Christmas is about spending time with those you love, and that’s often best done with a full plate and happy heart. After 25 hectic days of festivities and feasting, there’s always one last meal on our minds: Christmas dinner. In the South, that means casseroles, crown roasts, gratins, and biscuits aplenty. With a spread like this, you’ll find that the only hard part is having to pick what makes it on your plate. Pair Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder with our ham-hocked collards and rustic buttermilk mashed potatoes, or maybe Orange-Glazed Ham with our best-ever macaroni and cheese recipe and a green bean casserole. With classics and fresh takes alike, these delicious dishes will get you through Christmas supper and beyond. Take a look through these easy Christmas dinner recipes to find the holiday menu that’s made for your celebration style.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Surprise the family with a new holiday main. This French onion pot roast doesn’t call for many ingredients, but the ones our Test Kitchen chose are bursting with flavor.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Surprisingly easy to make, cornish hens will impress everyone at your holiday table.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Nothing says Christmas like fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs. After only 20 minutes of hands-on work, sit back and let the smoker infuse your bird with Christmas flavor.
Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Creamy coconut milk and spicy ginger give classic green beans a fresh new twist.
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
Ambrosia’s story goes back further than your grandmother’s table, but you can bring the best version to your table this holiday season. Whether you use ambrosia in dessert or cocktail or enjoy it alone, you can’t go wrong with this class dish.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox
For a holiday appetizer like no other, look no further than these cheddar cheese shortbread crackers. For even more festivity, check out the optional addition of pecan and thyme.
Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Despite its sophisticated ambience, prime rib isn’t actually hard to cook. This recipe will delivers a perfectly cooked and seasoned main course every time.
Laurey W. Glenn
Though cornbread dressing might reign supreme at Thanksgiving, we’re letting this grits-based version head the holiday table this December.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
This old-school recipe is the definition of “don’t mess with a good thing.” From the frozen French-cut green beans to the crispy fried onion topping, it’s a familiar staple on every Southern table, no matter the occasion.
Iain Bagwell
During Christmastime, Southerners will cover just about any vegetable with butter, sugar, and a bevy of festive spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. These carrots really hammer the holiday spirit home with their bright and colorful demeanor.
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Baked ham is mainly a hands-off main dish. No brining, no marinades. This ham bakes for several hours. Then, you’ll glaze it with a spicy-sweet sauce until the rind is crisp and caramelized.
Laurey W. Glenn
There’s no better way to kick off Christmas celebrations than with these melty baked Brie bites. With only five ingredients and 18 minutes of prep, these little stars are topped with a dollop of pepper jelly, flaky sea salt, and a few crunchy toasted pecans for a Southern touch.
Laurey W. Glenn
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. If you can also make it ahead before the in-laws come into town, don’t dare forget it. These yeast rolls made their mark in our November 1995 issue and are still one of our favorite holiday staples.
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith
Enter your most versatile Christmas side. It goes with any main meat dish you’re cooking, but that doesn’t mean it has to be plain, thanks to a tangy glaze of balsamic vinegar, garlic, and butter.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Warm roasted broccoli makes macaroni and cheese feel a little more wintry. Plus, it elevates the classic pasta bake from ho-hum to standout status on the holiday spread.
Jennifer Davick
Trust us, we’ve tried hundreds of biscuit recipes. This is the hands-down favorite we keep coming back to. Look at them—they’re practically begging to be perched on the edge of your dinner plate.
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Naturally one of our sweeter side dishes, corn pudding is a Southern favorite during the holiday season. In this recipe, fresh thyme adds a savory twist that makes it taste fresh and new.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
This vintage recipe makes an appearance every year, whether made ahead to be served on busy gift-wrapping nights or added to the Christmas dinner menu when feeding a huge crowd (and kids!).
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Is it Christmas in the South without sausage balls? No. No, it’s not. Switch things up with this seasonal twist that incorporates spicy, peppery Mexican-style chorizo sausage and mashed sweet potatoes.
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Don’t call this classic dish outdated, at least before you’ve tasted it. Lightly spiced and oh-so-sweet, these candied yams are about to become a mainstay alongside the sweet potato casserole.
Alison Miksch
Cobbler? For dinner? Groundbreaking. What sets this comforting chicken casserole apart is that it’s topped with fluffy homemade biscuits (that happen to have chopped bacon in them).
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Free up your oven space, and let these too-easy, too-flavorful collards wow the Christmas crowd. After a simple 15 minutes of prep time, these ham-hocked collard greens finish in your slow cooker.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
There’s no better case for serving macaroni and cheese at Christmas dinner than this best-ever version. You won’t find a creamier, meltier macaroni and cheese rendition in all the land.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
If it’s topped with fried onions and crispy bacon, is there a Southerner that won’t love it? This casserole is a glorious mashup of two of our favorite vegetables to serve during the holidays: green beans and Brussels sprouts.
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith
Find a prettier main dish, we challenge. These tender spirals of beef filled with creamy spinach and leeks always receive perfect scores on taste and style.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
Why not gussy up a classic Southern sandwich for the holiday season? If it’s from the South, chances are we’re going to try to make a casserole out of it, and this one is (thankfully) quite incredible.
Iain Bagwell
Crave the taste of your grandmother’s green beans? This slow-cooker recipe gets you there, with a little extra bacon. We’ll swear up and down that this side dish makes every festive dinner just a little bit better.
Hector Sanchez
Get out your best gravy boat—because this gravy deserves a nice home. Though this recipe takes only one pot and 30 minutes, you can still make it ahead to mark something off your to-do list.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
We know you’re already stocking up on those cans of congealed cranberry, but this fresh cranberry salad can fit on the table, too. Filled with pears, pineapple, celery, and pecans, this recipe offers a fresh, crunchy take on the nostalgic dish.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
There’s always room for pot pie. If hosting a large crowd or a potluck-style Christmas meal, look no further than this old-school chicken casserole with a golden, crispy crust.
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith
These stacks make the short list for most adorable side dish and feature a short ingredient list to boot. Baked in a muffin pan, the tiny potato towers get deliciously crispy on the outside, yet creamy and tender on the inside.
Iain Bagwell
At first glance, we’re intrigued. At first bite, we’re sold. Bacon, thyme, and a little maple syrup help make up the squash blossom’s success.
Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Like we said, we’ll make anything a casserole. Transform your comforting bowl of onion soup into this cheesy, caramelized, layered masterpiece.
Iain Bagwell
Smashed, not mashed. You’ll find something inherently satisfying about smashing these baby red potatoes. Coated in a heavenly garlic-herb butter sauce, these will be an instant hit.
Hector Sanchez
If broccoli-and-cheese casserole is wrong, then we don’t want to be right. (We’d wager that just about every Southerner feels the same.) Make the classic dish a little extra special by using this recipe that skips the canned cream of mushroom soup and frozen broccoli.
Greg DuPree
You might know it as oyster dressing, oyster pie, or even scalloped oysters. Oyster casserole is part of many Southerners’ Christmas traditions, and this recipe is our Test Kitchen’s favorite rendition.
Iain Bagwell
This quick and easy recipe will get you into the holiday spirit. Set these out for snacking or use them to top your holiday pie.
LauriPatterson / Getty Images
Lasagna can be served any time of year, but we love to serve it on Christmas for a bit of comfort food.
Alison Miksch
Even a humble pork shoulder roast likes to dress up for the occasion. Between the apple cider, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar, this main dish hits the trifecta of flavor.
Jennifer Causey
Three words: Hot. Bacon. Drippings. Say hello to the secret weapon behind this perfect skillet recipe for Southern cornbread.
Iain Bagwell
It’s all in the technique. If you’re a less-is-more, quality-first type of person, this perfectly cooked beef tenderloin will soon become a Christmas staple. (Hint: It also makes for great leftovers, placed inside a biscuit.)
Photo: Iain Bagwell
If there’s a recipe that couldn’t benefit from the addition of ham hocks or bacon drippings, we’ve yet to find it. Luckily, this recipe for fresh field peas covers its bases, using both.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Jumbo lump crab meat makes this cheesy dip worthy of a holiday spread. It will only take a few bites for your guests to start requesting the recipe.
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Give your go-to ham glaze the holiday season off and swap in this bright, fresh version made with orange juice, marmalade, and brown sugar.
Jennifer Causey
No Southern holiday is complete without at least one jiggly gelatin masterpiece. Like a delightfully retro Christmas tree ornament, this colorful salad will stand out on your dining room sideboard.
Robbie Caponetto; Prop Styling: Mary Beth Wetzel; Food Styling: Pam Lolley
This take on a Southern classic was inspired by our editor-in-chief’s grandmother, Mamau. She never broke the tradition of serving this same little snack on Christmas Eve.
Lee Harrelson
Thought cornbread dressing was just for Thanksgiving? You’ll be pleasantly surprised when you taste how well this buttery side dish pairs with beef tenderloin, duck, and ham.
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch
Delightfully caramelized roasted vegetables balance out any rich sides on your holiday table. The carrots and parsnips get of boost of flavor from a “fall” herb butter made with fresh thyme, sage, and parsley.
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch
If you’re thinking of skipping the sweet potato casserole this year, these stacks pair perfectly with a holiday turkey. Stack sliced sweet potatoes in a muffin tin and top with sweetened rosemary-infused butter before baking.
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
Check easy and pretty off your to-do list with this festive wreath of peppers and olives. This arrangement is almost too pretty to eat.
Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Bacon brings the flavor to a simple holiday main dish that cooks in under 30 minutes. Slice into rounds for serving to ensure bacon in every forkful.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Round out the holiday menu with a platter of roasted root vegetables, including sweet potatoes, carrots, onion, and two types of beets. Make a double batch of the spiced pecans for topping. They make a great cocktail snack.
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
It’s not a holiday without mac and cheese and this version includes a seasonal twist—pureed butternut squash. This impressive side cooks on a sheet pan and is table ready in 30 minutes.
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch
Don’t kick off the celebration with an ordinary salad. Filled with kale, Brussels sprouts, apples, and roasted squash, guests will make room on their plates for this holiday-worthy salad.
Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Though this dish does bake awhile, there’s practically no hands-on time. It takes just a few ingredients to create this creamy classic that’s perfect for the holidays and weeknights.
Alison Miksch
When it comes to the tenderest of tenderloins, your spice cabinet has you covered for Christmas. The tangy mustard-cream sauce is just the kick of flavor on top.
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
You only need to spend 20 minutes preparing these mashed potatoes to have the perfect side dish for almost any meal. The instant pot makes the process even easier and will keep the potatoes warm until ready to serve.
Will Dickey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners
This recipe mash-up combines two of our favorite dishes into a creamy, cheesy casserole. We recommend letting the casserole sit for 15 minutes before serving.