20 Christmas Dinner Recipes to Delight Your Guests

Christmas is the perfect time to gather around the table with loved ones and celebrate with delicious, thoughtfully crafted dishes. Whether you’re seeking appetizers, main courses, side dishes, or desserts, this list of 20 Christmas dinner recipes will ensure your holiday meal is memorable. Each recipe includes servings, prep and cook times, and detailed steps to guide you in creating a feast that’s both comforting and festive. Let’s get cooking!

Stuffed Mushrooms

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 24 large button mushrooms, stems removed
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for drizzling

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps, pressing gently.
4. Place mushrooms on a baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until mushrooms are tender and tops are golden brown. Serve warm.

Caprese Skewers

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: None

Ingredients:

• 24 cherry tomatoes
• 24 fresh basil leaves
• 12 small mozzarella balls, halved
• 2 tbsp balsamic glaze

Steps:

1. Thread each skewer with a cherry tomato, basil leaf, and mozzarella ball.
2. Arrange skewers on a serving platter.
3. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.
4. Serve immediately as a light, refreshing appetizer.

Deviled Eggs

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Paprika for garnish

Steps:

1. Boil eggs for 10 minutes, then transfer to an ice bath.
2. Peel eggs and slice in half lengthwise. Remove yolks and place in a bowl.
3. Mash yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.
4. Spoon or pipe the mixture back into egg whites.
5. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika and serve.

Roast Chicken with Herbs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (about 4 pounds)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp rosemary, chopped
• 1 tbsp thyme, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Rub chicken with olive oil, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Place chicken on a roasting rack and roast for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
4. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before carving.
5. Serve with pan drippings or gravy.

Vegetarian Lasagna

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups spinach, chopped
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 jar marinara sauce

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Layer noodles, ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, and marinara sauce in a baking dish.
3. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with mozzarella.
4. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
5. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds salmon fillet
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon on a baking sheet, season with salt, pepper, and dill.
3. Arrange lemon slices on top of the salmon.
4. Bake for 20 minutes until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
5. Serve with extra lemon wedges if desired.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, tops and seeds removed
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/2 pound ground turkey or beef
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, cook ground meat until browned, then mix with rice and tomatoes.
3. Stuff mixture into bell peppers, topping with cheese.
4. Place peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, remove foil, and bake until cheese is melted.

Butternut Squash Risotto

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1 small butternut squash, diced
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 4 cups vegetable broth

Steps:

1. In a large pan, cook squash until tender.
2. Add rice, stirring to coat, then gradually add broth.
3. Simmer, stirring constantly, until rice is creamy.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
5. Serve warm, garnished with extra cheese if desired.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes.
2. Drain and return to pot, adding cream, butter, and garlic.
3. Mash until smooth, seasoning with salt and pepper.
4. Transfer to a serving bowl.
5. Garnish with a sprinkle of herbs if desired.

Honey-Glazed Carrots

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound carrots, sliced
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. In a skillet, melt butter and add carrots.
2. Cook for 10 minutes, then drizzle with honey and season.
3. Sauté until carrots are tender and glazed.
4. Serve warm as a sweet and savory side dish.

Green Bean Almondine

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound green beans, trimmed
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt to taste

Steps:

1. Blanch green beans in boiling water, then drain.
2. In a skillet, melt butter and toast almonds until golden.
3. Add green beans, tossing to coat in butter and almonds.
4. Season with salt and serve warm.

Cranberry Pecan Salad

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: None

Ingredients:

• 6 cups mixed greens
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted
• 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• Balsamic vinaigrette

Steps:

1. In a large salad bowl, combine greens, cranberries, pecans, and feta.
2. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.
3. Toss to coat and serve immediately.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp balsamic glaze

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
4. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

Chocolate Yule Log (Bûche de Noël)

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 chocolate sponge cake
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 1/2 cup chocolate ganache
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Steps:

1. Spread whipped cream over the cake and roll into a log.
2. Cover with chocolate ganache.
3. Decorate with powdered sugar to resemble snow.
4. Slice and serve for a festive dessert.

Gingerbread Cookies

Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Steps:

1. Combine flour, sugar, molasses, and spices.
2. Roll dough and cut into shapes.
3. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
4. Let cool, then decorate with icing.

Apple Crisp

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 medium apples, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Place apple slices in a baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon.
3. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, oats, and butter until crumbly.
4. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over apples.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes until apples are tender and topping is golden.

Pavlova with Fresh Berries

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup whipped cream
• 1 cup mixed fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
2. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form, then gradually add sugar and vanilla, beating until stiff.
3. Spread meringue onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a circle.
4. Bake for 1 hour, then turn off oven and let cool inside.
5. Top with whipped cream and berries just before serving.

Hot Chocolate Bar

Servings: 10
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 cups milk
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Various toppings: whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, candy canes

Steps:

1. In a large pot, whisk together milk, cocoa powder, and sugar.
2. Heat over medium heat until hot, but not boiling.
3. Pour hot chocolate into mugs and set up a topping station with whipped cream, marshmallows, and more.
4. Let guests customize their drinks with toppings.
5. Serve warm and enjoy a cozy treat.

Spiced Apple Cider

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 cups apple cider
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 tbsp honey

Steps:

1. Combine apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices in a pot.
2. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 10-15 minutes.
3. Stir in honey and remove from heat.
4. Strain out spices and orange slices.
5. Serve hot, garnished with an extra cinnamon stick if desired.

Cranberry Punch

Servings: 10
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: None

Ingredients:

• 4 cups cranberry juice
• 2 cups orange juice
• 2 cups sparkling water
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• Orange slices for garnish

Steps:

1. In a large punch bowl, mix cranberry juice, orange juice, and sparkling water.
2. Add fresh cranberries and orange slices for garnish.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
5. Pour into glasses and enjoy as a refreshing holiday drink.

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Conclusion

These 20 Christmas dinner recipes offer a delightful range of flavors, textures, and festive flair that are sure to impress and satisfy everyone at the table. From savory starters and hearty mains to comforting sides, refreshing salads, and indulgent desserts, each dish is crafted to bring warmth and joy to your holiday gathering. The addition of festive drinks, like spiced apple cider and cranberry punch, makes this feast even more memorable. Embrace the holiday spirit by bringing loved ones together over a beautifully prepared meal, creating cherished memories and traditions that will last for years to come. May your holiday table be filled with joy, laughter, and the unforgettable tastes of the season. Merry Christmas and happy cooking!