Your February Meal Plan

Day 1: Texan Ranch Chicken Casserole

Day 2: Seafood Chowder with Seasoned Oyster Crackers

Chock-full of fish, shrimp and scallops, this comforting chowder has been pleasing my family for many years. The seasoned oyster crackers add a bit of spice.—Virginia Anthony, Jacksonville, Florida

Goes Great With: Old Bay Cauliflower

Day 3: Lemon Mushroom Chicken

There’s a lot of flavor in this dish. The best part? It doesn’t seem light at all! —Carrie Palmquist, Canova, South Dakota

Goes Great With: Greek Asparagus Salad

Day 4: Pork Veggie Stir-Fry

Even kids find this colorful combo of vegetables, pork strips, seasonings and peanuts very appealing. Serve it over rice for a main dish that needs no sides. —Laurel Reisinger, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Goes Great With: Baked Egg Rolls

Day 5: Sausage Ratatouille

You’ll feel like a great chef when you serve this veggie-packed dish party guests will rave about. Don’t let the ingredient list fool you: Pantry staples and an easy-cook method make this one a cinch. —Janine Freeman, Blaine, Washington

Goes Great With: Chive Pinwheel Rolls

Day 6: Veggie Thai Curry Soup

My go-to Thai restaurant inspired this curry soup. Shiitake mushrooms are my favorite, but any fresh mushroom will work. Fresh basil and lime add a burst of bright flavors. —Tre Balchowsky, Sausalito, California

Goes Great With: Pork & Vegetable Spring Rolls

Day 7: 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 8: Simple Sesame Chicken with Couscous

I created this dish after my three kids tried Chinese takeout and asked for more. To make things easy for myself, I typically use a rotisserie chicken from the deli. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida

Goes Great With: Lime-Honey Fruit Salad

Day 9: Garlic Lover's Beef Stew

Wine gives a mellow flavor to this beef and carrot stew. We like to serve it over mashed potatoes, but you could also use noodles. —Alissa Brown, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

Goes Great With: Nanny’s Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Day 10: Greek Chicken Bake

As soon as the weather turns cold, I know it’s time to pull out this go-to recipe. I assemble it in the morning, then put it in the oven just before dinner. —Kelly Maxwell, Plainfield, Illinois

Goes Great With: Lemon-Herb Olives with Goat Cheese

Day 11: Fabulous Fajitas

I've enjoyed cooking since I was a girl growing up in the Southwest. When friends call to ask me for new recipes to try, I suggest these flavorful fajitas. It's wonderful to put the beef in the slow cooker before church and come home to a hot delicious main dish. —Janie Reitz, Rochester, Minnesota

Goes Great With: Spicy Refried Beans

Day 12: Skillet Shepherd's Pie

This is the best shepherd’s pie recipe I’ve ever tasted. It’s very quick to make, and I usually have most—if not all—of the ingredients already on hand. —Tirzah Sandt, San Diego, California

Goes Great With: Roasted Carrots & Fennel

Day 13: Balsamic Roast Chicken

As far as roast chicken ideas go, this baked balsamic chicken recipe is one of our favorites. When the aroma from this dish fills your house, your family will think you spent all day cooking. But this elegant Sunday-special roast chicken, flavored with rosemary, wine and balsamic vinegar, is surprisingly simple to make. —Tracy Tylkowski, Omaha, Nebraska

Goes Great With: Northwoods Wild Rice Salad

Day 14: Fig-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

I like to experiment with unique flavors and try to make the food look photo-worthy, too. But for my husband, the dish just has to taste good. Here's a supper that made us both happy. —Jean Gottfried, Upper Sandusky, Ohio

Goes Great With: Pretty Duchess Potatoes

Day 15: Stuffed Turkey with Mojo Sauce

I love Latin food so I created this recipe that combines wonderful spices and fresh ingredients. This is a traditional turkey recipe with a healthier twist because it uses chicken sausage instead of chorizo. —Melissa Lauer, San Antonio, Texas

Goes Great With: Jasmine Rice with Coconut & Cherries

Day 16: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Slow-cooker split pea soup is so easy, all you have to do is dump everything into the cooker. This soul-warming soup comes together in a snap!

Goes Great With: Basic Homemade Bread

Day 17: Snappy Tuna Melts

I lightened up a classic tuna melt by using creamy balsamic vinaigretee in place of the traditional mayonnaise. Kids and adults both go for this quick meal. —Christine Schenher, Exeter, California

Goes Great With: Garlic-Chive Baked Fries

Day 18: Beef Bolognese with Linguine

After much research, tasting and tweaking, I finally came up with this beef bolognese recipe that is based on a dish from an Italian restaurant where I worked. It’s perfect for feeding a house full of guests. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey

Goes Great With: Michigan Cherry Salad

Day 19: Quick Tacos al Pastor

We loved the pork and pineapple tacos from a food truck in Hawaii. My husband, a high school football referee, gives my version a thumbs-up. —Lori McLain, Denton, Texas

Goes Great With: Mexican Street Corn Bake

Day 20: Turkey Gyros

Greek seasoning, feta cheese and dill-cucumber sauce give this gyro an authentic taste. It was my family's introduction to how really good pita bread can be. Instead of feta cheese, we'll sprinkle on cheddar or Monterey Jack if we have it. —Donna Garvin, Glens Falls, New York

Goes Great With: Orzo Vegetable Salad

Day 21: Pork Chops with Honey-Garlic Sauce

The sauce on these honey garlic pork chops is so good, I sometimes double it so there's extra for dipping whatever veggie we have on the side. —Michelle Smith, Eldersburg, Maryland

Day 22: Pizza Noodle Bake

Here’s a family-pleasing casserole that comes together in a snap, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Double the recipe and freeze one for later! —Bernice Knutson, Soldier, Iowa

Goes Great With: Garlic Bread

Day 23: Easy White Chicken Chili

Chili is one of our best cold-weather strategies. We use chicken and white beans for a twist on the regular bowl of red. It’s soothing comfort food. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia

Goes Great With: Peppered Corn Bread

Day 24: Sausage & Swiss Chard Lasagna

Rustic and comforting, I found this rich and cheesy lasagna to be a great way to get kids to eat healthy greens—it's such a tasty casserole they'll never know the Swiss chard is there! —Candace Morehouse, Show Low, Arizona

Goes Great With: Roasted Herb & Lemon Cauliflower

Day 25: Skillet Nachos

My mom gave me a fundraiser cookbook, and this is the recipe I’ve used most. My whole family is on board. For toppings, think sour cream, tomatoes, jalapeno and red onion. —Judy Hughes, Waverly, Kansas

Goes Great With: Zucchini Pico de Gallo Salsa

Day 26: Beef Short Ribs in Burgundy Sauce

As an Army general, my stepdad got this beef short ribs recipe from his aide, who said it was his mother's best Sunday meal. It’s a mouthwatering family favorite. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

Goes Great With: Green Bean Bundles

Day 27: Red Pepper Meat Loaf

This recipe is a nice substitute for the usual beef meat loaf. It’s plenty moist and so flavorful with the sweet red pepper. Leftovers are great for sandwiches the next day.

Goes Great With: Green Bean and Cauliflower Casserole

Day 28: Quick & Easy New Orleans Shrimp

I’ve simplified my mom's Shrimp Creole—she made it for us growing up. Now it's effortless comfort food I make for my own family. —Crystal Milne, Urbana, Illinois

Goes Great With: Lemon Rice Pilaf