‘Tis the season to be cooking! And while Christmas dinner is, of course, an especially important feast, sticking to simple (but still impressive) recipes is key to a smooth and enjoyable holiday. Think: short ingredient list, limited prep time, and very little cooking skills needed. In turn, this allows you to spend more time with loved ones around the Christmas tree and watching festive flicks as opposed to spending hours upon hours chopping, dicing, and prepping for the meal. Plus, who wants to spend the time, money, and energy on a complicated recipe for it not to turn out as planned? Not us. Ahead, we’ve compiled 20 of our favorite easy Christmas dinner ideas for a festive holiday spread.
Salt-Crusted Prime Rib
Can you say impressive but oh-so-easy? No Christmas dinner is complete without a rib roast, and this showstopping recipe is a stand-out for its salt crust, which locks in moisture for optimal juiciness. It’s served with an easy, creamy, five-ingredient horseradish sauce.
Get the recipe: Salt-Crusted Prime Rib
Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Hearty and nourishing, this warm roasted cauliflower salad can be enjoyed as a vegetarian entree, appetizer, or side dish. The cauliflower is oven-roasted until golden brown and tender before being tossed with arugula and other flavor and texture enhancements like mint, pistachios, pomegranate seeds, and za’atar. Finally, we’d be remiss not to mention the dressing, which is creamy garlic and lemon yogurt delight.
Get the recipe: Roasted Cauliflower Salad
Mashed Butternut Squash
Why should mashed potatoes have all the fun this season? Switch things up by adding this creamy, vitamin-packed mashed butternut squash to your holiday menu. The vegetarian side dish is ready in under 20 minutes thanks to time-saving ingredients like precut squash for a superfast sweet and savory bite.
Get the recipe: Mashed Butternut Squash
Bourbon and Orange-Glazed Ham
For a fun twist on a Christmas classic, consider this spiral ham recipe, which features just five ingredients. We love the combination of sweet orange juice and brown sugar alongside rich bourbon and Dijon for a quick glaze that’s as impressive as it is delicious. Pro tip: Use the leftovers to make sandwiches for the whole family.
Get the recipe: Bourbon and Orange-Glazed Ham
Salad with Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing and Cranberries
Bid adieu to boring, basic salads as side dishes in favor of this flavorful recipe, which comes together quickly and easily. Dried cranberries add a hint of sweetness, while the walnuts offer an excellent crunch factor. Make the dressing a day before to cut down on prep time.
Get the recipe: Salad with Sweet Poppy Seed Dressing and Cranberries
Homemade Dinner Rolls
Whether doused in butter or enjoyed fresh from the oven, these oh-so-fluffy dinner rolls are sure to please even the pickiest of palates. Sure, you can pop open a can of dough, but this homemade version is outstanding and takes less than an hour from start to finish. Plus, there are plenty of rolls to go around: One recipe makes 16 servings.
Get the recipe: Homemade Dinner Rolls
Roast Beef with Mushroom Gravy
This Christmas, treat your guests to this hearty, rich, and indulgent roast beef. The decadent mushroom gravy adds an extra-special touch to this crowd-pleasing dish that’s super simple but seems ultra holiday-worthy.
Get the recipe: Roast Beef with Mushroom Gravy
Slow Cooker Butter-Braised Carrots with Dill
These sweet honey butter-braised carrots are among the easiest Christmas dinner side dishes to make, mainly because they require just five minutes of prep time and four simple ingredients. Bonus: Breaking out the slow cooker means more space in the oven for the rest of your feast.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Butter-Braised Carrots with Dill
Brussels Sprouts and Arugula Salad with Pomegranate Dressing
This salad offers the ultimate combination of flavor and texture. It combines peppery arugula, sharp cheddar, crunchy shredded sprouts, and a sweet-tart pomegranate dressing that’s nothing short of delicious. Bonus: Thanks to the pre-shredded Brussels sprouts and pre-grated cheese, it takes just minutes to assemble!
Get the recipe: Brussels Sprouts and Arugula Salad with Pomegranate Dressing
Spiced Brown Sugar Ham
Upgrade your usual holiday ham with a decadent glaze of sweet honey and dark brown sugar balanced with spicy mustard powder, ginger, and cloves. A dash of apple cider vinegar balances it all out for a delicious holiday classic your guests will love.
Get the recipe: Spiced Brown Sugar Ham
Potato-Fennel Gratin
Featuring gooey cheese and rich potato, this classic, comforting side dish is made all the more spectacular with the addition of subtly sweet and crunchy fennel. If you’ve never tried fennel before, a starring spot in a cheesy potato dish will surely win everyone over.
Get the recipe: Potato-Fennel Gratin
Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Miso
Smashed potatoes are great but consider spicing things up a bit by serving smashed Brussels sprouts this Christmas. This side dish only sounds intimidating; in fact, it requires just five ingredients in total. Salty, savory miso balances out the addition of sweet honey for a surprising side dish delight.
Get the recipe: Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Miso
Herbed Rib Roast or NY Strip Roast with Jus
Whether you opt to use rib or strip roast, this protein-packed main is studded with thyme, rosemary, and garlic — and it’s chock-full of flavor on a budget. Oh, and did we mention it requires just ten minutes of prep time?
Get the recipe: Herbed Rib Roast or NY Strip Roast with Jus
Orange-Glazed Green Beans
This 16-minute side is the perfect addition to your holiday menu. Bright orange juice, sweet honey, and decadent butter create a mouthwatering glaze over simple microwavable green beans that help lighten up your festive meal.
Get the recipe: Orange-Glazed Green Beans
Crispy Herb Potato Stacks
There are dozens of delicious ways to consume potatoes, but these crispy stacks are among our favorites — and not just because they’re made in a muffin pan. The herby butter infused with rosemary and thyme takes the spuds to the next level, leaving you with an ultra elegant side dish.
Get the recipe: Crispy Herb Potato Stacks
Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Gratin
As you can guess by the name, this potato gratin calls for both sweet potatoes and yellow-gold spuds, offering the best of both worlds. Seasoned with rosemary and sage, this creamy side dish makes the perfect addition to your holiday spread.
Get the recipe: Yukon Gold and Sweet Potato Gratin
Potato-Leek Tart
The creaminess of the potatoes pairs perfectly with the mild, sweet flavor of the leeks in this terrific tarte, perfect as a vegetarian-friendly appetizer, entree, or side dish that can be served for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Also, this recipe is much easier than it looks since it calls for a ready-to-bake refrigerated pie crust and is a free-form tart that bakes straight on a sheet pan.
Get this recipe: Potato-Leek Tart
Vegetable Wellington
You’ve likely heard of beef Wellington, but have you tried vegetable Wellington stuffed to the brim with all the seasonal favorites like carrots, mushrooms, chestnuts, and spinach? If the answer’s no, then you’re missing out. Grocery store-bought puff pastry sheets make this seemingly complex recipe far less intimidating than it looks–perfect for a plant-based feast or vegetarian-leaning crowd.
Get the recipe: Vegetable Wellington
Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Pungent, spicy horseradish adds a unique kick to classic creamy mashed potatoes, which pairs exceptionally well with beef. Remember, a little truly goes a long way: This recipe only calls for three tablespoons of prepared horseradish! The secret ingredient is Worcestershire sauce, which adds a savory pop that truly elevates the dish.
Get the recipe: Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Christmas Focaccia
This fun and festive green-and-red-striped bread — aptly called Christmas focaccia — is sure to get you and your guests in the holiday spirit. The recipe requires just four ingredients — including premade pizza dough—and is decorated with sun-dried tomato and basil pestos, which you can easily snag pre-made at the store.
Get the recipe: Christmas Focaccia
