The holidays are all about coming together with loved ones and sharing great food. Whether you’re cooking for a big family gathering or a smaller dinner, these 21 Christmas dinner recipes will make the meal feel special. From hearty roasts to tasty sides, these dishes bring the perfect mix of flavor and comfort to your holiday table. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the smells of the season and create a memorable meal everyone will enjoy.
Mashed Potatoes
Looking for a side dish everyone will enjoy? These Instant Pot mashed potatoes are creamy, velvety, and full of flavor, making them the perfect addition to any Christmas dinner. Their rich texture pairs perfectly with roasts, casseroles, or any holiday main dish, and they’ll quickly become a favorite on your table.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Cacio e Pepe
Want a simple yet delicious dish that brings Italian tradition to your Christmas dinner? This cacio e pepe pasta combines creamy cheese and cracked pepper, creating a savory experience that’s easy to make in just 15 minutes. Serve this dish and bring a touch of Italian comfort to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Cacio e Pepe
Creamy Pea Pasta
Craving a pasta dish that’s both comforting and flavorful? This creamy pea pasta is rich, savory, and packed with fresh flavors, making it the perfect side for any Christmas dinner. It’s easy to prepare, and its satisfying taste will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pea Pasta
Buttery Crescent Rolls
Looking for a side dish that adds a little extra to your Christmas dinner? These buttery crescent rolls are soft, flaky, and melt in your mouth, making them a perfect pairing with any main course. Don’t miss out on these delicious rolls that will quickly become the highlight of your holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Crescent Rolls
Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Want a side dish that’s full of flavor and easy to make? These bacon-roasted Brussels sprouts are crispy, smoky, and caramelized to perfection, offering a savory twist on a classic veggie. Serve them at your Christmas dinner and enjoy a side everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Spinach Orzo Salad
Want a refreshing side dish that stands out? This spinach orzo salad combines fresh spinach and orzo in a savory dressing, creating a light but satisfying addition to your Christmas dinner. It’s the perfect balance of flavor and texture that will leave everyone reaching for more.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Orzo Salad
Asian Glazed Salmon
Looking for a healthy and delicious main dish for your holiday dinner? This Asian glazed salmon is sweet, savory, and packed with flavor, offering a perfect balance to the rich dishes typically served at Christmas. Serve it at your holiday gathering for a fresh, flavorful option everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Asian Glazed Salmon
Miso Glazed Salmon
Want a flavorful fish dish that’s both simple and impressive? This miso-glazed salmon is tender, savory, and offers a delicious umami flavor that will make your Christmas dinner feel special. It’s an easy dish that looks and tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Salmon
Lemon Garlic Chicken
Looking for a light yet flavorful main dish for Christmas? This Instant Pot lemon garlic chicken is juicy, tender, and bursting with zesty flavors, making it a perfect addition to any holiday dinner. Make this dish your go-to for a festive meal that’s quick and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken
Buttery Dinner Rolls
Want rolls that everyone will fight over? These buttery dinner rolls are soft, warm, and perfect for pairing with just about anything, from roasts to soups. They’re the kind of side that adds that extra special touch to your Christmas dinner.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Dinner Rolls
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Looking for a healthy and flavorful side? This spinach and parmesan quinoa is packed with protein and vibrant flavors, making it the perfect vegetarian option for your Christmas table. It’s a dish that will bring both nutrition and deliciousness to your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Want a delicious twist on a classic Italian Christmas dish? These lasagna roll-ups offer all the cheesy goodness of lasagna without the long baking time, making them perfect for a busy holiday meal. Make these for your Christmas dinner and watch them disappear off the table.
Get the Recipe: Weeknight Lasagna Roll Ups
Chicken and Dumplings
Looking for something comforting and satisfying for Christmas dinner? This chicken and dumplings dish combines tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and savory broth, creating a cozy, homestyle meal. It’s the perfect choice when you want a dish that’s warm and comforting for your holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings
Cranberry Orange Sauce
Want a side that adds a burst of flavor to your Christmas dinner? This cranberry orange sauce combines tangy cranberries and fresh orange juice, creating a vibrant, refreshing dish. Add this sauce to your holiday spread and enjoy a sweet and zesty complement to your main course.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Sauce
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Looking for a veggie side that’s a little different? Grilled baby bok choy, with its smoky flavor and tender texture, is a perfect side for Christmas dinner. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish that adds variety to your holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Want something quick and satisfying for Christmas dinner? This tuna and tomato pasta is ready in just 25 minutes, combining rich tomato sauce with tender pasta and protein-packed tuna. It’s the perfect dish when you want something delicious without all the fuss.
Get the Recipe: Tuna and Tomato Pasta
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Want a vibrant and flavorful side for your holiday dinner? This Italian-inspired ratatouille combines fresh zucchini, squash, and tomatoes for a colorful, savory dish. Add this to your Christmas dinner and impress your guests with its rich flavors and gorgeous presentation.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Looking for a creamy, savory side that’s perfect for any holiday meal? This risotto with peas and lemon is rich and comforting, with a zesty hint of lemon that adds brightness to the dish. Serve it as the perfect side for your Christmas dinner and watch everyone enjoy its creamy goodness.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Meatballs and Sauce
Want a comforting dish that’s always a hit at Christmas? These meatballs, served in a rich tomato sauce, are juicy and packed with flavor, making them perfect for any holiday spread. Don’t miss out on these classic meatballs—they’re sure to please everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Meatballs and Sauce
Poached Orange Salmon
Looking for a light, flavorful fish dish for Christmas dinner? This poached orange salmon is infused with citrus, offering a deliciously fresh and light alternative to heavier main dishes. Make it the star of your holiday table and enjoy a simple yet impressive main course.
Get the Recipe: Poached Orange Salmon
Instant Pot Pork Roast
Looking for an easy yet impressive main dish? This Instant Pot pork roast is tender, juicy, and cooked in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven. With a rich, flavorful gravy that complements the roast perfectly, it’s a great option for any holiday or family gathering.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Roast