We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. christmas dinner ideas menu 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 up, 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.