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It’s that time of year again.
Christmas is just around the corner and you’re scratching your head wondering what to cook for dinner.
There are so many options out there with recipes that take hours or complicated ingredients that might not be in your kitchen right now, so doing what we do best, sharing our ideas on how to make that simple Christmas dinner dream a reality.
What about that perfect side dish?
Don’t worry, we got you covered with these delicious and easy Christmas recipes. Some of the easy Christmas dinner ideas we are going to cover include the classic oven-baked turkey for the holidays, roasted potatoes with parmesan garlic and herbs, and several other dishes that’ll make the holiday experience exciting for you and your guests.
We even included some to-die-for healthy dinner ideas including one of the best crockpot recipes on this list to ensure you get your daily dose of veggies during the holiday season.
It’s the perfect New Year’s resolution to make for the upcoming New Year too. Don’t worry, the healthy Christmas dinner recipes we included are actually mouth-watering and delish – they’re so irresistible that we guarantee your guests will keep coming back for more!
Don’t forget to pin this Christmas Dinner Ideas image on Pinterest!
1. Classic Oven-Baked Turkey for the Holidays
Recipe from The Recipe Critic
When it comes to the holidays, there is no better dish than a classic oven-baked turkey.
Not only does this recipe allow you to spend your time with friends and family instead of in the kitchen, but also it will ensure that you have an extra moist bird for all of your guests. Some steps involved in cooking a perfect oven-baked turkey as well as how to make sure that everyone enjoys their holiday meal are outlined below.
The recipe provided here can be used for any size bird – from small to large turkeys, no matter how big the gathering, we guarantee everyone will the party this year!
Ingredients
- turkey
- butter, melted
There are a few key points to remember when you’re putting together your oven-baked turkey for the holidays.
First of all, make sure that the oven is preheated and ready before you put in the turkeys as they take several hours to cook completely.
Secondly, always use an internal cooking thermometer to test for doneness. It is never a good idea to slice into your turkey before it’s ready as this will result in a loss of juices and make the meat dry.
Finally, always let your oven-baked turkey rest on the countertop or refrigerator. Do not cover with foil until after they have cooled completely.
Recipe
- Roast for 24 minutes per pound at 325°F.
- For a 12–14 lb turkey, the total roasting time will be approximately five hours and ten minutes.
- Four pounds of stuffing can be baked in an oven-safe pan along with the bird during the last hour of cooking if desired. Keep any stuffing that is not going to be baked in the turkey loosely covered and refrigerated.
- Remove turkey from the oven when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of thigh registers 165°F and juices run clear.
How can you guarantee everyone enjoys their holiday meal?
The first step will involve making sure that all sides, sauces, and accompaniments are prepared ahead of time. This will allow you to focus your attention on the turkey as it is cooking in the oven without being distracted by any other tasks that could come up during this busy holiday season.
Not only does planning out each dish beforehand ensure a stress-free experience, but also it will ensure that everyone has a wonderfully delicious meal to enjoy.
When you’ve cooked your turkey, make sure it rests for at least 15 minutes before carving so the juices have time to distribute throughout the meat properly. This will keep your juicy oven-baked turkey moist and tender with each bite.
2. Roasted Potatoes with Parmesan Garlic and Herbs
Recipe from Cooking Classy
Roasted potatoes are a delicious side dish for any meal. They can be served as a main course, or as an accompaniment to another dish. This recipe is simple and easy to make, which means it will soon become one of your favorite go-to recipes!
Roasting the potatoes with garlic and herbs adds great flavor that is sure to please everyone at the table. Give this recipe a try tonight, and enjoy.
Ingredients
- red potatoes
- fresh thyme sprigs
- minced garlic cloves
Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, toss potatoes and olive oil until evenly coated. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Transfer seasoned potato mixture in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet; bake for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and herbs; set aside.
- Remove baking sheet from oven and sprinkle with prepared mixture, gently stirring to distribute it evenly over the potatoes. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F., return the pan into the oven for an additional 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven. Serve immediately, enjoy!
Roasted potatoes are a delicious side dish for any meal. They can be served as a main course, or as an accompaniment to another dish. This recipe is simple and easy to make, which means it will soon become one of your favorite go-to recipes.
3. Easy Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
Recipe from Dinner at the Zoo
The importance of ham in the American diet is often overlooked. However, ham is consumed more than any other meat in the country.
It’s estimated that Americans eat over 100 million pounds of it each year!
Ham can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and there are many different ways to cook it up. One way is by making a delicious dish with a slow cooker and brown sugar glaze called Easy Crock Pot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze.
Want some more delicious and easy-to-make crockpot recipe ideas for this holiday? We’ve also got a list of the best Crockpot recipes for busy people (10 minutes or less) and another easy and healthy one for chicken lovers too.
Ingredients
- Two pounds of bone-in ham
- One cup brown sugar
- One tablespoon cornstarch
- Three tablespoons water
Preparation Instructions
- Place ham in the slow cooker.
- Top with brown sugar and then pour pineapple juice over the top.
- Cook for three to four hours on high or five to six hours on low until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Insert a knife into the center of the meat until it comes out warm, but not hot.
- This can be used to determine doneness.
- Remove the ham from slow cooker and place it on a cutting board or serving platter
- Cover with aluminum foil for 15 minutes before carving into slices using a sharp knife.
- Serve alongside vegetable ala carte, like mashed potatoes or scalloped cabbage, if desired.
4. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
Recipe from A Beautiful Plate
Butternut squash soup is not only a perfect Fall dinner recipe, but it also makes a great Christmas dinner idea that’ll surely warm the hearts of your guests.
Who said that orange foods are only suited for Autumn?
Despite the time of year, you can always bring back Thanksgiving and Fall recipes and even dessert ideas to the Christmas table! This is a delicious Fall-season and hearty dish that can be enjoyed by anyone and at any time!
The recipe for roasted butternut squash soup is easy to make and perfect for the fall or winter season! The roots of this dish come from France, where it was served as an appetizer course at the end of a meal. Roasted butternut squash soup has also been called “gourmande” in some cultures because it’s so rich and filling. If you’ve never tried butternut squash before, we recommend adding this to your list of recipes to try.
Ingredients
- One butternut squash
- Two cloves of garlic, minced
- Three cups of chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tools
- Knife for cutting the vegetables
- A large pot to boil the ingredients
- Blender or immersion blender if you want your soup blended.
- It’s also nice to have a cheesecloth on hand to strain out any bits that get stuck in the blender.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cut your butternut squash down the middle and remove seeds with a spoon or grapefruit spoon.
- Lay it flat on a cookie sheet covered in aluminum foil, skin side up, and bake for 30-45 minutes until you can easily poke through the skin with a fork.
- Remove from the oven, let it cool for ten minutes and then remove peels using your hands or spoon.
- Cut up squashes into small pieces so they are easy to handle in the blender.
- Place squash chunks back on the cookie sheet, coat with salt, pepper, dried thyme, dried rosemary (if desired), and olive oil.
- Bake for another 15-20 minutes.
- In a large pot, add chicken broth, garlic cloves, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Bring the soup to a boil over medium heat until it starts bubbling lightly.
- Reduce heat so that your soup is simmering but not boiling heavily.
- Add roasted squash chunks into the mix and let it simmer for fifteen minutes. Remove garlic cloves and transfer soup to blender or immersion blender if you want it blended smooth.
- Blend until desired consistency is achieved, then serve.
5. Christmas Yule Log Cake
Recipe from Drive Me Hungry
You can’t skip those sweet and delicious Christmas desserts for crowd pleasers!
The Christmas Yule Log Cake is a rich and decadent dessert that’s perfect for any holiday party. It can be made ahead of time and frozen to save yourself some time on the big day, but we recommend making it fresh to get all those great flavors. This recipe is as classic as they come — no one knows who invented it.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Chocolate Ganache (recipe below)
Recipe for the Sponge Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease and flour a 15×11 inch jelly roll pan.
- Line with wax paper or parchment paper.
- Beat eggs in a large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until thick and lemon-colored (about five minutes).
- Reduce speed to low.
- Add sugar, beating well.
- Combine flour and salt.
- Stir into egg mixture alternately with butter in small portions, beating until smooth after each addition.
- Spoon batter into pan
- Spread evenly using a rubber spatula or spoon dipped in cold water.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the cake springs back when lightly touched.
- Turn onto a clean dish towel dusted with confectioners’ sugar.
- Carefully peel off wax paper.
- Roll up jelly-roll style, starting from the narrow end, using the towel to help roll (do not fold).
- Cool on wire rack.
For the Filling
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and whip until well mixed.
- Spread evenly into the cooled cake, then roll up again using a clean dish towel dusted with confectioners’ sugar to help form a log shape.
Keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.
Making Chocolate Ganache
- Place chopped chocolate or chocolates of your choice in a medium bowl.
- Heat the cream until boiling point and pour over chocolate, stirring until smooth. Allow it to settle at room temperature for about 15 minutes before using as required. Decorate with additional fresh fruit or mint leaves if desired.
- Drizzle ganache over cake log from all sides- this is most easily done by spooning it into a zip-top plastic bag, snipping off the end of one corner with scissors, and then squeezing it out.
Refuel after workouts or whenever your energy levels are running low by having some chocolate protein cake, along with a glass of milk. If you want something more indulgent to get your sweet tooth satisfied, eat this rich dessert at night before going to sleep.
6. Garlic Beef Tenderloin Roast
Recipe from Healthy Fitness Meals
This Garlic Beef Tenderloin Roast is a great dish that offers a wonderful natural flavor with garlic, rosemary, thyme, and onion. It’s important to sear the beef because it locks in all of those flavors while cooking. It’s the perfect Christmas dinner recipe to enjoy with a group of happy people for the winter holiday.
We’re going to cook this one at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer reads 130 degrees when inserted into the center of the roast.
Ingredients
Garlic, thyme, salt, ground black pepper, and soy sauce. The ingredients are browned in butter before being placed in a roasting pan with the meat on top. This will bring out all the flavors while cooking giving this dish an amazing flavor.
Recipe
- Step One: Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme leaves, and rosemary together. Rub the beef with olive oil then rub on the spice mixture all over the roast (including both sides). Let this sit for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Step Two – Browning the Beef: Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat with oil. Add in the beef and sear on all sides for at least one minute on each side. This step will lock in all the flavors.
- Step Three: Put the beef on a roasting rack. Insert an oven-safe meat thermometer into the thickest part of the roast and place it near the center of the pan. Place it in an oven and roast according to the time above.
- Step Four – Rest & Serve: Once the beef has reached the correct temperature, remove it from the oven and cover it with foil for at least ten minutes before serving.
7. Maple Roasted Carrots with Cranberries
Recipe from Lazy Cat Kitchen
Looking for a healthy yet super delicious Christmas dinner idea for the table to enjoy their veggies?
Carrots are a healthy vegetable, but they can be difficult to prepare. This Maple Roasted Carrots with Cranberries recipe is the perfect way to make carrots easy and delicious! The sweet maple syrup adds an incredible flavor that your family will love. Plus, the roasted carrots are full of antioxidants that promote healthy living.
Give this simple dish a try tonight for dinner or as part of your Thanksgiving meal prep!
Ingredients
- One pound of peeled and chopped carrots, cut into chunks
- Three tablespoons maple syrup
- Two tablespoons’ cranberries (sweetened or unsweetened)
Recipe
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Mix the carrots, cranberries, and two tablespoons of maple syrup in a bowl until well coated.
- Place onto a baking sheet and roast for 30 to 35 minutes.
- Stir the carrots every ten minutes.
- Add the third tablespoon of maple syrup when they start to turn golden brown on top.
- Roast another five more minutes before serving.
8. Holiday Crostini
Recipe from RecipeTin Eats
The Holiday Crostini, another perfect Christmas dinner recipe, is a simple hors d’oeuvre that can be served as an appetizer or snack. They are easy to make and even easier to eat. These crostini recipes are perfect for the holiday season because they require minimal ingredients and preparation time.
Ingredients
- Crostini bread, one loaf
Recipe
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Trim the crusts off of each slice of bread and then cut them into ½ inch pieces. Place on a baking sheet in a single layer, making sure that they do not overlap or touch too much.
- Bake for 15 minutes until crisps form (be careful not to let them burn). Let it cool.
- Brush each crostini piece with a small amount of olive oil on both sides and then toast in the oven for another minute or so until lightly browned to your liking.
Crostini can be served as an appetizer, snack, or even dinner. It is great paired with cheese (such as brie or gorgonzola), but it can also be served on its own.
Crostini is best when fresh and crisp, so make sure to serve them within a few hours of making. After that time, they will become soggy from the oil and toppings. If you need to prepare ahead of time for an event or party, they can be stored in an airtight container for up to a day.
9. The Best Homemade Apple Pie
Recipe from The Food Charlatan
A Christmas dinner gathering ain’t complete with that sweet homemade apple pie!
Apple Pie is a dish that brings back memories of home and family for many people. Apple pie has an important place in American culture, and it is one of the most popular pies in the United States. This recipe will teach you how to make an apple pie from scratch, and give you some tips on how to improve your creations.
Ingredients
- Pie crust
- Flour for dusting
Tools
- Rolling pin to flatten out your pie crust dough before cooking it.
- You can also use a bottle or jar if you do not have one, but make sure it is clean first!
Recipe
- Dust your work surface with flour to prevent your pie dough from sticking.
- Roll out the crust into a thin sheet about an inch larger than your pie plate.
- Use this as a template for cutting out strips of dough for woven lattice tops, or cut it into large chunks and arrange them in circles on top of the apples. You can also use cookie cutters to create shapes out of your pie dough if you want a fun presentation.
- Apply the top crust, and pinch or crimp the edges together with fork tines to seal in juices while cooking.
- Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 40 minutes until golden brown on top. Use aluminum foil strips around the edge to prevent burning if necessary.
- Remove from oven, and let cool for 15 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to be set up so that it does not run all over when you cut into your pie.
10. Healthy Christmas Salad
Recipe from Small Town Woman
The Christmas holiday season is a time of food and gatherings with family and friends.
One thing that many people look forward to during this time of year is the feast: lots of different dishes, desserts, pies, and plenty of sweets. Understandably, some people might want to enjoy their favorite foods.
However, it can be difficult on your body when you’re eating all those carbs and sweets on such a regular basis. A healthy alternative for this type of diet would be to eat salads instead. You can go over the writing and see how great salads are for your health as well as what makes them so good.
Ingredients
- One large head of lettuce
- Two tomatoes, diced
- Three cucumbers, sliced thinly or chopped
Instructions
- Chop your vegetables and place them in a bowl.
- Make sure you’re using the freshest ingredients to ensure they taste great.
- Mix with salad dressing until everything is coated evenly. That’s all there is to it.
11. Lemon Garlic Roasted Pork Loin
Recipe from Jo Cooks
Pork loins are a lean, flavorful cut of meat with very low-fat content – another perfect and tasty Christmas dinner recipe idea to include on your list. They’re also one of the most versatile cuts of meat you can buy as it’s easy to dress this cut up for company or serve it simply.
This Lemon Garlic Roasted Pork Loin recipe is an excellent way to welcome spring and enjoy some fresh flavors in your kitchen!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (or kosher salt)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 medium lemons, zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- pork loin roast
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil for easy clean-up and set aside.
- In a small bowl combine olive oil, salt, pepper garlic cloves, lemon zest & juice, and rosemary.
- Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
- With a sharp knife, make small slits all over the pork loin and stuff with garlic cloves. Use your hands to rub in seasonings into the entire surface of the roast.
- Place on the prepared sheet pan and bake for 25 minutes or until internal temperature reach between 125-130 degrees F (for medium-rare).
- Remove from oven and allow it to rest for at least 15 minutes.
- Slice and serve with pan juices on the side.
- This recipe is deliciously served with roasted carrots, garlic mashed potatoes, or mushroom risotto.
12. Christmas Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Recipe from Gimme Delicious
Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a traditional recipe that has been around for many years. It’s also one of the healthiest dishes you can cook because it contains broccoli and cheddar cheese, both of which are high in calcium and vitamin A. This soup doesn’t take long to make either, so it’s perfect for busy families who want something healthy but don’t have time to spend hours cooking dinner.
Not only is it perfect for any regular day, but it also makes a perfect appetizer or extra dish for your Christmas gathering to keep the guests warm. Plus, everyone loves the combination of broccoli and cheddar!
Ingredients
- one onion
- two tablespoons of oil (vegetable, canola, or olive)
Preparation
- Dice one large onion and either mince it in a food processor to save time. This process is messy but takes only about five minutes with the right tool. If you don’t have a food processor then just chop up the onion by hand.
- Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat, then add onion and let it cook for about five minutes or until soft.
- Add two tablespoons of flour to thicken the mixture along with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (optional) to taste.
- Stir constantly so that there are no lumps left in the mixture.
- Add two and a half cups of milk to the saucepan, stir constantly so that lumps don’t form, and bring to a simmer until it starts bubbling slightly.
- Remove from heat then add one cup each of grated cheddar cheese and broccoli florets.
- You can use either fresh or frozen as long as they are defrosted first.
- Pour the mixture into a blender and blend at high speed until it becomes smooth (this is where having a food processor comes in handy).
- Blend for about 30 seconds to make sure that all lumps of cheese and broccoli florets have been broken up, then pour back into the saucepan to heat up again.
- Add salt and pepper to taste along with a couple of tablespoons of grated cheddar cheese for garnish if desired.
- Serve in bowls while hot!
13. Classic Lasagna Bolognese Recipe for Christmas
Recipe from Plays Well With Butter
Lasagna is a popular and delicious dish, and you can’t go wrong with this during a holiday gathering – you just have to make REALLY good lasagna!
The beauty of lasagna is that it can be made with many different types of fillings, such as bolognese sauce, pesto, or any other variation. It’s also easy to make and doesn’t require too much time in the kitchen. However, there are some secrets to making the perfect lasagna bolognese recipe.
Ingredients
- Lasagna noodles
- Olive oil
- ½ a medium onion, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- beef
- turkey
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 Celsius) and grease or line a baking tray.
- Cook the lasagna according to its instructions on the package until al dente (firm to the bite).
- Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat some olive oil over medium-high heat and add in your finely chopped onion along with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook until tender (about five minutes) then add in your ground meat such as turkey or beef.
- Stir constantly for about ten minutes while breaking up the meat and until it’s browned.
- Add in your tomato sauce and let simmer for about five minutes or until thickened to taste then add some salt and pepper (to taste).
- Divide the ground beef mixture into three equal portions then spread one-third of it onto each lasagna noodle, top with a bit of grated mozzarella, and add the other lasagna noodle on top to complete.
- Sprinkle some grated mozzarella over each completed lasagna then bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown and let stand for five minutes before serving. Enjoy!
14. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Recipe from Love and Lemons
Here’s another veggie dish to add to your list of Christmas dinner ideas!
Brussel Sprouts are one of the most underrated vegetables out there. They are kind of weird-looking (like a mini cabbage), but they have a great flavor that is different from anything else you can find in your vegetable drawer!
Brussels Sprouts are also an excellent source of vitamin C and K, so if you love to cook for others this holiday season, why not add them to the menu?
Ingredients
- Brussels Sprouts
- Olive Oil, Salt, and Pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rinse Brussel sprouts in cold water and cut off the stems so that you have a flat surface for cutting them into halves or quarters if they are too big.
- Slice these pieces in half and place them on a baking sheet with the flat part of the Brussel sprouts facing down.
- Pour olive oil over top, as well as salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast for 20 minutes or until crispy brown on the outside, then enjoy.
15. Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Recipe from Half Baked Harvest
Christmas time is the perfect time to make some easy bake Christmas cookies and desserts – especially this particular Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe! Trust us, your friends and family will enjoy each bite and every last crumb this cookie has to offer.
These delicious cookies will bring joy and happiness to those you give. They are also a great way of spending more quality time with those close to you. Plus, they taste amazing.
In case you’re looking for more Christmas dessert ideas, we also have some cute holiday cake pop recipes for you to try too.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup of packed brown sugar
- ½ cup of white granulated sugar
- two large eggs, room temperature preferred and lightly beaten;
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
- One and a half cups, plus three tablespoons, all-purpose flour
- one teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt (reduce to ¼ if using salted butter)
- Two cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a stand mixer, cream the butter until smooth on medium speed using the paddle attachment – about one minute or so to get it nice and creamy.
- Add both sugars and beat for another two minutes until it is light in color and fluffy.
- Next, add eggs slowly while mixing at low-speed then mix in vanilla extract (optional).
- Now that we have the wet ingredients mixed, it is time to add them into our dry ingredient bowl and mix until they are well combined. It’s very important not to over-mix because this will cause your cookies to come out flat and spread too much.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Cover dough with plastic wrap placed directly on top of the dough so it doesn’t dry out.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees and prepare cookie sheets by lining with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Using an ice-cream scoop, scoop dough into balls about three inches apart onto a prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake for 12 minutes, until it turns golden brown on top but still soft in the center.
- Let it cool on the cookie sheet for three minutes and transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling completely before enjoying.
We hope you enjoyed this delicious list of the best Christmas dinner recipe ideas! Regardless of which dishes you choose to make, we are confident your guests will enjoy indulging in every bite of their meal!
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