This week’s dinners come together in just 20 minutes or less for a quick and healthy meal. Dishes packed with vegetables, whole grains, proteins and healthy fats will keep you fueled and satisfied even on the busiest days. From soothing soups to crisp chopped salads, recipes on this list can help you save time in the kitchen without sparing flavor.
The holidays are here! And between Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa, there’s lots of celebrating to be done this week. My family always enjoys a meal with seafood on Christmas Eve, and I plan to prepare a big breakfast in advance to keep everyone fueled on Christmas morning. Regardless of the holiday you celebrate, we can all relate to the busy nights between gatherings where there’s not much motivation to cook. That’s where these delicious dishes come in. They all come together in just 20 minutes or less so you can have a quick and nourishing meal when you need it most. Let’s dig in!
Your Weekly Plan
Sunday: Chopped Chicken & Sweet Potato Salad
Monday: Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Tuesday: Grilled Zucchini & Halloumi Pitas
Wednesday: Easy Tortellini Soup
Thursday: Salmon with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Friday: Cranberry Cheesecake Baked Oats
Our column, ThePrep, has everything you’ll need to make dinner planning and grocery shopping as easy as can be. Nutritional needs differ from one individual to another, and we invite you to use these dinner plans as inspiration and adjust them as you see fit. Sign up to get a dinner plan delivered to your inbox every Saturday!
Sunday: Chopped Chicken & Sweet Potato Salad
This salad combines nutrient-dense vegetables, chicken and avocados for a Mediterranean diet–friendly meal. The recipe makes just one serving—perfect for a relaxed solo meal—but can easily be scaled up for a crowd.
Monday: Taco-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with immune-supporting vitamin A. In just three steps, they transform into a hearty taco-inspired main dish flavored with chili powder, cumin and chipotle.
Tuesday: Grilled Zucchini & Halloumi Pitas
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
A high-protein vegetarian dinner starring halloumi, a firm cheese that sears beautifully alongside zucchini. Chopped tomatoes and yogurt sauce add brightness and tang to the warm pita filling.
Wednesday: Easy Tortellini Soup
Photographer: Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Ana Kelley, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
A soothing, brothy soup perfect for cold nights. Creamy cheese tortellini and plenty of produce make it balanced and flavorful. Serve with whole-wheat baguette to round out the meal.
Thursday: Salmon with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Food Stylist:Chelsea Zimmer
A quick, flavor-packed salmon dish ideal for holiday meals. The creamy sun-dried tomato sauce pairs perfectly with whole-wheat spaghetti to soak up every drop.
Friday: Cranberry Cheesecake Baked Oats
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser.
A nourishing make-ahead breakfast to promote steady blood sugar before a big holiday meal. These cheesecake-inspired baked oats are perfect for a low-stress Christmas morning.
I wish you all a great week, and I hope you enjoy this dinner plan. If you try a recipe, remember to add a review.
Dining and Cooking