20 Christmas Dinner Recipes to Make Your Holiday Feast Unforgettable

The holiday season is for warmth, joy, and gathering around a beautifully set table with loved ones. Whether you’re looking for a classic centerpiece, creative side dishes, or vegetarian options to please every palate, these 20 Christmas dinner recipes cover everything you need for an unforgettable Christmas feast. Let’s dive into each recipe, with details on servings, prep and cooking times, ingredients, and expanded cooking steps for perfect results.

1. Herb-Crusted Prime Rib Roast

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 2 hours

Ingredients:

• 1 (5-pound) prime rib roast
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp minced garlic
• 2 tbsp rosemary, chopped
• 2 tbsp thyme, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Rub the prime rib with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the roast in a roasting pan, fat side up, and cook for 15 minutes.
4. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) and continue roasting for about 1.5 hours.
5. Let rest for 20 minutes before carving and serving.

2. Honey-Glazed Ham

Servings: 10
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 2.5 hours

Ingredients:

• 1 (8-pound) bone-in ham
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp ground cloves

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Score the ham in a diamond pattern, then place it in a roasting pan.
3. Mix honey, brown sugar, mustard, and cloves in a bowl. Brush half the mixture over the ham.
4. Bake ham for 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes with the remaining glaze.
5. Let cool slightly, slice, and serve warm.

3. Roast Turkey with Cranberry Stuffing

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 4 hours

Ingredients:

• 1 (12-pound) turkey, thawed
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups bread cubes
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Season turkey with salt and pepper, inside and out.
3. In a bowl, mix bread cubes, cranberries, and chicken broth. Stuff into turkey cavity.
4. Place turkey in a roasting pan and cover loosely with foil.
5. Roast for 3.5 to 4 hours, basting every hour, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

4. Baked Salmon with Dill Sauce

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds salmon fillet
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place salmon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Spread over salmon.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.
5. Serve warm, garnished with extra dill.

5. Vegetarian Nut Roast

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed nuts, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, grated
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a skillet, sauté onion and carrot until softened.
3. In a large bowl, mix nuts, breadcrumbs, eggs, sautéed vegetables, salt, and pepper.
4. Transfer to a greased loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
5. Let cool for 10 minutes, then slice and serve.

6. Herb-Infused Dinner Rolls

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 packet of active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

Steps:

1. In a bowl, mix yeast with warm water and let sit until foamy.
2. Add flour, melted butter, and rosemary, stirring until dough forms.
3. Knead for 5 minutes, then let the dough rise until doubled.
4. Shape into rolls and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes until golden brown.

7. Beef Wellington

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef tenderloin
• 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 1 egg, beaten

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Sear beef in a hot skillet, then brush with mustard and let cool.
3. Sauté mushrooms, then spread over beef. Wrap in puff pastry.
4. Brush with beaten egg, then bake for 35-45 minutes.
5. Let rest, slice, and serve warm.

8. Chicken Marsala

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 cup Marsala wine
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Steps:

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then brown in olive oil.
2. Add mushrooms and sauté until golden.
3. Pour in Marsala wine and broth; simmer until reduced.
4. Return chicken to pan, cooking until sauce thickens.
5. Serve warm, spooning sauce over the chicken.

9. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp balsamic glaze

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
4. Drizzle with balsamic glaze just before serving.
5. Serve warm for a flavorful veggie side.

10. Seafood Paella

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Arborio rice
• 1 cup shrimp, peeled
• 1 cup mussels, cleaned
• 1/2 cup peas
• 4 cups chicken broth

Steps:

1. Sauté rice in a large skillet, then add broth.
2. Simmer for 15 minutes, then add shrimp, mussels, and peas.
3. Cover and cook until seafood is done and rice is tender.
4. Let rest for 5 minutes, then fluff rice.
5. Serve with lemon wedges.

11. Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash, roasted and mashed
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 12 lasagna noodles

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Layer noodles, squash, ricotta, and spinach in a baking dish.
3. Repeat layers, finishing with Parmesan on top.
4. Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
5. Uncover and bake until golden, then let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

12. Duck à l’Orange

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 whole duck (about 4 pounds)
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season the duck with salt and pepper and place it on a roasting rack.
3. Roast the duck for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy.
4. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine orange juice, sugar, vinegar, and orange zest. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
5. Serve duck with orange sauce drizzled over.

13. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, tops, and seeds removed
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, cook ground beef or turkey until browned, then mix in rice and tomatoes.
3. Stuff each bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture.
4. Place stuffed peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
5. Remove foil, top with cheese, and bake until cheese is melted.

14. Eggplant Parmesan

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggplants, sliced
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup breadcrumbs

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Dip eggplant slices in breadcrumbs and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
3. Layer baked eggplant with marinara sauce and cheeses in a baking dish.
4. Bake for 25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Let cool slightly, then serve warm.

15. Coq au Vin

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 6 chicken thighs
• 1 bottle of red wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped

Steps:

1. Sear chicken in a large skillet until browned, then set aside.
2. Sauté onion and mushrooms until soft.
3. Pour in wine and broth, bringing to a simmer.
4. Return chicken to skillet, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
5. Serve with sauce spooned over the chicken.

16. Vegetable Pot Pie

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, potatoes)
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 pie crust

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a pot, simmer vegetables with broth until tender.
3. Stir in milk and flour, cooking until thickened.
4. Pour vegetable mixture into a pie dish and cover with pie crust.
5. Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.

17. Glazed Carrots with Thyme

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound carrots, sliced
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• Salt to taste

Steps:

1. In a skillet, melt butter and add carrots.
2. Cook carrots for 10 minutes until they begin to soften.
3. Add honey and thyme, stirring to coat carrots evenly.
4. Cook until carrots are tender and glazed.
5. Season with salt, then serve warm.

18. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
2. Drain potatoes and return to the pot.
3. Add cream, butter, and garlic, then mash until smooth.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve hot, garnished with extra butter if desired.

19. Green Bean Almondine

Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound green beans, trimmed
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Steps:

1. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then drain.
2. In a skillet, melt butter and add almonds, toasting them until golden.
3. Add green beans to the skillet, tossing to coat with butter and almonds.
4. Squeeze lemon juice over the beans and toss once more.
5. Serve warm as a fresh, light side dish.

20. Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp orange zest

Steps:

1. Combine cranberries, sugar, and orange juice in a saucepan.
2. Bring to a simmer, stirring until cranberries start to burst.
3. Cook for about 10 minutes until thickened.
4. Stir in orange zest and remove from heat.
5. Serve warm or chilled as a tangy, sweet side.

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Conclusion

From savory roasts and comforting sides to festive vegetarian options and delightful sweets, these 20 Christmas dinner recipes bring joy and flavor to your holiday table. Each dish is crafted to create a memorable experience for family and friends, whether it’s a traditional prime rib roast or a creative twist like stuffed bell peppers. With the aromas of herb-crusted dishes, the freshness of seasonal ingredients, and a bit of festive flair, you’re set to make this Christmas feast unforgettable. So gather your loved ones, celebrate with delicious food, and enjoy the warmth and togetherness that the holiday season brings. Happy cooking, and may your holiday table be filled with love, laughter, and incredible flavors!