December is a magical month, but it can also be overwhelming. Between holiday parties, school events, shopping, decorating, and keeping the house organized, making dinner often feels like a monumental task. Many families end up relying on takeout or skipping meals, but there is a solution that keeps dinners simple, delicious, and stress-free. Foil pans are the ultimate kitchen helper. They are low-prep, versatile, and easy to clean up, making them perfect for busy December nights. You can assemble meals, bake them in the oven, serve, and discard the pan without worrying about washing dishes. To make the holiday season easier, we are putting a fun twist on the classic song “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Instead of partridges and pear trees, you will find 12 simple, flavorful, oven-baked dinners that can be prepared in foil pans. Each dinner is designed to be easy, quick, and satisfying, giving you more time to relax, enjoy the holidays, and spend time with family.
These meals are perfect for weeknight dinners, last-minute holiday meals, or dishes you can prepare ahead and reheat. Whether you are craving something light, hearty, or indulgent, these foil-pan meals cover it all.
On the First Day of Christmas
Pesto Chicken & Cherry Tomato Bake
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly grease a foil pan with olive oil.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper and place in the pan.
- Spread pesto over the chicken.
- Add cherry tomatoes around the chicken and drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Optional: sprinkle Parmesan cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Garnish with basil and serve with pasta or bread.
On the Second Day of Christmas
Garlic Butter Shrimp Foil Packets
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 3 tablespoons garlic butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Lay out foil sheets for individual portions.
- Place shrimp, bell pepper, and zucchini on each sheet.
- Drizzle with garlic butter and season with salt and pepper.
- Fold foil into packets and seal.
- Bake for 15 minutes until shrimp are pink and vegetables are tender.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
On the Third Day of Christmas
Baked Lemon Herb Turkey Meatballs
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 12 turkey meatballs (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place meatballs in a foil pan.
- Mix lemon juice, zest, chicken broth, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Pour sauce over meatballs.
- Bake for 20 minutes until cooked through.
- Serve with roasted vegetables or pasta.
On the Fourth Day of Christmas
Sheet Pan Chicken & Asparagus
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
- 2 cups baby potatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Place chicken, asparagus, and potatoes in a foil pan.
- Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Toss lightly to coat everything evenly.
- Bake for 25 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F and vegetables are tender.
On the Fifth Day of Christmas
Sweet & Spicy Honey Sriracha Salmon
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha
- 2 cups broccoli or green beans
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Arrange salmon fillets in a foil pan.
- Brush honey and Sriracha glaze over the salmon.
- Add broccoli or green beans around the fillets.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes until salmon is cooked through.
- Serve with rice or roasted potatoes.
On the Sixth Day of Christmas
Baked Ratatouille
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 eggplant, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and Italian herbs to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Layer zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers in a foil pan.
- Pour tomato sauce evenly over the vegetables.
- Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle seasonings.
- Bake for 25 minutes until vegetables are tender.
On the Seventh Day of Christmas
Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Casserole
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 2 cups steamed broccoli florets
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Combine chicken, broccoli, soup, and half the cheese in a foil pan.
- Spread mixture evenly and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
On the Eighth Day of Christmas
Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pork tenderloin
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
- 1 cup baby carrots
- 1 onion, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place pork, carrots, and onion in a foil pan.
- Brush pork with balsamic glaze and season everything with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 25 minutes until pork reaches 145°F.
- Slice and serve.
On the Ninth Day of Christmas
Mediterranean Veggie & Chickpea Bake
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas, drained
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Combine all ingredients in a foil pan.
- Toss to coat with olive oil and seasonings.
- Bake for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
On the Tenth Day of Christmas
Baked Chicken Parmesan
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place chicken in a foil pan and season with salt and pepper.
- Top each breast with marinara sauce and mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas
Sausage, Pepper & Potato Foil Packets
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound sausage, sliced
- 2 cups potatoes, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Combine sausage, potatoes, and bell peppers on foil sheets.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Fold foil into packets and seal.
- Bake for 25 minutes until potatoes are tender and sausage is cooked.
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas
Tex-Mex Chicken & Rice Bake
Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup black beans, drained
- 1 cup corn
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Combine chicken, rice, beans, corn, salsa, and half the cheese in a foil pan.
- Spread mixture evenly and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
Why Foil-Pan Dinners Are Ideal for December?
December is hectic, and foil-pan meals are a practical solution. They are easy to assemble, stackable for storage, and perfect for sheet-pan or casserole-style cooking. Using disposable foil pans eliminates the need for soaking or scrubbing, making cleanup effortless. They are also perfect for meal prep, batch cooking, or holiday gatherings. Foil-pan dinners help you serve balanced meals while saving time and energy, allowing you to enjoy the holiday season stress-free.
Final Thoughts
This holiday season, give yourself the gift of easy, delicious dinners. With simple ingredients, quick bake times, and minimal cleanup, these 12 foil-pan meals let you spend more time enjoying the season. They are perfect for weeknights, holiday gatherings, meal prep, or leftovers. From pesto chicken to Tex-Mex chicken and rice, these dinners are designed to make December evenings manageable, flavorful, and festive.
Using foil pans ensures that even the busiest nights can end with a delicious, home-cooked meal. Incorporating these recipes into your holiday routine lets you enjoy the holidays without compromising on food or family time.