15 easy December recipes to add to your weeknight dinner rotation

It’s all too easy to fall into a dinner rut, especially as the nights draw in and the temperatures fall. However, with longer evenings and more time spent indoors, December is a great time to shake things up in the kitchen while making the most of the season’s bounty. With ingredients like leeks, sweet potato and kale at their best, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found. These easy weeknight recipes below are designed to help you try something new, comforting and delicious — each one simple enough for busy evenings, but special enough to become a firm favourite in your winter dinner rotation.

Check out what's in season in December for more recipe inspiration, as well as our round-up of the best December recipes, winter dinners and British comfort food recipes.

1. Chicken, kale & mushroom pot pie

This satisfying one-pot pie featuring tender chicken, earthy mushrooms and nutritious kale is easier to make than you think. Using ready-made puff pastry to cut corners, it's ideal for a comforting family supper, and any leftovers can be frozen for another day.

We have plenty more chicken pie recipes for you to try, including this curried chicken pie.

2. Turkey pasta bake

Use up any leftover turkey (or chicken) to create this super-comforting pasta bake. You can even turn it up a notch by topping with pigs in blankets (if there's any spare).

Discover our freezable pasta bakes to help you get ahead with family dinners.

3. Smoky sausage & squash traybake

Make the most of seasonal butternut squash in this oven-baked traybake with sausages, red onions and warming spices. An all-in-one meal that’s both simple and satisfying, it will be a hit with everyone at the table.

Try more of our easy traybake recipes, such as this vibrant za’atar & lemon chicken traybake.

4. Thai curry noodle soup

This speedy and spicy prawn noodle soup is great for using up whatever vegetables you have on hand. It's a warming bowl that's packed with flavour and is ready on the table in just 20 minutes – ideal for busy weeknights.

Try more of our noodle soup recipes, including this Vietnamese chicken noodle soup.

5. Root veg lentil bowl with herb pistou

Celebrate the season’s root vegetables with this wholesome veggie bowl, featuring roasted carrots or parsnips, hearty lentils and a herby pistou drizzle. It makes for a vibrant and vegan-friendly meal.

Take a look at more vegan winter recipes, such as this coconut cashew & butternut squash curry.

6. Cod & prawn pie with saffron potatoes

Elevate your fish pie with a touch of saffron. Low in fat and calories, it's also a great way to enjoy seafood during the cold winter months.

Check out more of our fish pie recipes as well as our healthy Christmas recipes.

7. Caramelised onion & chicory tart with gorgonzola

This tatin-style vegetarian tart combines sweet caramelised onions, chicory and blue cheese, finished with a scattering of crunchy hazelnuts. It’s simple enough to make – using ready-rolled puff pastry for ease – yet its full of moreish winter flavours.

Take a look at our tarte tatin recipes for more inspiration, then check out our best blue cheese recipes.

8. Red cabbage, cauliflower & coconut dhal

Transform red cabbage and cauliflower into a nourishing vegetarian dhal, flavoured with coconut and warming spices. This warming bowl of goodness is perfect for chilly winter nights.

Try our best ever dhal recipes here.

9. Sweet potato & peanut curry

Nothing says Friday night like a beautiful homemade curry, and this one will kick a takeaway to the curb. This budget-friendly dish is flavour-packed but mild enough for kids, plus meat-eaters won't even realise it's vegan. With spinach and sweet potato, it boasts two of your five-a-day and it’s also under 400 calories.

Try more of our sweet potato curry recipes then take a look at our round-up of the most popular curry recipes.

10. Turkey ramen

A creative way to use up any roast turkey leftovers, this nourishing ramen features a rich broth, shiitake mushrooms and a jammy egg. It’s a restorative bowl to curl up with on those dark nights.

Find more ways to use up your turkey leftovers.

11. Cavolo nero orecchiette

Enjoy winter’s finest greens with this easy pasta dish, ready in just 30 minutes. Iron-rich cavolo nero is tossed with orecchiette and a simple garlicky sauce, making for a nutritious, speedy supper.

Take a browse through more cavolo nero recipes, such as this pancetta & white bean stew.

12. Creamy sprout, hazelnut & leek pasta

Give your sprouts a new lease of life in this creamy low-calorie pasta, where they’re paired with sweet leeks and crunchy hazelnuts for a festive twist.

See our winter pasta recipes for more inspiration, as well as our vegetarian winter recipes.

13. Chorizo & pea risotto

This risotto makes brilliant use of storecupboard and freezer staples — smoky chorizo, frozen peas and arborio rice — cooked together for an easy, flavour-packed dinner that's ready in under 40 minutes.

Take a look at more comforting risotto dishes or check out our chorizo recipe collection.

14. Warm winter bean salad with chicken

A robust salad for cold weather, this dish features soft butter beans, bitter leaves, chicken breast and herbs, all tossed in a tangy dressing. It’s hearty enough to be a main meal.

See more winter salad recipes to add to your repertoire.

15. Vegan ramen

A bowlful of comfort, this meat-free ramen is loaded with veg, tofu, dried mushrooms and miso for umami-rich depth. Add whatever winter vegetables you have to hand for a flexible, speedy supper.

See our collection of top ramen recipes for more soothing suppers.