🙌🏻 Your FREE Weekly Meal Plan: 12/18/25

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Hi Reader,

How are you doing? Thriving? Surviving? Somewhere in between?

I'm mostly done shopping, but still need to wrap all our gifts before the kids are done with school for winter break. Plus run a million little errands, check off a whole list of tasks, and — well, you get the idea, and I'm sure you can relate!

To get through these next few chaotic days — and the holiday! — join me in relying on a combination of make-ahead meals, crock pot dinners, and easy one pot recipes to get tasty food on the table without a ton of stress.

We've got this! 💪🏼

🍽 Weekly Meal Plan

1️⃣ Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

2️⃣ Loaded Baked Potato Soup

3️⃣ Pasta Fresca

4️⃣ Actually Delicious Turkey Chili

5️⃣ One Pot Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie

📆 Let's Break it Down

#1 Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

I LOVE this recipe. Not only because it's juicy, tender, and delicious — but because I can use it in a variety of ways, and meals. We eat it for dinner on buns with BBQ sauce, then I use leftovers to make pulled pork quesadillas or burritos for my boys' breakfasts or after-school snacks. Yesterday I put some in my daughter's lunch box mixed with BBQ sauce. It's a meal you can cook once then reap the rewards from all week long.

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#2 Loaded Baked Potato Soup

This soup is going gangbusters right now because it's so hearty and comforting. SUCH a crowd-pleasing soup recipe! Serve as-is, or with side salads.

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#3 Easy Turkey Chili

In my experience, cooked ground turkey can be dry, chalky, and just plain unappetizing. Totally not the case with this lighter turkey chili recipe, that's just as delicious as beef. Promise! This is a great make-ahead meal — reheat it in the cooking pot over medium-heat. Serve with Gluten Free Cornbread.

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#4 Pasta Fresca

I won't lie, my blood is half worcestershire sauce and butter due to the amount of Chex Mix I've consumed over this past week. 🥴 That said, I'm looking forward to this lighter, veggie-packed pasta recipe next week. No extra sides required.

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#5 One Pot Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie

This is another recipe that's been getting a ton of attention lately! Half chicken pot pie, half chicken & dumplings - with nearly none of the work. So easy and comforting, plus it's made entirely in one pot, and requires zero side dishes. Such a winner!

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👩🏻‍🍳 More Recipes to Try

Bake: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (GF+DF)
Snack: Gluten Free Chex Mix
Make: Edible Christmas Gifts
Create: Fruit Christmas Tree
Wake Up: Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole

⭐️ NEW! On Iowa Girl Eats

Savory Chicken Stew

Nourishing, warming, filling, and hearty - Chicken Stew is the perfect meal for a cold December night!

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Have you made and loved a recipe on Iowa Girl Eats? I'd love if you'd give it a ⭐️ rating and comment, which helps others know that a recipe is worth making. Thank you for considering!

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