31 Recipes to Make for December | Get Inspired Everyday!

Introduction

December is the month of festive gatherings, cozy nights, and heartwarming meals. With shorter days and chilly weather, it’s the perfect time to enjoy soul-soothing comfort food, crave-worthy desserts, and seasonal produce at its peak. This collection of 31 recipes is designed to bring you inspiration every day—from vibrant weeknight dinners to holiday-ready treats—making December both delicious and stress-free.

Delicious Variety for December: Why You’ll Love This Recipe Collection

A well-curated December meal plan means you’re always prepared for dinner, potlucks, parties, and spontaneous family moments. These recipes cover all the bases: from crowd-pleasing mains to indulgent desserts, nourishing breakfasts to festive snacks. Each dish uses easy-to-find ingredients and simple techniques, so you can spend more time celebrating and less time stressing over what’s for dinner.

Kickstart Your December Menu on a Flavorful Note

Whether you’re hosting a holiday brunch, menu-planning for weeknight dinners, or looking for sweet inspirations for your cookie exchange, this list has it all. You’ll discover new takes on winter vegetables, globally inspired main courses, classic December comfort foods, and cheerful, make-ahead snacks for busy days and special occasions.

31 Must-Try Recipes for December Inspiration

Explore this day-by-day lineup or mix and match to suit your schedule and tastes:

1. Creamy Mushroom and Wild Rice Soup
2. Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Chicken & Root Vegetables
3. Savory Overnight Breakfast Strata
4. Baked Cranberry Brie Bites
5. Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
6. One-Pan Tuscan Salmon
7. Fluffy Gingerbread Pancakes
8. Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon
9. Pear, Goat Cheese & Walnut Salad
10. Classic Potato Latkes
11. Turkey and White Bean Chili
12. Spiced Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows
13. Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider Glaze
14. Winter Greens Pasta Bake
15. Cinnamon Apple French Toast Bake
16. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate
17. Creamy Chicken & Spinach Skillet
18. Golden Turmeric Lentil Soup
19. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Wild Rice
20. Sautéed Garlic Green Beans
21. Holiday Cranberry Orange Bread
22. Hearty Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie
23. Festive Peppermint Chocolate Bark
24. Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
25. Herb-Roasted Prime Rib
26. Classic Baked Mac and Cheese
27. Spiced Rice Pudding
28. Honey Glazed Carrots
29. Cheesy Pull-Apart Bread
30. Herb Chicken & Cranberry Salad Wraps
31. Homemade Eggnog Waffles

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save these recipes to auto-generate organized shopping lists for each day or week. CookifyAI sorts all ingredients by store section—a true game changer for efficient December grocery trips!

Instructions for December Meal Planning

1. Browse through the daily recipe list above. Decide if you want to cook in order—or pick out favorites for your schedule, gatherings, or cravings.
2. Click into each recipe for detailed step-by-step instructions (many can be customized to fit your dietary needs).
3. Add your chosen recipes to your CookifyAI meal planner. Adjust serving sizes as needed for families, dinners, or party platters.
4. Before your weekly grocery run, generate an automatic shopping list. Check your pantry and cross off ingredients you already have to avoid overbuying.
5. Prep recipes ahead wherever possible: breakfast bakes, soups, and casseroles can be made in advance and stored for easy reheat meals during busy December days.

Weekly Meal Planning with CookifyAI

This December line-up is ideal for anyone who loves to stay organized or wants to beat last-minute dinner stress. Save and build your December meal calendar in CookifyAI to:

• Seamlessly calculate total ingredient quantities across every planned recipe
• Consolidate duplicate items, so you buy only what you need
• Organize your shopping list by store section for fast, hassle-free errands
• Easily swap, schedule, and adjust recipes to suit gatherings, snow days, or weeknight dinners

Pro tip: When you plan ahead, you can batch-cook, take advantage of seasonal produce, and prevent food waste. Schedule your meals in advance and let CookifyAI handle the rest so you can enjoy every festive moment December brings.

Cook and Prep Times

Average Prep Time: 15–30 minutes per recipe
Average Cook Time: 20–60 minutes per recipe
Total Time: Varies by recipe—always checked per dish for precise planning

With these 31 recipes and CookifyAI’s smart meal planning tools, you’ll be inspired every day in December and ready for anything the season brings. Happy cooking!