ThePrep: My Favorite Go-To Dinners for the Holidays

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What a year we’ve had! The fact that we made it this far is something in itself to celebrate. So, however you plan to spend the holidays this year, this week of crowd-pleasing dinners will help you do so deliciously. Here are some of my favorite dinners to make this time of the year.

The Chicken & Broccoli Casserole kicks off this week of tasty dinners on a comforting note, with its cheesy filling, plus plenty of broccoli and lean chicken to balance things out. Monday’s veggie-packed Roasted Cauliflower & Potato Curry Soup—a favorite in my house—keeps the coziness going with warm spices, like cumin, cinnamon and chiles. 

Tuesday’s 25-minute Sheet-Pan Caprese Pizza (who wouldn't love this dinner?) and then Wednesday’s Miso-Maple Salmon brings you to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. And while the main dishes get all the attention, I’m most excited about the sides. The Broccoli Casserole is insanely delicious, so sadly there are never next-day leftovers. And of course you can never go wrong with the Slow-Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes.

Looking for some stress-free appetizers? Make some of these super easy yet impressive 3-ingredient appetizers, like the Baked Brie with Blackberry Jam (watch me make it here!) and the Apricot, Prosciutto & Parmesan Bites. Happy holidays, all! 

Sunday: Chicken & Broccoli Casserole  with mixed greens & Balsamic Vinaigrette

Monday: Roasted Cauliflower & Potato Curry Soup

Tuesday: Sheet-Pan Caprese Pizza with mixed greens & Balsamic Vinaigrette

Wednesday: Miso-Maple Salmon with Easy Brown Rice & Massaged Kale Salad

Christmas Eve: Basic Whole Roasted Chicken, Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Burrata and Broccoli Casserole

Christmas Day: Garlic-Rosemary Roast Beef with Horseradish Sauce with Slow-Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad and, for dessert, Peppermint Chocolate Tart

We're making shopping easier with a list of all the ingredients you need to make this week's meals. You can print it out, or just keep it on your phone when you hit the store. For just the Christmas Eve & Christmas Day recipes, get the shopping list here. For all the other recipes, get the shopping list here.

By the time all the gift giving has happened on Christmas morning, everyone is starving. Which is why this make-ahead Ham and Broccoli Breakfast Casserole is a Christmas morning favorite. Simply prepare it the evening before (it only takes 20 minute to prep), refrigerate it overnight and then, in the morning, just pop it in the oven to cook and voilà.

Get the Recipe: Ham and Broccoli Breakfast Casserole

Because it’s not the holidays without a fancy cocktail! And while this Blood Orange, Gin & Prosecco Cocktail looks fancy, you only need three ingredients to make it. I’ve added enough oranges to make four cocktails to the shopping list. Watch me make this recipe here! 

Get the Recipe: Blood Orange, Gin & Prosecco Cocktail

Love this newsletter, have a meal-prep tip you’re dying to share or a question you need answered? Email me at  ThePrep@eatingwell.com