Welcome to December! This is where the holiday season stops being theoretical and starts being real. Between now and Christmas, you’ve got parties to attend, gifts to buy, cards to send, and approximately seven thousand decisions to make. This week’s meal plan is your December survival strategy…meals that require minimal active cooking time but still feel special enough that you’re not living on frozen pizza and regret.
The thing about early December that nobody talks about is the exhaustion that comes from trying to maintain normal life while also doing all the holiday extras. You still have to work, pay bills, and remember to buy toilet paper, but now you’re also supposed to be festive and generous and full of holiday spirit. These recipes are designed for that exact reality. They’re impressive enough for impromptu guests but easy enough for a Tuesday night when you got home late from shopping and still need to eat something resembling dinner.
Every recipe has been chosen because it delivers that “cozy December evening” feeling without requiring you to become a different person who has endless time and energy. Work smarter, not harder, and actually enjoy the season!
Weight Watchers Meal Plan SUNDAY November 30th
B: Apple Cranberry Oatmeal Bake (5 points)
L: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (4 points)
D: Cuban Black Bean Soup (1 point)
Dessert: Dutch Apple Pie (3 points)
Total WW Points: 13
Notes: Don’t forget to go ahead and make your apple overnight oats for tomorrow morning!
Weight Watchers Meal Plan MONDAY December 1st
B: Apple Overnight Oats (3 points)
L: Tuna Casserole (1 point)
D: London Broil (8 points)
Dessert: Carrot Cake (4 points)
Total WW Points: 16
Notes: You may not think a London broil is for a Monday night dinner, but this one is easy to make and budget friendly, so why not!
Weight Watchers Meal Plan TUESDAY December 2nd
B: Everything Bagel Casserole (5)
L: Piri Piri Chicken (2 points)
D: Sweet Potato Corn Chowder (1 point)
Dessert: Snickerdoodle Bars (5 points)
Total WW Points: 13
Notes: I love this sweet potato corn chowder. It’s different from the typical “taco soup” or chili that everyone makes during the winter, and it’s hearty.
Weight Watchers Meal Plan WEDNESDAY December 3rd
B: Leftovers
L: Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup (4 points)
D: Garlic Parmesan Chicken (9 points)
Dessert: Apple Crisp (2 points)
Total WW Points: 15+
Notes: Apple Crisp is a must make in December. It’s warm and delectable.
Weight Watchers Meal Plan THURSDAY December 4th
B: Caramel Apple French Toast Muffins (3 points)
L: Leftovers
D: Shepherd’s Pie Soup (1 point)
Dessert: Peppermint Bark (5 points)
Total WW Points: 9+
Notes: Since we already have apples for the apple crisp, why not use some for muffins too. These French toast muffins are a perfect way to spruce up a Thursday morning!
Weight Watchers Meal Plan FRIDAY December 5th
B: Sausage Biscuit Casserole (6 points)
L: Tortellini Salad (3 points)
D: Leftovers
Dessert: Snowball Cookies (3 points)
Total WW Points: 12+
Notes: Tortellini Salad is such a good combination of a lighter meal but not too light. It’s a salad that will definitely keep you full throughout the afternoon.
Weight Watchers Meal Plan SATURDAY December 6th
B: Pumpkin Latte Overnight Oats (7 points)
L: Chili Relleno Soup (1 point)
D: Harvest Chicken Casserole (5 points)
Dessert: Leftovers
Total WW Points: 13+
Notes: You can make the harvest chicken casserole as is, or use it as a base recipe to throw in whatever veggies you have leftover at the end of the week!
Check your pantry and fridge for any of these listed items before heading to the grocery store.
Grocery List
Proteins & Dairy
- Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- Ground turkey
- Flank steak
- Pork breakfast sausages
- Center cut bacon
- Tuna in water (canned)
- Eggs
- Egg yolks
- Skim milk
- Unsweetened almond milk
- Unsweetened cashew milk
- Nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- Fat-free cool whip
- Laughing Cow herb and garlic cheese
- Reduced-fat shredded cheese blend
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Reduced-fat cream cheese
- Butter
- Light butter
Produce
- Red apples
- Granny Smith apples
- Bananas
- Limes
- Lemons
- Blueberries
- Onions
- Green onions (scallions)
- Shallots
- Garlic
- Ginger root
- Carrots
- Sweet potatoes
- Russet potatoes
- Baby potatoes
- Celery
- Broccoli florets
- Cauliflower rice
- White cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
- Leeks
- Jalapeños
- Piri-piri chilies (or red Fresno chilies)
- Yellow chilies
- Bell Peppers
- Corn (fresh or frozen)
- Sweet peas (fresh or frozen)
- Green peas (fresh or frozen)
- Roasted green chiles
- Fresh cranberries
- Dried cranberries
- Fresh cilantro
- Arugula
- Fresh thyme
Pantry Staples
- All-purpose flour
- Self-rising flour
- Whole wheat flour
- Rolled oats
- Quick oats
- Chia seeds
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Cream of tartar
- Table salt
- Black pepper
- Ground spices
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Italian seasoning
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Red pepper flakes (chili flakes)
- Garlic powder
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Peppermint extract
- Vanilla extract
- Olive oil
- Vegetable oil
- Soy sauce
- Apple cider vinegar
- White wine vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Vinegar
- Lime juice
- Lemon juice
- Tomato paste
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Zero-calorie sweetener
- Brown sugar substitute
- Honey
- Sugar-free maple syrup
- Caramel sauce (fat-free)
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Cornstarch
- Everything but the bagel seasoning
Canned & Packaged Goods
- Black beans (canned)
- Canned diced tomatoes
- Vegetable broth
- Low-sodium vegetable broth
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Beef broth
- Whole kernel corn (canned)
- Sweet peas (canned)
- Cream of mushroom soup mix (instant/packet)
- Brewed coffee
- Pure pumpkin puree
- Small pasta shapes
- Fusilli pasta
- Cheese tortellini (fresh or frozen)
- Black olives (canned, sliced)
- Artichokes (canned, quartered)
- Light Italian dressing
- Low-calorie bread (WW white bread, multigrain)
- Biscuits (7.5 oz package)
- Frozen hash browns
Baking & Desserts
- Almonds (whole and chopped)
- Chopped pecans
- Chopped walnuts
- Pineapple tidbits or chunks
- Zero-sugar dark chocolate baking chips
- Zero-sugar white chocolate-style baking chips
- Holiday sprinkles
- Crushed candy cane (sugar-free or regular, optional)
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:
- Establish “quick meal Thursdays” (or whatever day is your busiest) through the end of December. Pick one night each week where dinner is automatically something that takes 20 minutes or less—even if it’s just a fancy grilled cheese and soup. Having one night where expectations are low gives you breathing room in a month where everything feels urgent. Protect this night fiercely.
- Create a “party pantry” section with ingredients for last-minute entertaining. Stock items like crackers, good cheese, olives, nuts, and frozen appetizers. When someone suggests dropping by or you need to bring something to a gathering, you’re not starting from zero. This is also insurance against those nights when meal planning falls apart and you need to assemble dinner from shelf-stable items.
- Use your slow cooker or Instant Pot for at least three dinners this week. December is the month these appliances earn their keep. Set them up in the morning or during lunch, and come home to a meal that’s ready. It’s not just about saving time—it’s about having one less decision to make during the evening chaos. Plus, your house smells amazing when you walk in, which is basically free holiday ambiance.
Download this PDF to dive into a week of mouthwatering recipes that prove healthy eating can be both delicious and festive.
