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Wondering what to cook when the weather outside is chilly and damp? If you're looking for nutritious, cozy meals to get you in a holiday mood in the month of December, read on! Here are 20 best comfort food recipe ideas, all gluten-free!
When the calendar turns to December, it's time to create warm holiday moments with family and friends!
I've pulled together a collection of recipes for easy cozy comfort food meals to help you get in the spirit of the holidays as you cozy up at home with your partner or your family. With the bustle of Thanksgiving dinner over, now's the time to relax and enjoy the season. Keep things simple with these easy meals!
Click on the button below each photo to take you to each recipe.
Jump to:
- 20 cozy comfort meals to enjoy in December
- Chicken Dishes
- Seafood Meals
- Soups and Stews
- Cozy Casseroles
- Warm Drinks, co*cktails and Mocktails
- More favorite holiday recipe collections
20 cozy comfort meals to enjoy in December
Chicken Dishes
Here are four favorite chicken recipes. You'll find over 80 more in my Chicken Recipes category.
Cranberry Rosemary Boneless Chicken Thighs
Get in a holiday mood with these Cranberry Rosemary Boneless Chicken Thighs! Make enough to have leftovers the following day. Cook once and eat twice! Serve with rice, and consider doubling the rice recipe to save half for fried rice later in the week.
Cranberry Rosemary Boneless Chicken Thighs
This Cranberry Rosemary Boneless Chicken dish is a simple, but simply elegant baked chicken dish, perfect for holiday dinners! Marinate, bake and garnish this one-pan dish.
Cranberry Rosemary Boneless Chicken Thighs
Easy Moroccan Lemon Chicken Thighs with Olives
Moroccan Lemon Chicken Thighs with Olives
This Moroccan spiced chicken recipe is a streamlined version of a traditional Moroccan lemon chicken tagine. It's a 30-minute skillet recipe, all cooked in one pan. Exotic Mediterranean flavours in a simple weeknight meal! Gluten-free, Paleo and Keto.
Moroccan Lemon Chicken Thighs with Olives
One-Pan Baked Lemon Artichoke Chicken
One-Pan Lemon Artichoke Chicken Thighs
This Baked Lemon Artichoke Chicken recipe is all made in one pan. Full of the robust flavours of the sunny Mediterranean, it's seasoned with garlic, lemon, olives, feta cheese, and of course, artichokes!
One-Pan Lemon Artichoke Chicken Thighs
Sheet Pan Chicken and Roasted Harvest Vegetables
Sheet Pan Chicken and Roasted Harvest Vegetables
This Sheet Pan Chicken dinner with Roasted Harvest Vegetables is flavoured with fresh herbs and smoky bacon. Crispy chicken and roasted vegetables make a complete meal, made in one pan, baked in just 40 minutes.
Sheet Pan Chicken and Roasted Harvest Vegetables
Seafood Meals
Seafood meals have a special way of turning any meal into a comforting feast with their delicious flavors. From this easy shrimp fried rice to a fish pot pie, seafood dishes can be totally satisfying. They're a good choice when you're seeking a change from chicken!
Easy Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice
Use your leftover rice to make this Easy Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice. It's a one-pot 30-minute meal!
Easy Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice
This hearty one-pot 30-minute Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice brings the fabulous spicy flavours of Louisiana to your dinner table! An easy full-flavoured gluten-free fried rice recipe.
Easy Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice
Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Patties with Lemon Aioli
Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Gluten-free Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Patties make a nutritious, delicious easy weeknight meal. Make ahead and freeze!
Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Patties
Seafood Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
Seafood Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
This Seafood Pot Pie with Puff Pastry is rich and creamy, topped with crisp, golden flaky puff pastry. You can make this easy fish pot pie recipe with your choice of seafood and with either regular or gluten-free puff pastry!
Seafood Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
Spicy Thai Mussels in Coconut Milk
Spicy Thai Mussels
This easy recipe for fresh spicy Thai mussels steamed in an aromatic coconut broth make an impressive starter.
Spicy Thai Mussels
Soups and Stews
Soup makes a nourishing comfort meal, combining both flavor and nutrition in a single bowl. Packed with an array of vegetables, lean proteins, and wholesome broths, soups provide a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Is there anything more soothing than a warm bowl of soup on a winter day? Check out over 30 more recipes in my Soups and Chowder category.
Sweet Potato Corn Chowder
Have a simple soup and biscuit meal while you watch a Christmas movie! Try this Sweet Potato Corn Chowder with baking powder biscuits.
Hearty Vegan Sweet Potato Corn Chowder
This Sweet Potato Corn Chowder is thick and chunky, slightly sweet and slightly spicy. It's free of oil, dairy, meat, and gluten, and it's incredibly delicious!
Hearty Vegan Sweet Potato Corn Chowder
Herbed Gluten-Free Baking Powder Biscuits
These Herbed Gluten-Free Baking Powder Biscuits are simple to make with a handful of ingredients and a gluten-free flour mix. Great with soup or any dinner!
Herbed Gluten-Free Baking Powder Biscuits
Slow Cooker Lentil and Sausage Stew
Slow Cooker Lentil and Sausage Stew
This hearty recipe for slow cooker lentil and sausage stew combines lentils, vegetables, cooked sausage, and herbs in a rich tomato-based broth. This flavourful stew is gluten-free, dairy-free and so delicious! An easy "dump-and-go" slow cooker stew recipe.
Slow Cooker Lentil and Sausage Stew
Italian Vegetable Gnocchi Soup
Italian Vegetable Gnocchi Soup
Italian vegetable gnocchi soup is a simple hearty, budget-friendly soup. Full of carrots, onions, celery, San Marzano tomatoes, baby spinach, Italian seasoning, and pillowy soft gnocchi, it's topped with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
Italian Vegetable Gnocchi Soup
Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
Easy One-Pot Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
This Thai Chicken Noodle Soup recipe combines tender chicken, creamy coconut milk, vibrant green curry, and a medley of vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, and red peppers, all simmered together with delicate rice noodles. It has a perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and savoury notes in every spoonful.
Easy One-Pot Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
Cozy Casseroles
Casserole recipes are the epitome of convenient comfort food! They blend your favorite ingredients into a satisfying dish with minimal effort.
Whether it's a shepherd's pie or a baked Mexican chicken dish, casseroles offer a simple yet delicious solution for a quick and comforting meal. Their ease of preparation makes them a go-to choice for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends.
Cheesy Tomato Gnocchi Bake
Cheesy Tomato Gnocchi Bake (no boil)
A cozy, one-pan skillet meal made with tomatoes and gnocchi, filled with veggies and topped with melted cheese. Ready in 30 minutes!
Cheesy Tomato Gnocchi Bake (no boil)
Easy Homemade Shepherd's Pie
Easy Homemade Shepherd's Pie
Traditional homemade Shepherd's Pie has a rich flavourful filling of ground lamb, chicken or turkey and veggies, topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. Perfect for chilly days or for St. Patrick's Day!
Easy Homemade Shepherd's Pie
Salsa Verde Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Salsa Verde Chicken Tortilla Casserole
This Salsa Verde Chicken Tortilla Bake is a deliciously creamy layered casserole filled with juicy shredded chicken, spicy salsa verde, corn tortillas, tomatoes, and cheese. Your favourite Mexican flavours, all in one dish!
Salsa Verde Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Baked Chicken Fajita Casserole
Baked Fajita Chicken Casserole
This Baked Fajita Chicken Casserole is an easy one-pan recipe. Simple to make, my version is made with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and cheese. Perfect to serve over rice, cauliflower rice or gluten-free pasta, this cheesy chicken fajita bake can be ready in about 45 minutes.
Baked Fajita Chicken Casserole
Warm Drinks, co*cktails and Mocktails
Don't forget hot chocolate! A crackling fire, a warm blanket, and your favorite Christmas mug full of this dairy-free Cashew Milk Mexican Hot Chocolate will create special memories for your family this month!
Homemade Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate
This homemade vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate with cashew milk or almond milk is made with 0-calorie monkfuit sweetener, cocoa, and rich dark chocolate. Enjoy a warm drink of spiced hot cocoa on chilly days!
Homemade Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate
Warm Turmeric Cinnamon Milk
Warm Turmeric Cinnamon Milk
Warm Turmeric Cinnamon Milk, also known as Golden Milk is a nutritious beverage with amazing health benefits. It may also help you sleep.
Warm Turmeric Cinnamon Milk
Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria
Simply the best! A fall and winter favorite.
Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria
A simple recipe for Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria, made with red wine, orange liqueur, fresh cranberry juice and soft cider. Perfect for celebrating fall and winter!
Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria
Sparkling Cranberry Pineapple Punch with Lime
A sparkling holiday party punch for both adults and kids!
Sparkling Cranberry Pineapple Punch with Lime
This nono-alcoholic Sparkling Cranberry Pineapple Punch is a perfect blend of tart cranberry juice, sweet pineapple juice, zesty lime, and a sparkle of ginger ale. Make this Christmas punch as a single mocktail or in a pitcher or punch bowl.
Sparkling Cranberry Pineapple Punch with Lime
Simmering Holiday Potpourri
Remember to create a homey atmosphere this holiday season. Simmer this Holiday Potpourri on your stovetop or in your slow cooker. It will waft through your kitchen and make your home smell like Christmas!
Make Your Own Simmering Holiday Potpourri
Make your home smell like Christmas with simmering holiday potpourri in a slow cooker or on a stovetop. Package for gift-giving and add one of the printable gift tags provided.
Make Your Own Simmering Holiday Potpourri
More favorite holiday recipe collections
- Easy 30 Minute Meals: Gluten-Free
- 25 Gluten-free Game Day Snacks for the Win
- How to Make Homemade Salad Dressing
- 24 Best Winter Salad Recipes
