These healthy meal plans are for six dinner recipes and a dessert thrown in for fun! All of these recipes are (mostly) paleo friendly, seasonal, and most can be easily adapted to be Keto/Low-Carb or Whole30 friendly.
Hey friends!
Yay, December!
It’s fun to peruse cookie recipes and make fancy Christmas dinner plans, but I’m guessing what you really need are quick, easy, fresh meals that will keep you going through this hectic month, yes?
Julia and I thought so, which is why we chose quick, veggie loaded recipes that will get dinner on the table super quickly!
I also included my Homemade Peppermint Bark recipe that I posted last Christmas. You can easily make a low-carb version of it, too!
Happy Holidays!
xoxo
Natalie
Sunday
INSTANT POT PALEO CHEESEBURGER SOUP — This Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup has all of my favorite cheeseburger flavors — tangy mustard, tart pickles, and a creamy tomato sauce to bring it all together. Nutritional yeast adds a “cheesy” kind of flavor that I love.
Special Diet Note: Recipe is paleo.
Prep Ahead: No need to prep ahead. Although this soup can be made completely 3-4 days in advance and reheated to serve.
Substitutions: If you’re avoiding white potatoes, use sweet potatoes or cauliflower florets instead.
Monday
30-MINUTE CREAMY LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN — Easy, quick 30-Minute Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken is a miracle meal! Loaded with creamy, zesty garlicky flavor, you’ll never look at bland chicken breast the same way!
Special Diet Note: Paleo, whole30, and low-carb (as long as you serve it with a low-carb side).
Prep Ahead: This healthy broccoli beef recipe comes together so fast, th ere’s no need to do anything ahead of time!
Substitutions: Serve it up with coconut rice, cauliflower rice, or your favorite rice. Add any veggies you like to the stir fry.
Tuesday
SPICY GROUND TURKEY BOWLS WITH COCONUT RICE — These Asian-inspired spicy ground turkey bowls come together quickly and are a tasty weeknight dinner served alongside dreamy coconut rice and some marinated cucumbers. Don’t stress — it can be as spicy or mild as you prefer.
Special Diet Note: Recipe is gluten and dairy, free. If you’re avoiding rice, just make regular cauliflower rice or try my Roasted Cauliflower Rice and use coconut aminos to make it paleo friendly.
Prep Ahead: You can prep the marinated cucumbers 2-3 days in advance if you like.
Substitutions: Use ground chicken or beef in place of the turkey. The peanuts are a fun garnish, but cashews would be a good substitute.
Wednesday
30-MINUTE SESAME GINGER BROCCOLI BEEF STIR FRY — This meal is lightning quick to throw together any night of the week! This simple recipe requires straightforward ingredients and makes for a filling meal.
Special Diet Note: Paleo, whole30, and low-carb (as long as you serve it with a low-carb side).
Prep Ahead: This healthy broccoli beef recipe comes together so fast, there’s no need to do anything ahead of time!
Substitutions: Serve it up with coconut rice, cauliflower rice, or your favorite rice. Add any veggies you like to the stir fry.
Thursday
SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH ROASTED GARLIC MUSHROOM SAUCE — This vegetarian meal comes together quickly and roasts on one sheet pan! It would be a good alternative main dish if you’re entertaining and have a vegan or vegetarian guest.
Special Diet Note: Recipe is vegetarian, paleo friendly, and low carb.
Prep Ahead: No need to prep ahead.
Substitutions: If you can’t find dried mushrooms, just replace them with 4-6 ounces of baby bella mushrooms.
Friday
30-MINUTE PALEO MONGOLIAN CHICKEN — Quick and easy meal comes together in a flash! This simple recipe is loaded with flavor and can easily be made any night of the week. Make a double or triple batch to meal prep it!
Special Diet Note: This simple recipe is paleo, low-carb, and whole30.
Prep Ahead: Because this recipe comes together so quickly, no advance prep is needed.
Substitutions: Swap the chicken for steak or ground turkey. Add any of your favorite veggies.
Dessert
HOMEMADE PEPPERMINT BARK — This dark chocolate homemade peppermint bark recipe is easy to make, and I included an option to make it keto and dairy-free, too!
Special Diet Note: Recipe can be made low carb and dairy free by using low carb and/or dairy free chocolate, like Lily’s. The candy canes are fun, but if you’d rather omit them, feel free to.
Prep Ahead: Bark can be made a week or so in advance.
Substitutions: Chocolate bark is such a versatile treat! Try omitting the peppermint oil and topping a single layer of chocolate with chopped nuts, dried fruit, or your favorite holiday candy.
Grocery List
Click HERE to download a handy printable grocery list!
