14 Christmas Day Dinner Recipes Everyone Will Love

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Christmas Day dinner is all about bringing family and friends together around comforting, delicious food.

Whether you prefer classic holiday flavors or simple crowd-pleasers, these 14 Christmas Day dinner recipes are hearty, festive, and perfect for a memorable celebration.

Each recipe includes a brief description, ingredients, and easy step-by-step instructions.

1. Roast Turkey with Herb Butter

A golden, juicy roast turkey is the centerpiece of many Christmas tables. Herb butter keeps the meat flavorful and tender while creating crispy skin.

Ingredients:

  • Whole turkey

  • Butter

  • Garlic

  • Fresh rosemary, thyme, parsley

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

  2. Mix softened butter with herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper.

  3. Rub butter under and over the turkey skin.

  4. Roast until golden and fully cooked, basting occasionally.

  5. Rest before carving and serving.

2. Honey-Glazed Baked Ham

Sweet, sticky, and savory, this honey-glazed ham is a holiday classic that feeds a crowd with ease.

Ingredients:

  • Cooked ham

  • Honey

  • Brown sugar

  • Dijon mustard

  • Ground cloves

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 170°C (325°F).

  2. Mix honey, brown sugar, mustard, and cloves.

  3. Brush glaze over ham.

  4. Bake uncovered, basting often.

  5. Slice and serve warm.

3. Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Smooth, buttery mashed potatoes are the perfect comfort side dish for Christmas dinner.

Ingredients:

  • Potatoes

  • Butter

  • Heavy cream or milk

  • Garlic

  • Salt

Instructions:

  1. Boil potatoes until tender.

  2. Drain and mash with butter and garlic.

  3. Add cream gradually until smooth.

  4. Season and serve hot.

4. Oven-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables

A simple but satisfying alternative to turkey, roasted chicken with vegetables is flavorful and comforting.

Ingredients:

  • Whole chicken

  • Carrots, potatoes, onions

  • Olive oil

  • Herbs

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Season chicken and vegetables.

  2. Arrange in a roasting pan.

  3. Roast until chicken is golden and cooked through.

  4. Serve with pan juices.

5. Beef Pot Roast with Gravy

Slow-cooked beef pot roast is tender, rich, and perfect for a cozy Christmas dinner.

Ingredients:

  • Beef chuck roast

  • Onion

  • Carrots

  • Beef broth

  • Garlic

Instructions:

  1. Sear beef in a pot.

  2. Add vegetables and broth.

  3. Cover and cook slowly until tender.

  4. Serve with thickened gravy.

6. Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy, cheesy, and baked to golden perfection, this dish is always a crowd favorite.

Ingredients:

  • Elbow macaroni

  • Cheddar cheese

  • Milk

  • Butter

  • Flour

Instructions:

  1. Cook pasta and set aside.

  2. Make cheese sauce with butter, flour, milk, and cheese.

  3. Combine pasta and sauce.

  4. Bake until bubbly and golden.

7. Stuffed Roast Chicken

This roast chicken is filled with a savory stuffing that adds extra flavor to every bite.

Ingredients:

  • Whole chicken

  • Bread cubes

  • Onion

  • Herbs

  • Butter

Instructions:

  1. Prepare stuffing and fill chicken cavity.

  2. Season chicken well.

  3. Roast until golden and cooked through.

  4. Slice and serve.

8. Garlic Butter Shrimp

Quick, elegant, and flavorful, garlic butter shrimp is a great seafood option for Christmas dinner.

Ingredients:

  • Shrimp

  • Butter

  • Garlic

  • Lemon juice

  • Parsley

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter in a pan.

  2. Add garlic and shrimp.

  3. Cook until shrimp turns pink.

  4. Finish with lemon juice and parsley.

9. Christmas Meatballs in Cranberry Sauce

Sweet and savory meatballs in cranberry sauce are perfect for sharing and easy to prepare.

Ingredients:

  • Ground beef

  • Breadcrumbs

  • Egg

  • Cranberry sauce

  • Chili sauce

Instructions:

  1. Form meatballs and bake.

  2. Heat cranberry and chili sauce together.

  3. Add meatballs to sauce.

  4. Simmer and serve.

10. Vegetable Lasagna

This meat-free lasagna is layered with vegetables, cheese, and rich tomato sauce.

Ingredients:

  • Lasagna noodles

  • Mixed vegetables

  • Ricotta cheese

  • Mozzarella

  • Tomato sauce

Instructions:

  1. Cook noodles and vegetables.

  2. Layer noodles, veggies, sauce, and cheese.

  3. Bake until bubbly and golden.

  4. Let rest before slicing.

11. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Crispy Brussels sprouts with bacon add a savory, festive touch to Christmas dinner.

Ingredients:

  • Brussels sprouts

  • Bacon

  • Olive oil

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Toss sprouts with oil and seasoning.

  2. Add chopped bacon.

  3. Roast until crispy.

  4. Serve hot.

12. Creamy Mushroom Chicken

Tender chicken cooked in a creamy mushroom sauce makes a rich and comforting holiday meal.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken breasts

  • Mushrooms

  • Cream

  • Garlic

  • Butter

Instructions:

  1. Sear chicken and set aside.

  2. Cook mushrooms and garlic in butter.

  3. Add cream and simmer.

  4. Return chicken and cook through.

13. Jollof Rice (Festive Style)

A Christmas favorite in many homes, festive jollof rice is rich, spicy, and colorful.

Ingredients:

  • Rice

  • Tomato sauce

  • Onion

  • Bell peppers

  • Spices

Instructions:

  1. Cook tomato sauce with spices.

  2. Add rice and water.

  3. Simmer until rice is cooked.

  4. Serve with chicken or beef.

14. Christmas Roast Vegetables

Colorful roasted vegetables add balance and freshness to a heavy holiday meal.

Ingredients:

  • Carrots

  • Potatoes

  • Bell peppers

  • Olive oil

  • Herbs

Instructions:

  1. Chop vegetables evenly.

  2. Toss with oil and herbs.

  3. Roast until tender and slightly crispy.

  4. Serve warm.

These 14 Christmas Day dinner recipes offer a perfect mix of traditional favorites and easy crowd-pleasers.

Whether you’re cooking for a large family gathering or a small celebration, these dishes will help you create a warm, festive, and unforgettable Christmas dinner.

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