5 Easy Meals to Make for Christmas Week

There is always so much excitement around this time of year, so we’ve got a simple meal plan to keep you nourished but not working too hard in the kitchen.

By
Marta Rivera
Marta Rivera
Marta Rivera
Marta has 25 years of experience in the food service industry and has been developing recipes for 3 years. She is the author of Taste & See Cooks: Recipes to Inspire, Equip and Enjoy.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published November 30, 2021
Marta Rivera
December Week 3 Meal Plan

The week leading up to any holiday is fraught with busyness, and getting a decent meal on the table is often the last thing on our minds. This week’s meal plan will save you the frustration of trying to plan for a fabulous Christmas dinner while still making sure the family eats well enough to make it to the holiday table.

Monday’s pomegranate-glazed pork chops are a succulent way to start the week, but it only takes 30 minutes to make. Also, use canned beans to make an inexpensive smoky chili even easier for those busy days leading up to Christmas. Celebrate Christmas Eve like Italian Americans do with tender mussels in a robust tomato sauce for a mini Feast of Seven Fishes. 

No matter what your plans are for Christmas, you won’t wake up Saturday morning exhausted from cooking with these easy-to-prepare meals.

  • Pork Chops with Pomegranate Glaze

    Pork Chops with Pomegranate Glaze
    Sally Vargas

    These Pork Chops with Pomegranate Glaze are a low carb stove top entrée that come together in 30 minutes. You can serve it with fluffy mashed potatoes. Pro tip: Double the mashed potatoes and freeze them to serve on Saturday for Christmas dinner. Pick up pomegranate arils from the produce section and cut down even more on prep time.

    Get Recipe

  • Noodles With Mushrooms and Lemon Ginger Dressing

    Mushrooms Noodles Lemon Ginger Dressing
    Jaden Hair

    Here is another recipe that can make it to the table in 30 minutes: Noodles With Mushrooms and Lemon Ginger Dressing. You can use pasta (linguine or spaghetti) or give the dish a truly Asian flair by tossing udon or soba noodles into the flavorful sauce. Sometimes I swap out the lemon zest and juice for lime and it's delicious.

    Get Recipe

  • Slow Cooker Turkey Stew with Mustard and Root Vegetables

    Slow Cooked Turkey With Mustard Sauce
    Elise Bauer

    Slow Cooker Turkey Stew with Mustard and Root Vegetables may not cook fast, but with a 10-minute prep time and not having to babysit the salting turkey, it’s certainly easy. This comfort dish is great on its own, but I always serve it with a couple of slices of warm, crusty bread.

    Get Recipe

  • Chili Beans with Rice

    Chili Beans and Rice on plate
    Elise Bauer

    Chili Beans with Rice will help you feel better about the money you spent on holiday gifts this year. This inexpensive dinner doesn’t lack flavor. Using canned beans for this recipe cuts down on the prep considerably, but if you’re a stickler for using dried beans, start soaking them on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

    Get Recipe
    Continue to 5 of 6 below.

  • Steamed Mussels in Tomato Sauce

    Mussels in tomato sauce recipe - overhead photo of mussels in cast iron pan with bread
    Nick Evans

    Steamed Mussels in Tomato Sauce is a light yet rich dish to celebrate Christmas Eve, inspired by the Italian American tradition of Feast of the Seven Fishes. A loaf of crusty bread is a perfect accompaniment, but you could also toss it with some cooked pasta.

    Get Recipe

  • Weekend Baking: Homemade Almond Roca

    Side view of roca candy piled on a plate.
    Annika Panikker

    Homemade Almond Roca is a candy gift I've always loved to receive during the holidays. Now I enjoy making it with my family to give to our friends and family. Wrap the cut almond roca in colorful wax paper and a cute ribbon to make them look even more festive. 

    Get Recipe