Once the holiday season gets into full swing, the hectic flurry of shopping and cooking leaves you feeling like you’re never out of the kitchen. We say it’s time to go cold turkey and break that habit. After all, if you’re spending more time cooking than with loved ones, what’s the point of the holidays? We’ve rounded up these recipes that are not only perfect for Christmas entertaining but feature some smart Savory twists that will help you skip the fuss.
Cream Puff Tower
This centerpiece dessert, called a croquembouche in France, will have all your guests talking, and nobody has to know that you never turned-on the oven. Store-bought frozen cream puffs trim hours of work off a traditional croquembouche, and the foam cone center makes it much easier to assemble.
Get the recipe: Cream Puff Tower
Everything Bagel Breakfast Bake
Packed with everything bagels, cheese, and eggs, your family will want to tear into this casserole faster than the wrapping paper on their gifts. Prepped the night before, it’s the no-fuss breakfast star of Christmas morning.
Get the recipe: Everything Bagel Breakfast Bake
Three-Ingredient Peppermint Fudge
Sweetened condensed milk is the secret behind the smoothest fudge you’ve ever had. With the time-tested pairing of peppermint and chocolate, this festive concoction is the epitome of simple and sweet.
Get the recipe: Three-Ingredient Peppermint Fudge
Brussels Sprout and Arugula Salad with Pomegranate Dressing
Bright red pomegranate seeds sparkle like ornaments in this festive winter salad made of crunchy shredded Brussels sprouts and peppery arugula. A tart pomegranate dressing balances the bitter greens and brings it all together.
Get the recipe: Brussels Sprout and Arugula Salad with Pomegranate Dressing
Pistachio Wreaths
You’d never know these salty-sweet, crunchy green wreaths are made with a tube of purchased cookie dough. The bright lemony icing packs and nutty topping will make them the dark reindeer of your neighborhood cookie swap.
Get the recipe: Pistachio Wreaths
Eggnog Hot Chocolate
Two Christmas mainstays team up in this double feature drink we never knew we needed. Whether you’re watching the snowfall out the window or staying warm by the fire with your family, this velvety smooth, winter warmer really captures the spirit of the holidays.
Get the recipe: Eggnog Hot Chocolate
Slow-Roasted Top Sirloin with Creamy Horseradish-Herb Sauce
For those who love a classic main dish, this roast offers succulence and flavor while the sauce adds a welcome punch. Slow roasting means more time for holiday mingling with less fussing in the kitchen, while the most tender Christmas feast you’ve ever had cooks mostly hands-free.
Get the recipe: Slow-Roasted Top Sirloin with Creamy Horseradish-Herb Sauce
Christmas Cranberry Punch
Bright, refreshing, and easy to double, this ruby red punch is perfect for toasting the end of a long, happy year. Sprigs of rosemary make it the drink of choice for a tree trimming or caroling party.
Get the recipe: Christmas Cranberry Punch
Pepperoni and Cheese “Candy Cane”
A savory spin on an instantly recognizable design, this playful appetizer doubles as a conversation starter. It’s easy enough to be a fun project for even the youngest elves in your workshop.
Get the recipe: Pepperoni and Cheese “Candy Cane”
Cucumber and Cheese Christmas Trees
This healthy appetizer takes just minutes to assemble and makes your snack table look like a miniature Christmas tree lot. Try using pepper jack with its red and green chiles as a festive upgrade to the Monterey Jack for the cutout stars.
Get the recipe: Cucumber and Cheese Christmas Trees
Seven Fishes Seafood Salad
A nod to the traditional Italian feast, this marinated seafood salad cuts down on the work by presenting all seven fish in one dish. Briny and packed with zingy flavor, this answers the call for those seeking a lighter holiday meal.
Get the recipe: Seven Fishes Seafood Salad
Christmas Focaccia
A store-bought pouch of pizza dough is the secret to this no-stress starter. The pairing of a sun-dried tomato pesto and a classic basil pesto gives this simple focaccia seasonal flair.
Get the recipe: Christmas Focaccia
Eggnog Bread Pudding
Stop looking for ideas to use up that panettone you’ve been gifted, because this eggnog-infused bread pudding is the answer. Assembly takes place the night before, so while you make your morning coffee you can pop it in the oven and wake your family to the smell of Christmas.
Get the recipe: Eggnog Bread Pudding
Cranberry Spritzers
Fizzy, tangy, and oh-so-refreshing, this drink is so cheery you’re guests will love everyone can enjoy this non-alcoholic beverage. Freezing your fresh cranberries will let them double as ice cubes for an extra cold drink.
Get the recipe: Cranberry Spritzers
Overnight Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole
Bypass all the hard work of making French toast without shortcutting the flavor. Assemble it the night before and your slow cooker’s warming function will make sure it’s hot and ready at the same time as your family.
Get the recipe: Overnight Slow Cooker French Toast Casserole
Mediterranean Vegetable Casserole
Inspired by a French “tian,” the natural red and green stripes of this vegetable casserole make it a wonderful vegetarian centerpiece during the winter months. If you have a food processor with a slicing disk, the prep work is done before you know it.
Get the recipe: Mediterranean Vegetable Casserole
Chocolate Crinkles
These fudgy, melt-in-your-mouth classics are sure to get you a one-way ticket to the top of Santa’s nice list. Make sure to leave some out on Christmas Eve with a tall glass of milk…Santa’s helpers deserve a treat too!
Get the recipe: Chocolate Crinkles
Sugar Cookie Bars
Why mess with trays of fussy individual cookies when you can just press the dough in a pan and then cut them into bars? Kids will love these just as they are with the colorful frostings, but we recommend the fruitcake variation for grownups who love a little extra merry in their holiday.
Get the recipe: Sugar Cookie Bars
Snowman Cheese Ball
The next time your kids say they want to make a snowman, get them to help make this one that won’t melt when the sun’s out! Pulsing your Parmesan cheese in the food processor makes for a snow-like texture that completes the wintry scene.
Get the recipe: Snowman Cheese Ball
Christmas Eve Pasta with Grape Tomatoes and Mozzarella
These cheerful little bowls of pasta are bursting with holiday colors and have the flavor to match. It’s a great, fast meal to throw together on Christmas Eve so you can spend more time with your family.
Get the recipe: Christmas Eve Pasta with Grape Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Cake Mix Gingerbread Men
Doctoring up a boxed spice cake mix means you’re only minutes away from cutting out these soft gingerbread cookies with the kids. Squeeze pouches of white icing makes them easy for even the smallest of hands to decorate.
Get the recipe: Cake Mix Gingerbread Men
Christmas Wreath Pavlova
The crisp snow-white finish of this pavlova wreath makes an ideal canvas for the red and green colors of fresh berries, pistachios, and mint leaves. It can be made in advance and wrapped tightly in plastic, undecorated, until you’re ready to serve.
Get the recipe: Christmas Wreath Pavlova
Stained-Glass Ginger Cookies
These nostalgic, see-through cookies are so much fun to make with kids and significantly easier than they seem. We like to bake extra to hang on the Christmas tree and let the lights shine through the colored candy windows.
Get the recipe: Stained-Glass Ginger Cookies
