It’s Christmas and Hanukkah week, and we’ve found some festive dishes that are still easy and family friendly for the holidays…and some easy dinners to get you through the rest of the week when you’re over cooking. Some are even make-ahead! So get your grocery list ready, because this week’s meal plan is here.
At top: pork chops with mushrooms and shallots at Skinny Taste; Christmas tree pull-apart cake at The Sugar Coated Cottage
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If you’re celebrating the first night of Hanukkah (and even if you aren’t), this pomegranate-braised short rib recipe at Grandbaby Cakes is a great twist on brisket. For a more affordable option, you can substitute a chuck roast for the short ribs. And since this slow cooks for a few hours, you can prep it early and let it roast.
For Christmas Eve, you can feel like you’re having a fancy meal with these pork chops with mushrooms and shallots at Skinny Taste, but it’s one the kids will still like. Of course, you may have to leave the delicious sauce off and serve them ketchup instead.
For Christmas night dinner, prep this spinach lasagna at Dinner at the Zoo ahead of time and heat it up after the gifts have been opened for a cozy, comfort-food meal at the end of big day.
Related: Gingerbread house pancakes! The best Christmas morning idea ever.
Once you’ve made it successfully through the holidays, if you’re anything like me you’re going to want easy meals that keep the kids happy. I’m looking at this Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake at 30 Minutes Meals, although I’d probably add broccoli or peas in there to get all our dinner into one dish.
If you got an Air Fryer for Christmas, pop it out to make these chicken legs at Thyme and Joy. They are crispy and juicy, without all the added oil of traditional frying. And the recipe gives tons of variations on the seasonings and ideas for side dishes.
I love hand-held snacks and desserts when we’re all hanging around the tree together, and this Christmas tree pull-apart cake at The Sugar Coated Cottage is a fun, festive option that you can make with any favorite cake recipe (or mix, ha). Bonus: She has a great Hanukkah option too.
