By: Kristen Mider, Cooking for Friends

Winter is here and so is a busy month of holiday events. We hope this December Meal Planning Calendar will help you stay organized and give you ideas for great cold weather meals. You can download and print the calendar for free and below the meal planning calendar is a list of all of the recipes and links to them. Happy cooking!

December Meal Planning Calendar (click here to download and print).

December Meal Plan Links:

December 1st:
Easy Parmesan Risotto: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/easy-parmesan-risotto-recipe-2172312

December 2nd:
Stew With Sundried Tomatoes: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/parkers-beef-stew-recipe-1945843

December 3rd:
Rice and Beans: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robert-irvine/red-beans-and-rice-recipe-1950779
I like to serve this with a simple salad of sliced avocado, sliced tomatoes, sliced red onion, with a squeeze of lime and a dash of salt and pepper.

December 4th:
Roasted Chicken Zuni Style: https://cookingforfriends.blog/2017/10/12/cooking-for-five-a-go-to-family-meal/

December 5th:
Spaghetti and Drop Meatballs: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016833-spaghetti-and-drop-meatballs-with-tomato-sauce

December 6th:
Grilled Lemon Shrimp Over Pesto Pasta: https://cookingforfriends.blog/2018/05/28/grilled-lemon-garlic-shrimp-skewers-spinach-pesto-pasta/

December 7th:
Make your own pizza night: Just buy some store bought dough, some quality sauce, and your favorite toppings! Make a tossed salad to go along with it.

December 8th:
Roasted Vegetable Pasta Primavera: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pasta-primavera-recipe-1942131

December 9th:
Loaded Veggie Nachos: https://cookieandkate.com/2018/loaded-veggie-nachos-recipe/

December 10th:
Carrot Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: https://cookingforfriends.blog/?s=carrot+soup

December 11th:
Sheet Pan Chicken Tikka with Brown Basmati Rice: https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/04/sheet-pan-chicken-tikka/

December 12th:
Sesame Chicken Thighs & Sesame Noodles: : https://cookingforfriends.blog/2018/05/06/sesame-marinated-chicken-thighs-sesame-noodles/

December 13th:
Fish Tacos: https://cookingforfriends.blog/2018/04/30/cinco-de-mayo/

December 14th:
Make Your Own Pita Pizza: Try some uncut whole wheat pita bread. Let each kid top theirs with sauce, cheese, and their favorite meats and veggies. Serve it up with some baby carrots, sliced cucumbers, sliced bell peppers, and celery sticks with hummus and ranch to dip them in!

December 15th:
Spaghetti with Tomatoes, Black Olives, and Feta: https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/spaghetti-with-tomatoes-black-olives-garlic-and-feta-cheese

December 16th:
Tomato Grilled Cheese Soup: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/tomato-grilled-cheese-soup

December 17th:
Southwestern Quinoa Bowls: https://cookingforfriends.blog/2018/05/13/southwestern-quinoa-bowls-with-grilled-vegetables/
If you don’t want to grill the veggies, you can go ahead and roast them!

December 18th:
Chicken Kabobs with Yogurt Dipping Sauce: https://cookingforfriends.blog/2017/12/29/grilled-chicken-kebabs-with-yogurt-dipping-sauce/

December 19th:
Pasta With Broccoli and Garlic: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/garlic-oil-sauteed-pasta-with-broccoli-recipe-1920918

December 20th:
Baked Salmon With Soy Marinade: https://cookingforfriends.blog/2018/05/04/baked-salmon-with-soy-marinade/
I usually serve this over quinoa or cous cous with sautéed greens and edamame.

December 21st:
Order Pizza In! You deserve a break!

December 22nd:
Oven “Fried” Chicken Tenders: https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/oven-fried-chicken-tenders/46a69e4d-4c31-485b-9d43-67d40b353f2e

December 23rd:
Mini Meatloaves: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/individual-meat-loaves-recipe-1952034

December 24th: ): https://cookingforfriends.blog/2018/01/17/pasta-a-la-norma-but-better/
I like to serve this with a crispy Romaine salad.

December 25th:
Beef Bourguignon: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/beef-bourguignon-recipe-1942045

December 26th:
Penne with Turkey Bolognese:https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/turkey-bolognese-recipe-1944775

December 27th:
Salmon Burgers: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/7131-salmon-burgers?nl=cooking&em_pos=large&emc=edit_ck_20170213
Oven Sweet Potato Fries: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/baked-sweet-potato-fries-recipe-2013040

December 28th:
Chicken Pizza: https://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/19805_chicken_pizza