Wildly Delicious Weeknight Dinners For December

Chile Verde is a traditional dish from Northern Mexico that can be made with several types of meat. Pork is classic, and here, you'll transform a pork shoulder into meltingly tender nuggets through a long braise. This recipe makes a big batch, perfect for serving at a winter dinner party, or for freezing for later.

Get the Chile Verde recipe.

With four components—tender beef tenderloin, a savory duxelle, prosciutto, and flaky puff pastry—this is the holiday centerpiece that will wow from the very first slice. We've broken it down step-by-step so you can serve up this staple with all of the flavor and none of the stress.

Get the Beef Wellington recipe.

It’s no secret the social sphere is loving one-pot pastina and ditalini, so we're jumping on board too. Nothing invigorates us more than the words pasta, creamy, and garlic, so we created this Alfredo-inspired ditalini dinner that’s a little smoky, crispy, and cheesy too.

Get the Creamy Garlicky Alfredo Ditalini recipe.

Rich, deeply flavorful, and downright decadent, French onion soup is the treat-yourself comfort food we’ll never tire of. Caramelized onions, a beefy broth, and the signature melty cheese and bread topping all transform what could be a simple soup into an enduring classic.

Get the French Onion Soup recipe.

Quesadillas are a classic late-night snack or easy dinner, so when we need to serve a crowd, we're making 'em on a sheet pan. In just around an hour, you'll have a cheesy, crowd-pleasing snack (or weeknight meal) on your hands that is sure to satisfy.

Get the Sheet-Pan Quesadillas recipe.

Bone-in chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, and shallots get smothered with miso-chili sauce and baked until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized and the chicken is juicy and golden brown. The whole thing is topped with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro, then served with a little extra chili crisp to make sure this really packs a punch.

Get the Sheet-Pan Miso Chicken & Sweet Potatoes recipe.

This tangy, rich pasta kind of feels like mac & cheese’s cool older cousin. Maybe that’s because it comes complete with 3 layers of umami flavor: kimchi, Parmesan, and gochujang. The latter is optional, but is worth having on hand for a variety of dishes, like these ultra-crunchy Korean chicken wings.

Get the One-Pot Creamy Kimchi Shells recipe.

If you and your family are a fan of flavor and getting creative with your Hanukkah meals, this brisket is for you. It's the perfect blend of traditional and modern, sweet and spicy. When the meat is done cooking, reserve the broth and pour a little on top when serving—it's truly flavor central.

Get the Instant Pot Sweet & Spicy Brisket recipe.

This easy dinner combines ginger-garlic meatballs and a spicy red curry coconut milk sauce to create a flavorful dish that's both comforting and packed with bold, aromatic spices. The curry paste does double duty, adding the savory, spicy flavors of red pepper, garlic, lemongrass, and galangal to both the meatballs and the sauce.

Get the Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs recipe.

This winter-y soup is filled with everything that our favorite nachos have: LOTs of cheese, chicken, beans and corn. Fire-roasted tomatoes gives the broth a slightly charred and smoky flavor, but if all you've got is a can of chopped tomatoes, no worries! It'll still be great.

Get the Nacho Soup recipe.

Nothing warms you up on a cold day quite like chicken pot pie. This shortcut version comes together surprisingly fast, despite tasting like something it would've taken your grandma all day to make. The perfect no-fuss dinner, it's on our permanent rotation all winter long.

Get the Skillet Chicken Pot Pie recipe.

Here, butter-toasted chickpeas and seared broccoli are tossed in a rich Alfredo-style sauce made from heavy cream, shallots, garlic, and Parmesan to create this 35-minute skillet dinner. A pinch of lemon zest and crushed red pepper flakes add much-needed brightness and heat to cut through the rich sauce.

Get the Chickpea Broccoli Alfredo Skillet recipe.

If you didn't grow up with this potluck classic, think mac & cheese, but with chicken and spaghetti...trust us on this one, it just works!

Get the Chicken Spaghetti recipe.

Originally from Quebec, this savory pie is traditionally made in a “tourtiere” dish and eaten during Christmas. If you're looking for a twist on chicken pot pie to make over the holidays, this is it.

Get the Tourtiere recipe.

Meatball subs are simply the king of sandwiches. So why not re-create all the warmth, heartiness, and flavor of the meatball sub in a simple one-pot pasta dish? This meatball Parm orzo only uses one pot and involves barely any chopping, and it's certainly a crowd-pleaser.

Get the Meatball Parm Orzo recipe.

Filled with pork shoulder, hominy, and a fair amount of heat, pozole is the cozy comfort food that isn’t shy about its flavor. This is the stew you make when you’re looking to feed (and impress!) a crowd, or need a soup that will warm you up in the dead of winter.

Get the Pozole recipe.

If you’ve never made risotto because you didn’t want to stand there stirring forever, then this recipe is for you. It packs all the satisfying flavor of a slow-stirred version into a fraction of the hands-on time. And did we mention that it all comes together in one pot?!

Get the Baked Risotto With Lemon, Peas, & Parmesan recipe.

Tired, hungry, and running low on groceries? Pizza beans have your back. Featuring simple pantry staples and only 30 minutes of cooking time, this comforting one-pan dinner promises to make any weeknight feel special.

Get the Pizza Beans Skillet recipe.

This large-and-in-charge cut of beef not only boasts a show-stopping display, but is unmatched in flavor. Tender, rich, and buttery, this recipe was made to be served alongside all of the essential holiday sides.

Get the Prime Rib recipe.

Mexican tamales aren’t just fun to eat, they’re a great solo or group project for anyone who loves to cook (particularly during the holidays!). Make it a party by involving your friends, enlist your partner or spouse for a different kind of date night, or get the whole family involved. Tamale making is a joy, and tamales are a great canvas for different kinds of fillings.

Get the Tamales recipe.