Christmas dinner is one of the most cherished meals of the year—filled with comforting flavors, classic dishes, and festive touches that bring the whole family together.

Whether you’re planning a traditional dinner or want to try something new, these 18 Christmas dinner ideas include main courses, sides, and must-have festive dishes to complete your holiday table.

✅ 1. Herb-Roasted Christmas Turkey

A golden, juicy turkey coated in garlic herb butter—perfect as the centerpiece of a classic Christmas dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey (12–14 lbs)

• ½ cup butter

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 4 garlic cloves

• Rosemary, thyme

• Lemon & onion

• Salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Mix butter, oil, garlic, and herbs.

2. Rub all over turkey.

3. Stuff with lemon and onion.

4. Roast at 325°F for 3–3.5 hours.

5. Rest before carving.

✅ 2. Baked Honey Glazed Ham

Spiral ham baked with a sticky honey-brown sugar glaze—a Christmas classic.

Ingredients

• 1 spiral ham

• 1 cup honey

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 2 tbsp mustard

• Cinnamon

Instructions

1. Mix glaze ingredients.

2. Brush on ham.

3. Bake at 325°F for 1.5 hours, glazing often.

✅ 3. Prime Rib Roast

Tender, juicy prime rib with a flavorful garlic herb crust.

Ingredients

• 4–5 lb prime rib

• Olive oil

• Garlic

• Rosemary & thyme

• Salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Rub meat with oil, garlic, and herbs.

2. Roast at 450°F for 20 min.

3. Reduce to 325°F, bake 1–1.5 hours.

✅ 4. Christmas Roast Chicken

Simple and flavorful roasted chicken with crisp skin and aromatic herbs.

Ingredients

• Whole chicken

• Butter

• Garlic

• Thyme

• Lemon

• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Rub butter and seasonings under the skin.

2. Roast at 400°F for 1 hour 15 min.

3. Baste halfway through.

✅ 5. Brown Sugar Caramelized Carrots

Sweet, glossy carrots that add festive color to the dinner table.

Ingredients

• Carrots

• Butter

• Brown sugar

• Salt

Instructions

1. Sauté carrots in butter.

2. Add brown sugar.

3. Cook until tender and glazed.

✅ 6. Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Fluffy mashed potatoes infused with roasted garlic.

Ingredients

• Potatoes

• Butter

• Heavy cream

• Garlic

• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Boil potatoes.

2. Mash with butter, cream, garlic.

3. Season to taste.

✅ 7. Holiday Stuffing

A comforting blend of bread, herbs, and vegetables baked to perfection.

Ingredients

• Bread cubes

• Onion & celery

• Butter

• Parsley

• Chicken broth

Instructions

1. Sauté onion & celery in butter.

2. Mix with bread and herbs.

3. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.

✅ 8. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Creamy, cheesy layers of thin-sliced potatoes baked until golden.

Ingredients

• Potatoes

• Heavy cream

• Cheddar & mozzarella

• Salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Layer potatoes and cheese.

2. Pour cream over.

3. Bake at 375°F for 1 hour.

✅ 9. Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Crispy roasted Brussels sprouts tossed in maple syrup for a perfect sweet-savory balance.

Ingredients

• Brussels sprouts

• Olive oil

• Maple syrup

• Pepper

Instructions

1. Toss sprouts in oil.

2. Roast at 400°F for 25 min.

3. Drizzle maple syrup and toss.

✅ 10. Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy macaroni topped with a crunchy golden crust.

Ingredients

• Macaroni

• Milk

• Cheddar

• Parmesan

• Butter

• Flour

Instructions

1. Cook pasta.

2. Prepare cheese sauce.

3. Bake at 350°F for 20 min.

✅ 11. Green Bean Casserole

A Christmas classic made with creamy sauce and crispy fried onions.

Ingredients

• Green beans

• Cream of mushroom

• Milk

• Fried onions

Instructions

1. Mix beans with sauce.

2. Add fried onions.

3. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

✅ 12. Roasted Garlic Herb Vegetables

A colorful medley of roasted vegetables seasoned with garlic and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

• Carrots

• Zucchini

• Potatoes

• Olive oil

• Garlic

• Herbs

Instructions

1. Toss veggies with oil & herbs.

2. Roast at 400°F for 30 minutes.

✅ 13. Dinner Rolls with Garlic Butter

Soft and fluffy rolls brushed with garlic herb butter.

Ingredients

• Dough or ready-made rolls

• Butter

• Garlic

• Parsley

Instructions

1. Bake rolls.

2. Brush with garlic butter.

3. Serve warm.

✅ 14. Lemon Butter Salmon

A lighter Christmas entrée full of citrusy, buttery flavor.

Ingredients

• Salmon fillet

• Lemon

• Butter

• Garlic

• Pepper

Instructions

1. Place salmon on pan.

2. Top with lemon, butter, garlic.

3. Bake at 375°F for 18 minutes.

✅ 15. Yorkshire Pudding

Light and airy popover-style side, perfect with beef dinners.

Ingredients

• Flour

• Eggs

• Milk

• Oil

• Salt

Instructions

1. Heat oil in muffin pan.

2. Pour batter in.

3. Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes.

✅ 16. Christmas Beef Wellington

Tender beef wrapped in mushrooms and puff pastry—an elegant holiday feast.

Ingredients

• Beef tenderloin

• Mushrooms

• Puff pastry

• Mustard

• Egg wash

Instructions

1. Sear beef.

2. Wrap in mushroom mix and pastry.

3. Bake at 400°F for 35 minutes.

✅ 17. Cranberry Orange Chicken

Sweet, tangy chicken baked with cranberries and citrus.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts

• Cranberries

• Orange juice

• Honey

• Rosemary

Instructions

1. Mix sauce.

2. Pour over chicken.

3. Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.

✅ 18. Mushroom Gravy

A rich gravy made from sautéed mushrooms—fantastic with turkey, beef, or potatoes.

Ingredients

• Mushrooms

• Butter

• Flour

• Broth

• Salt & pepper

Instructions

1. Sauté mushrooms.

2. Add flour to thicken.

3. Slowly whisk in broth.