Simply Recipes 2018 Meal Plan: December Week 3

Busy decking the halls and singing carols? Let us help plan your dinners! This week, we've got a curried squash and pear soup, pepperoni pizza pasta, sloppy joes, and more.

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.
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Published December 15, 2018
Marta Rivera
Meal Plan for December Week 3

This week leading up to Christmas is always so electric for my family! Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, and I go all out with the decorating and holiday hosting.

I keep my parties old-school with cocktails (mocktails for the kiddos’ shindigs), glitz, and carols played on the record player.

In order to do that, though, I need to dedicate time to party planning. That means preparing quick and easy meals the week to keep my family happy and myself sane.

Let's dive in!

  • Curried Squash and Pear Soup

    Curried Squash and Pear Soup
    Elise Bauer

    This is the meal you didn’t know you needed. I can’t tell you how surprised I was the first time I tasted this combo! It’s all made in one pot using cubed butternut squash that I bought pre-cut from the store, so it’s amazingly simple too. Serve a toasted baguette alongside to complete the meal.

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  • Pepperoni Pizza Penne Pasta

    Pasta with Pepperoni
    Nick Evans

    I have to confess that during the holidays, I tend to make meals that aren’t always kid-friendly. When I see my twins’ eyes begin to glaze over at the dinner table, I know I need to throw them a bone. This Pepperoni Pizza Penne Pasta not only pleases my need for something substantial and healthy, it hits the mark with them for simplicity and familiarity.

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  • Chicken Larb Lettuce Wraps (Larb Gai)

    Turkey Larb Recipe
    Sally Vargas

    Heavy meals are the norm during the colder months -- especially if you live in the northern part of the United States. Even so, it's nice to take a break from heavy foods and make something lighter, like like these Chicken Larb Lettuce Wraps. They’re light, easy to make, and have full-bodied flavor.

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  • Best Ever Sloppy Joes

    Sloppy Joe
    Elise Bauer

    These sandwiches are another hit with the kiddos. Getting them in the kitchen to season the meat and toast the buns encourages them to feel at ease cooking. That means next week, I have extra hands on deck for the holiday meal.

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    Continue to 5 of 5 below.

  • Roasted Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowls

    Quinoa bowl sweet potato
    Erin Alderson

    Quick and easy meals are most appreciated on Friday. After a long week of planning, working, and cavorting (do people still cavort?); I’m down for a simple recipe. The seasoning on these Roasted Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowls is enough to get you hooked for life. The addition of hummus seals the deal.

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