10 Best Christmas Dinner Ideas For Festive Season

Explore easy Christmas dinner ideas that promise to turn your festive meal into a memorable experience. Our simple recipes ensure you enjoy cooking and impress your guests this holiday season.

Best Christmas Dinner Ideas

Make your Christmas dinner the most memorable one yet with our amazing list of easy-to-make festive recipes! Whether you're a seasoned cook or trying your hand at the holiday feast for the first time, we've got you covered with delicious ideas that will fill your home with joy and yummy smells.

You can make a table loaded with golden-roasted turkey, sweet and tangy cranberry sauce, creamy mashed potatoes, and scrumptious pies that are so good, you'll want to pat yourself on the back. Our step-by-step guides are so simple and fun, you'll breeze through the cooking and be the star of your holiday gathering. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to impress your family and friends with a feast they'll talk about all year!

Baked Ricotta

The Baked Ricotta recipe is an absolute delight, combining the rich creaminess of warm ricotta with the savory sweetness of roasted vegetables spiked with fennel and capers. It's a masterful appetizer that effortlessly elevates any gathering.

Ingredients

• 12 oz. cherry or grape tomatoes, halved if large
• 1 medium red onion, cut into ½-inch wedges, then cut crosswise
• 1 orange pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 Tbsp. capers, roughly chopped
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds, crushed
• 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar, divided
• Kosher salt and pepper
• 1 c. Homemade Ricotta or store-bought ricotta
• 1 baguette

goodhousekeeping

Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs

The Red Wine Cranberry Braised Short Ribs recipe is a combo of flavors, with the richness of the beef beautifully complemented by the tartness of the cranberries and the depth of the red wine. Slow-cooked to tender perfection, these short ribs promise to be the star of any cozy holiday meal, especially when nestled atop a bed of creamy mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• 5 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 shallots, thinly sliced
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 2 cups dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2 cups low sodium beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• Mashed potatoes, for serving

halfbakedharvest

Skillet Roasted French Onion Chicken And Potatoes

Certainly! The Skillet Roasted French Onion Chicken and Potatoes recipe is a hearty and comforting dish that offers a flavorful twist on classic French onion soup. The succulent chicken stuffed with Gruyère cheese, paired with perfectly caramelized onions and baby potatoes in an herbed wine sauce, creates a mouthwatering combination that is both easy to prepare and ideal for those cold winter evenings.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds skin on, bone-in chicken breasts (about 4 breasts)
• 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, more or less to taste
• 1 pound mixed baby potatoes, halved if large
• 1 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

halfbakedharvest

Beef Tenderloin Roast

This Beef Tenderloin Roast recipe transforms a luxurious cut of meat into an indulgent, melt-in-your-mouth experience with a beautiful garlic herb crust. The detailed, foolproof steps ensure that even first-timers can achieve a perfectly pink, tender center, making any holiday dinner a lavish celebration.

Ingredients

Beef Tenderloin Roast

• 1 center-cut beef tenderloin roast (4 to 4 ½ pounds), trimmed and tied
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil

Garlic Herb Butter

• 6 tablespoons softened butter
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves

downshiftology

Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe

This Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking to dazzle their dinner guests with minimal stress. It breaks down the intimidating process of cooking a turkey into simple, straightforward steps, promising a gorgeously golden, superbly juicy, and flavor-packed bird every time.

Ingredients

Roast Turkey

• 12 to 18 pound turkey (*see notes below about using a larger turkey), fully thawed
• 1 onion, peeled and quartered
• 1 lemon, quartered
• 1 to 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 to 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 to 2 sprigs fresh sage
• Kosher salt and black pepper

Herb Butter

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped

Vegetables Under Turkey (Optional, but Recommended)

• 1 onion, peeled and quartered
• 3 ribs celery, roughly chopped
• 2 carrots, roughly chopped

downshiftology

Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe

This exceptional Green Bean Casserole recipe, lauded by many as the ultimate holiday side dish, features the perfect crunch of French fried onions and a creamy, savory sauce that's sure to earn rave reviews from your guests!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1.5 pounds fresh green beans, rinsed and ends trimmed
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 large portobello mushrooms, sliced or diced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
• ½ – 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth, or vegetable stock
• 1 cup half-and-half, or heavy cream
• ½ cup breadcrumbs, optional
• 10 oz French Fried Onions

thenovicechefblog

One Dish Turkey And Stuffing

This One Dish Turkey and Stuffing recipe is a revelation for intimate gatherings, serving up the heartwarming taste of the holidays in less than 2 hours. It's an ingenious solution that doesn't sacrifice flavor for convenience, ensuring your festive feast is both delicious and effortlessly elegant.

Ingredients

Turkey:

• 1 (2 ½ lb) turkey breast, bone in, skin on
• ¼ teaspoon thyme
• ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary
• ⅛ teaspoon dried sage
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Stuffing:

• ¾ cup chopped celery
• ¾ cup chopped onion
• ¾ cup butter
• 8 cups of dried cubed bread (see tips)
• 1 teaspoon sage
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth

aprettylifeinthesuburbs

Lasagna Recipe

This Lasagna Recipe isn't just delicious; it's a testament to the classic techniques of Italian cooking with the option of a tried and true shortcut for those busy nights. It's a soul-warming dish that promises to please the entire family, making any dinner feel like a special occasion.

Ingredients

Ground Beef:

• 1 ½ – 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Tomato Sauce:

• 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce (plain, no spices)
• 1 (19 oz) can diced tomatoes with the juices (plain, no spices)
• 1 (5.5 oz) can tomato paste
• ½ cup red wine (or beef broth)
• 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

The Lasagna:

• 6 lasagna noodles
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 3 cups grated cheese (mozzarella, or a 4 cheese blend is super yummy!)
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

aprettylifeinthesuburbs

Citrus Salt And Thyme Brined Turkey

The Citrus Salt and Thyme Brined Turkey recipe transforms a classic holiday centerpiece with its mouth-watering blend of citrus zests and thyme, making every bite a delightful journey through juicy, flavorful goodness. The meticulous dry-brining technique ensures a turkey that's perfectly seasoned, tender, and brimming with the savory, tangy essence of clementines or oranges, promising a festive feast that's bound to impress.

Ingredients

For the Turkey

• 4.5-5kg turkey
• 24 pigs in blankets (see intro)

To Make The Salt Rub

• 3 Tbsp. flaked sea salt
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp. dried thyme
• Finely grated zest of 2 clementines or 1 orange

For the Clementine Butter

• 100g unsalted butter, softened
• Finely grated zest of 2 clementines or 1 orange
• Small handful of thyme sprigs, plus optional extra to garnish

goodhousekeeping

Beef Wellington

The Beef Wellington recipe stands as a gourmet masterpiece, perfect for holidays and special occasions, with its succulent beef tenderloin wrapped in a harmonious blend of prosciutto, mustard, and a savory mushroom duxelles, all encased in a golden, flaky puff pastry.

Ingredients

Mushroom Duxelles

• 3 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 cups portobello mushrooms, diced
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Beef Wellington

• 2.5-3 lb center cut beef tenderloin
• ¼ cup English mustard
• 2 puff pastry sheets
• ½ lb prosciutto
• 1 egg, whisked
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

julieseatsandtreats