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December is (almost) here, and for me that means it’s time to pick out a tree and start decorating the house for Christmas. Something about a sparkling, glowing fir in the corner of the living room always brings cozy vibes. And those cozy vibes make me want comfort food, so this week I’m leaning into roasted vegetables. Think Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes, tender leeks and woodsy mushrooms. These hearty vegetable-centric dishes fit the mood, and they’re just what I need at this time of year to make sure I’m getting lots of vitamins and nutrients to help support my immune system during this hectic season. Plus, they’re all sheet-pan dinners, so they’re easy to clean up after—always a bonus. If you’re feeling the cozy vibes too, grab a sheet pan and try these recipes for yourself!
Your Weekly Plan
Sunday: Roasted Autumn Vegetables & Chicken Sausage
Monday: Sheet-Pan Spiced Chickpeas & Sweet Potatoes with Herby Yogurt
Tuesday: Sheet-Pan Salmon with Melting Leeks
Wednesday: Sheet-Pan Loaded Cauliflower Gnocchi
Thursday: Sheet-Pan Orange-Apricot Drumsticks
Friday: Blue Cheese & Mushroom Pizza
Our column, ThePrep, has everything you’ll need to make dinner planning and grocery shopping as easy as can be. Nutritional needs differ from one individual to another, and we invite you to use these dinner plans as inspiration and adjust them as you see fit. Sign up to get a dinner plan delivered to your inbox every Saturday!
Sunday: Roasted Autumn Vegetables & Chicken Sausage
I can’t count the number of meals I’ve put together with chicken sausage and roasted vegetables. It’s a go-to combo for me. The chicken sausage provides protein to ensure that the meal is satisfying. And I’ll never say no to loading up my plate with vegetables like butternut squash, Brussels sprouts and red onion. Serve it over warmed precooked farro.
Monday: Sheet-Pan Spiced Chickpeas & Sweet Potatoes with Herby Yogurt
For this dish, chickpeas are tossed in spices and then roasted until crispy on one sheet pan, while sweet potatoes roast and become soft and tender on another. The sweet potatoes are packed with fiber and antioxidants, such as beta carotene, which help support cardiovascular health. Top the warm, spiced chickpeas and roasted sweet potatoes with an herby yogurt, which provides a cool, creamy contrast.
Tuesday: Sheet-Pan Salmon with Melting Leeks
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman
The leeks here are oven-braised until they become so tender they almost seem to melt in your mouth. And protein- and omega-3-rich salmon roasts on the same pan with them. The leeks provide fiber, which helps support your gut health, as well as vitamin C, which supports your immune system. Savory black lentils, which also support gut health, and a creamy sauce complete the dish.
Wednesday: Sheet-Pan Loaded Cauliflower Gnocchi
Baking cauliflower gnocchi on a sheet pan is an easy way to get it crispy. Another bonus is that you can roast the rest of the meal right along with it, such as the cauliflower we call for here. The cauliflower adds gut-healthy fiber to the meal. Inspired by loaded baked potatoes, we top the gnocchi and cauliflower with bacon, Cheddar, sour cream and chives. Serve it with a mixed greens salad.
Thursday: Sheet-Pan Orange-Apricot Drumsticks
A glaze flavored with orange juice, soy sauce and apricot preserves dresses up simple chicken drumsticks in this dish. For a vibrant, nutrient-rich dinner, multicolored fingerling potatoes; green beans, which are packed with immune-supporting vitamin C; and red onion roast along with the drumsticks, soaking up some of the sticky glaze. Serve some whole-grain bread on the side.
Friday: Blue Cheese & Mushroom Pizza
This ultra-savory pizza is perfect for a Friday night. You’ll start by partially cooking a whole-wheat crust in the oven while you work on the topping: a generous amount of sautéed mushrooms, which contain selenium, a mineral that might help prevent cancer and cognitive decline. Then you’ll top the crust with a seasoned oil, followed by the mushrooms and some crumbled blue cheese, which melts and browns in the oven. Delish!
I wish you all a great week, and I hope you enjoy this dinner plan. If you try a recipe, remember to add a review.