27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (2024)

    Slow cooker dinners, holiday desserts, and lots of Prosecco punch.

    by Melissa JamesonBuzzFeed Staff
    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (2)

    Charlotte Gomez / BuzzFeed

    The year is almost over — but there's still a few weeks left to feast! 🥧

    We're turning to all of the cozy and comforting recipes this season has to offer: easy slow cooker dinners, versatile vegetarian and vegan side dishes, festive holiday desserts, and lots of big-batch Prosecco punch.

    Here's what's in season this month:

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (3)

    Alice Mongkongllite / BuzzFeed

    gimmesomeoven.com

    The flavorful, garlicky sauce soaks into the mushrooms and noodles — and is super simple to make.

    Recipe: Buttery Mushroom Pasta

    2. Classic Sugar Cookies

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (4)

    sallysbakingaddiction.com

    Brown butter makes everything better.

    Recipe: Brown Butter Sugar Cookies

    4. Big Flavor Broccoli Skillet

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (6)

    bonappetit.com

    Serve this as a veggie-forward side alongside your protein or grain of choice — or just enjoy on its own.

    Recipe: Big Flavor Broccoli Skillet

    5. Ultra-Rich Keto Brownies

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (7)

    gimmedelicious.com

    Fudgey on the inside and lightly crispy on top, these clock in at only 1 net carb per serving.

    Recipe: Ultra-Rich Keto Brownies

    7. One-Pan Aldi Taco Skillet

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (8)

    Joe Lingeman / Via thekitchn.com

    This budget-friendly meal uses an Aldi-tailored shopping list — but all of the ingredients can be found at any grocery store.

    Recipe: One-Pan Aldi Taco Skillet

    gimmedelicious.com

    If you start with rotisserie chicken, these only take a few minutes to assemble.

    Recipe: Easiest Buffalo Chicken Wraps

    9. Chocolate-Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (9)

    Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

    A few years ago, we held BuzzFeed's first virtual cookie swap — and these were one of our absolute favorites.

    Recipe: Chocolate-Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies

    10. Cheesy Potato Latkes

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (10)

    creolecontessa.com

    Nothing beats a classic latke — but these are a close second.

    Recipe: Cheesy Potato Latkes

    11. Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (11)

    life-in-the-lofthouse.com

    The simple glaze — with honey, sugar, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon — makes all the difference.

    Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Glazed Ham

    sallysbakingaddiction.com

    Equal parts gift-worthy and crave-worthy.

    Recipe: Gingerbread Swirl Fudge

    wholeandheavenlyoven.com

    Can't decide between chicken pot pie or loaded baked potatoes? Try these.

    Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Loaded Potatoes

    14. Hearty Kale Salad With Bacon Vinaigrette

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (12)

    justataste.com

    This gets even better as it sits because the warm vinaigrette wilts down the kale. Crispy bacon, tangy dijon, and crunchy chickpeas make the whole thing even better.

    Recipe: Hearty Kale Salad With Bacon Vinaigrette

    15. Classic Sunday Pot Roast

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (13)

    thestayathomechef.com

    The best way to end a weekend, if you ask me.

    Recipe: Classic Sunday Pot Roast

    16. Cranberry Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (14)

    minimalistbaker.com

    Have a few leftover cans of pumpkin puree from Thanksgiving? Toss one of them into this hearty, vegan-friendly breakfast that's high in protein and fiber.

    Recipe: Cranberry Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats

    17. Instant Pot Pasta e fa*gioli Soup

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (15)

    lecremedelacrumb.com

    This freezes well — and can be made in either an Instant Pot or slow cooker.

    Recipe: Instant Pot Pasta e fa*gioli Soup

    minimalistbaker.com

    This is a great starter for anyone who might be intimidated at making bread from scratch. You'll only need a handful of basic ingredients and the oven does all the hard work.

    Recipe: Simple Vegan Dinner Rolls

    19. Airfryer Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (16)

    selfproclaimedfoodie.com

    'Tis the season to break out your Airfryer, friends.

    Recipe: Airfryer Brussels Sprouts With Bacon

    20. Maple-Sriracha Oven-Roasted Cauliflower

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (17)

    closetcooking.com

    A little sweet, a little spicy, and ready in about 20 minutes.

    Recipe: Maple-Sriracha Oven-Roasted Cauliflower

    21. Easiest Apple Dump Cake

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (18)

    princesspinkygirl.com

    Pretty much fool-proof. Don't forget the ice cream!

    Recipe: Easiest Apple Dump Cake

    23. 6-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chili

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (19)

    Joe Lingeman / Via thekitchn.com

    This toss-and-go dinner starts with a few grocery store shortcuts — like buying frozen pre-chopped veggies instead of fresh — so you can save time on prep.

    Recipe: 6-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chili

    24. Low Carb Parmesan Cauliflower Rice

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (20)

    eatwell101.com

    Start with a bag of pre-riced cauliflower to make this even easier. (Trader Joe's makes a great one!)

    Recipe: Low Carb Parmesan Cauliflower Rice

    littlespicejar.com

    Soup season is the best season. We can all agree on this, right?

    Recipe: Slow Cooker Curried Butternut Squash Soup

    26. Spicy Garlic Pasta With Spinach and Chickpeas

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (21)

    howsweeteats.com

    Chickpeas add protein and fiber, and spinach makes sure you're getting an extra serving of greens.

    Recipe: Spicy Garlic Pasta With Spinach and Chickpeas

    pinchofyum.com

    These oven-baked meatballs are the perfect thing to prep on a Sunday — then stash away for future winter nights.

    Recipe: Freeze-and-Go Chicken Meatballs

    27 (Really Good) Recipes To Make In December (2024)

    FAQs

    What to cook the week between Christmas and New Year's? ›

    If all else fails or you want the easiest option, just use leftovers by themselves, or to make something new. Think ham or turkey sandwiches or ham soup. Or use sides from Christmas dinner with a different main dish. Switch it up and use a different side each day to make it through the week with less work.

    What can you cook in 3 minutes? ›

    Three-Minute Meals
    • Mushroom Toast. 1 piece whole-grain toast. ...
    • Spring Salad with Shrimp and Brown Rice. ...
    • Italian-Style Ratatouille with Chicken Sausage. ...
    • Quick Vegetarian Tacos. ...
    • Mediterranean-Style Loaded Baked Potato. ...
    • Breakfast for Dinner: Vegetarian Omelette. ...
    • Asian-Inspired Stir Fry. ...
    • Whole Grain Flatbread Pizza and Salad.
    Jun 7, 2017

    What takes 10 minutes to cook? ›

    No worries with these quick and easy family-friendly mains that are ready in just 10 minutes.
    • 1Creamy vegan sun-dried tomato and broccolini gnocchi. ...
    • 2Peanut chicken coconut curry. ...
    • 310-minute chicken fajita tray bake. ...
    • 4Barbecued tandoori lamb cutlets with coconut rice. ...
    • 5Quick cajun fish tacos. ...
    • 6Chicken satay noodle bowl.

    What can I cook early for Christmas? ›

    Make-ahead Christmas recipes
    • Tuscan sausage, kale & ciabatta stuffing. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
    • Sunken chocolate, olive oil & hazelnut cake. ...
    • Pheasant casserole. ...
    • Roast garlic make-ahead gravy. ...
    • Air-fryer soy & cranberry chicken wings. ...
    • Croissant bread sauce. ...
    • App onlyQuick pickled red cabbage. ...
    • Mincemeat half-baked cookies.

    What food is considered good luck to eat on each of the 12 days of Christmas? ›

    of Christmas it brings good luck for the year ahead.

    What to cook before Christmas day? ›

    How to get ahead for Christmas
    • Christmas pudding. Stir-up Sunday is all about getting ahead – this lovely tradition dictates that this is THE day to make your Christmas pudding. ...
    • Classic mince pies. ...
    • My Christmas cake. ...
    • Sloe gin gravlax. ...
    • Amazing Yorkies. ...
    • Pigs in blankets. ...
    • Apple & cranberry sauce. ...
    • Incredible nut roast.
    Dec 16, 2020

    How do you cook food quickly? ›

    Want to be a faster cook? Start with these 7 tips.
    1. 1Read the recipe. Multiple times.
    2. 2Check your ingredient supplies.
    3. 3See what can be made ahead.
    4. 4Take advantage of downtime.
    5. 5Let your tools do the work for you.
    6. 6Use good store-bought shortcuts where they make sense.
    7. 7Practice, practice, practice.
    Jan 8, 2024

    What is the fastest way to cook food? ›

    Here are some of the most effective techniques:
    1. Stir-frying: This method involves cooking food quickly in a hot pan with a small amount of oil. ...
    2. Grilling: Grilling is a fantastic way to cook meat, fish, and vegetables quickly. ...
    3. Pressure cooking: Pressure cooking uses steam to cook food quickly.
    Nov 8, 2022

    What is the fastest food to prepare? ›

    18 quick meals that can be made in 15 minutes
    1. 18 quick meals that can be made in 15 minutes. Mar 3, 2023. ...
    2. Cucumber Sandwich. It's the easiest dish you can make for lunch/dinner. ...
    3. Naan Pizza. Make a healthier Pizza with just a naan. ...
    4. Walnut Tacos. ...
    5. Goat Cheese Pasta with Broccoli. ...
    6. Lentil Curry. ...
    7. Cauliflower Rice. ...
    8. Lettuce Wraps.
    Mar 3, 2023

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