Christmas Dinner Ideas
Dec 14, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
When it comes to planning the Christmas dinner menu, I turn to these tried-and-true recipes that deliver big flavor, feed a crowd, and keep the day joyful instead of stressful.
Appetizers for Christmas Dinner
After a big holiday brunch and days of Christmas cookies, I usually don't plan many appetizers before Christmas dinner. Just a couple of quick, easy options to keep everyone satisfied without spoiling their appetite or adding more work to my plate!
Christmas Tree Veggie Platter
With a few minutes of prep, you get the cutest veggie platter that you kids may actually eat. And this simple appetizer won't ruin anyone's appetite. I like to serve it with homemade ranch dressing or dill dip to entice the pickier eaters.
Tortellini Skewers
Incredibly easy to make and beautifully festive, these skewers feature fresh basil, cheese tortellini, and grape tomatoes with optional Kalamata olives and mozzarella balls.
Baked Brie
The easiest appetizer you will ever make. Pop a wheel of brie into the oven, serve with crackers, and watch it disappear. If you are feeling fancy, top with jam and toasted nuts.
Christmas Deviled Eggs
Turn a classic appetizer into an impressive dish with a bit of food coloring and festive touches.
Main Course Ideas for Christmas Dinner
These centerpiece recipes anchor the entire Christmas Dinner. Each one feels special, feeds a crowd, and delivers big flavor without spending all day in the kitchen.
New York Strip Roast
If you want a show-stopping main without the stress, this is it. It's leaner than prime rib, more flavorful than tenderloin, and easier on the grocery budget. And the au jus? You'll want to drink it!
Glazed Baked Ham
Glazed ham is a Christmas classic for good reason. The sweet-and-savory glaze caramelizes beautifully, and the meat stays tender and juicy. Even better? Leftover ham recipes keep you satisfied for days after the holiday.
Instant Pot Ham
Perfect for smaller gatherings, this Instant Pot Ham is ready in record time, and with my tips, you bet it will be juicy.
Baked Meatballs
These are not just any meatballs. They are the kind people go back for seconds (and thirds). Serve with pasta and garlic toast for a sit-down dinner, or keep them warm in a slow cooker if your guests are just dropping in.
Instant Pot Short Ribs
These are, without exaggeration, the best short ribs I've ever had. Wine, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce create a deeply nuanced braising liquid that turns rich and glossy under pressure. Perfect for a cozy, elevated Christmas dinner.
Bolognese Sauce
This slow-simmered sauce is rich, hearty, and worthy of Christmas dinner. While it takes a bit of time to prepare, you can make it several days in advance and reheat it without sacrificing flavor. In fact, the flavor deepens. But if you want to speed it up, use my Instant Pot Bolognese recipe.
Christmas Dinner Salads & Sides
The supporting cast matters. These salads and sides add balance and freshness to your holiday meal.
Christmas Salad
We call this Christmas Salad because this bright, fresh salad has been part of our Christmas Dinner for decades. Bonus: You can prep several components in advance, then toss and serve when you're ready to sit down to your holiday meal.
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Crisp apples, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, salty Parmesan, and a bright honey-lemon dressing make this salad worthy of Christmas Dinner. It's our secret how easy it is to make.
Scalloped Potatoes
Creamy, decadent, and timeless. These classic scalloped potatoes bake up tender and luxurious, pairing beautifully with both beef and ham. A reliable holiday side that never feels boring.
Mashed Potato Casserole
The kind of make-ahead side dish every Christmas dinner needs. Incredibly creamy, perfectly rich, and always a winner. No wonder my mother-in-law always called this recipe her go-to holiday potatoes.
Potatoes Romanoff
Unapologetically rich and cheesy, this potato dish is unique and memorable! Prep ahead and bake when needed, making it ideal for holiday entertaining.
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Buttery, creamy mashed potatoes you can keep warm for hours? It sounds like a Christmas miracle, but this recipe delivers.
Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
This classic uses cheeses you can find at any grocery store and stays rich and creamy from oven to table. The panko topping adds a nice contrast, but it's completely optional.
Roasted Asparagus
Every holiday table needs something green, and even picky eaters welcome this vegetable. Roasting brings out its natural sweetness and keeps things simple, while garlic and lemon elevate it into a holiday-worthy side.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
The honey-balsamic glaze sets these roasted Brussels sprouts apart. They are sweet, tangy, and perfectly crispy. Worthy of any Christmas Dinner.
Green Beans Almondine
This is my go-to easy-but-elegant side. Crisp-tender green beans, buttery almonds, and just enough seasoning to make them feel special. It comes together quickly and balances out the richer dishes on the table.
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
If you want one side dish that delivers both carbs and veggies, this is it! The rich, creamy cheese sauce wins over even the pickiest eaters, and you can assemble it in advance, making your holiday meal much easier to pull off.
Christmas Dessert Ideas
We typically set out Christmas cookies and then pick one dessert to end our Christmas dinner on a joyful note.
Sour Cream Banana Cake
My family adores this light and tangy banana cake, and I love how easy it is to make! We often put a candle in it and sing Happy Birthday to remember why we are celebrating Christmas.
Raspberry Cheesecake Bars
This easy make-ahead dessert is best prepared at least 12 hours in advance, which makes it ideal for a low-stress holiday meal. The raspberry swirl adds a festive touch.
Mini Cheesecakes with Vanilla Wafer Crust
Individually portioned and ridiculously easy to make, these mini cheesecakes are always a crowd-favorite. Adorn them with raspberries and mint or festive sprinkles, and you have the perfect finishing touch to Christmas Dinner.
Sour Cream Chocolate Bundt Cake
This chocolate bundt cake is simple to prep, feeds a crowd, and somehow tastes even better the next day. Perfect for Christmas dinner.
There you have it, my favorite ideas for Christmas Dinner! Whether you pick one, two, or ten, I hope these recipes create a meal your family will remember, and one you can actually enjoy with them.
More Christmas Favorite Recipes
The holiday season extends well beyond Christmas dinner. To round out all your celebrations, check out my favorite collections.
Hi Kristen!
I haven’t sent you any emails in a long time. But I do enjoy your recipes. Thank you. Now, of course, I need your help. I would love to make scallop potatoes for my Christmas meal. However, my son-in-law is allergic to onions and garlic. Since I have to leave out the shallots in your recipe, is there something else that you would suggest I add in? Or do you feel it will be OK? You are so clever in the kitchen. I really do appreciate your insight. Oh yeah, and all your recipes! 🫶🏼
Hi Laurie! Thrilled to hear from you again and happy to help! I would simply omit the shallots. The thyme in the sauce will help to season the dish. The other option is to make my cheesy scalloped potatoes (omit the ham, onion, and garlic powder) The cheese sauce will add all the flavor you need. I hope that helps and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.