These simple, crowd-pleasing recipes will be the main attraction at any festive celebration. From make-ahead breakfasts that cut down morning stress to show-stopping desserts, these recipes are the perfect addition to your holiday table. Want to save these for later? Click the heart icon to add all 14 of these recipes to a quick collection in MyRecipes. Plus, with your MyRecipes account you can search and save thousands of tested and approved recipes, so you can have your entire holiday menu all in one place. Need a simple appetizer? Try our 5-star 3-Ingredient Guava & Cream Cheese Bites—or impress your guests with our Cranberry-Apple Streusel Bars. Either way, we’re sure these seasonal bites will put you in the holiday spirit.
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3-Ingredient Guava & Cream Cheese Bites
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
These buttery, flaky puff pastry bites draw inspiration from pastelillos, a Puerto Rican pastry. We fill these bites with guava paste and cream cheese for a bite-size appetizer that couldn’t be easier to make. Using frozen puff pastry keeps prep simple while ensuring light, golden layers that bake up beautifully in the oven. These three-ingredient sweet-and-savory bites are ideal for holiday gatherings.
French Onion Mashed Potatoes
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
These French Onion Mashed Potatoes are the ultimate holiday upgrade to classic mashed potatoes. Creamy Yukon Golds get a boost from caramelized onions, cooked low and slow until jammy and sweet. The result is a side dish that’s perfect for pairing with roasts, poultry or festive vegetarian mains.
Cranberry-Apple Streusel Bars
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
These fruity streusel bars are a standout dessert for holiday gatherings. The crust and crumb topping—made with a blend of all-purpose and whole-wheat flours—adds a nutty depth and sturdy bite that pairs beautifully with the sweet and tangy cranberry-apple blend.
Cinnamon-Raisin Baked Oats
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
These Cinnamon-Raisin Baked Oats are a cozy, make-ahead breakfast that feels just as special on a weekday morning as it does at a leisurely holiday brunch. It bakes up in one pan with minimal prep and can be enjoyed warm from the oven or reheated throughout the week. Serve it on its own, with a dollop of yogurt or topped with fresh fruit for a nourishing start to the day.
Spinach-Artichoke Puff Pastry Spirals
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
These spinach-and-artichoke puff pastry spirals are the ultimate appetizer when you need something in a pinch. Flaky, buttery layers of pastry get wrapped around store-bought dip for an appetizer that feels elegant. Perfect for holiday parties, casual get-togethers or game-day snacking, they’re guaranteed to disappear as soon as they hit the table.
Crispy Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Parm
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
Nutmeg, thyme and garlic give tender sweet potatoes a warm, savory backbone, while Parmesan creates a golden crust that crisps beautifully in the oven. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt and fresh thyme at the end adds just the right finishing touch. Whether served at a festive gathering or alongside a cozy weeknight roast, these potatoes are sure to steal the spotlight.
Raspberry-Lemon Crinkle Cookies
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
Bright, tangy and festive, these raspberry-lemon crinkle cookies put a fresh twist on a beloved classic. Rolled in a vibrant raspberry–powdered sugar coating, the cookies bake up with a crinkled finish and a pop of berry flavor in every bite. These cookies are guaranteed to stand out on any dessert table.
Puff Pastry Cheese Straws
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
Crispy, golden and cheesy, these puff pastry cheese straws with garlic and Parmesan are the perfect holiday party appetizer. They’re easy to prepare ahead, making them ideal for entertaining. Serve warm or at room temperature—they’ll be the most popular three-ingredient appetizer at your gathering.
Melting Carrots with Garlic Butter
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Ward, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf.
These melting carrots strike the perfect balance of earthy sweetness and savory richness, making them a versatile side dish for any occasion. A high-heat roast brings out their natural sweetness, while a buttery garlic-lemon sauce infuses them with bright, aromatic flavor and a texture that melts in your mouth. Serve them alongside a weeknight roast chicken or as part of a holiday spread—they’re sure to earn a spot in your regular rotation.
Maple-Mustard Green Beans with Crispy Shallots
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
Tangy and crisp-tender, these maple-mustard green beans offer a fresh twist on a classic side dish. The beans are tossed in a glossy dressing of maple syrup, Dijon and vinegar for a perfect balance of sweetness and zing. Crispy shallots add crunch, making the dish feel special enough for entertaining, yet it’s simple enough for a weeknight. The flavors work perfectly with roasted meats or holiday mains.
Sheet-Pan Spinach, Broccoli & Parmesan Quiche
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
This sheet-pan quiche is a veggie-packed dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or meal-prepping breakfasts for the week. Packed with broccoli, spinach and Parmesan, the quiche slices neatly into squares for easy serving. Serve for breakfast, brunch or dinner for a versatile, protein-packed option any time of day.
Brussels Sprouts, Kale & Pear Salad
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This crisp and colorful salad celebrates the best of cool-weather produce while delivering plenty of texture and flavor in every bite. Kale and Brussels sprouts are massaged in a tangy apple-cider vinaigrette, while sweet red pear slices and jewel-toned pomegranate arils add juicy pops of freshness. Shaved Parmesan ties it all together with its rich, salty bite. This festive salad is sure to be the star of your holiday dinner.
Overnight French Toast Casserole
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
This overnight French toast casserole transforms simple ingredients into a cozy, make-ahead breakfast. Since it’s assembled the night before, all that’s left to do in the morning is pop it in the oven—perfect for holidays, brunch gatherings or a comforting weekend breakfast. Serve it alongside yogurt and fruit for a satisfying meal.
Chocolate-Peppermint Cake
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower.
This seasonal cake is the ultimate holiday dessert—rich, moist and deeply chocolaty with a cool hint of peppermint in every bite. The batter comes together quickly with pantry staples, while a splash of hot coffee intensifies the cocoa flavor. For a touch of holiday sparkle, a shower of crushed peppermint candies adds extra color and crunch.
Dining and Cooking