20 Must-Make Dishes for Your Christmas Dinner
Are you hosting Christmas this year? Whether you have a full house or are limiting it to just your family members and close friends, this Christmas Dinner Menu and Recipe Guide is here to make planning and cooking on the merriest day of the year a whole lot easier. This is a collection of some of my favorite Holiday Recipes to help you celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year!
Try some of our family’s favorites like my Creamy Mashed Potato Recipe and my Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts that go perfectly with Baked Ham or Roasted Turkey. And don’t forget about dessert and drinks like my festive Peppermint Brownies and Holiday Cranberry Pomegranate Mojito!
Whatever your plans may be, I hope this Christmas Dinner Menu and Recipe Guide helps eliminate some stress that comes with hosting a big meal and allows you to enjoy the jolliest day of the year! We could all use some extra Christmas cheer this year.
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Why Should You Plan Your Thanksgiving Menu Ahead of Time?
Like any holiday, Christmas is a joyous time of family, good food, and cheer. But it can also be stressful — especially if you’re hosting.
Taking the time to plan ahead will not only simplify your job as host, but it will also (and most importantly) allow you to enjoy the days leading up to the big day, as well as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day themselves.
Below are my go to dishes to serve during the holidays! They’re all a cinch to make and include step-by-step pictures as well as variations to make it all your own!
Key Components of a Successful Christmas Dinner
- Cocktail Hour: Make everyone’s spirits light with for the big meal with festive drinks like my Holiday Cranberry Pomegranate Mojito and Pomegranate Cranberry Champagne Punch! You could also leave out the alcohol and make mocktails for anyone who wants one. (I see you, Mama-To-Be, who doesn’t want to be left out!)
- Appetizers: Light bites provide a tasty way for people to graze while they mingle and wait for the main course.
- Salad: You know how heavy (and delicious) holiday food can be, so prep everyone’s palettes with a refreshing salad.
- Entree: Thanksgiving is know for its turkey, but let’s be real … that was a whole month ago! This roasted turkey recipe is finger-licking-good and easy to make any time of the year.
- Sides: When it comes to any big holiday meal, the side dishes are the real stars of the plate. And you can’t go wrong with our favorites, like creamy mashed potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole.
- Breads: You need some sort of bread on your holiday table to soak up all the goodness on your Christmas dinner plate!
- Dessert: These sweet treats are sure to leave your family feeling merry and bright after such a delicious holiday meal!
Cranberry Margaritas
These Cranberry Margaritas are a sweet and tart twist on my classic margarita recipe made with cranberry juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, Triple Sec, tequila, and, of course, ice cubes. They’re festively garnished with fresh cranberries, lime wedges, and a sugared rim on the glass. It doesn’t get more merry than this!
Pomegranate Cranberry Champagne Punch
This Pomegranate Cranberry Champagne Punch is concocted with a fresh cranberry reduction, pomegranate juice, and — the piece de resistance — champagne! It’s sure to get everyone in the mood for a cheery Christmas dinner!
Red Wine Sangria
My simple and fruity Red Wine Sangria is made with fresh fruit, red wine, brandy, and pomegranate juice. It’s a smooth drink that will warm you up during the cold winter months!
Holiday Cranberry Pomegranate Mojito
These Holiday Cranberry Pomegranate Mojitos made with fresh mint, a luscious cranberry reduction, pomegranate juice, and fresh lime. It’s a festive cocktail that’s perfect for the holiday season!
Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Dipping Sauce
My Homemade Pretzel Bites with Creamy Cheddar Cheese Sauce are totally pop-able, super addicting, and perfect for holiday get-togethers!
Baked BLT Dip
This Easy Baked BLT Dip is a sort of deconstructed take on the classic bacon-lettuce-and-tomato sandwich made with sour cream, mayo, and cream cheese — and of course topped with bacon pieces, chopped tomatoes, and shredded lettuce. All of this goodness is scooped up with toasted french bread. YUM!
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Sorry Sister Schubert, but these may take the cake for the BEST, butteriest, softest, and fluffiest dinner rolls recipe. They’re perfect for sopping up all the Christmas dinner remnants left on your plate!
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
This fresh and colorful Strawberry Spinach Salad is topped with a homemade creamy poppyseed dressing and loaded with fresh feta cheese, red onions, and pine nuts!
Roasted Turkey with Herb Butter
This no-brine Homemade Roasted Turkey is juicy, tender, flavorful, crispy-skinned, and topped with a scrumptious gluten-free gravy. It’s too good to only serve at Thanksgiving!
Sausage Stuffing
My Easy Sausage Stuffing loaded with fresh herbs, carrots, celery, onions, and garlic, making it the perfect side dish or even entree for your Christmas dinner! It takes just 20 minutes to prep and can be made ahead of time and even frozen for later.
Ham and Bean Soup
You know what’s underrated? Soup! When it comes to holiday meals, people often skip over them entirely or serve them as an appetizer, but they can be an entree all on their own. My Easy Ham and Bean Soup is a great contender for the main course of your Christmas dinner! Try my Italian version for a flavorful twist on this classic dish.
Creamy Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Regular mashed potatoes are all well in good — OK, they’re one of my FAVES — but you know what else is delicious? Mashed Sweet Potatoes. And this recipe could not be easier to make. All you need is 3 ingredients and a few minutes of prep time to make this mashed sweet potato recipe. They make the perfect side dish to any meal and would go perfectly on your Christmas table!
Roasted Broccoli
Roasted Broccoli is the perfect side dish to serve alongside any meal! This broccoli is roasted over high heat until golden brown and tender then tossed with lemon juice and parmesan cheese. Add a pop of green to your Christmas meal with this dish!
Scalloped Potatoes
These are the BEST Scalloped Potatoes! Made with thinly sliced russet potatoes layered in a creamy cheese sauce and baked until golden brown, this is the perfect starchy side dish for any occasion!
Honey Roasted Carrots
My recipe for Honey Roasted Carrots only calls for three — yes THREE — ingredients. They’re made with brown butter and honey then roasted until golden brown. Simple and delicious!
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
My Easy Baked Macaroni and Cheese is made with tender elbow macaroni in a creamy cheddar cheese sauce and baked until golden brown. It’s a crowd-pleaser, for sure!
Peppermint Brownies
These Peppermint Brownies are soft, chewy, and ultra chocolately brownies layered with a chocolate ganache and topped with candy canes! These one-bowl brownies couldn’t be easier to make, and are perfect for the holiday season. Make them with the kids this Christmas!
5-Ingredient Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Love chocolate and peppermint? Then this is the recipe for you! My 5-Ingredient Chocolate Peppermint Bark requires only a few minutes of prep work and an hour to chill. It’s the perfect snackable dessert for holiday parties, Christmas meals, and even gifts!
Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies
These super soft Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies are a guaranteed hit! Made with M&M’s and white and semi-sweet chocolate chips, this really is the perfect Christmas cookie recipe. Also makes a wonderful gift!
4 Ingredient Peppermint Ganache Pie
This easy Peppermint Ganache Pie only requires four ingredients to make a smooth, rich chocolate filling inside of an Oreo crust and topped with crushed peppermint. It’s the perfect Christmastime dessert you can make in less than 10 minutes!
Looking for more holiday recipes? Check out my Christmas Cookie Guide and my Thanksgiving Meal Planning Guide!
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