We’re officially in pre-holiday prep mode, and this week’s meals are designed to be your training ground. These are the recipes you’ll want to bookmark for busy November and December nights when you need something satisfying but not overwhelming. Everything this week hits that “restaurant quality, home kitchen reality” sweet spot. We’re also focusing on meals that freeze well and ingredients you can buy in bulk, because smart planning now means less stress later.
I’ve been through enough holiday seasons to know that good intentions in November turn into survival mode by December. So this week is about building your arsenal of go-to meals that work when life gets hectic. We’re talking about 30-minute dinners that taste like they took hours, breakfast options you can prep on Sunday for the whole week, and lunches that travel well for those days when you’re running errands between work and whatever family obligation is next on the list. Every recipe has been chosen because it uses ingredients you can find anywhere and techniques that don’t require special equipment or culinary school skills. Consider this your dress rehearsal for holiday season success. Master these meals now, and you’ll thank yourself when December hits and everyone else is stress-eating their way through the month.
WW Meal Plan SUNDAY November 9th
B: Banana Walnut Muffins (2 points)
L: Parmesan Chicken Tenders (2 points)
D: Slow Cooker Brisket (4 points)
Dessert: Carrot Cake Bars (4 points)
Total WW Points: 12
Notes: I love carrot cake, but sometimes making the whole thing is a hassle. These carrot cake bars are perfect when you want to be lazy with it!
WW Meal Plan MONDAY November 10th
B: Breakfast Stromboli (7 points)
L: Leftovers
D: Bacon Cheeseburger Lasagna Rolls (6 points)
Dessert: Pumpkin Spice Donuts (3 points)
Total WW Points: 16+
Notes: This breakfast stromboli makes a great meal prep breakfast because it’s handheld if it needs to be. You can use it for the rest of the week if you need a breakfast that’s on the go.
WW Meal Plan TUESDAY November 11th
B: Sausage Biscuit Casserole (6 points)
L: Carnitas (5 points)
D: Chicken Alfredo Soup (4 points)
Dessert: Leftovers
Total WW Points: 15+
Notes: Chicken alfredo soup definitely sounds weird, but give it a chance. It’s shredded chicken added to a lightened up base of light alfredo sauce, low fat cream of chicken soup, unsweetened almond milk, and chicken broth.
WW Meal Plan WEDNESDAY November 12th
B: Leftovers
L: Buffalo Chicken Empanadas (4 points)
D: Spicy Chicken Chili (0 points)
Dessert: Gingerbread Cookies (3 points)
Total WW Points: 7+
Notes: This Spicy Chicken Chili is healthy, hearty, and very filling. The key to making this chili zero points is to use 99% fat-free ground chicken. Sprouts and Trader Joe’s both carry a great fat-free ground turkey, so you could use that as well.
WW Meal Plan THURSDAY November 13th
B: Kodiak Pumpkin Muffins (1 point)
L: Chicken Parm Loaf (5 points)
D: Tex Mex Shepherd’s Pie (4 points)
Dessert: Apple Maple Pockets (2 points)
Total WW Points: 12
Notes: These apple maple pockets are great for this season. Easy to make, perfect seasonal flavors, and low in points.
WW Meal Plan FRIDAY November 14th
B: Apple Cranberry Oatmeal Bake (5 points)
L: White Chicken Chili Tacos (2 points)
D: Leftovers
Dessert: Pecan Thumbprint Cookies (3 points)
Total WW Points: 10+
Notes: You can’t head into winter without a good pecan thumbprint cookie, and these are only 3 points!
WW Meal Plan SATURDAY November 15th
B: Cinnamon French Toast Casserole (4 points)
L: Bacon Cheeseburger Soup (3 points)
D: Chicken Chili Bubble Up (5 points)
Dessert: Mini Peanut Butter Cookies (1 point)
Total WW Points: 13
Notes: If you’re tired of chili and soup, make this chicken chili bubble up. You get the comforting winter flavor but with biscuits!
Check your pantry and fridge for any of these listed items before heading to the grocery store.
Grocery List
Proteins
- Lean brisket
- Extra lean ground beef
- 99% fat-free ground chicken
- Fat free ground turkey
- Boneless skinless chicken breast
- Center cut bacon
- Pork breakfast sausages
- Pork shoulder
- Eggs
- Liquid egg whites
Dairy & Refrigerated
- Light cream cheese
- Light butter
- Skim milk
- Almond milk
- Non fat plain Greek yogurt
- Vanilla Greek yogurt
- Light sour cream
- Reduced fat shredded cheese
- Reduced fat shredded mozzarella
- Light alfredo sauce
- Finely grated parmesan cheese
Fresh Produce
- Medium bananas
- Apples (peeled and diced)
- Red onion
- Green onion
- Red pepper
- Green pepper
- Yellow pepper
- Tomato
- Diced garlic
- Shredded carrots
- Fresh cranberries
- Fresh oranges (for juice)
Frozen Items
- Home fries
- Corn
- Hash browns
Pantry/Dry Goods
- Quick oats
- All-purpose flour
- Self raising flour
- Lasagna noodles
- Whole wheat lasagna noodles
- Small tortillas
- Low carb wraps
- Bread crumbs
- Panko crumbs
- Finely chopped walnuts
- Chopped nuts
- Chopped pecans
- White chocolate chips
- Kodiak cakes buttermilk protein packed mix
Canned/Jarred Goods
- Pumpkin puree
- Low fat cream of chicken soup
- Chicken broth
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Light tomato pasta sauce
- Salsa
- Franks hot sauce
- Ketchup
- Apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Canned green chilies
- Unsweetened applesauce
Oils & Condiments
- Olive oil
- Mustard
- Mustard powder
- Ranch dressing
- Honey
- Sugar free maple syrup
- Molasses
- Peanut butter
Spices & Seasonings
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Nutmeg
- Ground ginger
- Ginger
- Cumin
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Cajun seasoning
- Chili powder
- Red chili flakes
- Red pepper flakes
- Cayenne pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Bay leaves
- Basil
- Thyme
- Onion powder
- Garlic salt
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Trader Joe’s everything but the bagel seasoning
Sweeteners
- Brown sugar
- White sugar
- Sugar substitute or Stevia
- Icing sugar (confectionery sugar)
Baking Supplies
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- All spice
Bakery/Bread Items
- Pillsbury pizza dough
- Reduced fat crescent rolls
- Pillsbury biscuits (7.5 oz packages)
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:
- This week is all about creating your holiday season toolkit, so prep ingredients that can be transformed into multiple dishes with minimal effort. Cook plain proteins in bulk, prepare neutral grains, and roast basic vegetables. The magic happens in the seasonings and sauces you add later, but having these foundations ready means you can create variety without starting from scratch each time.
- Prepare freezer-friendly components that will save you during the busy weeks ahead. Make and freeze meatballs, portion cooked grains into freezer bags, and pre-chop hardy vegetables like onions and bell peppers. Label everything with dates and contents because future you will be grateful for the organization when December hits and your brain is focused on gift lists instead of dinner planning.
- Set up what I call “emergency meal kits” by combining shelf-stable and frozen ingredients in labeled containers or bags. Include a protein, a grain, vegetables, and seasoning suggestions. When you’re exhausted from holiday shopping or hosting, these kits let you make a complete meal without thinking or planning. Store them in the freezer with cooking instructions attached so anyone in your family can handle dinner duty.
Download this PDF to dive into a week of mouthwatering recipes that prove healthy eating can be both delicious and festive.
