Christmas is days away, and if you’re feeling behind, join the club! This week’s meal plan is built for people who are officially in survival mode (you need to eat, you want it to taste good, but you absolutely cannot spend hours in the kitchen). We’re talking maximum efficiency with minimum effort, because at this point in December, your energy reserves are running on fumes and sheer determination.
Let’s be real about this week: you’re probably attending at least one party, finishing up shopping, wrapping gifts at midnight, and trying to remember if you bought enough batteries for the toys that definitely require batteries. Regular life doesn’t pause just because it’s Christmas week. You still need lunch for work, dinner for your family, and meals that don’t require elaborate planning or ingredient lists that send you to three different stores. This is not the week for culinary ambition.
Every recipe this week is intentionally simple and built around the idea that you might need to pivot at any moment. Plans change in Christmas week like someone gets sick, a party runs late, travel plans shift, so these meals are forgiving and flexible. They reheat well, they can be made in stages, and most importantly, they won’t stress you out. Consider this your permission to keep it simple, feed yourself well, and save your energy for the actual holiday. You’re almost there.
Free WW Meal Plan SUNDAY December 14th
B: Chilaquiles Rojos (5 points)
L: Cream of Mushroom Soup (2 points)
D: Tomato Tortellini Soup (3 points)
Dessert: Brownie Mug Cake (5 points)
Total WW Points: 15
Notes: This brownie mug cake is a favorite because if you need a sweet treat at any point this week, it’s the recipe you should go to. It just takes a few minutes!
Free WW Meal Plan MONDAY December 15th
B: Kodiak Pumpkin Muffins (1 point)
L: Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders (3 points)
D: Shake n Bake Pork Chops (5 points)
Dessert: Mini Gingerbread Cupcakes (2 points)
Total WW Points: 11
Notes: These everything bagel chicken tenders are a great meal prep option. So I suggest making a double batch and using it throughout the week rather than making a new lunch every day.
Free WW Meal Plan TUESDAY December 16th
B: Cinnamon French Toast Bubble Up (4 points)
L: Turkey Sausage Pasta (4 points)
D: Orange Glazed Pork Loin (5 points)
Dessert: Mud Cake (2 points)
Total WW Points: 15
Notes: This mud cake is very decadent, but low in points! It’s perfect for entertaining with, so if you have a Christmas party to go to, this is a great one to take with you.
Free WW Meal Plan WEDNESDAY December 17th
B: Eggs Benedict (3 points)
L: Spinach and Artichoke Grilled Cheese (8 points)
D: Vegan Black Bean Chili (0 points)
Dessert: Sauteed Apples (2 points)
Total WW Points: 13
Notes: For the eggs Benedict, just use any low point bread or low carb wrap since Flat Out doesn’t make fold its anymore.
Free WW Meal Plan THURSDAY December 18th
B: Breakfast Pizza Casserole (5 points)
L: Manchow Soup (2 points)
D: Cheesy Gnocchi Casserole (5 points)
Dessert: Apple Cider Donuts (3 points)
Total WW Points: 15
Notes: These apple cider donuts would be a hit at a party as well!
Free WW Meal Plan FRIDAY December 19th
B: Air Fryer Cinnamon Roll Bites (7 points)
L: Chicken Pumpkin Curry (3 points)
D: Brunswick Stew (2 points)
Dessert: Vegan Creme Brulee (8 points)
Total WW Points: 20
Notes: If you have any vegan or vegetarian family members coming for the holidays, save this vegan creme brulee recipe for them. It’s fantastic.
Free WW Meal Plan SATURDAY December 20th
B: Biscuits N Gravy Bake (7 points)
L: Tom Yum Soup (0 points)
D: Tuscan Chicken Meatballs and Gnocchi Soup (6 points)
Dessert: Apple Crisp Pizza (3 points)
Total WW Points: 16
Notes: This chicken meatball and gnocchi soup will easily become a winter favorite – it’s hearty and healthy!
Check your pantry and fridge for any of these listed items before heading to the grocery store.
Grocery List
Produce
- Apples (to grate and slice)
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh ginger
- Onions (yellow and red)
- Leeks
- Celery
- Mixed peppers
- Tomatoes
- Cherry/grape tomatoes
- Baby spinach
- Red cabbage
- Green beans
- Pumpkin (cubed)
- Radishes
- Jalapeños
- Limes
- Lemon
- Fresh cilantro
- Fresh parsley
- Thyme
- White mushrooms (sliced)
- Green onions/scallions
- Lima beans
- Corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- Lemongrass stalks
- Galangal
- Kaffir lime leaves
- Thai bird’s eye chilies
Meat & Seafood
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Ground chicken breast
- Pulled pork
- Boneless pork chops
- Turkey sausages
- Canadian bacon
- Pepperoni
- Shrimp (peeled and deveined)
Dairy & Eggs
- Eggs
- Egg whites (liquid/carton)
- Milk (can use skim, 1%, or unsweetened almond milk)
- Buttermilk
- Fat-free half and half
- Nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- Fat-free sour cream
- Light cream cheese
- Light butter substitute
- Fat-free shredded mozzarella
- Low-fat shredded cheddar
- Parmesan cheese (grated/shredded)
- Shredded asiago cheese
- Queso fresco
Bakery & Bread
- Low-calorie/low-point white bread (Weight Watchers or similar)
- Low carb wraps
- Buttermilk biscuits (Great Value or similar 7.5 oz packs)
- Pillsbury pizza dough
- Pillsbury cinnamon rolls with icing
- Light corn tortillas
Canned & Jarred Goods
- Condensed light tomato soup
- Tomato paste
- Crushed tomatoes
- Fire-roasted tomatoes with green chiles
- Tomato sauce
- Fat-free marinara sauce
- Chicken broth
- Vegetable broth
- Red salsa
- Sugar-free BBQ sauce
- Fish sauce
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Light mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Black beans (low-sodium)
- Artichoke hearts
- Coconut milk (full-fat)
- Chipotle peppers in adobo
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Sugar-free caramel sauce
- Oil (Olive, vegetable, sesame, canola)
- Apple cider vinegar
Pasta & Grains
- Cheese tortellini
- Penne pasta
- Potato gnocchi (not frozen)
- Rice noodles
- Oat flour
- Oats
Baking & Spices
- All-purpose flour
- Panko bread crumbs
- Breadcrumbs
- ginger snap cookies (to crush)
- Cornstarch
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- White sugar
- Brown sugar
- Low-calorie sweetener/monk fruit sweetener
- Powdered sugar/confectioners sugar/icing sugar
- Molasses
- Honey
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground ginger
- Allspice
- Ground cloves
- Dried oregano
- Italian seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Black pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Thyme
- Dried rosemary
- Dried ground sage
- Cajun seasoning
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Pumpkin spice
- Everything but the bagel seasoning
- Salt
- Vanilla pod
- Red curry paste
- Mini chocolate chips (optional)
Specialty Items
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Pure pumpkin
- Kodiak cakes buttermilk protein packed mix
- Country gravy mix (McCormick or Pioneer brand)
- Cashews (for garnish)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Hot brewed coffee
20 Zero Point Snacks (Anytime of Day)
Visit the WW app or website to access the recipe builder and track your daily food intake and points.
Tips for Easy and Efficient Prep:
- Prep a “Christmas week emergency kit” with three complete freezer meals ready to go. Label them clearly and stack them where they’re easy to grab. When Christmas week chaos hits and you have zero bandwidth for thinking about dinner, you’ll have a backup plan that’s better than takeout. Include meals that go from freezer to table with minimal intervention—casseroles, soups, or anything one-dish.
- Clear out your refrigerator by Wednesday to make room for Christmas food. Use up lingering leftovers, toss anything questionable, and donate unopened items you know you won’t eat. You’ll need the space for holiday meal prep, and doing this before you’re in the thick of cooking saves you from playing refrigerator Tetris when you’re trying to chill desserts or store prepped ingredients. A clean fridge is a gift to yourself.
- Declare one day this week a “no-cook day” and plan for it intentionally. This doesn’t mean skipping meals…it means having a plan that requires zero cooking. Stock up on rotisserie chicken, bagged salad, good bread, and quality prepared foods. Give yourself permission to not cook without guilt. You’re not failing at meal planning; you’re being strategic about conserving energy for when it really matters. Sometimes the best meal plan is knowing when not to cook.
Download this PDF to dive into a week of mouthwatering recipes that prove healthy eating can be both delicious and festive.
