Prepare a delicious yet easy Christmas dinner menu with inspiration from our timeless holiday food pairings. Each traditional Christmas dinner menu features a main course—including ham, turkey, beef, and vegetarian options—paired with two or three side dishes, desserts, or drinks to jump-start your Christmas or Christmas Eve dinner menu planning. No matter which you choose, guests are sure to love one of these delectable Christmas dinner menu ideas.
Stuffed Spiral Ham
Jacob Fox
This Christmas ham dinner menu tastes as amazing as it looks. The elegant yet easy entree is stuffed with orange slices, rosemary, and garlic, then can be dressed up in your choice of five signature glazes. Orange-bourbon or cherry-rosemary, anyone? All those flavors pair perfectly with cheesy potatoes (you have our permission to use these to soak up every last drop of glaze) and a fresh Brussels sprouts salad.
Serve it with: Cheesy Twice-Baked Potatoes
Stuffed Pork Loin
Jason Donnelly
Would you rather: spinach and apricots or cherry and wild rice? We have options that feature both so you can customize this pretty pork loin recipe as you like. To save time on Christmas day, prepare the focaccia side and the pork stuffing a day in advance. (Refrigerate the latter one until you’re ready to finish cooking the easy Christmas dinner menu.)
Serve it with: Candied Orange Sweet Potatoes
Peppercorn Roast Beef with Herbed Yorkshire Puddings
Kritsada Panichgul
Cut down on hosting stress when making this spiced roast beef and Yorkshire pudding by preparing your Christmas food well before guests arrive. You can chill both traditional Christmas dinner menu recipes for up to 24 hours. Roasted vegetables, dinner rolls, and a spinach salad are a cinch to add to the holiday line-up, and almost the entire meal can be a make-ahead affair, if desired.
Serve it with: Classic Dinner Rolls and Medley of Roasted Root Vegetables
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Blaine Moats
Please vegetarians with this cheesy, easy Christmas dinner menu. Rich pumpkin mac casserole alongside buttery roasted sprouts—it’s such a decadent spread that no one will even notice the meat is MIA.
Serve it with: Kale Crunch Salad
Chicken-and-Biscuit Pot Pie
Carson Downing
If comfort food is one of the items on your holiday wishlist, consider your wish granted by this Southern Christmas dinner menu idea. The cozy single-skillet stovetop casserole takes just about an hour yet tastes like you simmered the pot pie filling all day long. Bake the drop biscuits right on top in a cast iron skillet, then enjoy alongside a seasonal vegetable salad. Put a bow on the meal with an irresistible slice of cake.
Serve it with: White Balsamic Dressing on Mixed Greens and Peppermint Dream Cake
Turkey à la King
Rachel Marek. Prop Styling: Gabe Greco
Use leftover turkey (or chicken) with your favorite veggies for a customizable skillet meal that tastes like the creamy interior of a cozy pot pie. While it doesn’t have a typical puff pastry crust, you can complete your Christmas dinner menu with a crusty slice of bread or spoon over potatoes.
Serve it with: Air-Fryer Rosemary Garlic Baby Potatoes
Pork Crown Roast
Carson Downing
Say hello to the jaw-dropping centerpiece of your holiday table. This recipe combines two pork rib roasts to create a “crown.” Your butcher may be able to help you do this, but we’ve also got the details on how to do it at home.
Serve with: Orange-Glazed Carrots and Parsnips
Glazed Roast Turkey
Blaine Moats
Give holiday guests a Christmas dinner menu to remember with this top-rated turkey. Stuffed with cherry-cranberry stuffing and resting on a bed of roasted root vegetables, the impressive entree gets a flavor boost from its sweet glaze. Just add rolls and quick-cooking garlicky green beans for the ultimate Christmas Eve dinner menu.
Serve it with: Blistered Green Beans with Bacon and Buttermilk-Sage Dinner Rolls
Petite Beef Wellingtons
Carson Downing
Beef tenderloin wrapped in a flaky pastry with mushrooms, shallots, and garlic makes a savory and delicious main course for your traditional Christmas dinner menu. Your guests will rave about this take on the classic French recipe—and won’t be able to get enough of the squash and citrus sides, either. (Add a sparkling cocktail to up the ante!)
Serve it with: Arugula-Squash Salad and Vanilla Panna Cotta
Pretzel-Crusted Air-Fryer Crab Cakes
Jason Donnelly
Put a twist on classic crab cakes by coating them in crunchy salted pretzels. Dijon mustard and Old Bay seasoning amp up the flavors of the creamy filling. Cook in the air fryer until crisp to create a simple seafood Christmas dinner.
Serve it with: Air-Fried Sweet Potato Tots and Caesar Salad
Barbecue Spice-Rubbed Turkey Breast
Andy Lyons
In a hurry to finish shopping before the big day? Turn to this sped-up Christmas Eve dinner menu. Bone-in turkey breast halves cut down on the cook time required, yet offer all the classic roast bird flavors you remember from childhood pre-Santa holiday feasts. Pair the just-spicy-enough turkey with sweet-salty corn bread muffins, Thanksgiving-inspired wild rice, and a crisp lettuce salad to round out the easy spread.
Serve it with: Herbed Wild Rice
Million Dollar Lasagna
Kelsey Hansen
The holidays are all about indulging and this upgraded classic lasagna recipe definitely fits the ticket. With a creamy white sauce, ricotta cheese, and Italian sausage, the melty, cheesy result will have guests swooning.
Serve with: Pillow Rolls and Million Dollar Pumpkin Tart
Smoked Mole-Inspired Turkey
Carson Downing. Food Styling: Lauren McAnelly
Break out the smoker for this Christmas dinner recipe. Enhance the flavors of your smoked turkey with our mole-inspired rub recipe. It’s filled with cocoa powder, cumin, cinnamon, and more.
Serve it with: Sticky Roasted Carrots with Citrus
Brown Sugar and Whiskey Glazed Ham
Brie Goldman
Say hello to the star of your holiday table. The brown sugar and whiskey glaze coats the ham to juicy, succulent perfection.
Serve it with: Pineapple Casserole
Sunday Beef Rib Roast
Andy Lyons
Here’s a holiday roast your friends and family are sure to devour to the final ounce. Warm veggies are tossed in a savory herb-bacon topper and cooked until tender to make your holiday dining experience even more scrumptious. Plate slices of roast alongside roasted veggies, freshly tossed salad, and a cheddar roll. Wrap up the Christmas Eve dinner menu with your favorite classic seasonal dessert of choice (Christmas cookies, anyone?).
Serve it with: Fresh Citrus and Cranberry Salad and Cheese Rolls
Herbed Prime Rib with Two Sauces
Kritsada Panichgul
This holiday prime rib is high on flavor. The secret lies in the buzzy blend of spices in the rub: dry mustard, espresso powder, garlic, and onion powder. Merlot Au Jus and Horseradish Cream sauces complement the red meat, while a crunchy green salad and creamy vegetable gratin make this rib-sticking prime rib Christmas dinner menu even better.
Serve it with: Roasted Vegetables with Sorghum and Pomegranate Tart
Bulgur-Stuffed Acorn Squash
Blaine Moats
This vegan Christmas dinner idea starts with in-season acorn squash. Stuff the squash with a delicious filling made with bulgur, tart dried cherries, veggies, and herbs. Bake until soft and golden.
Serve it with: Roasted Veggies with Arugula Sauce and Poached Pears
French Onion Pasta
Grant Webster
This easy Christmas dinner idea starts with just a few budget-friendly ingredients but the results are truly indulgent. Cook up a box of rigatoni and make a sauce using onions, beef broth, and freshly grated cheese. Serve it with a fresh green salad and crusty bread for an easy vegetarian Christmas dinner.
Serve it with: Balsamic-Dried Cherry Salad Toss and French Bread
Air Fryer Turkey Breast with Herb Butter
Rachel Marek. Prop Styling: Gabe Greco
If you’re hosting a small crowd for Christmas, whip up this juicy turkey breast in your air fryer. In just about an hour, you’ll have a succulent herb-stuffed breast with golden crisp skin. Slice and serve it warm.
Serve it with: Scalloped Russet and Sweet Potatoes
Zesty Ranch Turkey
Carson Dowining
If your family can’t get enough ranch dressing or snacks, serve up this roasted turkey. It’s seasoned with dill and ranch powder for a truly flavorful turkey. Use the pan drippings to make a ranch-seasoned gravy for your mashed potatoes.
Serve it with: Mashed Potatoes
Mushroom-Sweet Potato Moussaka
Carson Downing
If you need a vegan Christmas dinner recipe, try this moussaka. It’s filled with earthy mushrooms and cashew cream. Each serving is filled with 20 grams of protein, making it a main dish winner.
Serve it with: Brined Skillet-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Million Dollar Spaghetti
Rachel Marek
If comfort food is on the menu for Christmas dinner, whip up this million dollar spaghetti recipe. A few rich ingredients make it totally indulgent for company. This big-batch recipe serves 12.
Serve it with: Garlic and Herb Swirl Bread
Sesame-Crusted Roast Chicken
Blaine Moats
Made with soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic, this roast chicken is not your typically Christmas dish—it’s better. Make the chicken in a cast iron skillet and scatter potatoes around the bird to bake in the sesame oil and soy sauce mixture.
Serve it with: Green Beans with Almonds and Roasted Potatoes
Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Brie Goldman. Food: Annie Probst. Props: Breanna Ghazali
Have Christmas dinner on the table in under an hour with this chicken casserole. Stuffed with shredded chicken, cottage cheese, sour cream, and buttery crackers, this casserole will be the star of the show at your Christmas get together.
Serve it with: Roasted Caraway Carrots
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Boil
Alison Miksch
Try a Cajun-themed Christmas spread this year. Make the shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes in one pot for lots of flavor and easy cleanup. Spread the boil down a paper-lined table for a Christmas meal your guests won’t forget.
Serve it with: Buttermilk Skillet Corn Bread and Bananas Foster Crisp
Short Rib Goulash
Short ribs make a hearty main dish for the holidays. Here you can make them quickly in a pressure cooker or have them slow-cook all day to fit your schedule. The flavorful gravy features winter squash, red wine, and aromatics. Serve over hot cooked noodles and some bread for sopping up the juices.
Serve with: Dinner Rolls
Beefy French Onion Noodle Soup
Jason Donnelly
The hearty beef soup is warm, comforting, and delicious. Ready to eat in 1 hour, this soup is the perfect option if you want a quick and filling Christmas meal.
Serve it with: Panko Roasted Asparagus and Slow Cooker Apple Dump Cake
Lemon Thyme Air-Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
Antonis Achilleos
Skip the store and serve up a rotisserie-style chicken at home. The air fryer ensures as the meat cooks to juicy perfection, the skin stays crisp. Season this Christmas dinner idea with lemon, thyme, and black pepper.
Serve it with: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes
Italian Pork Roast
BHG / Crystal Hughes
With a medley of herbs, garlic, pepper, tomatoes, and red wine, this pork roast recipe is bursting with savory Italian flavor. Cook low and slow on the stove or with our slow cooker variation.
Serve with: Sicilian Potato and Green Bean Salad
No-Peek Chicken
Kelsey Hansen
Here’s a no-fuss dump and bake casserole that will satisfy the entire family. As the name states, you don’t want to peek until the dish is done to ensure the creamy medley or chicken and veggies stays super moist and delicious.
Serve with: 3-Ingredient Apple Spice Cake
Seared Scallops and Spinach with Pomegranate Glaze
Scott Little
Cooking scallops makes an elegant meal for the holidays and this recipe even has the season’s festive colors as a bonus. Here you pan-sear them to perfection and serve over a bed of spinach and a homemade pomegranate glaze.
Serve with: Pomegranate Pavlova with Pistachios and Honey
Beef Tenderloin with Parmesan-Herb Stuffing
Andy Lyons
For a traditional Christmas Eve dinner menu that will please a crowd, opt for this 12-serving-strong beef tenderloin stuffed with popular seasonal ingredients: mushrooms, parsley, rosemary, and minced garlic. The eye-catching rolled technique and the festive color scheme, not to mention a bevvy of traditional Christmas side dishes, make this line-up perfect for enjoying before exchanging presents.
Test Kitchen Tip: No wine handy for the tenderloin sauce? Simply substitute an equal amount of beef broth.
Serve it with: Fondant Potatoes and Cranberry Pie with Honey Meringue