We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. 60 Creative Christmas Dinner Ideas That’ll Steal the Show Let’s be honest: Christmas dinner is better than the presents. Whether you’re looking for alternative recipe ideas to shake things christmas dinner ideas meat, smaller portion sizes for an intimate gathering or the perfect traditional Christmas dinner, it’s super simple to build a meal that everyone will enjoy. We even shuffled in a few meat-free mains if you’ve got vegetarian family members in town!
Maybe you’re hosting your first holiday and wondering what to serve? A great roast is a good place to start — and we rounded up our best ham and roast beef recipes that totally double as festive centerpieces. Plus, we collected our best-ever desserts to end your meal on the right note. Serve this centerpiece with a simple garlic-horseradish cream sauce. Sweet-sour glazed green beans pair perfectly with a holiday ham.
Loads of spinach, a healthy dose of broccoli, three cheeses, basil and your favorite sauce makes this vegetarian Christmas dinner every bit as good as the roast. It’s just not Christmas without sweet, creamy eggnog. This dish looks seriously impressive, but it’s a lot easier to make than you’d think! Squash, kale, potato and tomato star in this beautiful layered pie that takes 15 minutes to prep. Lay the foundation for your gingerbread house with this peppermint-infused dough.
This classic cocktail with white rum, pineapple juice, maraschino liqueur and grenadine is fruity but not too sweet. There should be spinach and artichoke dip at every holiday, sporting event or family gathering— it’s the law. Pink, green, and black peppercorns lend serious spice and pretty pops of color to make this the perfect centerpiece for your Christmas dinner table. Bring vanilla bean to the savory side and try it in this easy sweet potato recipe that really makes the flavor shine. Sneak an extra veggie into your Christmas side dish with this parsnip-potato combo. This sparkling punch made with apple cider, brandy, and a splash of Prosecco makes a festive and fun way to toast the holiday.
Broil until golden, sprinkle with crushed candy canes and sandwich with another graham. Use store-bought puff pastry to impress your guests with a secretly simple and super elegant appetizer. Slow-cooked, caramelized onions and fresh thyme give this classic soup its winning flavor. Filled with eggplant, zucchini and red peppers, this is hearty enough for a vegetarian main. All Christmas dinner parties need a signature cocktail, and this bubbly, Aperol-based bev is the perfect elegant sipper. These Instant Pot short ribs braised in red wine, tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce will be the star of Christmas dinner, no effort required.
Made with finely ground pecans, cinnamon and nutmeg, these taste like the holidays. A twist on a classic stew of chicken, bacon and mushrooms this crowd-pleaser uses rosé instead of red wine for a lighter, zippier take. They usually contain heavy cream, but coconut milk works wonders as a substitute! Warm up on a chilly Christmas night with a boozy, chocolatey drink. The last thing you want to do on Christmas day is wash dishes.
So prep and roast your main course on one pan for a delicious, no-mess dinner. Spin your classic roasted veggies by throwing a fruit in the mix. Becca Miller has been working with the Good Housekeeping food team since October 2018, where she researches and writes about tasty recipes, fascinating food trends, and top tools. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano. When Should You Take Your Christmas Tree Down?
Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. If you find yourself stuck for menu inspiration at Christmas, look no further than our festive selection of Christmas dinner ideas. We have a range of dietary requirements covered, including vegetarian and vegan options, plus ideas for quick dishes to make for a last-minute gathering. If you want to serve a classic turkey dinner, we have recipes for that as well, and we’ve thought about whether you may be catering for a crowd or just cooking dinner for two. Keep things traditional with our classic Christmas menu, including pâté or fish starters and turkey centrepieces with all the trimmings.
Finish with a good old-fashioned Christmas pudding. Who needs meat when you have a spectacular array of festive veggie options to last you through the day? Begin with fresh salad starters and move on to comforting cheese and vegetable tarts for your main. Following a vegan diet doesn’t mean restricting your Christmas menu. Serve up a vibrant selection of meat-free starters, sides and mains, as well as dairy-free desserts to dazzle your guests. Take away the stress of preparing festive meals with our simple yet impressive celebration menu and easy to follow time plan. With time-saving techniques, showstopping flavour twists and a prepared shopping list, Christmas dinner prep will be a breeze.
Don’t have much time to spend prepping the Christmas dinner? This time-saving menu can all be made on the big day using our time plan, so you needn’t worry about missing out on the festivities. Using only five ingredients or fewer, each recipe is simple. Plus, we’ve devised some clever shortcuts to boost the flavour. Christmas doesn’t have to be an excessively indulgent affair.
If you’re looking for lighter options, we have everything you need for a feel-good festive feast. From healthy starters and canapés, to a juicy roast turkey, this delicious and nutritious Christmas menu will leave you feeling satisfied rather than stuffed. Cook a delicious gluten-free Christmas lunch for family and friends. From party food to puddings, our menu is no less indulgent for tending to this special dietary need, with recipes designed to be made with minimum fuss.