On The Menu Week Of Dec 1st

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure statement for details. 

Need a little dinner inspiration this week? I’ve put together 7 delicious dinner menus and 36 tried-and-true recipes that are just right for the season.

The Tanglewood House is full of Christmas cheer this week as I dive into preparing everything I can ahead of the holiday. From meals to finishing touches around the house, I’m making lists, checking them twice, and doing a little each day to stay ahead and enjoy the season as it comes.

If you’re also in prep mode, turn on your favorite Christmas music, light a candle, and let the joy of the season guide your time in the kitchen. It’s a wonderful way to make even the everyday feel special.

Here’s what’s On The Menu for the week of December 1st…

There’s nothing quite like a cozy bowl of loaded potato soup to welcome cooler weather and bring everyone together around the table. This soup captures all the flavors of a classic baked potato—rich cheddar, crisp bacon, tender potatoes—and wraps them into one hearty and satisfying pot.

It begins with simple, everyday ingredients and finishes with bowls full of comfort and flavor. Whether you’re serving it on a busy weeknight or as a weekend treat, this recipe is easy to make and always a favorite.

When you’re craving something warm, filling, and full of flavor, this is the kind of meal that hits the spot.

The Best Loaded Potato Soup

Butter Topped Beer Bread

---

Tuesdays are long days for me, so I need a quick dinner. These pretty chicken cutlets pan-fry up so easily, and the panko gives them that crunch we so desire in our food! Oh, YUM!

Everyone should have a good chicken cutlet in their culinary repertoire! It is the perfect foil for pasta and sauce, and this chicken works with so many other side dishes!

This chicken will taste so good along with my grandmother’s wonderful rice! I hope you make it, it will become a favorite!

Baked Chicken Panko

Nani Sauteed Rice

Best Roasted Asparagus

---

Cod is my fish of choice this week. First of all, isn’t this recipe scrumptious looking! Tomatoes and basil are a match made in foodie heaven! And cod is a really delicious, mild white fish that holds up when cooked.

---

Tonight’s meatballs are truly the best I have ever eaten, and they come with a comical story too! This is a make-ahead meal, so you want to start this dinner on Monday or Tuesday. I’ll make enough meatballs for two or three meals, eat some tonight, and freeze some for all the company we are having!

If you try one thing this week, I think this should be it. Just as every home cook should know how to make cutlets, every home cook should know how to make a tender meatball. And you won’t believe how easy it is!

I’ve used the same Caesar salad recipe for decades. It’s really the best because of the dressing! Make sure to add the anchovies; you won’t taste them, but they give this salad dressing its iconic umami flavor.

---

This is such an easy soup! And we love it. Fridays are fun evenings at home for Bobby and me, so I want a quick meal so we can get to watching our favorite movie or play a card or board game with our kids and grandchildren.

Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Soup

Delicious And Easy Crusty Bread

I think the perfect number for an intimate dinner party is six. Four, unless super good friends, sometimes makes it hard to keep the conversation lively, and over six is no longer a small dinner party.

We are having friends over for dinner tonight, and it’s casual and easy! With Christmas coming up so soon, everything is easy but fun!

Any leftover potatoes and/or ham will go in the freezer for the Christmas gang!

---

One of my friends is coming for dinner tonight! We will catch up on life and enjoy an easy meal together.

This is another dinner I’ll be freezing for when the family comes for Christmas. Store-bought BBQ beef is okay, but if you make it yourself, it is soooo much better! We will be eating our barbecue beef open-faced on toasted brioche with a fork. My friend eats everything (including ice cream) with a fork.

---

This is not only a beautiful cake, but it is so, so delicious too! I made this Cranberry Orange Bundt cake for Christmas a few years ago and have been making it every Christmas season since.

I’m going to bake the cake now and freeze it. On Christmas morning, I’ll glaze it and decorate it.

Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake with Sugared Cranberries

---

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

CRANBERRY MEATBALLS will be part of our Christmas appetizers!

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

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

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! An oldie but goodie recipe.

Creamy garlic butter salmon is rich, flaky, and packed with flavor.

Salad? Try HOLIDAY HONEYCRISP SALAD.

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

This Creamy butternut pasta with sausage and spinach makes a warm and filling dinner.

Christmas bark with pistachios and cranberries is festive, sweet, and easy to make.

Garlic herb baked brie is melty, aromatic, and perfect for holiday gatherings.

Panera egg soufflés are buttery, fluffy, and surprisingly easy to make at home.

Nani’s scrumptious pork and cabbage soup is a comforting family classic.

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…