The ultimate guide to Easy Christmas Dinner Ideas! Whether you want classics like a great holiday ham or something with a twist, we’ve got you covered!
We’re full of holiday cheer over at Show Me the Yummy! Decorating the tree, filling the stockings, watching AAAALL the Christmas movies, and baking cookies, cookies, and more cookies. 😉
Usually, we do a big Christmas Eve dinner and then devour the leftovers from that on Christmas.
With so much to do leading up to Christmas, the last thing you want to think about is you’re going to make for dinner. Whether you eat your big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, I’ve got you covered with SO many yummy holiday recipes!
What to make for christmas dinner
Christmas dinner is typically centered around a protein such as a holiday ham, prime rib, turkey, roast beef, etc. It’s surrounded by sides such as mashed potatoes, corn, salad, vegetables, bread, and more! Don’t forget to start the meal with a few appetizers and of course, end with drinks and dessert!
Appetizers
While Christmas dinner is in the oven, you’ll need a little something to snack on! All of these appetizers are quick, easy, and so good!
Cranberry Brie Bites
These Cranberry Brie Bites are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Made with buttery, golden-brown puff pastry and topped with melty brie cheese, cranberry sauce, and crunchy toppings, these are sure to be a hit at any party!
Spinach Dip
This cold Spinach Dip is a crowd favorite for a reason! This party dip is ultra creamy, easy to make, and even easier to eat.
Sausage Balls
This Sausage Ball Recipe is the perfect party appetizer! Sausage is rolled with Bisquick baking mix, cheddar cheese, and spices and baked until golden-brown.
Crockpot Meatballs
These Crockpot Meatballs require just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep! Serve them over rice, mashed potatoes, or eat them as-is. They're so versatile, so easy-to-make, and SO YUMMY!
Pork, Brie, and Fig Hand Pies
These Pork, Brie, and Fig Hand Pies are the perfect holiday appetizer! Pie crust is stuffed with Slow Roasted Golden Rotisserie Pork Tenderloin, fig preserves, pecans, spinach, and brie. An elegant appetizer that's surprisingly quick and easy to make!
Warm Walnut Goat Cheese Bites
Warm Walnut Goat Cheese Bites. Goat cheese mixed with honey and spices, rolled in crushed walnuts, and baked until warm!
Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
These Smoked Salmon Pinwheels are perfect for easy and elegant holiday entertaining. Quick and easy to make with only four ingredients: tortillas, a lemon pepper and asiago spread, smoked salmon, and spinach!
Spinach Artichoke Dip
This Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip is creamy, cheesy, and packed with artichoke hearts and frozen spinach. This classic appetizer will be a hit at any party!
Crab Salad
This Crab Salad is light, yet creamy, and SO easy to make! It's packed with tender imitation crab, crunchy veggies, and is great served on crackers or slider buns.
Roasted Butternut Squash Bruschetta Recipe
Roasted Butternut Squash Bruschetta. Chewy baguette topped with goat cheese, arugula, roasted butternut squash and tomatoes!
Crab Cake Recipe
This Crab Cake Recipe is light, fresh, crispy, and paired with a creamy crab cake sauce. Ready in under 20 minutes, making it the perfect appetizer for any get-together!
Mushroom Brut Brie Recipe
The BEST appetizer yet, this Mushroom Brut Brie is totally impressive, ridiculously easy, and ultra cheesy! Melty brie is topped with brut champagne, buttery mushrooms, and crunchy pistachios!
Sides
A big Christmas dinner won’t be complete without a few absolutely delicious sides to round it out!
Roasted Potatoes
These Roasted Potatoes require just 10 minutes of prep and 8 ingredients. They're crispy on the outside, fluffy in the middle, and make the perfect side dish for any meal!
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
These Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes are quick, fluffy, and ultra creamy. Yukon gold potatoes are cooked in broth then mashed with buttermilk, cream cheese, sour cream, and parmesan.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe
This Roasted Brussels Sprouts Recipe is smothered in a bacon fat, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar dressing and tossed with goat cheese, parmesan, and bacon!
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Recipe
This Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is ultra rich and creamy thanks to FOUR kinds of cheese: Asiago, Sharp Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Gouda! Bonus: the noodles cook directly in the sauce which saves time and dishes!
Cornbread Dressing Recipe
An easy gluten free stuffing, this Cornbread Dressing Recipe will surely impress! Full of italian sausage, homemade cornbread, cranberries, and more!
Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole
This Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole is a twist on a classic Thanksgiving side dish! Fresh sweet potatoes are cooked and mashed with the yummiest Fall spices and topped with a crunchy pecan streusel.
Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes
These Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes are creamy, tangy, and packed with gooey cheese. Frozen hash browns are slow cooked with sour cream, cream cheese, and cheddar, then topped with crunchy cheese-its.
Creamy Corn Casserole
This is the BEST Creamy Corn Casserole! It's fluffy, creamy, and is the star of holiday meals! Only 5 minutes and 7 ingredients (including Jiffy Mix) required.
Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This Green Bean Casserole Recipe is a one-pot wonder that's perfect for the holidays. It's creamy, delicious, and full of bacon, cheddar cheese, and French-fried onion rings. No Cream of "X" Soup!
Crockpot Vegetarian Stuffing
This Crockpot Vegetarian Stuffing is the perfect Thanksgiving side dish! Bonus: no oven space required! It's packed with crunchy celery, sweet apples, meaty mushrooms, and so much flavor!
Scalloped Potatoes
These homemade Scalloped Potatoes couldn't be easier to make! Thin slices of Yukon gold potatoes slathered in a flavorful cream sauce and topped with two types of cheese!
Honey Roasted Carrots
A healthy-ish side dish that's perfect for any occasion! You're only 10 ingredients and 30 minutes away from devouring these super simple and delicious Honey Roasted Carrots!
Easy Strawberry Pretzel Salad
This Strawberry Pretzel Salad has a crunchy pretzel crust, a tangy cream cheese filling, and a sweet topping made with strawberry jello and fresh strawberries. The BEST side dish or dessert for the holidays!
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
This Crockpot Green Bean Casserole is a classic holiday side dish made in the slow cooker! It's creamy, flavorful, made with frozen green beans, and topped with crispy fried onions.
Best Ever Sausage Stuffing
This is the Best Sausage Stuffing! Made with store-bought stuffing cubes, this easy dressing recipe is packed with texture, flavor, and is always a family favorite!
Slow Cooker Corn Pudding
This Slow Cooker Corn Pudding is decadent, creamy, easy to make, and a crowd favorite! Loaded with cream-style corn, sweet corn, sour cream, cream cheese, and cheddar — it's the perfect holiday side dish!
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
This Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe makes a great addition to your Thanksgiving or holiday meal. It's loaded with seasonings, cheese, and sour cream for super creamy, fluffy, and delicious potatoes!
Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with Candied Pecans
This Pear and Blue Cheese Salad with Candied Pecans is everything you could ask for in a salad. Crispy romaine paired perfectly with fresh, juicy pear, creamy blue cheese, sweet and crunchy pecans, and a fresh, tangy red wine vinaigrette dressing.
Baked Mac and Cheese
This is the BEST Baked Mac and Cheese! With an ultra rich, creamy, cheesy sauce, it's a family favorite! Bonus: only 15 minutes of prep time!
Main dishes
Whether you’re going the traditional route with a Christmas ham or making another delicious holiday entree, I’ve got you covered!
Honey Dijon Crockpot Ham
This Honey Dijon Crockpot Ham Recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Tender ham is smothered in a sweet, buttery glaze and cooked to juicy perfection in the slow cooker!
Ham with Pineapple Sauce
This Ham with Pineapple Sauce is the perfect easy-to-make holiday entree. Tender and salty ham is slathered in a sweet and tangy homemade pineapple sauce!
Pro tip
Don’t forget to check out my recipes for leftover ham!
Pork Tenderloin
This Pork Tenderloin Recipe is quick, easy, healthy, and so tasty! Loaded with pork, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, onion, and apples, and smothered in balsamic vinegar and spices: garlic, rosemary, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper!
Walnut Baked Scallops
Walnut Baked Scallops. Scallops topped with a crumb topping - walnuts, parmesan, and spices - and drizzled with a coconut oil, lemon, and white wine sauce. Easy. Nutritious. Delicious. Ready in under 30 minutes!
Baked Salmon Recipe
This Baked Salmon Recipe is incredibly juicy, tender, and healthy! It's marinated in a simple lemon garlic marinade, then served with a creamy, sweet, and tangy honey lemon sauce.
Holiday Stuffed Shells
Leftovers just got a makeover with these Holiday Stuffed Shells! Leftover potatoes, stuffing, and turkey get smothered in a red wine mushroom gravy and stuffed into pasta shells!
Lasagna Recipe
This Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe is a family favorite! This classic dinner is full of homemade bolognese, a creamy cottage cheese or ricotta filling, and gooey cheese.
Crockpot Pot Roast
This Crockpot Pot Roast is an easy-to-make complete meal made using just two pans for easy cleanup! Boneless chuck roast seared in butter and spices and served with veggies all topped off with a flavorful gravy.
Baked Crab Mac and Cheese
This Baked Crab Mac and Cheese requires JUST ONE pot and is loaded with perfectly-cooked pasta, crab, a creamy cheese sauce, white wine vinegar, Old Bay seasoning, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping!
Pro tip
Looking for some vegan or vegetarian options? Check out my vegan lasagna, vegan lasagna soup or my vegan mushroom stroganoff!
Drinks
Christmas dinner is just a little bit better with a yummy drink to sip on throughout the night!
Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
A classic cocktail that is enjoyed by many, an old fashioned cocktail recipe is made at home to be enjoyed whenever you like!
Cranberry Pomegranate Margarita Recipe
Sweet, tart, and perfect for the holidays, this Easy Cranberry Pomegranate Margarita can be enjoyed by one or shared with many! Only 5 ingredients necessary!
Four Champagne Cocktails for New Year's Eve
These Champagne Cocktails are made FOUR ways: Raspberry Royale, Mimosa, Poinsettia, and Classic — the perfect addition to your New Year's Eve party!
Crockpot Nutella Hot Chocolate
This Crockpot Nutella Hot Chocolate takes just 5 minutes to prep and is the perfect warm and cozy, chocolate-y, creamy, Winter drink.
Merry Eating!
– Jennifer
Looking for dessert? Check out the posts Christmas Cookie Recipes and Christmas Desserts (coming soon)!