Christmas Dinner Ideas

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All the easy Christmas Dinner Ideas you need to put on a feast! From Prime Rib and Roast Turkey to Honey Baked Hams and all the cheesy pasta bakes. Let’s not forget the sides! Creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and easy slow cooker options.

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Hosting a holiday meal can be a little hectic, and menu planning makes all the difference!

Here I’ve rounded up all the Christmas Dinner recipes that you could ever hope for: main dishes, side dishes, and breads!

It’s easy to plan a great Christmas menu that will leave all your guests yearning for more 😉

whole spiral ham in baking dish with honey glaze
Honey Baked Ham
Juicy Honey Baked Ham is roasted nice and low, then coated in a sweet and sticky honey glaze for the best Baked Ham you've ever had!
Serve it with some mashed potatoes and a side of roasted vegetables for a Christmas dinner that no one will forget.
Get the recipe here
whole dry brine turkey overhead on wooden cutting board with parsley
Garlic Brown Sugar Dry Brine Turkey
This Garlic Brown Sugar Dry Brine Turkey is perfectly golden and crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside! The best roast turkey you’ll ever have!
Dry brining is a great alternative to a normal brine because it's easy, less messy, and takes up less room in the fridge. Just a few simple ingredients and a couple of days required!
Get the recipe here
whole roast turkey in roasting pan with golden skin
Turkey Brine recipe
This turkey brine is exactly what you need to take your turkey from good (or not so good) to great. It adds tons of moisture and flavor to a turkey and makes it so much easier to knock holiday cooking out of the park.
Who knew an extra 10 minutes of prep could make such a big difference?
Get the recipe here
instant pot ham with glaze
Instant Pot Ham with Pineapple Glaze
The easiest way to cook ham for the holidays!
This Instant Pot Ham is SO juicy and couldn’t be easier! Much faster than the oven, and drizzled with a simple, sweet pineapple glaze.
Get the recipe here
easy meatball recipe baked and in white bowl
Easy Meatball Recipe (Homemade Meatballs)
Meatballs are a must have for our Christmas dinner!
This easy Meatball Recipe is tender, juicy and flavorful! Bake them, fry them, or slow cook — they work with any sauce you enjoy! (For us, it has to be sweet and sour!)
Get the recipe here
sous vide turkey breast overhead
Sous Vide Turkey Breast & Apple Cider Gravy
Wanna take your Christmas dinner to the next level? How about sous vide!
This Sous Vide Turkey Breast is a foolproof way to get juicy turkey! Well seasoned, with crispy, browned skin and served with apple cider gravy!
Get the recipe here
crockpot turkey in slow cooker
Crockpot Turkey with Garlic Butter
This easy Crockpot Turkey recipe is for those who don’t want to be bothered with roasting! It’s slathered in garlic butter and cooks all day (or night!) in the slow cooker.
Perfectly moist and juicy! Broil before serving for a crispy skin.
Get the recipe here
overhead image of roast chicken and vegetables in white baking dish
Roast Chicken and Vegetables
This Whole Roast Chicken and Vegetables is a one pan dinner with little prep and big flavor! A healthy dinner idea that is ready in no time.
For an easy holiday meal without the fuss!
Get the recipe here
turkey breast slices on white platter with fresh parsley.
Crockpot Turkey Breast
This easy Crockpot Turkey Breast is juicy and tender with almost no prep time! It’s perfect for a smaller holiday gathering or a weeknight meal with leftovers.
Serve it up with mashed potatoes and gravy for a classic holiday combo.
Get the recipe here
This Slow Cooker Balsamic Cherry Glazed Ham couldn't be easier -- the slow cooker keeps the meat so juicy and the Balsamic Cherry Glaze adds so much sweet and tangy flavor! It's perfect for Easter, Christmas or Thanksgiving. Includes step by step recipe video. | slow cooker recipe | crockpot | crock pot | holiday | sauce | cherry sauce | glaze for ham
Slow Cooker Balsamic Cherry Glazed Ham
This Slow Cooker Balsamic Cherry Glazed Ham couldn’t be easier — the slow cooker keeps the meat so juicy and the Balsamic Cherry Glaze adds so much sweet and tangy flavor!
It’s perfect for Easter, Christmas or Thanksgiving
Get the recipe here
close up image of whole chicken in roasting pan
Perfect Roast Chicken
Simple but SO delicious!
This recipe shows you how to make the perfect Roast Chicken, with a simple seasoning, golden crispy skin, and tender juicy chicken!
Get the recipe here
Overhead image of roast turkey breast in white baking dish
Roast Turkey Breast with Cranberry Marinade
This Roast Turkey Breast with Cranberry Marinade is perfect for a small holiday dinner or any day of the week! Easy to prep ahead and great for meal prepping!
Get the recipe here
instant pot turkey breast in baking dish in front of pressure cooker
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
This Instant Pot Turkey Breast recipe is the best method for moist, tender, and flavorful turkey!
Just 10 minutes to prep, 40 minutes in the instant pot, and you’ve got perfectly cooked turkey ready to go!
Get the recipe here
close up pf whole air fryer turkey breast on white cutting board
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
This Air Fryer Turkey Breast is a simple recipe that takes just 5 minutes to prep!
Fresh turkey breast is slathered in a simple yet flavorful blend of seasonings, then air fried until fall-apart tender in the middle and golden-brown on the outside!
Get the recipe here
glazed spiral ham on a white platter with greens'
Easy Spiral Ham with Apple Cider Glaze
This Easy Spiral Ham with Apple Cider Glaze is perfect for your Christmas, Thanksgiving or Easter table! It’s SO easy to prepare and the glaze adds an incredible touch of sticky-sweetness.
Get the recipe here
christmas roast rack of pork on a white platter
Holiday Rosemary Garlic Pork Roast
Juicy with a crispy skin, bone in pork roast recipe makes for the ultimate easy Holiday Roast! Packed with rosemary and garlic flavour.
Check out this recipe
overhead image of roasted corn hens
Roasted Cornish Hens Recipe
Cornish Hens are easy to roast and impressive to serve! A homemade dry rub takes this show-stopping dinner party recipe from great to amazing with no fancy ingredients.
Check out this recipe
close up tri tip image with red juicy interior and black crust
Tri Tip (Grilled or Oven-Roasted) from The Food Charlatan
If you’ve never had tri tip, you haven’t lived! I will show you how to cook tri tip on the grill or in the oven. It’s SO easy and the flavor is unbeatable! We always had tri tip for Christmas dinner growing up; it’s an impressive holiday meal!
Check out this recipe
very close image of glazed spiral ham
Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
This Pineapple Honey Glazed Ham Recipe is a simple and delicious holiday meal! A flavorful glaze made with pineapple juice, dijon mustard and honey for your spiral ham.
Check out this recipe
bacon wrapped filet mignon on plate
Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon
This bacon wrapped filet mignon will wow your dinner guests. Seared on the outside with a beautiful pink inside on this air fryer filet mignon with bacon!
Check out this recipe
close up image of prime rib roast with red interior
Classic Prime Rib Recipe | How to Cook Prime Rib
This classic bone-in Prime Rib recipe will show you how to cook a roast to perfection! Tender and juicy prime rib is the ultimate special occasion recipe. A flavorful garlicky crust and the rich au jus sauce takes it over the top!
Check out this recipe
turkey roulade with cherry stuffing on platter with fresh rosemary
Tart Cherry Chestnut Stuffed Turkey Roulade
This turkey roulade is stuffed with tart cherries, chestnuts and herbs. It’s topped with a red wine soaked cherry sauce and makes for a beautiful (and easy!) holiday dish.
Check out this recipe
overhead image of individual beef wellingtons
Individual Beef Wellington
Individual beef wellington is the epitome of a classic, gourmet dish. Filet mignon steaks are layered in puff pastry with a mushroom chestnut duxelle and a thin layer of paté. The individual beef wellingtons are perfect for a holiday dinner or for a special night in.
Check out this recipe

Christmas Dinner Mains: Cozy Casseroles

Sometimes you don't feel like doing a big roast dinner with all the sides! Here are some cozy and company-worthy casseroles for the big day.

square image of easy lasagna recipe.
Easy Lasagna Recipe
This Easy Lasagna recipe is made with oven ready lasagna noodles, jarred tomato sauce and a couple special ingredients that bring LOADS of flavor!
Check out this recipe
Piece of white lasagna being lifted out of pan
White Chicken Lasagna with Ham and Spinach
This White Chicken Lasagna with Ham and Spinach is the ULTIMATE comfort food! Made with a lighter Alfredo sauce, it’s decadent enough for the holidays and still loaded with healthy ingredients.
Check out this recipe
square image of ricotta stuffed shells being scooped out of baking dish.
Ricotta Stuffed Shells Recipe
This Ricotta Stuffed Shells recipe is creamy, comforting, easy to make ahead and freezer friendly! Perfect for freezer meal prep and busy weeknights.
Check out this recipe
twice baked potato casserole overhead
Twice Baked Potato Casserole with Ham
This Twice Baked Potato Casserole is great for Christmas dinner or Christmas leftovers! It uses a combination of cubed and mashed potatoes and ham for a creamy casserole that is a meal all on its own.
Check out this recipe
close up of rigatoni pasta bake in white dish with chopped parsley sprinkled on top.
Rigatoni Pasta Bake
This Rigatoni Pasta Bake is a hearty and comforting casserole made up meat sauce, rigatoni pasta and cheese! Meal prep and freezer friendly ground beef casserole.
Check out this recipe

Christmas Dinner Side Dish Ideas

Holiday dinners are about more than just the main dish!

Having a good selection of Christmas dinner side dishes will make your meal an absolutely feast. Be sure to include a variety of colors, flavors and textures for a showstopping holiday dinner.

square overhead image of garlic mashed potatoes with melted butter
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These Garlic Mashed Potatoes are smooth, creamy, buttery, garlicky mashed potatoes that are ready in just 30 minutes! Take your side dishes up a notch!
Check out this recipe
square image of roasted potatoes and carrots in a bowl with a spoon.
Roasted Potatoes and Carrots
These easy Roasted Potatoes and Carrots are made with Creamer potatoes, tossed in garlic butter and roasted to perfection – the perfect side dish for any meal!
Check out this recipe
close up image of roasted green beans on baking sheet
Roasted Green Beans
These Roasted Green Beans are a simple and versatile side dish that takes just 5 minutes to prep! This 5-ingredient recipe is made with fresh green beans that are roasted to crisp-tender perfection!
Check out this recipe
overhead image of lyonnaise potatoes in black skillet
Lyonnaise Potatoes
Lyonnaise Potatoes are thinly sliced potatoes, par boiled and fried until crispy with caramelized onions — simple ingredients and big flavor!
Check out this recipe
overhead image of roasted vegetables on sheet pan
Roasted Vegetables
These Roasted Vegetables are made up of a colorful blend of veggies that are perfectly seasoned with fresh garlic, butter, cracked pepper, and parsley! This 5-minute side dish pairs perfectly with any meal!
Check out this recipe
square image of spoon holding cheesy potatoes in crockpot
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes + VIDEO
These Garlic Mashed Potatoes are smooth, creamy, buttery, garlicky mashed potatoes that are ready in just 30 minutes! Take your side dishes up a notch!
Check out this recipe
close up of glazed carrots in pan with wooden spoon
Honey Glazed Carrots
These Honey Glazed Carrots are an easy side dish that go with almost any meal! Made with honey, brown sugar, butter and garlic, they are sweet and salty and savory!
Check out this recipe
cheesy scalloped potatoes and ham in white dish
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham
These Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham are an easy holiday dinner idea that’s also a great recipe for leftover ham! The whole family is going to love this one!
Check out this recipe
christmas salad image with pomegranate arils
5 Ingredient Christmas Salad
A crave-worthy salad made with 5 simple ingredients! This 5 Ingredient Christmas Salad is perfect for the holiday season (including potlucks!). A truly easy salad recipe that is delicious!
Check out this recipe
blue bowl with macaroni and cheese topped with fresh parsley and a fork
Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese
This Easy Mac and Cheese recipe is made in ONE pot with just SIX ingredients! Ready in 30 minutes or less
Check out this recipe
broccoli salad recipe with bacon cranberries cheese and homemade dressing.
Easy Broccoli Salad
This easy recipe for Broccoli Salad keeps for days in the fridge and will quickly become a family favorite. Made from crunchy broccoli florets, this salad is tossed with a sweet and tangy homemade broccoli salad dressing!
Check out this recipe
overhead image of cheesy potatoes in white casserole dish with spoon
Cheesy Potato Casserole
This Cheesy Potato Casserole is made with fresh potatoes and a creamy, tangy homemade cheese sauce — no hashbrowns or cream soups here!
Check out this recipe
square image of creamed corn in white skillet.
Homemade Creamed Corn
This easy homemade Creamed Corn comes together in minutes with just a few ingredients! Use fresh, frozen or canned corn. The perfect side dish for any holiday dinner!
Check out this recipe
cauliflower au gratin in black skillet with spoon
Baked Cauliflower Au Gratin
This easy, healthy and keto friendly Low Carb Baked Cauliflower Au Gratin is a gluten free, delicious side dish that even the pickiest of eaters will love!
Check out this recipe
close up image of sourdough stuffing in baking dish
Easy Sourdough Stuffing Recipe
Learn how to make sourdough stuffing, a favorite for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This stuffing recipe uses sourdough bread as the base, and then adds some herbs and spices to create a moist and flavorful turkey dinner side dish.
Check out this recipe
close up image of metal spoon scooping hashbrown casserole
Hashbrown Casserole
This Hashbrown Casserole is a classic side dish that takes 10 minute to prep! Hashbrown potatoes are baked in a rich and creamy sauce, topped with melty cheddar cheese, and finished off with a buttery, crunchy Corn Flake topping.
Check out this recipe

Breads and rolls

Because we need something to dunk in all that gravy and sauce! These breads and rolls are the perfect complement to any Christmas dinner — from turkey and other roasts to casseroles and beyond.

side angle photo of basket with garlic bread slices
Garlic Bread
This homemade Garlic Bread is a classic side dish or appetizer that comes together in just 20 minutes! Sliced French bread is slathered with homemade garlic butter, then baked until soft, buttery, and golden-brown.
Check out this recipe
close up image of brioche buns on baking sheet
Brioche Bun recipe
This Brioche Bun recipe is light, fluffy and perfect on its own or for sandwiches or burgers! Rich and golden in color and flavor!
Check out this recipe
moms homemade buns on baking sheet
Mom’s Homemade Buns
My Mom’s Homemade Buns are the perfect dinner roll for any occasion! Incredibly soft and fluffy, use all purpose or whole wheat flour, make a big batch and freeze for later.
Check out this recipe
breadsticks scattered on sheet pan with tomato sauce
Homemade Breadsticks
These Homemade Breadsticks are better than Olive Garden! Ready in one hour from start to finish!
Check out this recipe

Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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