The best Christmas dinner ideas start with one show-stopping main dish, such as a glazed ham, prime rib, beef tenderloin, roast turkey or a festive roast chicken, served with two or three sides, a fresh salad and something sweet. Here are 30 Christmas dinner ideas: classic mains, Christmas Eve seafood, easy dishes for a crowd, vegetarian options and kid-friendly recipes, plus complete Christmas dinner menus you can copy.
Classic Christmas Main Dishes
These roasts are the centerpiece of a traditional Christmas dinner. Most of them cook mostly hands-off in the oven, which leaves you free to finish the sides.
1. Orange-Glazed Christmas Ham
A glazed ham is the easiest Christmas main of all, because a fully cooked ham only needs to be warmed through and glazed. This version is brushed with a glaze of fresh orange juice, cardamom and Dijon mustard in three stages, so it turns sticky and shiny. Leftovers make great sandwiches the next day.
2. Prime Rib Roast
Prime rib is the classic choice for an elegant Christmas dinner. Season the roast generously with salt, pepper, garlic and herbs, roast it until it reaches your preferred doneness, and let it rest before carving. Plan roughly one rib for every two guests, and serve it with au jus, creamy horseradish sauce and Yorkshire pudding.
3. Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Mushroom Sauce
Nothing says special occasion like a tender, rosy beef tenderloin. Slow roasting cooks it evenly from edge to edge, and a deeply flavored red wine and mushroom sauce turns it into a restaurant-worthy Christmas main. It’s also quicker to cook than a big rib roast.
4. Horseradish Roast Beef
If prime rib isn’t in the budget, a sirloin roast with a horseradish crust gives you the same festive roast beef dinner for less. The horseradish adds a gentle kick, and thin slices of any leftovers are perfect for sandwiches.
5. Roast Turkey with Root Vegetables
Roast turkey isn’t only for Thanksgiving. In many families, and especially in Britain, it’s the star of Christmas dinner. Roasting the bird on a bed of root vegetables gives you a side dish and flavorful pan juices for gravy at the same time.
6. Roasted Chicken with Lingonberries
Lingonberries are a Scandinavian Christmas favorite, and their tart, jewel-red sauce makes a simple roast chicken look and taste festive. A whole chicken is a great choice for a smaller Christmas dinner when a turkey or ham would be too much.
7. Pork Roast with Dried Fruit
Pork and fruit are a classic winter pairing. Roasting a pork loin with dried fruit creates a sweet, glossy sauce that feels right at home on a holiday table, and it’s more affordable than beef.
8. Apple and Rosemary Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin cooks much faster than a big roast, so it’s a smart main for a smaller or last-minute Christmas dinner. Fennel, rosemary, apple and a little brown sugar give it a cozy, festive flavor.
9. Herb-Roasted Cornish Hens (Christmas Dinner for Two)
Cooking for just the two of you? A Cornish hen per person feels special and roasts in about an hour. The herb seasoning in this roast chicken recipe was originally created for Cornish hens, so it works for either bird.
Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas
Many families keep Christmas Eve lighter, with seafood, pasta or appetizer-style dishes, and save the big roast for Christmas Day.
10. Feast of the Seven Fishes
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition: a dinner of several seafood dishes served one after another. Popular choices include fried calamari, baked clams, shrimp, linguine with clams, salmon and baccalà (salt cod). You don’t need exactly seven. Pick three or four of the seafood dishes below and you have an Italian Christmas Eve dinner.
11. Scallops with Smoked Salmon and Citrus
Seared scallops with smoked salmon and fresh citrus make an elegant first course for a multi-course Christmas Eve dinner. It’s light, bright and quick to put together while your guests have a drink.
12. Preserved Lemon Salmon
This French-style salmon with preserved lemon is ultra easy but looks impressive. A whole side of salmon feeds a crowd and cooks in a fraction of the time of a roast.
13. Ravioli with Shrimp and Artichokes
A seafood pasta is a must at an Italian Christmas Eve dinner. Store-bought ravioli tossed with shrimp and artichokes comes together fast, which makes it one of the easiest Christmas Eve dinner ideas on this list.
14. Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Salty, smoky bacon wrapped around juicy shrimp is a crowd-pleasing appetizer for Christmas Eve or a festive starter before the main course. Make a big platter, because they disappear fast.
Easy Christmas Dinners for a Crowd
Feeding a big family or want a lazy Christmas Eve? These dishes can be made ahead, stretch easily and need little attention on the day.
15. Easy Pot Roast
A pot roast is comforting, budget-friendly and almost impossible to overcook, which makes it ideal for a relaxed family Christmas dinner. This throw-together version is full of flavor and pairs perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes.
16. Mushroom Lasagna
Lasagna is one of the best Christmas dinner ideas for a large group: it can be assembled a day ahead, bakes while you set the table and feeds a crowd. This mushroom version is vegetarian, so it works for everyone at the table.
17. Vegetarian Chili Verde
A big pot of chili is a favorite lazy Christmas Eve dinner. Make it in the morning, keep it warm on the stove and let everyone serve themselves. This green vegetarian chili is lighter than classic beef chili. Set out toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream and sliced green onions.
18. Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Pizza Bread
Store-bought pizza dough shaped into a cheesy Christmas tree is a fun, festive dish that kids can help make. Serve it with marinara for dipping as part of a casual Christmas Eve spread.
Vegetarian Christmas Dinner Ideas
Hosting vegetarian guests? Besides the mushroom lasagna and chili verde above, these dishes give everyone something special to eat.
19. Stuffed Acorn Squash
Roasted acorn squash halves filled with wild rice, mushrooms, cranberries and toasted nuts make a beautiful vegetarian centerpiece. One half per guest looks festive on the plate, and you can stuff the squash ahead and bake it before dinner.
20. Wild Mushroom Pâté
This rich, savory wild mushroom pâté is a vegetarian starter that even meat-eaters love. Spread it on toasted baguette slices and serve it before the main course, or add it to a Christmas Eve appetizer board.
Kid-Friendly Christmas Dinner Ideas
If you are planning your Christmas dinner menu, you can infuse your meal with a few kid-friendly options that everyone in the family will enjoy. These quick recipes are perfect for a small family gathering as well as a big Christmas party, and you can make many of them right before dinner.
21. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Not only is baked macaroni and cheese delicious, it’s also easy to make. Using various types of cheese like sharp cheddar and cheddar jack, you can melt a delicious cheese spread atop your pasta (mostaccioli noodles are a great choice) in the oven. Add a cup of cream and four tablespoons of butter to the mix for creamy goodness the kids will love. You can mix and match ingredients if you stick to some kind of diet.
22. Melted Ham and Swiss Mini Sliders
If you’re making a ham for Christmas, be sure to purchase some small Hawaiian bread rolls, sliced pineapple, and Swiss cheese. When your kids are hungry after the big meal, you can make a platter of mini ham and cheese sliders for a late night snack. Pile some leftover ham on your Hawaiian bread and top with a slice of pineapple, and cheese. Wrap each little sandwich in foil and bake in a 350-degree oven for about ten minutes. Or, you can make simple yet delicious melted ham sandwiches (see the picture), if you don’t have Hawaiian bread rolls.
23. Ornament-Shaped Mini Pizzas
Using large Christmas cookie cutters, you can create kid-friendly pizzas the kids can decorate with ingredients. For instance, cut a Christmas tree shape out of pizza dough. Add a little pizza sauce, cheese, mushrooms, pepperoni, and green peppers. Bake your festive mini pizzas for about 8 minutes in a 400-degree oven. Everyone loves pizzas so this dinner recipe is your safe bet.
24. Broccoli-Trimmed Tree
You may be able to tempt the kids into eating broccoli when you spread it on a platter in the shape of a Christmas tree. Include a short celery stalk as the tree stem and “decorate” the broccoli tree with a garland of red pepper and small cherry tomato and yellow pepper “ornaments.” You can even create a star shape for the tree top using a yellow bell pepper. The sky is the limit, so don’t be afraid to get creative.
25. Festive Chicken Quesadillas
If your kids love cheesy chicken quesadillas, you can make your recipe more festive when you add chopped red and green bell peppers for a merry meal. In fact, since most people love quesadillas, you may also serve a platter of them. Be sure to serve them with fresh cilantro and sour cream. This is a great last-minute Christmas dinner idea that each of your unexpected guests will love.
26. Parmesan Green Bean Fries
When you roast your green beans with sprinkles of parmesan and sea salt, your kids might mistake them for delicious green French fries. This is a great recipe to encourage children to eat their green beans. Moreover, their festive green color makes them perfect for serving at Christmas dinner. If you want something a bit different, this is one veggie dish that everyone will eat up.
27. Spinach Crescent Rolls
A tray of crescent rolls can be transformed into a special holiday dish. Within each crescent roll, add some spinach, mozzarella cheese, and even a slice of prosciutto to create a spectacular roll that is bound to please even the pickiest kids. Bake your crescent rolls just long enough to heat them through and melt the cheese.
28. Cheesy Bacon Potato Rounds
On a greased cookie sheet, lay out rows of thickly sliced potatoes so that they lay flat like muffins. Top with cheddar jack cheese, bacon bits, and even a few thin slices of red and green pepper for a seasonal look. The kids will love these cheesy potato bites that are perfectly lovely to serve at your holiday feast.
29. Parmesan Garlic Chicken Bites
For kids who love chicken fingers, this is a fancy take on a children’s favorite. Cut your boneless chicken breasts into small bite-size pieces. Dip them in a mixture of breadcrumbs, garlic, and parmesan cheese. In the meantime, melt two tablespoons of butter in a glass baking dish. Add the chicken bites and bake for 20 minutes in a 425-degree oven. The children will eat them up!
30. Crock Pot Apples
If your kids love apples, you can create this delightful side dish that will perfume the house. Add five apples (peeled, sliced, and cored) to the crock pot. Add 1/3 cup apple juice (or cider), ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, and then cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla to taste. Let this simmer in your slow cooker for about five hours while you prepare the rest of your meal. Everyone will enjoy this delicious side.
Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas
Not sure how to put it all together? Here are six complete Christmas dinner menus built from the ideas above.
Traditional Christmas ham dinner
Start with bacon-wrapped shrimp, then serve orange-glazed ham with scalloped potatoes, green beans and warm dinner rolls. Finish with Christmas sugar cookies.
Elegant prime rib or beef tenderloin dinner
Begin with scallops with smoked salmon, followed by prime rib or beef tenderloin with Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes and Brussels sprouts. For dessert, bake an orange marmalade cake.
Christmas turkey dinner
Serve wild mushroom pâté as a starter, then roast turkey with root vegetables, mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce. Pumpkin pie is a classic finish.
Italian Christmas Eve (Feast of the Seven Fishes)
Serve a seafood feast of bacon-wrapped shrimp, scallops, shrimp ravioli and preserved lemon salmon, with mushroom lasagna for guests who don’t eat fish. End with cucidati, Italian Christmas fig cookies.
Christmas dinner for two
Serve herb-roasted Cornish hens or a small pork tenderloin, add roasted potatoes and a green salad, and toast with a cranberry pomegranate champagne sparkler. Share red velvet cupcakes for dessert.
Christmas dinner for a large group
Pair a glazed ham or pot roast with a make-ahead lasagna, set out pull-apart pizza bread, and give the kids their own table of kid-friendly favorites. A Christmas fruit cake made ahead takes care of dessert.
What Is a Traditional Christmas Dinner?
In the United States, a traditional Christmas dinner usually centers on glazed ham, prime rib or roast turkey, served with mashed or scalloped potatoes, a green vegetable, stuffing, dinner rolls and cranberry sauce, followed by pie, cake and Christmas cookies. In Britain, roast turkey with roast potatoes, Brussels sprouts and Christmas pudding is the classic, while many Italian-American families celebrate with a seafood feast on Christmas Eve.
Tips for an Easy Christmas Dinner
- Choose one main. One impressive roast plus a few simple sides is easier, and usually tastier, than several complicated dishes.
- Make ahead. Casseroles, lasagna, cranberry sauce, desserts and salad dressings can all be prepared a day or two before.
- Use the resting time. Roasts need to rest before carving, which frees up the oven to bake sides and warm the rolls.
- Plan the kids’ table. A few kid-friendly dishes keep little ones happy while the adults enjoy the main meal.
Whether you’re planning a cozy Christmas dinner for two or a feast for the whole family, pick a main, add a few favorite sides and something sweet, and enjoy the day with the people you love. For drinks to go with dinner, try these Christmas cocktail recipes. What are your favorite Christmas dinner ideas? Share them with us in the comments!
