The holiday season is busy enough without spending hours in the kitchen. These 10 easy lazy Christmas recipes are perfect for anyone who wants to impress family and friends with delicious food—without the stress or complicated prep. Whether you’re short on time, energy, or just want to keep things simple, these recipes will help you become the ultimate holiday cook with minimal effort.
Start with an easy roast chicken seasoned with herbs and lemon, a foolproof centerpiece that requires little hands-on time but delivers big flavor. If you prefer ham, try a simple honey-glazed ham recipe that’s sweet, sticky, and utterly crowd-pleasing.
Side dishes don’t have to be complicated either. Whip up garlic mashed potatoes with just a few ingredients, or roast a tray of honey-glazed carrots for a sweet and savory complement. For greens, a quick sautéed green beans with almonds adds crunch and color with almost no fuss.
If you want something to serve alongside the main meal, try an easy stuffing that mixes bread cubes, broth, and herbs—no complicated recipes or lengthy baking required. Another great side is a cheesy broccoli casserole that combines frozen broccoli, cheese, and a simple sauce baked to bubbly perfection.
Desserts can be just as simple. Make no-bake peppermint cheesecake cups for a festive, creamy treat that comes together quickly. Or go for easy chocolate fudge, made with just a handful of ingredients and ready in less than an hour.
For a sweet snack, spiced nuts tossed with cinnamon and sugar are perfect for munching while you relax. And if you’re looking for a last-minute appetizer, easy cranberry brie bites with puff pastry and cranberry sauce are both impressive and quick to prepare.
These 10 easy lazy Christmas recipes prove that you don’t need to be a gourmet chef or spend all day cooking to create a festive, delicious holiday spread. With smart shortcuts and simple ingredients, you can enjoy the season—and the compliments on your cooking—without the stress.
So this year, embrace the easy side of Christmas cooking and become the ultimate holiday cook with these delicious, fuss-free recipes.
“Make this easy casserole the night before, pop it in the oven in the morning, and serve it for a casual weekend or holiday breakfast,” says Allrecipes member Heather Bogle. “I got the idea from a bed and breakfast in the south. You can add additional ingredients such as blueberries and cream cheese, cinnamon apples, nuts, and dried fruit!”
White Chocolate Popcorn
“This is a really, really easy recipe for white chocolate popcorn, and the results are fantastic,” says Allrecipes member nnewman6080. “The salty-sweet ratio is perfect! Great for parties or festive goodie bags.”
Texas Christmas Pickles
“These spicy-sweet pickles are a Texas tradition. My mother and I have made these delectable pickles for Christmas every year since I was young,” says Allrecipes member KIKI810. “We separate each batch into smaller jars and give them as gifts to friends and family. I would hate to think what would happen if we skipped a year!”
Cake Mix Cookies
“This is about as easy as it gets for a cookie recipe. Rip open a box of cake mix, plop in two eggs and a little oil, and voila! Great cookies!” says reviewer CASTILLOCA. “I made mine too big, so by the time they cooked on top, the bottoms were pretty well done. Just follow the recipe and make ‘little balls’ and you’ll be good to go!”
Cannoli Dip
“This cannoli dip turns the tastes and flavors of a cannoli into a wonderful dessert or party snack! To serve, break up pizzelle cookies or waffle cones into chip-sized pieces to scoop cannoli dip,” says Allrecipes member Megan. “The dip tastes just like the filling from a cannoli, and the pizzelles act as the shell.”
