eye steaks are always our favorite. They’re rich, flavorful, and feel a little special without needing much extra. Paired with a couple of simple sides, this is the kind of meal we love to savor slowly, enjoying both the food and the calm of a quiet winter evening.

Pan Seared Ribeye Steak With Garlic

Leftover Nani’s Sauteed Rice

Arugula Salad With Saved Parmesan, Pine Nuts, And Lemon Vinaigrette

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We love soup nights in our home, especially during the winter. There’s something so comforting about a pot of soup slowly cooking on the stove, filling the house with warmth and familiar aromas. If you have an afternoon at home, make soup. It’s one of the simplest and most satisfying ways to care for the people you love.

This soup brings back so many memories for me. It reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen, a simple, humble place where good food was always made with love. After such a full and festive season, this is the kind of dinner that feels grounding and familiar, nourishing in the best possible way, and perfect for ending the week on a cozy note.

Nani’s Pork And Cabbage Soup

No-Knead Rosemary Garlic Bread

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Cod is one of my favorite fish to cook, especially in the winter. I love its mild, clean flavor and how versatile it is. Cod works beautifully with so many ingredients, making it easy to dress up or keep simple depending on the mood of the meal.

This dinner feels a little special without being heavy, which is just right for a Saturday night. The fish is tender and flaky, and paired with pasta and a fresh salad, it makes a meal that feels both comforting and light. It’s the kind of dinner that reminds me why I enjoy cooking so much, good ingredients, simple preparation, and food that everyone is happy to sit down to enjoy.

Pan-Fried Cod In Citrus Basil Butter Sauce

Pasta

Pear And Gorgonzola Salad

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SUNDAY- COMPANY’S COMING

I truly love to cook and enjoy a meal with a small group of friends. There is something so special about gathering around the table, sharing good food, easy conversation, and unhurried time together. It is one of the simple and lovely pleasures of life.

Tonight’s dinner is the kind I enjoy serving most when friends come over, comforting, flavorful, and easy to prepare ahead so I can relax and enjoy the evening too. Served with a few simple sides, this meal feels welcoming and generous without being fussy, which is exactly how I like to entertain.

French Onion Chicken Casserole

Couscous Pilaf With Sauteed Mushrooms

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Green Beans

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SWEET TREAT OF THE WEEK

I’ve known about this cake for years, but somehow I’ve never made it, until now. It’s one of those classic desserts that feels comforting and familiar the moment you think about it.

This cake is incredibly moist with a rich, fudgy icing that’s poured on while the cake is still warm. It’s simple, generous, and perfect for sharing, or enjoying a little slice with a cup of coffee on a quiet winter afternoon. A wonderful, sweet ending to a cozy winter menu plan.

Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake

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MORE RECIPES I’D LOVE TO MAKE…

Crockpot White Chicken Chili was my number one recipe for 2025. It’s so easy and delicious!

Baked Spaghetti is a family recipe from my friend Ann at On Sutton Place.

You must try my Delicious Chili Stew!

This Chicken Broccoli and Noodle Casserole from Skinny Taste looks so yummy.

I’ve got to make these Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites!

Another must-try recipe for me WW Chicken Enchilada Bake.

Roasted Cream Cauliflower Parmesan Soup sounds just about right for a cold day!

Nani’s Sauteed Chicken is another main dish for a cold day!

Cranberry Beef Bourguignon is a twist on a classic that sounds amazing!

I am such a fan of Braised Beef Short Ribs!

I’m so into bread baking. Have you tried any no-knead recipes? Here’s a gorgeous No-Knead Cheater’s Sourdough Bread.

I’m giving these Simple Oatmeal Protein Cookies a try for breakfast with coffee.

And how about Maple Pecan Baked Oatmeal?

This year I’m cooking the classics! Let’s start with Julia Child’s French Onion Soup.

A delicious Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing should be in every home cook’s repertoire.

This is one of my go-to vinaigrettes.

Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Baked French Toast Casserole is on my short list to make.

Baked Pears with Feta, Honey, and Pears is the perfect winter salad.

Need a delicious 30-minute meal? Chicken Sausage, Broccoli, and Orzo is a good choice.

I hope this winter menu plan inspires you to try a few new recipes and revisit some comforting favorites. These meals are just right for cold days, quiet evenings, and gathering around the table with the people you love. Wishing you a cozy, delicious week ahead.

Have a scrumptious week, sweet friends!