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You can’t go wrong with a traditional Christmas dinner, but there’s something sort of fun and exciting about adding some unexpected elements to the holiday meal, too. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best non-traditional Christmas dinner ideas to surprise your whole family with this December. Whether you’re planning a fully unconventional menu or you just want to sprinkle in some unique Christmas side dishes along with your classic holiday ham, this list is sure to spark some inspiration for shaking things up.
Here, you’ll find everything you need for the Christmas feast—from creative appetizers to main courses to the most surprising holiday desserts. Don’t expect to find your typical Christmas turkey recipe on this list. Try a spicy variation made with smoky chipotle instead. Or go for something entirely different with a comforting mash-up of chicken parm and lasagna. Looking to bring some trending TikTok recipes to the holiday? The one-pot French onion pasta will be the talk of the dinner table. Of course, there are plenty of Christmas flavors still on the menu. Only this time around, we’re giving them a whole new spin, like with the maple bacon butter fan rolls, pomegranate margaritas, and eggnog in the form of ice cream. It’s anything but predictable!
Chicken Florentine
Dress up your typical chicken thighs with this creamy white wine sauce featuring spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. The red and green colors are a fun way to add a pop of festiveness, too.
Get the Chicken Florentine recipe.
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Caitlin Bensel
Pomegranate Margaritas
Yes, you can serve margaritas on Christmas! Just give it the holiday treatment by adding pomegranate juice and maple syrup for sweetness.
Get the Pomegranate Margaritas recipe.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
One-Pot French Onion Pasta
This one-pot meal is everything you love about a cheesy, decadent French onion soup with the heartiness of a baked pasta dish! If that doesn’t impress your distant cousins, we don’t know what will.
Get the One-Pot French Onion Pasta recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Cabbage Salad
A salad might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to Christmas dinner, but the crunchy cabbage, toasted pecans, and tart green apples are a refreshing way to kick things off.
Get the Cabbage Salad recipe.
Antonis Achiellos
Roast Leg of Lamb
If you’re new to leg of lamb, prepare to be amazed! The garlicky, herbaceous crust and juicy meat are sure to become a new favorite. Serve it up with gravy or switch things up some more with a bright chimichurri on the side.
Get the Roast Leg of Lamb recipe.
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Will Dickey
Lobster Mac and Cheese
Forget the boxed mac and cheese you might remember as kid. This elevated version is even more luxurious! It’s made with four types of melty cheese, buttery lobster, and a crispy breadcrumb topping.
Get the Lobster Mac and Cheese recipe.
C.W. Newell
Puff Pastry-Wrapped Pork
Turn pork tenderloins into a show-stopping centerpiece by wrapping it in layers of prosciutto, mustard, sage leaves, and flaky puff pastry. Add a slaw made from Brussels sprouts and dinner is served!
Get Ree’s Puff Pastry-Wrapped Pork recipe.
Dana Gallagher
Eggnog Ice Cream
This creamy, dreamy treat has all the familiar warmth of seasonal spices, sweet vanilla, and even spiced rum! It would make for an unexpected topping to your favorite Christmas pie.
Get the Eggnog Ice Cream recipe.
Danielle Daly
Chicken Parm Lasagna
This Italian dinner mash-up combines chicken parmesan with layers of lasagna for a crowd-pleasing dish. The best part is that you can even make it ahead of December 25.
Get Ree’s Chicken Parm Lasagna recipe.
Ryan Liebe
Maple Bacon Butter Fan Rolls
Don’t forget about your bread basket! This sweet and salty twist on dinner rolls will have everyone asking for a second one.
Get the Maple Bacon Butter Fan Rolls recipe.
Will Dickey
Honey-Chipotle Glazed Turkey
Ree gave her usual roast turkey a spicy makeover by adding a glaze made with butter, chipotles, oregano, honey, cumin, and garlic. It’ll help create a spicy gravy, too!
Get Ree’s Honey-Chipotle Glazed Turkey recipe.
David Malosh
Spinach Artichoke Cups
Everyone loves a cheesy spinach artichoke dip, but just wait until they see it in this handheld form. All you need are wonton wrappers to create the crispy cups.
Get Ree’s Spinach Artichoke Cups recipe.
David Malosh
Baked Gnocchi Alfredo
This recipe takes creamy Alfredo sauce and pillowy gnocchi baked together in one casserole dish. It’s like an elevated take on mac and cheese!
Get the Baked Gnocchi Alfredo recipe.
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Sugar Cookie Martini
This sweet, buttery cocktail made with vanilla vodka, butterscotch schnapps, and Irish cream liqueur tastes just like a freshly baked cookie! It even has the festive sprinkle decorations to make it shine.
Get the Sugar Cookie Martini recipe.
Danielle Daly
Steakhouse Baked Potatoes
Everyone at your holiday party can get their own steakhouse dinner with this fun twist on baked potatoes. The spuds are topped with creamed spinach, rib-eye steak slices, and crispy fried onions.
Get Ree’s Steakhouse Baked Potatoes recipe.
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Ryan Liebe
Pull-Apart Cheese Bread
You only need three ingredients to make this ooey-gooey loaf of bread. It puts a jar prepared pesto from the pantry to good use!
Get the Pull-Apart Cheese Bread recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Pepper Jack Mashed Potatoes
Kick up your usual mashed potatoes with a sprinkling of chili powder, cayenne pepper, and pepper jack cheese. It’s perfect for the family who can handle a bit of spice!
Get Ree’s Pepper Jack Mashed Potatoes recipe.
David Malosh
Sausage-and-Peppers Pot Pie
A pot pie is a great alternative main course on any holiday table. It’s comforting and easy to make, especially when using refrigerated biscuit dough.
Get Ree’s Sausage-and-Peppers Pot Pie recipe.
David Malosh
Gingerbread Cowboy Boot Cookies
Yee-haw! A cowboy boot cookie cutter will create the cutest twist on the classic gingerbread treat. Look for any unexpected cookie cutter shapes to surprise your guests.
Get Ree’s Gingerbread Cowboy Boot Cookies recipe.
Ralph Smith
Cabbage Steaks
This vegetarian main course will turn anyone into a cabbage lover! The “steaks” are roasted until crisp yet tender, then finished with a garlicky, almond-studded breadcrumb topping.
Get the Cabbage Steaks recipe.
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C.W. Newell
Stuffed Turkey Breast
You’ll get all the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ this Christmas when you make a stuffed turkey breast instead of your typical roast bird. This impressive main course is rolled up with a cornbread filling and served with warm gravy on the side.
Get the Stuffed Turkey Breast recipe.
Danielle Daly
Christmas Deviled Eggs
If deviled eggs are non-negotiable at your holiday table, the least you can do it switch them up with a festive Christmas theme! Here, the green herby filling and red bell peppers look just like little decorated trees.
Get the Christmas Deviled Eggs recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
Just like a sweet potato casserole, these individual spuds are topped with a crumbly oat and pecan streusel. Add a drizzle of hot honey to bring that unexpected spicy-sweet heat.
Get the Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Caitlin Bensel
Pecan Pie Cheesecake
This over-the-top cheesecake has a speculoos cookie crust and a sweet and sticky caramel-pecan topping. It’s just like pecan pie, only better!
Get the Pecan Pie Cheesecake recipe.
Danielle Daly
Bacon Ranch Cheeseball
A cheeseball might seem like one of those nostalgic recipes from your childhood, but this one takes things to a whole new level with ranch seasoning and crispy bacon!
Get Ree’s Bacon Ranch Cheeseball recipe.
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Ryan Liebe
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