These 10 Recipes to Make in December That Have Nothing To Do With Christmas! Take a break from holiday-themed dishes with these 10 cozy and comforting recipes perfect for December. Think hearty soups, seasonal breakfasts, and crowd-pleasing dinners!

collage image of Recipes to Make in December That Have Nothing To Do With Christmas.

Let the Christmas cookies and holiday potluck take a break with these December recipes. The simple and easy recipes are perfect for the cold December weather and show off the best of seasonal produce. From cozy soups to comforting chilis, these recipes will give you a break from all things Christmas.

Cozy Recipes To Make in December

1. Slow Cooker Taco Soup Recipe

Warm up with a cozy bowl of slow cooker taco soup this December. This heart soup takes everything you love about a taco and turns it into a rich and filling bowl of soup. Top it with sour cream, guac, or a few drops of hot sauce to spice things up.

Slow cooker taco soup with avocado.
Slow Cooker Taco Soup Recipe
Whip up this flavorful Slow Cooker Taco Soup in just 10 minutes of prep! Let your crockpot do the rest, blending hearty ground beef, beans, Rotel tomatoes, and bold Southwest spices into a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that everyone will love.
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2. Spaghetti Pie Recipe

Comfort food and cold weather go hand in hand, and this spaghetti pie is nothing short of comfort. The baked pasta dish is excellent to add to your December weeknight meal rotation, as it is simple to make and a dish the whole family can agree on.

slice of spaghetti pie.
Spaghetti Pie Recipe
Delicious and easy Spaghetti Pie – a family favorite comfort food! Made with savory spaghetti, marinara sauce, ground beef, and gooey melted cheese, this baked pasta dish is a perfect weeknight meal that everyone will love!
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3. Butternut Squash Soup

A good bowl of soup in December always hits the spot โ€” especially when it is butternut squash soup. With butternut squash in season, the flavors of this soup are spot on. Serve the soup on its own, or pair it with your favorite fall salad or sandwich for the perfect meal.

butternut squash soup with sour cream and cilantro served in a white bowl
Butternut Squash Soup
This simple homemade butternut squash soup is perfect for cool, fall nights. It's super creamy and full of delicious roasted butternut flavor.
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4. Crock Pot Chili Recipe

This crock pot chili is one of those recipes worth waiting for. While cooking takes around 4-6 hours, it couldn’t be easier to prepare. Everything goes in the crock pot, and the nifty kitchen device does the rest of the work.

Image of easy slow cooker ground beef chili with beans in a white bowl, topped with sour cream and fresh scallions. A silver spoon is dipped in the bowl.
Crock Pot Chili Recipe
In just 4 steps and as little as 4-6 hours, you'll have a Crock Pot Chili the whole family can't help but gather around. Ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and the best chili seasoning – Comfort food at its best!
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5. Pan-Fried Salmon Bites

Eating healthy in December can be a bit challenging with all the holiday treats around. That’s why I like to make these pan-fried salmon bites for a light and healthy meal that breaks up all the sweets. The mini salmon bites are ready in just 15 minutes and perfect to eat on their own or put in a bowl of rice full of your favorite veggies.

Pan-fried salmon bites on a plate.
Pan-Fried Salmon Bites
Ready to eat in less than 15 minutes, these pan-fried Salmon Bites are moist and flakey with a golden brown crust!
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Cozy Recipes To Make in December

6. Brussels Sprouts Salad

This Brussels sprouts salad takes the best of December’s produce and combines it all in one bowl. Brussels sprouts, apples, and butternut squash mix with pumpkin seeds and pomegranates to make the perfect seasonal bite. Go ahead and double the recipe so that you can snack on the leftovers all week long.

brussels sprouts salad served in a white bowl
Brussels Sprouts Salad/ Fall Harvest Salad
This Brussels sprout salad is packed with flavor! With tender roasted butternut squash, Honeycrisp apple, pumpkin seeds, and pomegranate, you can see why I call this a fall harvest salad!
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7. Cauliflower Casserole

Show off cauliflower at its seasonal peak with this cauliflower casserole. The cheesy cauliflower casserole is perfect for a weeknight dinner and can even be made ahead of time to accommodate for the busy winter schedules.

Cauliflower Casserole
This creamy, cheesy cauliflower casserole recipe is perfect for a potluck or a weeknight dinner! Who knew cauliflower could taste so good!
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8. Italian Wedding Soup

This Italian wedding soup will hit the spot on a cold December night. Do yourself a favor and double this recipe and put half of it in the freezer. That way, you’ll be able to have a cozy bowl of soup whenever you feel like it.

A bowl of Italian wedding soup with a second bowl and bread in the background.
Italian Wedding Soup
Italian Wedding Soup is a classic soup recipe perfect for a chilly day. With chicken meatballs, pasta, and loads of veggies, it's hearty, satisfying, and packed with flavor!
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9. Chocolate Pudding Cake

Give yourself a break from all the Christmas cookies this December with this chocolate pudding cake. The rich and gooey cake is a chocolate lover’s dream come true. It’s fudgy, moist, and super decadent.

chocolate pudding cake with a serving missing.
Chocolate Pudding Cake
Fudgy chocolate pudding cake is a chocolate lover's dream! Gooey chocolate cake is paired with a rich chocolate sauce that layers chocolate upon chocolate for the ultimate decadent, yet super simple, dessert. So good!
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There is nothing wrong with a classic chocolate chip cookie, especially when it comes in skillet form. The traditional dessert gets elevated by cooking it in a skillet to create a mouthwatering texture with crisp edges and a chewy center. Top it with your favorite flavor of ice cream to take the dessert up a notch.

Chocolate chip cookie made in a cast iron skillet.
Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Recipe
This is the ultimate gooey, golden-brown chocolate chip skillet cookie. Every bite is chewy and soft with a crisp edge and rich chocolate chips that melt in your mouth.
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These recipes to make in December that have nothing to do with Christmas will warm you right up. Whether you need an easy weeknight meal or just want something comforting, these recipes are guaranteed to deliver on that craving. Which recipe will you try first? Let us know in the comments, and donโ€™t forget to share this with someone who loves the comfort of cozy December meals!


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About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

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