Your January Meal Plan

Day 1: Ultimate Pot Roast

Kick off your January meal plan with the ultimate comfort food. When juicy pot roast simmers in garlic, onions and veggies, everyone comes running to ask, “When can we eat?” The answer? Just wait—it will be worth it. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

Day 2: Shrimp in Cream Sauce

Looking for an extra-special entree to delight your busy crowd? My family always manages to make time for this rich shrimp dish. We enjoy it over golden egg noodles.

Day 3: Chicken Stuffing Bake

At my bridal shower a few years ago, each guest brought a recipe card with their best dish. We’ve tried everyone’s recipe, but this chicken stuffing bake is a favorite. —Nicole Vogl Harding, Spokane, Washington

Day 4: The Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup

My first Wisconsin winter was so cold, all I wanted to eat was homemade chicken noodle soup. Of all the chicken noodle soup recipes out there, this type of soup is my favorite and is in heavy rotation from November to April. It has many incredibly devoted fans.—Gina Nistico, Denver, Colorado

Day 5: Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs

It’s fun to watch my friends eat these meatballs for the first time. They’re pleasantly surprised to find melted cheese in the middle. These meatballs are also great in a hot sub sandwich.

Day 6: Artichoke Chicken

Rosemary, mushrooms and artichokes combine to give this chicken a wonderful, savory flavor. I’ve served this healthy canned vegetable recipe for a large group by doubling the batch. It’s always a big hit with everyone—especially my family! —Ruth Stenson, Santa Ana, California

Day 7: Herb-Stuffed Red Peppers

We found this recipe online but were missing a few of the ingredients, so we improvised. We like the results. —Brenda Joyner, Pateros, Washington

Day 8: Sunday Pork Roast

Mom would prepare pork roast for our family, friends and customers at the three restaurants she and Dad owned. The herb rub and vegetables give it a remarkable flavor. It's one of my favorite pork roast recipes. —Sandi Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee

Day 9: Spinach Quesadillas

My family gave these cheesy quesadillas oohs and aahs. Remove the spinach from the heat as soon as it wilts so it keeps a little bit of crunch. —Pam Kaiser, Mansfield, Missouri

Day 10: Baked Ziti and Sausage

This is my husband’s favorite casserole, and he requests it often. He loves the combination of zesty Italian meat and three types of cheese, which together create a scrumptious baked ziti with sausage.—Christina Ingalls, Manhattan, Kansas

Day 11: Southwest Chicken Chili

Chicken thighs are a nice change-of-pace in this easy chili. I also add a smoked ham hock and fresh cilantro to add flavor and keep the dish interesting. —Phyllils Beatty, Chandler, Arizona

Day 12: Southern-Style Meat Loaf

When my husband and I moved to the South, we discovered our love for pimiento cheese! Its addition lends a southern flare to this tried-and-true meat loaf recipe. —Patricia Getson, Wilmington, North Carolina

Day 13: Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Broccoli is a favorite vegetable in our home. This is one dish that always gets rave reviews. Serve it for a brunch or dinner. —Colleen Lewis, Cottonwood, Arizona

Day 14: Blue Plate Beef Patties

A friend and I discovered this recipe together and both consider it a staple menu item. I fix the moist ground beef patties often for family and friends. We love them with mashed potatoes, rice or noodles and the gravy, which gets great flavor from fresh mushrooms. —Phyllis Miller, Danville, Indiana

Day 15: Cassoulet for Today

French cassoulet is traditionally cooked for hours. This version of the rustic dish offers the same homey taste in less time. It’s easy on the wallet, too. —Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida

Day 16: The Ultimate Grilled Cheese

These gooey grilled cheese sandwiches taste great for lunch with sliced apples. And they’re really fast to whip up, too. Here’s how to make grilled cheese the right way. —Kathy Norris, Streator, Illinois

Day 17: Apples ‘n’ Onion Topped Chops

Now that my husband and I are trying to lose weight, I find it a challenge to come up with healthy dishes that are flavorful, quick and appealing to us and our young daughter. This one fits the bill on all counts. —Beverly McLain, Endicott, New York

Day 18: Homemade Ragu Sauce

My family loves homemade spaghetti sauce and this one is a big hit. I always make sure to serve this ragu sauce recipe with plenty of garlic bread. —Kate Gaul, Dubuque, IA

Day 19: Slow-Cooker Poblano Pork Loin

I live in Arizona and this slow-cooker pork loin is an easy dish with many southwestern seasonings. It’s fantastic with rice and beans or in a taco with hot sauce. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Day 20: Chicken Marsala en Croute

I love puff pastry and chicken Marsala, so I decided to combine the two. The result is a very special meal perfect for Sunday dinner or any special occasion. Be sure to keep the puff pastry chilled so it is easier to work with. —Lorraine Russo, Mahwah, New Jersey

Day 21: Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

This one-dish roast chicken with vegetables tastes as if it took hours of hands-on time to put together, but the simple ingredients can be prepped in mere minutes. The rosemary gives it a rich flavor, and the meat juices cook the veggies to perfection. It’s unbelievably easy! —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Day 22: Traditional Lasagna

My family first tasted this rich, homemade lasagna recipe at a friend's home on Christmas Eve. We were so impressed that it became our own holiday tradition as well. I also prepare it other times of the year. This classic lasagna recipe is requested often by my sister's Italian in-laws—I consider that the highest compliment! —Lorri Foockle, Granville, Illinois

Day 23: Sheet-Pan Pork Supper

I created this pork tenderloin sheet-pan dinner to suit our family’s needs. It’s so quick and easy to clean up since you use one pan for everything! Use any variety of small potatoes—fingerlings or other colored potatoes are a fun and delicious option. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri

Day 24: Burger Sliders with Secret Sauce

These sliders are super easy to put together and are always a hit! I love that they are “fast food” without our having to go to a restaurant. Take them to a party, make them for dinner or serve them on game day. The meat can also be made ahead of time in preparation for your gathering. —April Lee Wiencek, Chicago, Illinois

Day 25: Asian Glazed Chicken Thighs

Everyone goes for this super moist, garlicky chicken, including my fussy kids. For your holiday buffet or family gathering, serve it with rice or noodles. —Carole Lotito, Hillsdale, New Jersey

Day 26: Slow-Cooked Chili

This hearty slow cooker chili can cook for up to 10 hours on low in the slow cooker. It’s so good to come home to its wonderful aroma after a long day away. —Sue Call, Beech Grove, Indiana

Day 27: Chicken Biscuit Potpie

This hearty chicken potpie recipe with biscuits takes just 10 minutes to assemble before you can pop it in the oven. —Dorothy Smith, El Dorado, Arkansas

Day 28: Lentil Sloppy Joes

When I experimented with making more vegetarian-friendly recipes, this was one of my biggest hits—we still eat it weekly! My preschooler will always eat every bite of these tangy lentil joes. —Christina Rock, Covington, Washington

Day 29: Citrus Coconut Steamed Cod

I love to make this fusion meal on weeknights when I am short on time but want something big in flavor. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Day 30: Hamburger Stroganoff

This easy ground beef Stroganoff makes a quick weeknight dinner. I like to serve with a side salad for a complete meal. —Deb Helmer, Lynden, Washington

Day 31: Cashew Chicken Pizza

I make this quick weeknight chicken pizza when I’m craving takeout. I like using shortcuts like premade pizza crust and rotisserie chicken to cut down on my time in the kitchen. —Joseph A. Sciascia, San Mateo, California