Best 40 December Dinner Recipes - Dining and Cooking

Chile Verde chile verde with white rice in a white bowl PHOTO: JOEL GOLDBERG; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

Chile Verde is a traditional dish from Northern Mexico that can be made with several types of meat. Pork is classic, and here, you’ll transform a pork shoulder into meltingly tender nuggets through a long braise. This recipe makes a big batch, perfect for serving at a winter dinner party, or for freezing for later.

Get the Chile Verde recipe.

Beef Wellington beef wellington sliced with fresh rosemary PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

With four components—tender beef tenderloin, a savory duxelle, prosciutto, and flaky puff pastry—this is the holiday centerpiece that will wow from the very first slice. We’ve broken it down step-by-step so you can serve up this staple with all of the flavor and none of the stress.

Get the Beef Wellington recipe.

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Creamy Garlicky Alfredo DitaliniPHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

It’s no secret the social sphere is loving one-pot pastina and ditalini, so we’re jumping on board too. Nothing invigorates us more than the words pasta, creamy, and garlic, so we created this Alfredo-inspired ditalini dinner that’s a little smoky, crispy, and cheesy too.

Get the Creamy Garlicky Alfredo Ditalini recipe.

French Onion Soup french onion soup with melted cheese and bread slices PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Rich, deeply flavorful, and downright decadent, French onion soup is the treat-yourself comfort food we’ll never tire of. Caramelized onions, a beefy broth, and the signature melty cheese and bread topping all transform what could be a simple soup into an enduring classic.

Get the French Onion Soup recipe.

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Sheet-Pan Quesadillas tortillas filled with meat and cheese on a sheet pan PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONSheet-Pan Miso Chicken & Sweet Potatoes bone in chicken thighs, sweet potatoes, and shallots get smothered with miso chili sauce and baked until the sweet potatoes are tender and caramelized and the chicken is juicy and golden brown PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

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One-Pot Creamy Kimchi Shells one pot creamy kimchi shells Andrew buiInstant Pot Sweet & Spicy Brisket instant pot brisket delishcom Parker Feierbach

If you and your family are a fan of flavor and getting creative with your Hanukkah meals, this brisket is for you. It’s the perfect blend of traditional and modern, sweet and spicy. When the meat is done cooking, reserve the broth and pour a little on top when serving—it’s truly flavor central.

Get the Instant Pot Sweet & Spicy Brisket recipe.

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Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs ginger, garlic, and scallion meatballs and a spicy red curry coconut sauce PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This easy dinner combines ginger-garlic meatballs and a spicy red curry coconut milk sauce to create a flavorful dish that’s both comforting and packed with bold, aromatic spices. The curry paste does double duty, adding the savory, spicy flavors of red pepper, garlic, lemongrass, and galangal to both the meatballs and the sauce.

Get the Coconut Curry Chicken Meatballs recipe.

Nacho Soup Nacho Soup Vertical Ethan Calabrese

This winter-y soup is filled with everything that our favorite nachos have: LOTs of cheese, chicken, beans and corn. Fire-roasted tomatoes gives the broth a slightly charred and smoky flavor, but if all you’ve got is a can of chopped tomatoes, no worries! It’ll still be great.

Get the Nacho Soup recipe.

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Skillet Chicken Pot Pie skillet chicken pot pie Park Feierbach

Nothing warms you up on a cold day quite like chicken pot pie. This shortcut version comes together surprisingly fast, despite tasting like something it would’ve taken your grandma all day to make. The perfect no-fuss dinner, it’s on our permanent rotation all winter long.

Get the Skillet Chicken Pot Pie recipe.

Chickpea Broccoli Alfredo Skillet butter toasted chickpeas and seared broccoli are tossed in a rich alfredo style sauce made from heavy cream, shallots, garlic, and parmesan to create this 35 minute skillet dinner PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Here, butter-toasted chickpeas and seared broccoli are tossed in a rich Alfredo-style sauce made from heavy cream, shallots, garlic, and Parmesan to create this 35-minute skillet dinner. A pinch of lemon zest and crushed red pepper flakes add much-needed brightness and heat to cut through the rich sauce.

Get the Chickpea Broccoli Alfredo Skillet recipe.

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Chicken Spaghetti chicken, spaghetti, and red peppers covered in cheese in a casserole PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONTourtierePHOTO; LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLIST; ERIKA JOYCE

Originally from Quebec, this savory pie is traditionally made in a “tourtiere” dish and eaten during Christmas. If you’re looking for a twist on chicken pot pie to make over the holidays, this is it.

Get the Tourtiere recipe.

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Meatball Parm Orzo tomato based orzo in a skillet topped with meatballs and cheese PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Meatball subs are simply the king of sandwiches. So why not re-create all the warmth, heartiness, and flavor of the meatball sub in a simple one-pot pasta dish? This meatball Parm orzo only uses one pot and involves barely any chopping, and it’s certainly a crowd-pleaser.

Get the Meatball Parm Orzo recipe.

Pozole pozole with pork shoulder topped with cabbage and radishes PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Filled with pork shoulder, hominy, and a fair amount of heat, pozole is the cozy comfort food that isn’t shy about its flavor. This is the stew you make when you’re looking to feed (and impress!) a crowd, or need a soup that will warm you up in the dead of winter.

Get the Pozole recipe.

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Baked Risotto With Lemon, Peas, & Parmesan baked risotto with lemon, peas parmesan ANDREW BUI

If you’ve never made risotto because you didn’t want to stand there stirring forever, then this recipe is for you. It packs all the satisfying flavor of a slow-stirred version into a fraction of the hands-on time. And did we mention that it all comes together in one pot?!

Get the Baked Risotto With Lemon, Peas, & Parmesan recipe.

Pizza Beans Skillet pizza beans skillet topped with mozzarella and parmesan and basil with a scoop lifting out PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

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Prime Rib prime rib sliced with rosemary PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

This large-and-in-charge cut of beef not only boasts a show-stopping display, but is unmatched in flavor. Tender, rich, and buttery, this recipe was made to be served alongside all of the essential holiday sides.

Get the Prime Rib recipe.

Tamales tamales ANDREW BUI

Mexican tamales aren’t just fun to eat, they’re a great solo or group project for anyone who loves to cook (particularly during the holidays!). Make it a party by involving your friends, enlist your partner or spouse for a different kind of date night, or get the whole family involved. Tamale making is a joy, and tamales are a great canvas for different kinds of fillings.

Get the Tamales recipe.

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