85 Best Christmas Dinner Ideas for the Ultimate Holiday Menu
Festive dishes to feed the whole family!
Whether you're making Christmas dinner for two or for two dozen, there's no denying it's one of the most special meals of the year. The key to a successful Christmas dinner is planning ahead, especially if you're cooking the whole feast. Luckily, we've rounded up the best Christmas dinner ideas — from healthy Christmas recipes to traditional Christmas foods — so you can have tons of recipes and ideas to choose from!
As you plan your menu, there's a lot to consider. You likely will want to choose a main first, like a turkey, Christmas ham, casserole or other show-stopping dishes. Then, you can compliment your main with Christmas side dishes and holiday appetizers. And of course, you can't forget about sweet Christmas desserts and festive cocktails to sip on throughout the night! Just make sure that you consider the number of people you will be serving — some recipes may need to be doubled. Lastly, you may want to include a few vegan Christmas dishes or vegetarian Christmas plates for any guests who might be following these diets.
Here, we've collected the best mains, sides, appetizers, desserts, and drinks for your ultimate Christmas dinner. Just bookmark your favorite recipes now so you're ready when Christmas rolls around!
Baked Ricotta
This dish of jammy vegetables and savory ricotta makes for a bright addition to the Christmas dinner table. Serve with some crusty bread for an appetizer that pairs perfectly with any main.
Get the Baked Ricotta recipe.
Vegan Pumpkin Risotto with Crispy Sage
This creamy, savory dish topped with crispy sage makes for a special meal any night, including Christmas. It's also easier than you might guess to bring this decadent dish together.
Fig Cornmeal Skillet Cake
This rustic dessert of fresh figs, cornmeal, and crunchy turbinado sugar makes for a special Christmas dinner dessert.
Get the Fig Cornmeal Skillet Cake recipe.
Roasted Carrots and Red Onions
These vibrant veggies tossed with a orange and sherry vinegar dressing are a bright and flavorful side that definitely belongs on the dinner table this Christmas.
Cherry Bourbon-Glazed Ham
Nothing says Christmas like a gorgeous ham. And if it's covered in a tangy-sweet sauce made with bourbon and cherry jam, even better.
Get the Cherry Bourbon-Glazed Ham recipe.
Fennel-Crusted Roast Pork With Vegetables
If you are looking for a showstopper to add to the dinner table, try making this Fennel-Crusted Roast Pork. The crust is made from fennel and coriander seeds for great flavor and aromatics, while the roasted acorn squash adds a little sweetness to the dish.
Creamy Potato Soup
Nothing is more comforting than a bowl of warm soup during the colder months. Make from creamy Yukon gold potatoes, parsnips and other fresh ingredients for a bowl that will warm you right up.
Get the Creamy Potato Soup recipe.
Winter White Bean and Radicchio Salad
Add something light and fresh to the Christmas dinner table with a delicious salad. With purple radicchio, endives and parsley, your plate with be bursting with color and flavor.
Get the Winter White Bean and Radicchio Salad recipe.
RELATED: 22 Christmas Salads to Complete Any Holiday Dinner Menu
Skillet Shrimp and Orzo
In the mood for seafood? Try making this easy skillet dish that you can make from using some of your pantry ingredients like orzo and canned tomatoes!
Get the Skillet Shrimp and Orzo recipe.
RELATED: 30 Seriously Easy Shrimp Recipes
Sheet Pan Gnocchi With Sausage and Green Beans
If looking for a quick but delicious dish, try this sheet pan recipe! Instead of boiling gnocchi, try roasting it along with green beans, sausage and kale.
Get the Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage and Green Beans recipe.
RELATED: 18 Easy Sheet Pan Dinners That Make Cleanup a Breeze
Delicata Squash Pizza
This shareable pizza is perfect to add to the dinner table. With provolone, blue cheese and slices of delicata squash, what’s not to love?
Get the Delicata Squash Pizza recipe.
Salmon Rillette
Your dinner guests will love feasting on this Christmas appetizer made with a mix of smoked salmon and salmon poached with white wine and shallot.
Get the Salmon Rillette recipe.
RELATED: 35 Best Finger Food Ideas to Serve at Your Next Party
Aperol Spritz Granita
You've never had an Aperol Spritz quite like this. Big flakes of citrusy ice are topped with sparkling wine and a sprig of rosemary for an elegant and festive cocktail.
Get the Aperol Spritz Granita recipe.
RELATED: 30 Totally Delicious Classic Cocktails to Make at Home
Honey-and-Balsamic–Glazed Ham
This sweet-and-salty ham brings together black peppercorns, honey, mustard and balsamic vinegar for an irresistible main dish everyone will enjoy.
Get the Honey-and-Balsamic–Glazed Ham recipe.
Coquito
Love eggnog? Then you'll also love this creamy Puerto Rican drink made with three kinds of milk, warming spices, and a little bit of rum.
Get the Coquito recipe.
Gingerbread Bundt Cake
There's only one word for this Christmas dessert: showstopping. It's made with plenty of spices for that classic gingerbread flavor and then topped with a sour cream glaze and eye-catching pomegranate seeds.
Get the Gingerbread Bundt Cake recipe.
RELATED: 55 Gingerbread House Ideas That'll Inspire You to Create an Epic Masterpiece
Honey Glazed Salmon
Who needs a centerpiece when you have this gorgeous, bright salmon on the table? Good news: it tastes as good as it looks.
Get the Honey Glazed Salmon recipe.
Popovers
Who needs store-bought rolls when you can make these airy, delicious popovers?
Steak Au Poivre
For a hearty Christmas dinner, try this steak crusted with peppercorns, pan-fried and served with a creamy sauce.
Get the Steak Au Poivre recipe.
RELATED: 83 Steak Recipes That Make Dinner at Home Feel Extra Fancy
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
If you're looking to keep things simple this Christmas, try this cozy chicken soup topped with puff pastry rounds.
Get the Chicken Pot Pie Soup recipe.
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