Christmas dinner is one of the most anticipated meals of the year, and with these 12 Easy Christmas Dinner Ideas, you can create a holiday feast that’s delicious, stress-free, and memorable. Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or enjoying an intimate dinner, these recipes are simple to prepare yet full of festive flavor.
Start your menu with crowd-pleasing main courses like roasted herb-crusted turkey, honey-glazed ham, or a juicy prime rib. For a plant-based option, try a festive stuffed butternut squash or a hearty vegetable Wellington. These dishes are not only beautiful centerpieces but also surprisingly easy to make with the right preparation.
Pair your main dish with comforting side dishes that bring warmth and color to the table. Think creamy garlic mashed potatoes, brown sugar glazed carrots, green bean almondine, and cranberry sauce bursting with tangy sweetness. You can also serve cheesy scalloped potatoes or roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze for an extra festive touch.
Bread lovers will appreciate freshly baked dinner rolls or garlic pull-apart bread, perfect for sopping up gravies and sauces. And don’t forget to add a fresh, vibrant salad — such as a winter greens salad with pomegranate seeds and candied pecans — to balance the rich flavors.
The best part about these 12 Easy Christmas Dinner Ideas is that they’re designed for minimal stress. Many dishes can be prepared in advance, giving you more time to enjoy the festivities with your loved ones instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
With a mix of classic holiday flavors and creative twists, these recipes will help you serve a Christmas dinner that everyone will remember. Warm, comforting, and full of seasonal charm — your holiday table has never looked (or tasted) so good.
Homemade Lasagna
This amazing homemade lasagna recipe is called the World’s Best Lasagna for a reason! It’s a classic pasta made with layers of lasagna noodles, hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and mozzarella cheese baked to hot, gooey deliciousness.
Tender Beef Roast
Succulent Bottom Round Roast with simple homemade gravy is a delicious and easy holiday dinner idea. The juicy beef is rubbed with a savory herb blend and then slow-roasted in the oven to lock in the flavor.
Crock Pot Ham
Crock Pot Ham is a spiral cut ham topped with a 3 ingredient glaze, then slow cooked to perfection. This is the BEST way to make your holiday ham, the slow cooker does all of the work!
Slow Roasted Prime Rib
Slow Roasted Prime Rib features a flavorful crust of garlic and fresh minced herbs. The prime rib is cooked to golden brown perfection and comes out tender and juicy every time.
Roast Rack of Pork With Peppercorn Sauce
Roast rack of pork is an elegant holiday dinner, but easy enough to make for a special Sunday supper.It’s topped with a delicious green peppercorn sauce that is easy to prepare while the pork is resting.
Classic Stuffed Shells
Stuffed Shells are filled with three types of cheese, then covered in marinara sauce and more cheese and baked to golden brown perfection. It’s a comfort food classic that’s special and hearty enough for holiday dinners.
Cranberry Pork Loin
You won’t believe how tender this Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Loin is! Cranberry sauce is combined with onion soup mix in this recipe, and it’s a perfect pair.
It’s a wonderful comfort food meal that makes an easy main dish for a holiday dinner.
Perfect Ribeye Steaks
Tender ribeye steaks cooked to juicy perfection are the most flavorful cuts out there.There is no need for special or fancy ingredients, just steaks, seasonings, a brush of oil, and a pat of butter for perfection – make them on the grill or in the oven.
Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo
Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo is a super simple recipe that calls for just a few easy ingredients.Boneless skinless chicken breasts, heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, tender penne pasta and classic Italian seasoning come together for a hearty, flavorful meal.
Buttery Baked Salmon with Broccolini
Baked Salmon is a beautiful buttery and moist fish dish with wonderful flavors and a fun presentation with the baby broccoli.The subtle taste and aroma of dried Basil and chopped shallots nicely add a subtle sweetness.
Mini Individual Beef Wellingtons
For a smallish gathering, treat everyone to these stunning Mini Beef Wellingtons.
The individual portions means you get more buttery puff pastry per bite, not to mention incredible flavors with a stunning presentation.
Thanksgiving Sliders
Thanksgiving Sliders are a sweet and savory way to use up any holiday leftovers you might have.These delicious baked turkey sandwiches are loaded with layers of stuffing, cranberry sauce and leftover turkey.
