Picking a holiday main can be difficult when you want something familiar without repeating the same centerpiece. These 23 options range from turkey, beef, pork, chicken, and seafood to hearty vegetable-centered bakes and pasta. Choose a roast for a formal meal, or a casserole or quiche that is easier to portion and share across Thanksgiving and Christmas tables.
Turkey Pot Pie
Flaky crust and a savory filling make Turkey Pot Pie a homey centerpiece for a holiday meal. Turkey is paired with vegetables in a creamy sauce and tucked beneath refrigerated pie crust. The recipe takes about 55 minutes and serves eight, so it can feed a full table without a complicated carving step. Serve it with cranberry sauce or a simple green salad for a complete plate.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Pot Pie
Mushroom Risotto
Creamy rice and a mix of mushrooms give Mushroom Risotto a hearty, meatless place at the holiday table. Porcini, chestnut, and portobello mushrooms bring varied texture, while garlic and rosemary add an earthy note; walnuts and pecans contribute crunch. It takes about 50 minutes and serves four, making it suited to a smaller gathering or a vegetarian main. Offer extra herbs or nuts at the table for finishing.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Risotto
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Rich, familiar layers bring the classic cordon bleu combination to Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole in an easy-to-serve format. Rotisserie chicken is baked with smoked ham, Swiss cheese, pasta, Dijon, milk, and garlic under a crisp topping. It takes about 65 minutes and serves six, so it works for a holiday dinner when you want portions ready straight from the baking dish.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Lobster Roll
Toasted buns cradle a warm, buttery filling in Lobster Roll, a festive handheld main with a coastal feel. The Connecticut-style version uses lobster meat, garlic butter, chives, dill, and lemon, tucked into split-top buns toasted until golden. It takes about 30 minutes and makes two hearty rolls, ideal for an intimate holiday meal. Frozen lobster meat or tails can be used, keeping the preparation straightforward while lobster stays at the center.
Get the Recipe: Lobster Roll
Vegetable Frittata
Colorful vegetables and a tender egg center make Vegetable Frittata a flexible choice for brunch or a lighter holiday meal. Eggs and milk are combined with mozzarella, mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, cherry tomatoes, green onions, and Parmesan. It takes about 40 minutes and serves four, so it suits a smaller table or a meatless main. Cut it into wedges and pair with a crisp salad or roasted potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Frittata
Salisbury Steak
Golden-browned patties under mushroom gravy give Salisbury Steak the familiar feel of a sit-down holiday dinner. Ground beef is shaped with breadcrumbs, egg, and onion, then served with a gravy made from mushrooms, broth, butter, and flour. The recipe takes about 45 minutes and serves four. Spoon the gravy over mashed potatoes or egg noodles to make the plate hearty and easy to serve.
Get the Recipe: Salisbury Steak
Butternut Squash Ravioli
Pillowy pasta with a sweet-savory filling makes Butternut Squash Ravioli a standout meatless main. The ravioli dough is paired with butternut squash, butter, and nutmeg, while white wine and heavy cream create a rich sauce. It takes about an hour, with time for preparing the pasta and filling. Serve it as a smaller holiday centerpiece with a green salad or roasted vegetables alongside.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Ravioli
Roasted Turkey Legs
Crisp skin and tender meat put Roasted Turkey Legs on the table without cooking a whole bird. Turkey legs roast with chopped onion and poultry seasoning until browned and cooked through. The recipe takes about two hours and ten minutes and serves four, making it a practical main for a smaller holiday meal. Bring them to the table whole, or carve the meat into portions with gravy and familiar sides.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Turkey Legs
Ham and Cheese Quiche
A flaky crust and custardy center make Ham and Cheese Quiche work for brunch, lunch, or a light holiday dinner. Eggs and heavy cream are whisked with ham, Emmental cheese, and a touch of nutmeg before baking in a pie crust. It takes about 50 minutes and serves eight. Pair the slices with a green salad or roasted vegetables when the meal needs a savory main that is simple to portion.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Cheese Quiche
Eggplant Casserole
Tender baked layers under bubbling cheese make Eggplant Casserole a hearty meatless main for a festive table. Eggplant is layered with marinara, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, and basil, then baked until soft. It takes about 45 minutes and serves six, so it can be prepared for a smaller holiday meal or shared alongside another entrée. Add bread or a crisp salad to round out each serving.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole
Slow Cooker Pork Chops
A creamy sauce keeps Slow Cooker Pork Chops tender while the slow cooker handles the long cooking. Boneless chops are seasoned and cooked with heavy cream, Parmesan, and garlic for a rich main that pairs well with potatoes or rice. The recipe takes about four hours and five minutes and serves four. Start it early in the day, then serve the chops with a green vegetable for a simple holiday dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Crawfish Etouffee
Deep Cajun flavor and a velvety roux give Crawfish Etouffee a savory holiday main with Louisiana roots. Crawfish tails simmer with onion, bell pepper, celery, tomatoes, broth, and herbs, then the finished etouffee is spooned over steamed white rice. It takes about 30 minutes, making it one of the quicker options for a special meal. Set out hot sauce or crusty bread for anyone who wants extra heat or sauce.
Get the Recipe: Crawfish Etouffee
Tuscan Chicken Thighs
Herb-scented pan juices and crisp skin set Tuscan Chicken Thighs apart as a savory holiday main. Bone-in, skin-on thighs are cooked with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and chicken broth until the meat is tender. The recipe takes about 35 minutes and serves six, making it a practical alternative to a large roast. Spoon the juices over the chicken and serve with potatoes, pasta, or roasted vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Chicken Thighs
French Onion Casserole
Slow-cooked onion flavor meets baked pasta in French Onion Casserole. Yellow onions are cooked with sherry and thyme, then combined with short pasta and beef broth; Gruyere and buttery panko finish the top. It takes about an hour and serves six, making it hearty enough to anchor a meatless holiday plate. Bring the casserole straight to the table and serve with a crisp salad to balance the rich cheese and sauce.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole
Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
A tender beef loaf with a lightly sweet glaze gives Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf a familiar place at the holiday table. Ground beef is mixed with onion, bell pepper, crushed Ritz crackers, and seasonings before baking. It takes about an hour and 25 minutes and serves eight, so it can feed a family meal or leave slices for the next day. Pair it with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
Lamb Loin Chops
A browned exterior and juicy center make Lamb Loin Chops a quick special-occasion main. The chops are seasoned, seared in olive oil, and finished in the oven with garlic, rosemary, and butter. They take about 25 minutes from start to finish, making them a manageable option when the rest of dinner includes slower sides. Rest the chops briefly before serving, then spoon the pan juices over the top.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Loin Chops
Vegetable Pasta Bake
Tomato cream sauce and melted cheese make Vegetable Pasta Bake a hearty meatless centerpiece. Short pasta is baked with red onion, bell pepper, zucchini, garlic, tomato sauce, heavy cream, Parmesan, mozzarella, and spinach. It takes about 35 minutes, making it a convenient choice when oven space is limited or guests prefer a vegetarian main. Serve it with a green salad and set the casserole on the table for easy portions.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Pasta Bake
Turkey Meatloaf
Tangy glaze and an easy-to-slice texture give Turkey Meatloaf a lighter take on a familiar holiday main. Ground turkey is seasoned with Worcestershire sauce and aromatics, then baked until cooked through. It takes about 75 minutes and serves eight, which helps cover a family dinner with leftovers. Serve it with mashed potatoes, gravy, or roasted vegetables for a plate with classic holiday flavors.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Meatloaf
Sausage Casserole
One-pan ease and savory juices make Sausage Casserole a complete main for a relaxed holiday meal. Kielbasa or another sausage cooks with small potatoes, green beans, onion, garlic, butter, and broth until the vegetables are tender. It takes about 55 minutes and serves six. Bring the pan straight to the table and add a crisp salad if you want something fresh alongside.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Casserole
Roast Beef
A browned outside and rosy slices make Roast Beef a classic centerpiece for a holiday dinner. The roast is seasoned with salt, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs, then cooked at high heat before finishing at a lower temperature. It takes about 70 minutes, plus resting time, and the recipe serves 12. Slice against the grain and serve with gravy, potatoes, and vegetables for a generous meal.
Get the Recipe: Roast Beef
Meatball Casserole
Saucy pasta and melted mozzarella make Meatball Casserole a substantial main that is easy to serve by the scoop. Beef meatballs are combined with penne, marinara, Parmesan, and Italian seasonings, then baked under a layer of cheese. It takes about an hour and ten minutes and serves six. Set out garlic bread or a green salad to complete the meal and balance the tomato sauce.
Get the Recipe: Meatball Casserole
Baked Salmon
A citrus glaze gives Baked Salmon a bright flavor that suits a holiday meal without adding much prep. Salmon is brushed with olive oil, honey, orange juice, garlic, and thyme, then baked until flaky. It takes about 25 minutes and serves two, making it a good option for a smaller table or a seafood choice alongside other mains. Add rice or roasted vegetables to make it a full plate.
Get the Recipe: Baked Salmon
Beef Wellington
Golden pastry surrounds the tenderloin in Beef Wellington, creating a centerpiece suited to a more formal holiday dinner. Beef is wrapped with mushrooms, shallots, garlic, prosciutto, Dijon, and puff pastry, then baked until the pastry is browned and the meat reaches the preferred doneness. The recipe takes about three hours and 25 minutes and serves 12. Slice carefully and serve with simple vegetables or potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Beef Wellington