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23 Smaller Christmas Recipes

Last Updated: by · 6 Comments

Christmas is approaching fast, and you're busy—time to plan. It's a day for family, not spending time in the kitchen. Here are my top recipe recommendations for a simple, smaller holiday that will make your celebration easier while helping you avoid leftovers for days.

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College image of Christmas Recipe roundup.
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect.

These are my favorite holiday recipes; while most of the recipes on this site are smaller and easy to make, here are some of the more "special" recipes for a smaller Christmas. We hope you will enjoy the holiday with your family.

Gatherings are ready-made for food safety issues and leftovers at the party. Let's plan for food safety and get it right. Check out the USDA Food Safety recommendations.

Small Breakfast Recipes

A great breakfast is a beautiful way to start the holiday morning, but you want to avoid being stuck at the stove away from the family fun. Let's do something special with very little work that needs to be done on Christmas morning.

Small French Toast Casserole (Easy Recipe from 2 to a Crowd)
An easy small French toast casserole—custardy inside with a crispy top, baked overnight in an 8x8 pan for 4. Scales from two servings to a family brunch.
Small French Toast Casserole
French Toast Casserole on orange plate with syrup.
Small Cinnamon Coffee Cake
With the great taste of Cinnabon cinnamon rolls, this quick and easy Cinnamon Coffee Cake recipe has it all, from buttery and tender cinnamon-swirled cake with carmalized streusel topping and a sweet glaze. An 8X8 small batch recipe that is simple to make smaller or bigger, it is the perfect breakfast, brunch, or dessert recipe for a holiday or everyday.
Small Cinnamon Coffee Cake Recipe
Piece of cinnamon coffee cake on a spatula.
Oven-Baked Bacon (Crispy, Easy, and No Mess)
Cook crispy bacon in the oven in about 20 minutes—no splatter, no flipping, and works with convection or any oven type. Use your favorite bacon for perfect results every time.
Convection Oven Bacon
pile of cooked bacon on a white plate
How to Cook Breakfast Sausage in the Oven (Patties or Links)
Bake breakfast sausage patties or links in the oven for evenly browned, juicy results in about 15 minutes—no splatter and easy cleanup. Larger sausages like Italian or brats cook the same way with a longer time.
Bake Breakfast Sausage Patties
baked sausage on a white plate.

Smaller Main Dish Recipes

These recipes are for special and memorable meals that will keep you out of the kitchen and manageable leftovers.

Small Boneless Prime Rib (Ribeye) Roast
Juicy, tender boneless prime rib (ribeye roast) coated in garlic butter and roasted to perfection. Easy to cook at home for smaller gatherings or holiday dinners.
Small Prime Rib Roast Recipe
slice of Ribeye Roast on a white plate
Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast at 350°F (Easy & Juicy)
Roast a tender, juicy turkey breast in the oven the easy way. One steady 350°F temperature, simple seasoning, and no brining or flipping. Works for bone-in or boneless—always finish at 165°F for perfect results.
Oven Roasted Turlkey Breast Recipe
turkey slice with gravy on orange plate.
Crock Pot Small Ham with Brown Sugar-Honey Glaze
Juicy 2–4 lb boneless ham cooked low and slow in your crock pot with a brown sugar-honey glaze and pineapple. Easy, hands-off, and perfect for holidays or smaller gatherings.
Small Honey Glazed Ham Recipe
slices of ham with pineapple on white plater
How to Cook Filet Mignon in the Oven (Pan-Sear & Bake Recipe)
Juicy filet mignon cooked at home with the classic pan-sear and oven-bake method. Perfect results in under 20 minutes — just sear, bake, and rest.
How to Cook Filet Mignon
seared filet on a white plate with potatoes
Pan Seared New York Strip Steak (Finish in Oven)
Pan sear New York strip steaks, then finish in the oven for juicy, tender results — about 6 minutes to medium-rare. Simple steakhouse technique for home cooks.
Pan Seared Strip Steak
NY strip steak cut on an orange plate

Side Dish Recipes

Complete your holiday meal with some tasty side dishes. Here are some excellent choices that will round out the holiday feast—all easy to make or make ahead.

Cheesy Potatoes with Real Potatoes (No Soup, From Scratch)
Creamy, cheesy comfort food made from scratch—no canned soup or frozen hash browns. Real potatoes, sour cream, and cheddar baked until golden and bubbly.
Cheesy Potatoes with Real Potatoes
Cheesy potato casserole on a white plate.
Broccoli Slaw Salad
Broccoli Slaw Salad has great crunch and flavor. It has broccoli slaw salad, veggies, almonds, and rice noodles. The homemade dressing is a delicious touch.
Broccoli Slaw Salad Recipe
broccoli slaw salad in a metal bowl
Baked Green Beans with Bacon
Baked Green Beans with Bacon are the perfect side dish with any meal—an easy green bean recipe with brown sugar, garlic, bacon, and tender green beans.
Baked Green Beans with Bacon
green beans with bacon on an orange plate
Old-Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes (Traditional & Creamy)
Thin-sliced potatoes baked in a cheesy milk sauce—no canned soup, just the traditional method done right. Easy to scale from two servings to family size, creamy every time.
Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes in a casserole dish.
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
This caramelized Parmesan roasted cauliflower recipe will become your favorite way to cook cauliflower. Using fresh or frozen, it makes a great hot baked side dish.
Roasted Cauliflower
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower from 101 Cooking for Two
Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole (Traditional Thanksgiving Recipe)
Old fashioned sweet potato casserole is a traditional Thanksgiving favorite — make it for two or a crowd, with a pecan or marshmallow topping.
Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Sweet potato casserole on a white plate
Easy Dinner Rolls (Quick 60-Minute Recipe)
Soft, buttery, homemade dinner rolls ready in just 60 minutes—perfect quick dinner rolls for weeknights, holidays, or any time you need fresh bread fast. Make 12 rolls or cut the recipe in half for 6.
Dinner Roll Recipe
Bowl of dinner rolls.

Dessert Recipes

Let's get a sweet ending to the family feast. You want a memorable dessert to top off the day. All of these recipes are guaranteed to satisfy.

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Small Batch Apple Crisp (Easy Fall Dessert for Two or More)
A small old-fashioned apple crisp recipe made with 2–3 apples and a buttery crumb topping. Easy to make and scales for households of two or more.
Small Batch Apple Crisp
apple crisp on a white plate.
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake or Cheesecake Bars
This easy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake recipe can be made as a whole cheesecake or, as we prefer, impressive Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars. It is simple and almost foolproof, using cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and an Oreo crust. Please try our go-to recipe for parties or take-a-dish occasions.
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake and Bars
Chocolate chip cheesecake bars on a platter square view.
Crock Pot Apple Crisp (Small Batch or Full-Size)
An easy crock pot apple crisp recipe with oats and cinnamon. Make a small batch for two or a full-size dessert—no oven needed.
Crock Pot Apple Crisp
Apple crisp with ice cream.

Holiday Candy

Homemade candy is great around the house for the holidays and makes terrific house gifts.

Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters (Easy 4-Ingredient Candy)
Sweet and salty crock pot chocolate peanut clusters with just 4 ingredients. Simple slow cooker candy—great for holiday gifts or parties.
Chocolate Peanut Cluster Recipe
Crock pot chocolate peanut clusters on parchment paper.
Easy 5-Minute Fudge (3 Ingredient Recipe)
Foolproof 5-minute chocolate fudge made with only 3 ingredients: chips, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla. Great for holidays, gifts, or anytime you need chocolate.
5-Minute Fudge
pile of fudge on a white plate.
Crock Pot White Chocolate Almond Clusters
Super easy and delicious white chocolate almond clusters are the perfect gift for the holidays or for any special occasion. Simple with these step by step photo instruction for the perfect white chocolate candy.
White Chocolate Almond Cluster Recipe
white chocolate almond clusters on a white plate
graphic for holiday candy roundup

🐕For the party animals

Don't forget the dog treats.

Low-Fat Homemade Dog Treats—Healthy & Delicious
Low Fat Homemade Dog Treats are the perfect low-calorie treat for your dog. With only five ingredients, your dog will love the peanut butter and pumpkin taste. Much healthier than commercial treats—any veterinarian would approve.
Low Fat Dog Treat Recipe
Pile of homemade dog treats on a wire rack
Molly and Lilly with stuffed cats and the Christmas tree
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Have a great holiday.

Molly, Lilly, Wifo, and DrDan

Editor's Note: Originally Published December 20, 2017. It is one of my recurring posts that will be updated and republished about this time yearly

More Holiday Recipes

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  1. Dolores jacklin says

    At 95 I'm still cooking with the help of the slow cooker, air fryer/oven and your recipes to make my life interesting.and healthier. My grown sons still get an occasional meal when they see the larger slow cooker on the counter. Thanks and blessings to you. Dolores

    Reply

    • Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says

      Hi Dolores,

      You have made my day. This is exactly the purpose of the blog—to make living small easier and more enjoyable.

      Thanks for the note, and have a joyous holiday season.

      Dan

  2. Catherine says

    Aloha Dr. Dan, Wifo, Molly and Lilly,
    Happy Holidays to All My husband and I Love your recipes. It’s just
    the two of us so I Love crock pot recipes. Everything I have made
    of your recipes is super great. Wishing you a Safe Holiday Season
    Aloha Catherine and Ric

    Reply

  3. Jerri says

    Merry Christmas, DrDan! I just wanted to say thank you for your efforts in the kitchen to give us great and simple recipes with your tips on making them work!

    Reply

  4. Leslie says

    I have used your menu ideas and recipes for several years, my family thinks I am a foodnetwork star. Thank you for all your hard work

    Reply

    • DrDan says

      Happy Holidays to You
      Dan