Explore our collection of December’s most popular dinner recipes, carefully curated to delight your taste buds and simplify your meal planning. From hearty comfort foods to lighter fare, each dish has earned its place among our community’s favorites. Whether you’re craving a cozy stew, a comforting casserole, or a flavorful stir-fry, you’ll find inspiration for every evening meal. Join us on a culinary journey through our top picks, guaranteed to make December dining a delicious delight

Dinner Favorites

1. Spicy Pork Tenderloin

Enhance the flavor of your pork tenderloin by generously coating it with a mixture of chili powder, salt, ginger, thyme, and black pepper, creating a delightful spicy kick that even those who prefer milder tastes will relish. Whether you prefer grilling or oven-roasting, both methods yield delicious results. Additionally, this versatile spice rub isn’t limited to pork; it complements chicken or ribs just as deliciously.

2. Pasta With Shrimp, Oysters, and Crabmeat

For a delectable dish fitting for the Feast of the Seven Fishes, consider preparing this tantalizing pasta featuring succulent shrimp, briny oysters, and sweet crab meat. Customize your meal by selecting your preferred pasta shape to complement the rich flavors. Finish off this exquisite creation by generously drizzling it with a mouthwatering sauce crafted from butter, zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and a hint of red pepper for a touch of heat.

3. Broccoli, Rice, Cheese, and Chicken Casserole

In less than an hour, you’ll have this cheesy broccoli, chicken, and rice casserole on the table. It’s made with just a few pantry staple ingredients, like chunked chicken, soup, instant rice, and frozen broccoli, and it’s sure to be a dinner that everyone will love — even the veggie-adverse kids.

4. Marie’s Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Bring out your trusty slow cooker for this recipe! With only a few basic ingredients, you can effortlessly prepare a complete meal. The roast emerges from its slow and gentle cooking process incredibly tender and bursting with flavor, thanks in part to the addition of an onion soup packet. Plus, the convenience extends to having perfectly cooked potato and vegetable sides ready to accompany your main dish.

5. Real Homemade Tamales

Indulge in the versatility of this tamale recipe, perfect for pork, chicken, or beef enthusiasts alike. As praised by reviewer ~TxCin~ILove2Ck, these tamales garnered rave reviews from friends who received a dozen as a gift. According to their testimonial, the flavor deepens and intensifies upon reheating, offering a delightful spiciness. While the preparation may require some effort, it’s straightforward and rewarding, making it a worthwhile endeavor.

6. Garlic Chicken Breasts

The secret to this simple yet flavorful recipe lies in its marinade. Allow your chicken to soak up the rich flavors of olive oil, tangy lime juice, aromatic garlic, and a dash of salt and pepper. After marinating, a quick bake in the oven the following day is all it takes to achieve succulent perfection. Despite the marinating process, this dish remains a speedy dinner option, requiring just 10 minutes of prep time.

7. Better than Cracker Barrel® Chicken ‘n Dumplings

When seeking comfort in a warm, hearty meal, turn to the classic combination of chicken and dumplings. This recipe promises to deliver ultimate comfort with every spoonful. The soup brims with the savory essence of tender chicken and zesty lemon, complemented by an abundance of wholesome vegetables. And let’s not forget the crowning glory – the dumplings, simple to whip up yet oh-so-satisfying.

8. Slow Cooker Low-Carb Santa Fe Chicken

This recipe is a true winner! Its incredible flavors and divine aroma will enchant your senses. While I initially planned to cook it on low and be out all day, returning home mid-day proved to be a test of patience as the irresistible scent filled the air. My husband enjoyed his simply with homemade Mexican rice, while I opted for mine wrapped in a tortilla, generously topped with cheese and dollops of sour cream, accompanied by a side of Mexican rice. Needless to say, this recipe is definitely a keeper.

9. Emily’s Excellent Taco Casserole

If you need a new Taco Tuesday dinner, you have to try this quick and easy casserole. It’s made with tortilla chips, chili, and Cheddar cheese and then topped with your favorite taco garnishes — like lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. Reviewers like to change up the chips they use — try using Doritos or Fritos instead — for a fun, new meal every time.

10. Slow Cooker 3-Bean Chili

This simple yet satisfying chili recipe is ideal for meal-prepping at the start of the week. With the option to freeze portions, you’ll have convenient and effortless weeknight meals ready to go. As praised by home cook Lisa Kaye, this chili is a game-changer. Its incredible flavor left her thoroughly impressed, declaring it the best she’s ever made. Lisa assures that this recipe is both incredibly easy to follow and exceptionally delicious, ensuring it will become a regular in her kitchen rotation.

11. World’s Best Lasagna

Indulge in the epitome of delicious comfort food with this classic lasagna recipe. If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the perfect time to do so. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed – and you don’t just have to take our word for it. With over 16,000 glowing 5-star reviews from your fellow home cooks, it’s clear that this recipe is a surefire hit.

12. World’s Best Honey Garlic Pork Chops

While this recipe calls for an outdoor grill, don’t fret if you don’t have one – these succulent pork chops can be easily prepared on a George Foreman grill or in the oven as well. According to reviewers, the standout feature of these chops is undoubtedly the honey garlic glaze. For an extra burst of flavor, consider marinating the chops in the glaze for a few hours before cooking.

13. Chef John’s Perfect Prime Rib

Chef John’s prime rib is the quintessential centerpiece for your Christmas Day feast, providing a sumptuous alternative or complement to the traditional turkey or ham. As praised by reviewer Haiku, this recipe offers a foolproof method for achieving the perfect medium-rare prime rib. While you have the flexibility to adjust the seasonings to your liking, the ones listed in the recipe are tried and true. The real secret lies in the cooking method, ensuring a tender and flavorful prime rib every time.

14. Meat Pie

True to its name, this hearty pie is brimming with a savory blend of meats, featuring both ground beef and ground pork, combined with tender potatoes and a medley of aromatic spices. For those looking to enhance the dish further, some reviewers recommend incorporating additional veggies such as carrots or peas, adding both flavor and nutritional value to this wholesome one-dish meal.

15. Jalapeno Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas

Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of these chicken enchiladas, where the subtle heat of cayenne pepper and jalapeños infused in the cream cheese adds just the right amount of kick. Despite the spice, these enchiladas remain mild enough to please the entire family’s palate. To streamline the preparation process, consider utilizing a rotisserie chicken, making enchilada assembly extra quick and effortless.