Looking for the best Christmas dinner ideas? Browse our collection of showstopping Christmas entrees, side dishes and salads perfect for your Christmas menu.
74 Christmas Dinner Ideas for Your Celebration
Updated on Nov. 12, 2024
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Baked Ham with Pineapple
Total Time: 2 hours, 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Fully cooked bone-in ham, sliced pineapple
Level: Easy
The pineapples are the star of this baked ham recipe. The maraschino cherries add a lovely red color to the dish and even more sweetness.
“I first learned the technique for cooking pineapple ham for a themed dinner my husband and I hosted. Since it is widely known as the symbol of hospitality, pineapple was the star ingredient on our menu and on this lovely baked ham.” —Recipe contributor JoAnn Fox, Johnson City, Tennessee
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Braciole
Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Beef flank steak, Parmesan cheese, tomato sauce
Level: Advanced
Set aside a full day to work on this Italian Christmas recipe. You’ll need a kitchen assistant (or two) to help roll up the braciole, brown the meat and remove it from the tomato sauce.
“In our family, braciole was served as a special treat for holidays. It was Grandma’s specialty and the preparation was time-consuming. When the meat and sauce were fully cooked Grandma called us into the kitchen to watch her lift the roll from the sauce to the cutting board to slice it. The pinwheels of meat, laid side by side on the platter, topped with delicious sauce, made a colorful picture.” —Recipe contributor Cookie Curci, San Jose, California
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Crunchy Spinach Casserole
Total Time: 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Frozen chopped spinach, cream of mushroom soup, cubed bread
Level: Easy
Bring out a can of Campbell’s! This simple spinach casserole is all kinds of creamy thanks to the condensed cream of mushroom soup.
“Our holidays would not be the same without this family tradition. My mother made it every Thanksgiving when I was growing up; now I make it every Christmas as well, and my children and grandchildren absolutely love it! We triple the recipe because the kids can’t get enough.” —Recipe contributor Sharon Scaletta, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
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Holiday Crown Pork Roast
Total Time: 2 hours, 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Pork crown roast, dried thyme, dried rosemary
Level: Easy
Head to a butcher shop for the pork crown roast, a cut made from the rib section of the loin. The cut is tied in a circle and will be roasted ribs up, resembling a crown.
“Crown roast makes a regal Christmas dinner. Flavored with rosemary, sage and thyme, it’s elegant and simple, a real blessing during the hectic holidays.” —Recipe contributor Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
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Creamy Sweet Potatoes
Total Time: 55 minutesMain Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, orange juice, mini marshmallows
Level: Easy
Surprised to see orange juice on the ingredients list? Don’t be! It brightens the flavor of the sweet potatoes and works so well with the nutmeg.
“I took my mother’s delicious sweet potato casserole and gave it a new twist by adding the tempting taste of orange—a fruit very abundant in our state. The flavors are wonderful together and make this dish a family favorite.” —Recipe contributor Norma Poole, Auburndale, Florida
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Holiday Creamed Spinach
Total Time: 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Fresh spinach, whole milk, heavy whipping cream, Parmesan cheese
Level: Easy
Each leaf of spinach is sauteed to perfection, then coated in a luxurious cream sauce. Don’t hesitate to top this dish with something crunchy, like toasted bread crumbs or french-fried onions.
“My mother made a variety of spinach dishes when I was growing up. This rich, delicious creamed version is the only one that stayed with me through the years.” —Recipe contributor Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
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Plum-Glazed Lamb
Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Bone-in leg of lamb, plums, garlic
Level: Easy
The recipe calls for cans of pitted plums, but reviewers say using plum jam for the glaze works just as well. Serve with roasted carrots or potatoes and a green salad with a good dressing.
“Fruity and flavorful, this wonderful glaze is simple to prepare, and its hint of garlic really complements the lamb. The recipe makes enough glaze to baste the lamb during roasting and leaves plenty to pass when serving.” —Recipe contributor Ann Eastman, Greenville, California
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Marinated Beef Tenderloin
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Beef tenderloin roast, soy sauce, beef broth
Level: Easy
If you can’t find tenderloin for this recipe, Taste Recipes culinary producer Ellie Crowley recommends sirloin steak: “It’s a great cut of meat and equally flavorful.”
“My three grown children and grandkids enjoy this tempting tenderloin. Leftovers make wonderful sandwiches with fresh bread and Dijon mustard. I sometimes substitute a marinated eye of round roast and it turns out fine.” —Recipe contributor Connie Scheffer, Salina, Kansas
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Italian Artichoke-Green Bean Casserole
Total Time: 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Fresh green beans, artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese
Level: Easy
For this unusual green bean casserole, you’ll need plenty of green beans and three cans of artichoke hearts packed in water. Reviewers have used marinated artichoke hearts with success, too.
“My mother and I made a few small changes to a recipe we found in a cookbook to create this comforting side dish. We increased the vegetable count and tossed in some seasonings to take the flavor up a notch. It’s definitely not your average green bean casserole.” —Recipe contributor Denise Klibert, Shreveport, Louisiana
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Cranberry-Orange Roast Ducklings
Total Time: 3 hours, 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Ducklings, navel oranges, fresh or frozen cranberries
Level: Easy
This recipe is a winner! It’s a Christmas dinner entree that’s a nice change from turkey or ham.
“I came up with this recipe few years ago. The first time I served it, there wasn’t a speck of food left on the platter and I knew I had a winning recipe.” —Recipe contributor Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
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Pressure-Cooker Mushroom Pork Ragout
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Pork tenderloin, fresh mushrooms, egg noodles
Level: Easy
Use egg noodles as the base of this dish. They’re sturdier than other types of noodles and can stand up to the rich pork ragout.
“Savory, quickly made pork is luscious served in a delightful tomato gravy over noodles. It’s a nice change from regular pork roast. I serve it with broccoli or green beans on the side.” —Recipe contributor Connie McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware
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Chestnut Dressing
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Chestnuts, celery, onions, Italian bread
Level: Intermediate
If you want to add a fun Christmas twist to this chestnut dressing, try roasting the chestnuts for a deeper, more toasted flavor.
“I enjoyed this stuffing when I spent my first Thanksgiving with my husband, Mike. It’s a family recipe his mother has been making for years. Italian seasoning and chestnuts add flavor and texture.” —Recipe contributor Sharon Brunner, Mohnton, Pennsylvania
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Pork Tenderloins with Wild Rice
Total Time: 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Pork tenderloins, wild rice medley, dried apricots
Level: Intermediate
Set aside at least a half hour to prep this holiday main dish. You’ll need to cook the rice and vegetables, then bundle both into the pork tenderloins and tie with kitchen twine. It’s finicky but well worth the effort.
“Apricots say sweet things to earthy herbs in this gravy-licious meal. Remember this recipe—it’s worthy of a weekend celebration.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Peppery Roast Beef
Total Time: 2 hours, 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Beef eye round or top round roast, seasoned pepper, garlic
Level: Easy
With its spicy peppery coating and creamy horseradish sauce, this tender roast will keep guests lingering around the holiday table.
“With its spicy coating and creamy horseradish sauce, this tender roast is sure to be the star of any meal, whether it’s a sit-down dinner or serve-yourself potluck.” —Recipe contributor Maureen Brand, Somers, Iowa
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Best Dinner Rolls
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Active dry yeast, all-purpose flour, milk
Level: Intermediate
The title says it all! This recipe is the best. Top the rolls with poppy seeds, garlic, sesame seeds, basil or oregano to make them your own.
“These are the best dinner rolls around. If you can’t decide which enticing topping to choose, just use them all.” —Recipe contributor Christina Pittman, Parkville, Missouri
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Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
Bacon-wrapped green beans are like little bundles of savoriness. Fresh green beans and your favorite bacon create a tasty and impressive-looking side dish.
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Duck with Orange Hazelnut Stuffing
Total Time: 2 hours, 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Ducklings, toasted hazelnuts, orange zest
Level: Intermediate
Look for whole ducklings at a local butcher shop or specialty market. Some larger grocery stores may also carry duck around the holidays.
“For more than half a century, this elegant entree has graced my family’s holiday table. The zesty stuffing with its nice nutty crunch complements the slices of moist duck, while the hint of orange in the gravy sets it apart.” —Recipe contributor Donna Smith, Fairport, New York
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Vegetable Tian
Total Time: 2 hours, 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Butternut squash, russet potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes
Level: Easy
This French tian is both simple and elegant. The cheese and bread crumb topping gives every bite a bit of crunch.
“This colorful, hearty and delicious dish originated in Provence, France. A mandoline makes easy work of slicing all the vegetables, but a knife will work just fine if you don’t have one.” —Recipe contributor Francine Lizotte, Langley, British Columbia
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Peppercorn Beef Top Loin Roast
Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Beef top round roast, brown sugar, whole peppercorns
Level: Intermediate
Finish this main dish with a mouth-watering sauce, made with sauteed onion, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and red wine.
“A red wine sauce complements the brown sugar rub on the roast in this inviting entree. You can’t go wrong with this down-home dish!” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Pear and Gorgonzola Salad
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Mixed salad greens, pears, Gorgonzola cheese
Level: Easy
When it comes to Christmas dinner ideas, don’t count out salad! It’s a must on the table, along with a main dish, homemade bread, potatoes and other vegetable sides.
“This quick, easy recipe really showcases pears. When I have leftover cooked chicken, I often add it to the recipe to make a main dish salad.” —Recipe contributor Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina
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Roasted Sage Turkey with Vegetable Gravy
Total Time: 2 hours, 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Turkey, sage
Level: Intermediate
No doubt, this turkey will be the star of Christmas dinner. Pair it with a homemade gravy.
“There’s no prep like home-style when roasting the big bird. Instead of sage stuffing with turkey, fill this bird with fresh sage and thyme sprigs for the same delicious flavors.” —Recipe contributor Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Pomegranate-Hazelnut Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds
Level: Easy
You can’t go wrong with roasted Brussels sprouts on Christmas. This recipe in particular packs all kinds of holiday flavor.
“I converted many people to Brussels sprouts with this recipe, and it has since become my most requested dish. The richness of the hazelnuts and the sweetness of pomegranate and orange elevate the sprouts to a new level.” —Recipe contributor Melanie Stevenson, Reading, Pennsylvania
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Holiday Herb-Cheese Rolls
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutesMain Ingredients: All-purpose flour, active dry yeast, old-fashioned oats
Level: Intermediate
These holiday rolls are buttery, soft and delicious alongside any holiday feast.
“These hot rolls are flavored with garlic, dill and cheese—they’re yummy even without butter! Or stuff with your favorite fixings for mini sandwiches.” —Recipe contributor Nancy Boyd, Midlothian, Virginia
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Homemade Manicotti
Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Ricotta cheese, Romano cheese, meatless spaghetti sauce
Level: Advanced
Yes, the manicotti in this recipe are homemade, but this recipe is more than doable. It’s a perfect meatless main for the vegetarians at your table.
“These tender manicotti are much easier to stuff than the purchased variety. People are always amazed when I say I make my own noodles. My son fixed this recipe for several of his friends, and they were extremely impressed with his cooking skills.” —Recipe contributor Sue Ann Bunt, Painted Post, New York
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Elegant Green Beans
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutesMain Ingredients: Water chestnuts, sliced mushrooms, frozen green beans
Level: Easy
This isn’t your ordinary Christmas casserole! Mushrooms and water chestnuts give new life to the classic green bean casserole.
“Mushrooms and water chestnuts give new life to the ordinary green bean casserole. Every time I make it for friends, I’m asked to share the recipe.” —Recipe contributor Linda Poe, Sandstone, Minnesota
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Honey-Glazed Turkey
Total Time: 4 hours, 10 minutesMain Ingredients: Turkey, honey, Dijon mustard
Level: Intermediate
This holiday bird has a wonderful flavor. Your guests won’t be able to resist seconds—or thirds.
“Even during the holidays, my husband wouldn’t eat turkey—until I tried this recipe. Now he loves it! The sweet and spicy glaze gives the turkey a wonderful flavor.” —Recipe contributor Mary Smolka, Spring Grove, Illinois
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Glazed Marsala Carrots with Hazelnuts
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Baby carrots, Marsala wine, chopped hazelnuts
Level: Easy
This Christmas dinner side may sound complicated, but it’s easy to make. These carrots are dressed up for the holidays!
“This makes an elegant side dish for company and is easy enough to make when you want to serve something special on a weeknight. Marsala wine makes it so deliciously different and unlike any other carrot recipe you’ve tasted.” —Recipe contributor Barbara Morris, South Amboy, New Jersey
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Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables
Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Beef tenderloin roast, Yukon Gold potatoes, Brussels sprouts, baby carrots
Level: Intermediate
Nothing says winter more than roasted vegetables. The beef in this recipe is particularly tender and juicy.
“I appreciate this recipe because it includes a side dish of roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts and carrots, giving me one less dish to think about!” —Recipe contributor Janet Tucker, Bellevue, Ohio
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Sweet Potato Pilaf
Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Wild rice, bacon, asparagus, sweet potato
Level: Easy
This colorful dish is a wonderful recipe to have for Christmas dinner. It’ll add lots of color to the table.
“The combination of sweet potatoes, bacon, asparagus and kale makes this simple wild rice dish taste amazing! To save time and dishes, use a pressure cooker to cook the rice and also to saute the other ingredients.” —Recipe contributor Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
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Crown Roast with Apricot Dressing
Total Time: 2 hours, 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Pork crown roast, dried apricots, bread crumbs
Level: Easy
This roast is undeniably delicious thanks to the sweet apricot dressing. It will make your Christmas dinner table look divine.
“I have been making crown roasts for many years but was only satisfied with the results when I combined a few recipes to come up with this guest-pleasing version. It’s beautifully roasted with an apricot glaze and a nicely browned stuffing.” —Recipe contributor Isabell Cooper, Cambridge, Nova Scotia
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Sugar-Glazed Ham
Total Time: 1 hour, 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Fully-cooked bone-in ham, brown sugar
Level: Easy
The mustard and vinegar complement the brown sugar, which adds a tangy flavor to this glazed ham recipe.
“This old-fashioned ham glaze gives a pretty golden brown coating—just like Grandma used to make. Be prepared to serve seconds!” —Recipe contributor Carol Strong Battle, Heathville, Virginia
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Parmesan Butternut Squash
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Butternut squash, Parmesan cheese
Level: Easy
To save space in the oven on Christmas Day, zap this squash in the microwave.
“Butternut squash sprinkled with Parmesan and bread crumbs makes a superb side dish we love to share. Using the microwave cuts down on long roasting time.” —Recipe contributor Jackie O’Callaghan, West Lafayette, Indiana
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Herb-Glazed Turkey
Total Time: 3 hours, 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Turkey, dried thyme, dried rosemary, rubbed sage
Level: Easy
You’ll be delighted to learn that this turkey is ready to pop in the oven after only 10 minutes of prep time.
“Honey and corn syrup blend with savory herbs and seasonings to give my turkey a slightly sweet flavor. My tried-and-true recipe never fails to win compliments.” —Recipe contributor Charlene Melenka, Vegreville, Alberta
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Roasted Apple Salad with Spicy Maple-Cider Vinaigrette
Total Time: 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Apples, maple syrup, spring mix salad greens
Level: Easy
The spicy dressing gives this colorful salad a bit of heat.
“We bought loads of apples and needed to use them. To help the flavors come alive, I roasted the apples and tossed them with dressing.” —Recipe contributor Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
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Standing Rib Roast
Total Time: 2 hours, 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Bone-in beef rib roast, beef stock
Level: Easy
Tender slices of this roast are sure to be a family favorite. You can also use the seasoning blend on a different beef roast for a hearty, delicious main dish.
“This standing rib roast recipe is practically foolproof. Treat your family to tender slices of standing rib roast or use the seasoning blend on a different beef roast for a hearty, delicious main dish. I love to prepare this recipe for special occasions.” —Recipe contributor Lucy Meyring, Walden, Colorado
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Bacon and Broccoli Salad
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Broccoli, bacon, chopped pecans
Level: Easy
This salad is colorful and full of flavor. The broccoli gets a big-time flavor boost thanks to the savory bacon, toasted pecans, dried berries and a creamy mayo dressing.
“You’ll want to serve this family-friendly broccoli salad with bacon year-round. The broccoli gets a big-time flavor boost from bacon, toasted pecans, dried berries and a mayo dressing.” —Recipe contributor Cindi Read, Hendersonville, Tennessee
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Baked Ham with Honey-Chipotle Glaze
Total Time: 2 hours, 10 minutesMain Ingredients: Bone-in ham, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, cumin
Level: Easy
This baked ham feeds a crowd and the glaze tastes fantastic.
“Your holiday celebration will be so simple to orchestrate with this sweet, smoky ham recipe at your fingertips.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Granny’s Apple Scalloped Potatoes
Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Granny Smith apple, red potatoes, Parmesan cheese
Level: Intermediate
These scalloped potatoes are delicious, easy and comforting for your whole family. It’s a staple for Christmas and other special holidays.
“I created this dish because I love scalloped potatoes and apples. It is delicious with baked breaded pork chops, which you could cook at the same time in another cast-iron pan. My spouse and I are retired, so it’s just the two of us, but you could easily double the recipe to serve more.” —Recipe contributor Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pears
Total Time: 55 minutesMain Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, pear, chopped walnuts, balsamic vinegar
Level: Easy
This easy dish uses only a handful of ingredients but still feels special for the holidays. Apples, fresh figs and pecans are also delicious with these sprouts.
“This year I decided to create a brand-new Brussels sprouts recipe for Thanksgiving dinner. I came up with an easy dish that uses only a handful of ingredients but still feels special. Apples, fresh figs and pecans are also delicious with these sprouts.” —Recipe contributor David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington
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Cocoa Spiced Salmon
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Salmon fillets, baking cocoa, cayenne pepper
Level: Easy
Surprise your guests with this unique salmon entree. The cocoa in the dish is reminiscent of a mole sauce. It might sound odd at first, but it just works!
“You simply can’t beat salmon from the Pacific Northwest waters. Family and friends go salmon fishing all the time and share their bounty. Inspired by the flavors of a Mexican mole, I came up with this blend for salmon and it is a perfect accent to this wonderful fish.” —Recipe contributor Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington
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California Roast Lamb
Total Time: 2 hours, 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Leg of lamb, garlic cloves, artichokes, lemons
Level: Easy
Switch things up from a traditional turkey or ham and make roast lamb for Christmas dinner. If you’ve never made lamb before, this is a good recipe to start with.
“This recipe is very easy to make and requires little attention. It goes well with any rice dish, and it’s perfect for just about any occasion.” —Recipe contributor Ann Eastman, Santa Monica, California
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Butternut Squash Custard
Total Time: 1 hour, 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Butternut squash, sugar, milk, eggs
Level: Intermediate
Butternut squash is a staple to have for holidays. This custard is sweet, comforting and not overly rich.
“My husband first tasted this comforting casserole more than 10 years ago when he was still my fiance. Having enjoyed it so much, he said I needed to offer it at every Thanksgiving dinner. I was happy to oblige!” —Recipe contributor Maura Calusdian, Londonderry, New Hampshire
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Cranberry Salad
Total Time: 15 minutes + chillingMain Ingredients: Fresh or frozen cranberries, mini marshmallows, heavy whipping cream
Level: Easy
Plan ahead before making this fluff “salad,” because most of the ingredients need to chill overnight in the refrigerator. The next day, fold whipped cream into the cranberry mixture.
“One of my piano students taught me the perfect lesson in holiday recipes: this fresh cranberry salad. The keys are tangy fruit, fluffy marshmallows and crunchy nuts.” —Recipe contributor Alexandra Lypecky, Dearborn, Michigan
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Apple & Herb Roasted Turkey
Total Time: 3 hours, 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Turkey, apple, fresh sage, fresh rosemary
Level: Easy
This moist apple turkey is a beautiful and tasty twist on a classic. You can’t go wrong with these fall flavors that help make this turkey so delicious.
“My daughter loves to help me make this moist roasted turkey with herbs. Her job is to hand Mommy the ingredients—if she doesn’t eat the apples first!” —Recipe contributor Kimberly Jackson, Gay, Georgia
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Roast Rosemary Leg of Lamb
Total Time: 2 hours, 10 minutesMain Ingredients: Fresh rosemary, garlic cloves, bone-in leg of lamb
Level: Easy
Roast lamb is perfect for Christmas or any special occasion. This succulent leg of lamb recipe calls for a flavorful rosemary, garlic and onion rub.
“Rubbing rosemary, garlic and onion into this delectable roast lamb takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness!” —Recipe contributor Suzy Horvath, Milwaukie, Oregon
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Four-Cheese Sausage Rigatoni
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Rigatoni, Italian sausage, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese
Level: Intermediate
There’s simply nothing more comforting than a hearty and cheesy bowl of pasta. The sausage makes this dish extra tasty and savory.
“To make this twist on traditional baked pasta, we start with creamy goat cheese and build from there with mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan cheese.” —Recipe contributor Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio
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Balsamic Purple Potatoes
Total Time: 55 minutesMain Ingredients: Purple potatoes, sweet onion, fresh basil
Level: Easy
These colorful potatoes are bursting with flavor thanks to the balsamic vinegar. It’s a great addition to have alongside turkey and green beans.
“I volunteered at a local organic farm in exchange for fresh produce, and I was given purple potatoes. I wanted to cook something new and use herbs from our garden. I come from the Midwest, and adding vinegar to potato recipes has always been a hit, especially with fries!” —Recipe contributor Kristin Schultz, Manor, Texas
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Herb-Crusted Prime Rib
Total Time: 2 hours, 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Bone-in beef rib roast, dry red wine, shallot, garlic
Level: Easy
Prime rib makes a great Christmas dinner. Fresh herbs flavor the meat beautifully.
“Prime rib always makes an impression on a holiday dinner table, and it’s actually easy to prepare. This roast is wonderfully flavored with a prime rib rub featuring lots of fresh herbs.” —Recipe contributor Jennifer Dennis, Alhambra, California
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Honey-Mustard Brussels Sprouts Salad
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Brussels sprouts, tart apples, red onions, honey mustard
Level: Easy
Mix Brussels sprouts with apples, grapes and walnuts for a unique salad you won’t be able to put down.
“Even if you dislike Brussels sprouts, you will love this dish. The dressing is so tasty, and it pairs amazingly with the apples, grapes and walnuts. You can also add whatever cheese, nuts or fruit you prefer.” —Recipe contributor Sheila Sturrock, Coldwater, Ontario
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Cranberry Ricotta Gnocchi with Brown Butter Sauce
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Dried cranberries, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese
Level: Intermediate
This pillowy gnocchi recipe is a winner thanks to the brown butter sauce.
“To make light and airy gnocchi, work quickly and handle the dough as little as possible. You’ll be pleased with the resulting pillowy dumplings.” —Recipe contributor Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
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Five-Cheese Ziti al Forno
Total Time: 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Ziti, marinara sauce, Alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese
Level: Easy
Say goodbye to Olive Garden and hello to this homemade version. This dish is comforting, easy to make and a favorite for kids too.
“After having the five-cheese ziti at Olive Garden, I tried to make my own homemade version—and I think I got pretty close. I always double this and freeze the second one for another meal.” —Recipe contributor Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California
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Sausage Stuffing
Total Time: 1 hourMain Ingredients: Pork sausage, celery, onion, dry bread cubes
Level: Easy
Bake this stuffing recipe in a covered pan. The cover traps steam inside the pan, mimicking the steamy environment the stuffing would encounter if it were inside a turkey.
“Every family seems to have their own favorite dressing recipe that becomes a tradition, and this is ours. It came from Grandma, who passed it down to my mother. Now our children have carried it into their kitchens. This is truly a good old-fashioned recipe.” —Recipe contributor Norma Howland, Joliet, Illinois
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Grandma’s Rosemary Dinner Rolls
Total Time: 55 minutesMain Ingredients: Bread flour, sugar, fresh rosemary
Level: Intermediate
These rolls aren’t your ordinary dinner rolls. With the addition of rosemary, they’re packed with an earthy flavor.
“My grandma (I called her Baba) made these in her coal oven. How she regulated the temperature is beyond me! She always made extra rolls for the neighbors to bake in their own ovens. My mom and aunts would deliver the formed rolls at lunchtime.” —Recipe contributor Charlotte Hendershot, Hudson, Pennsylvania
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Classic Beef Wellingtons
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Beef tenderloin steaks, frozen puff pastry
Level: Easy
This recipe calls for ready-made puff pastry sheets, but if you’re feeling ambitious, homemade puff pastry works too!
“Perfect for holidays, this beef Wellington is also impressively easy. Find ready-made puff pastry sheets in the frozen food section.” —Recipe contributor Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
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Warm Tasty Greens with Garlic
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Kale, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic
Level: Easy
This tasty idea uses kale, tomatoes and garlic in a dish that quickly disappears. Not only is this dish nutritious, but it’s quite delicious thanks to the garlic.
“My farm box had too many greens, so I had to use them up. This tasty idea uses kale, tomatoes and garlic in a dish that quickly disappears.” —Recipe contributor Martha Neth, Aurora, Colorado
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Crab-Stuffed Manicotti
Total Time: 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Manicotti shells, crabmeat, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese
Level: Intermediate
The combination of pasta and seafood pair well in this scrumptious dish. Feel free to add more vegetables (like broccoli) if you’re a veggie lover.
“I love pasta and my husband loves seafood. I combined them to create this dish, and he raved that it’s the best meal ever.” —Recipe contributor Sonya Polfliet, Anza, California
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Glazed Cornish Hens
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Cornish game hens, apricot spread
Level: Easy
Cornish game hens are a perfect entree if you’re hosting a smaller group. The sweet apricot glaze is irresistible.
“If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your holiday dinner table, our Test Kitchen experts suggest these Cornish game hens topped with a sweet apricot glaze.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Italian Herb-Crusted Pork Loin
Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Boneless pork loin roast, carrots, onions, garlic cloves
Level: Easy
This dish is sure to dazzle your guests this Christmas. The Italian herb crust is packed with flavor and is perfectly crispy.
“I like to change things up during the holidays with pork loin recipes that incorporate my favorite herbs and veggies. This showpiece dish really dazzles my family.” —Recipe contributor Kim Palmer, Kingston, Georgia
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Lemon Herbed Salmon
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Salmon fillet, bread crumbs, lemon zest, butter
Level: Easy
If you prefer salmon over turkey for Christmas, don’t hesitate to make this scrumptious dish. Fresh thyme really elevates the flavor.
“We sometimes send our Washington salmon all the way to Michigan for my sister to use in this family-favorite dish! The tasty topping can be used on other types of fish as well. Fresh thyme from your garden really sparks the flavor.” —Recipe contributor Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington
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Beef Bolognese with Linguine
Total Time: 4 hoursMain Ingredients: Ground beef, medium onions, carrots, celery ribs
Level: Intermediate
Is there anything more comforting than a bowl of beef bolognese? This linguine is bursting with flavors thanks to the rich sauce. Feel free to use penne or other pasta shapes instead.
“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.” —Recipe contributor Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
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Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Our reviewers all agree: This twice-baked potato casserole is a real hit! They love that it can be made in advance and tastes exactly like twice-baked potatoes (but with a fraction of the effort).
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Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry-Orange Relish
Total Time: 30 minutes + standingMain Ingredients: Fresh cranberries, orange juice, pork tenderloins
Level: Easy
This pork is tender and juicy. The addition of the cranberries and orange really makes this dish shine.
“I like how grilled pork and fruit bring out the best in each other. If you have leftover relish, break out the tortilla chips!” —Recipe contributor Cindy Esposito, Bloomfield, New Jersey
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Merry Berry Salad
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Mixed greens, apples, dried cranberries, slivered almonds
Level: Easy
This salad recipe is made for a Christmas dinner table. It’s a gorgeous pairing for roast turkey, prime rib or salmon.
“Dried cranberries, crunchy apple chunks and toasted almonds dress up this crisp green salad. It’s drizzled with a sweet-tart dressing that’s a snap to blend.” —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
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Roasted Acorn Squash & Brussels Sprouts
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Acorn squash, Brussels sprouts, pecans
Level: Easy
Reviewers love that this recipe has it all: textures, colors and crunch! To more easily cut the acorn squash, gently rock it back and forth on the cutting board while applying steady pressure with a knife.
“I love creating dishes with few ingredients and easy steps, like squash with Brussels sprouts. Maple syrup adds a slight sweetness, and pecans give it a toasty crunch.” —Recipe contributor Angela LeMoine, Howell, New Jersey
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Garlic Herbed Beef Tenderloin
Total Time: 45 minutes + standingMain Ingredients: Beef tenderloin roast, garlic cloves
Level: Easy
Beef tenderloin is an expensive cut of meat, so serve it for a special occasion, like Christmas dinner. Serve with tender roasted vegetables, like carrots and Brussels sprouts.
“You don’t need much seasoning to add flavor to this tender beef roast. The mild blend of rosemary, basil and garlic does the trick.” —Recipe contributor Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
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Sausage and Cornbread Dressing
Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutesMain Ingredients: Italian turkey sausage, day-old bread, cornbread
Level: Easy
Pair this savory stuffing with a roast turkey, tender greens, potatoes and a basket of warm, yeasted rolls.
“At our house, we add sausage and a little steak sauce to this cornbread dressing for a meal that warms our cold winter nights.” —Recipe contributor Mandy Nall, Montgomery, Alabama
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Holiday Brussels Sprouts
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Frozen Brussels sprouts, celery, bacon
Level: Easy
This side dish couldn’t be simpler: Cook frozen Brussels sprouts and peas, then toss the vegetables with butter, celery, bacon and chives.
“Make Brussels sprouts special with peas, celery and, of course, bacon. The recipe doubles easily if needed.” —Recipe contributor Jodie Beckman, Council Bluffs, Iowa
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Honey Whole Wheat Pan Rolls
Total Time: 55 minutesMain Ingredients: Whole wheat flour, honey, butter, eggs
Level: Intermediate
You can’t mess up these lovely rolls. And while these honey wheat rolls are great on their own, we recommend dipping them into gravy or a butter board.
“With their pleasant wheat flavor and a honey of a glaze, these rolls impress my guests. Every time I take them to potluck dinners, I come home with an empty pan.” —Recipe contributor Nancye Thompson, Paducah, Kentucky
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Triple Mash with Horseradish Bread Crumbs
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Yukon Gold potatoes, parsnips, rutabaga, bread crumbs
Level: Easy
This recipe is for anyone with an abundance of root vegetables thanks to a community supported agriculture box or productive garden. Yum!
“Why settle for traditional mashed potatoes when you can enjoy three times the flavor? Combine spuds with rutabaga and parsnips, along with the zip of horseradish, for a taste treat.” —Recipe contributor Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Crown Roast of Pork with Mushroom Dressing
Total Time: 2 hours, 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Pork loin crown roast, fresh mushrooms, day-old bread
Level: Easy
While this dish looks hard to make, it’s actually surprisingly easy. This is the perfect centerpiece for your Christmas table. Plus, the mushroom dressing is to die for.
“It looks so elegant that everyone thinks I spent a lot of time on this roast. But it’s actually so easy! The biggest challenge is to remember to order the crown roast from the meat department ahead of time.” —Recipe contributor Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania
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Perfect Winter Salad
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Spring mix salad greens, tart apples, dried cherries, pecan halves
Level: Easy
This colorful winter salad is the perfect dish to enjoy for Christmas. The pecans add a nice crunchy texture to the dish.
“This is my most-requested salad recipe. Serve it as a side salad along with your holiday meal, or enjoy it for lunch the next day with cubed turkey or chicken on top.” —Recipe contributor DeNae Shewmake, Burnsville, Minnesota
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Spaetzle Dumplings
Total Time: 15 minutesMain Ingredients: All-purpose flour, eggs, milk, butter
Level: Easy
Spaetzle are a cross between a noodle and a dumpling. To make them, use a wooden spoon to press the dough through the holes in a colander.
“These tender homemade spaetzle noodles take only minutes to make and are a natural accompaniment to chicken. You can serve them with chicken gravy or simply butter them and sprinkle with parsley.” —Recipe contributor Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio
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Easy & Elegant Tenderloin Roast
Total Time: 55 minutes + standingMain Ingredients: Beef tenderloin, garlic, sea salt
Level: Easy
Be careful not to overcook this cut of beef. The tenderloin is extremely lean, and that lack of fat means it’s liable to become tough and chewy when overdone. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness.
“I love the simplicity of the recipe. Olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Just add the tenderloin and pop it in the oven. In an hour or so you’ve got an impressive main dish to feed a crowd. This leaves you with more time to visit with family and less time fussing in the kitchen.” —Recipe contributor Mary Kandell, Huron, Ohio
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Three-Cheese Meatball Mostaccioli
Total Time: 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Mostaccioli, ricotta cheese, Romano cheese, Parmesan cheese
Level: Easy
This meatball recipe is quick, indulgent and a winner for the kids table, too! Don’t be surprised when even the youngest ones ask for seconds.
“When my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is magic.” —Recipe contributor Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
Christmas Dinner Ideas FAQ
How much food should I make for Christmas dinner?
A good rule of thumb for your main dish is to plan for 6 to 8 ounces of meat or protein per person. Of course, if you have an especially hungry crowd, or if you want to plan for leftovers, you can add an extra pound or two to your total. And don’t forget the sides! It’s always a good idea to have a hot veggie dish, fresh seasonal salad and a starch (or two) like potatoes, pasta or rolls. Here’s a detailed guide to how much to cook for company.
What is a traditional main dish for Christmas?
A Christmas ham is one of the most traditional holiday main dishes. Its seasonings and preparations can vary by region, but it’s a classic for good reason. Bigger menus might feature a ham and a turkey. Other faves include prime rib or lamb.
What can I make ahead of time?
You can make the holidays simpler with a little preparation. Homemade rolls are simple to make ahead and freeze until ready to bake. Salads can be assembled the day before and dressed on the big day. Mashed potatoes and gravy, appetizers, and casseroles are all great candidates for a make-ahead holiday.
