Plan a Festive Holiday Menu With These Christmas Dinner Ideas (2024)

Apps, sides, co*cktails, and plenty of beautiful roasts!

By Erin Cavoto and Kara Zauberman
Plan a Festive Holiday Menu With These Christmas Dinner Ideas (1)

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This year the Drummond family is hosting Christmas at their place—and Ree couldn’t be more excited! “When I say I started laying out my plates and napkins a little early (is six weeks too early?), I am not exaggerating,” she says. So, you know she’ll be well ahead of the game when it comes to planning her Christmas dinner menu, too.

Whether or not you planned ahead this season, everyone needs a little help to take the stress out of the holiday meal. Enter: our list of 100 Christmas dinner ideas! Here, you’ll find big Christmas potluck recipes to share with friends and smaller Christmas dinner ideas for those who want a more immediate meal. Plus, there are Christmas recipes for just about any style of feast. You can choose from a classic Christmas roast or Christmas ham, then get creative with a few of many Christmas side dishes.

The holidays are no time to hold back, so this list kicks off with plenty of scrumptious Christmas appetizers that everyone will gleefully gobble up. Serve co*cktail meatballs or pull-apart pigs in a blanket for something nostalgic, or go all in on festive flair with a wreath-shaped charcuterie board. But don't fill up on the apps! The main dishes are the real star of the show! If you’re anything like Ree Drummond, then a prime rib is a must-have main course. But you’ll also find rack of lamb, roast chicken, and pasta recipes for anyone planning a vegetarian Christmas menu. All that's left is Christmas dessert and a holiday co*cktail, or two. Whether it's an elegant party or a more casual family affair, these recipes will help you pull off the perfect spread.

1

Root Beer Glazed Ham

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Not just for Easter! A big holiday ham is a great option for your Christmas dinner table. This one made with a sweet and sticky root beer glaze is the ultimate show-stopper.

Get Ree's Root Beer Glazed Ham recipe.

SHOP COOKWARE

2

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

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Don't forget to add seasonal veggies to your winter dinner menu. These Brussels sprouts are shaved thin so they become the perfect base for a tasty holiday slaw. Bonus points for adding dried cranberries to give the side its red and green colors!

Get the Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.

3

Buttermilk Ranch Angel Biscuits

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These biscuits are truly "angelic" thanks to their fluffy texture and herby flavor. You can add a parsley leaf before baking to give the biscuits a touch of holiday flair.

Get the Buttermilk Ranch Angel Biscuits recipe.

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4

Mushroom Gravy

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Mushrooms have a savory, earthy flavor that makes them perfect for adding to a creamy gravy. Plus, the vegetarians at your table will be happy to pour this over their mashed potatoes!

Get the Mushroom Gravy recipe.

5

Champagne Punch

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A sparkly drink will make any holiday party feel special. The best part? You can serve it up in a punch bowl and let your guests help themselves!

Get the Champagne Punch recipe.

SHOP PUNCH BOWLS

6

Shrimp Dip

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This is not your average shrimp dip recipe. It's made with fresh shrimp instead of canned and lots of bright herbs. Don't be shy with the layer of co*cktail sauce on top!

Get the Shrimp Dip recipe.

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7

Stuffed Artichokes

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Don't be intimidated by making artichokes! Despite the spiky exterior, it's actually really easy to trim the leaves and stuff the veggie with a crispy breadcrumb filling. Just be sure to serve it up with melted butter for dipping.

Get the Stuffed Artichokes recipe.

8

Chicken Florentine

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Sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a creamy white wine sauce will dress up these chicken thighs any night of the week. You can serve this main course with mashed potatoes or dinner rolls for scooping up any extra sauce on the plate!

Get the Chicken Florentine recipe.

9

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

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Think of this as everything you love about twice-baked potatoes—including the bacon, cheddar, and sour cream—in casserole form! This dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Get the Twice-Baked Potato Casserole recipe.

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10

Spatchco*ck Turkey

This method for cooking a whole turkey is the easiest one yet! It literally cuts the cooking time in half. We also added a smoky rub to give the main course even more flavor.

Get the Spatchco*ck Turkey recipe.

SHOP SERVING PLATTERS

11

Beef Burgundy

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If you're looking for something comforting to warm you up on the chilly December night, then beef burgundy is the dinner for you! It's made with tender chuck roast, savory mushrooms, and an entire bottle of red wine.

Get Ree's Beef Burgundy recipe.

12

Lobster Bisque

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Here's an elegant way to start your meal: Serve up a bowl of creamy lobster bisque! The Creole seasoning, white wine, and clam juice give the broth even more flavor.

Get the Lobster Bisque recipe.

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13

Manicotti

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You can't go wrong with a cheesy baked pasta! But instead of your typical lasagna, try this ricotta-stuffed manicotti instead. It has a hearty ground beef sauce and lots of melted cheese on top.

Get the Manicotti recipe.

14

Peppermint Martini

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Finish your meal with something sweet and boozy like this peppermint martini with a festive sugared rim. It only requires three ingredients so its easy to shake up.

Get the Peppermint Martini recipe.

15

Sausage Stuffing

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This hearty stuffing has the perfect balance of crusty French bread and simple white sandwich bread that gives the center a bread pudding-like texture.

Get the Sausage Stuffing recipe.

SHOP BAKING DISHES

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16

Gougères

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Get a head start on planning your holiday menu by making these cheesy puff pastries in advance. They can be frozen ahead and popped in the oven whenever your guests arrive!

Get the Gougères recipe.

17

Surf and Turf

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If you want to pull out all the stops with an elegant main course, look no further than this surf and turf recipe. It combines seared steak with creamy, lemony shrimp.

Get the Surf and Turf recipe.

18

Maple Bacon Butter Fan Rolls

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We love a good supermarket hack during the busy holiday season and these show-stopping dinner rolls do just that! They're made with frozen bread dough to keep things easy.

Get the Maple Bacon Butter Fan Rolls recipe.

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19

Stuffed Turkey Breast

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Swirls of cornbread stuffing made with apples and bacon will instantly upgrade your turkey breast this season. Serve it up with gravy on the side and everyone will be happy.

Get the Stuffed Turkey Breast recipe.

20

Thanksgiving Salad

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Don't be fooled by the name—you can make this beautiful salad throughout the season! It's loaded with fun mix-ins to give a burst of freshness to your holiday table.

Get the Thanksgiving Salad recipe.

SHOP SALAD BOWLS

Plan a Festive Holiday Menu With These Christmas Dinner Ideas (2024)
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