10 Super Simple Weeknight Dinners for the Holiday Season 

The winter holidays are tons of fun, but they can also require more time in the kitchen. You might need a more manageable meal plan for those weeks when you’re also baking sugar cookies and hosting guests. Check out these simple weeknight dinners to get more free time every day. Prepare to sit back and relax with your favorite holiday movies — you’re about to take the stress out of cooking. If you want something less upscale, but still fancy enough to eat a nice steak dinner at, then there are plenty of places that fit these criteria too! This Best steakhouse Manhattan is typically casual but still offers great service and quality food.

1. Chicken and Parmesan Risotto 

There’s nothing better on a cold winter night than something warm and covered in cheese. Parmesan risotto is ideal for any busy weekday night. Fill your plate with a steaming serving and top with pan-seared or roasted chicken slices. It pleases even the pickiest eaters because it’s a straightforward, irresistible dish. 

2. Homemade Pizza Wreath 

Your family’s weekly pizza dinner doesn’t have to change just because it’s the holiday season. Transform each pie into a lovely wreath. Use a cookie cutter to remove the middle of the dough and wrap cheese sticks into the crust. Cover with your family’s favorite toppings, and you’ll have a gorgeous pizza ready for any meal. 

3. Smoked Salmon Dip Charcuterie Board 

Charcuterie boards are popular at parties, but they also make great weeknight dinners. Add a bit more protein than you’d typically put on the board, and you’re ready to go. Smoked salmon dip gives this recipe a holiday spin by making the protein source extra special. Don’t worry about needing tons of time for this recipe. Your food processor can whip it up in just a minute. 

4. Garlic Steamed Mussels 

Make your next meal extra classy with garlic steamed mussels. It’s the perfect dish to warm everyone up after driving through a Christmas light show. Cook garlic cloves in butter until they brown, and add sake to layer the meal with sweet undertones. Boil the mussels in the sauce until the shells open, and you’ll have a delectable seafood dish that perfectly matches your holiday spirit. 

5. Roasted Garlic Clove Chicken 

Holiday leftovers turn any meal into multiple dishes, so make roasted garlic clove chicken this year. The whole chicken can feed anyone because it includes white and dark meat. Dried tarragon is the secret ingredient that makes this dish a family favorite. Bake the seasoned chicken in wine or chicken broth. When your meat thermometer reaches at least 160 degrees, your big family meal is ready to go. 

6. Winter Kale Salad 

Sometimes people get tired of the high-calorie dishes that make the holidays a season of feasting. Take things down a notch by making winter kale salad for your family. It’s easy to personalize with ingredients like steamed butternut squash, quinoa and pumpkin seeds. Are you worried about serving a cold dish after a chilly day outside? Pair this salad with something warm like parmesan chicken or steak. 

7. Rosemary Mac ‘n’ Cheese 

It’s always an excellent time for mac ‘n’ cheese, but adding a bit of rosemary steps up your family’s favorite dish. They might already love classic holiday recipes like rosemary mashed potatoes or white bean soup with a rosemary topping. Make this mac ‘n’ cheese in under 15 minutes by adding a fun pasta shape to your grocery list, like rigatoni. Use goat cheese and heavy cream to complete the recipe before serving it alongside a side salad with shredded chicken. 

8. Slow Cooker Potato Soup 

You don’t have time to make a complete meal while you’re hosting loved ones and planning activities for the whole family to enjoy. A slow cooker will save the day when you can’t spend more than a few minutes on dinner. Combine potatoes, chicken, bacon and your favorite cheeses in a large bowl. Bake everything in your slow cooker on low for six to eight hours, and you’ll have dinner waiting for you after a day full of fun. 

9. Berry Gingerbread Waffles 

Kids love having breakfast for dinner, so make gingerbread waffles when they get hungry. This recipe combines standard waffle ingredients with gingerbread spices to create the meal’s base. Smother each waffle in berry jam, like tart lingonberry preserves or cranberry jelly. It’s a creative way to give your family what they already love while infusing the recipe with holiday joy. 

10. Eggnog Monte Cristo Sandwiches 

Sandwiches hit the spot like nothing else, especially during winter holidays. Get your preferred ingredients for a Monte Cristo sandwich, like gruyere cheese, roasted turkey and deli-sliced ham. After you’ve made enough sandwiches for everyone, dip them in an eggnog and cinnamon mixture before frying them on the stove for three to four minutes per side. When they’re golden brown, they’re ready for a dusting of powdered sugar and a side of cranberry sauce for dipping. 

Try These Easy and Delicious Weeknight Dinners 

There are so many ways to celebrate the winter holidays, but food will always be a tradition that everyone can share. Make these dinners to please everyone who stops by without spending too much time in the kitchen.