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Christmas Holiday Recipes Recommendations

· Modified: by · 3 Comments

It's time to make plans for your holiday gatherings. But you want to spend time with family and friends, not in the kitchen. You need easy great food to celebrate. Here are some of my personal favorites we use for the holiday season.

college image of Christmas Recipe roundup

Table of Contents

Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Introduction

First, please follow your local and state guidelines to keep your family and yourself safe.

While everybody has different traditions, let's look at some of my favorite recipes for the big day. We try to keep Christmas simple food-wise. Thanksgiving is all about food but at Christmas, we want time with each other.

So, while most of the recipes on this site are "Christmas friendly", here are some that you will enjoy along with your family.

Don't forget about food safety. For some quick reminders check Holiday Food Safety

Breakfast Recipes

A great breakfast is a wonderful way to start the holiday morning, but you don't want to be stuck at the stove away from the family. Let's do something special with very little work.

Small Cinnamon Roll Cake
Cinnamon Roll Cake is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. All the wonderful taste of gooey Cinnabon rolls and topped with a drizzle of vanilla icing. This easy smaller recipe is ideal for a small household or quickly doubled to full size.
Check Out This Recipe
Cinnamon Roll Cake from 101 Cooking For Two
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven - Step by Step
Never fry bacon on the stovetop again. Learn to "fry" in the oven—perfect crisp bacon every time with no splatter mess to clean. Just cook it in the oven and do something else for a while—perfect bacon every time.
Check Out This Recipe
pile of cooked bacon on a white plate
How To Cook Sausage in the Oven
Learn how to cook sausage in the oven with this easy oven "fried" method. Make great breakfast sausage, but the same method works just as well for larger sausages like brats, Italian, kielbasa, and other sausages.
Check Out This Recipe
baked sausage on a white plate
Smaller French Toast Casserole
French Toast Casserole is a classic breakfast/brunch dish for family gatherings or holidays. Now you can easily make an amount that fits smaller households. Make it ahead or bake right away with these quick and easy instructions.
Check Out This Recipe
Image of French Toast Casserole on orange plate

Main Dish Recipes

What fun is a holiday if you are stuck in the kitchen? Here are some worthy holiday recommendations that will be that something special you want without too much work.

How to Cook a Turkey Breast the Easy Way
Learn how easy it is to roast the perfect turkey breast with moist meat and crispy skin. Anybody can cook delicious turkey—just follow these simple step-by-step photo instructions.
Check Out This Recipe
turkey slice with gravy on orange plate.
Small Ribeye Roast
Ribeye roast is a classic main entree for special meals. A ribeye roast is Prime Rib without the bone, making it easier to cook and scale to the right size at home.
Check Out This Recipe
slice of Ribeye Roast on a white plate
Smaller Crock Pot Honey Glazed Ham
Crock pot honey glazed ham recipe is one of the easiest recipes you will ever make—a great holiday main dish for a smaller household or as a second meat at the large feast.
Check Out This Recipe
slices of ham with pineapple on white plater
Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak
Learn how to cook the best New York strip steaks in the oven, like the top steakhouses. A short pan-searing on the stovetop, then cook in the oven to your taste. The best NY strip steaks are easy with these simple step-by-step photo instructions.
Check Out This Recipe
NY strip steak cut on an orange plate
Pan Seared Filet Mignon
Learn how to cook the perfect filet mignon in the oven like the best restaurants. A little pan-searing on the stovetop, then cook in the oven for your perfect filet. Never fail results every time that is perfect for two or a crowd.
Check Out This Recipe

Side Dish Recipes

A holiday meal is not complete without some tasty side dishes. Here are some excellent choices that will round out the holiday feast.

Old Fashion Cheesy Potato Casserole
Old fashion cheesy potato casserole is like grandma would make using raw potatoes and other fresh ingredients. One of our favorite side-dishes and is worth the little extra work for the delicious results.
Check Out This Recipe
close up image of cheesy potato casserole on a white plate
Easy Broccoli Slaw
Crunchy and tasty, this old fashion broccoli slaw is everybody's favorite. The one side dish that is at home at a potluck, a picnic, or any holiday gather. Just toss it together in a few minutes.
Check Out This Recipe
Broccoli Slaw mixing in bowl
Green Beans with Bacon
Step up your boring side dishes with these outstanding roasted green beans with bacon with an exceptional sauce.  Ultra easy from fresh or frozen beans, this will be a family staple.
Check Out This Recipe
image of Bacon Green Beans on an orange plate
Old Fashion Scalloped Potatoes
Old Fashion Scalloped Potatoes (AKA Au Gratin Potatoes) just like grandma made are the perfect side dish for almost any meal. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions for this classic homemade dish.
Check Out This Recipe
Scalloped Potatoes in 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.
Check Out This Recipe
Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower from 101 Cooking for Two
Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole
Traditional sweet potato casserole with a pecan topping (or a marshmallow topping) has become an old-fashioned holiday classic. This sweet family favorite can be made ahead with the easy-to-follow step-by-step photo instructions.
Check Out This Recipe

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.

Easy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
Chocolate chip cheesecake is a creamy, decadent dessert but is one of the easiest recipes to make. While it is not "cheesecake for two," it will become your signature dessert for gatherings. Just follow the easy step-by-step photos to impress your friends and family.
Check Out This Recipe
chocolate chip cheese cake on a spatula
Easy Flourless Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache Glaze
It's easy to make this classic, eloquent dessert by following simple step-by-step instructions. Finish with a chocolate ganache glaze, and you have the perfect decadent ending to any special dinner.
Check Out This Recipe
Closeup image of Flourless Chocolate Cake on a spatula
Easy Crock Pot Apple Crisp
Celebrate fall and apples with this easy classic dessert with juicy cinnamon apple filling with a sweet buttery and crispy oat crust. Great for the smaller households but easy to double for larger families. You need 10 minutes of prep time, a few ingredients, and your slow cooker.
Check Out This Recipe
apple crisp with ice cream on an orange plate
Cheesecake Bars
Perfect for any occasion, these creamy New York cheesecake bars will impress your friends and family. Scaled to a smaller occasion but easy to double or freeze.
Check Out This Recipe
Image of a cheesecake bars being held

Holiday Candy

Homemade candy is great to have around the house for the holidays but also makes wonderful house gifts.

Here are two very special recipes to make ahead. The easy fudge recipe includes instructions for a fudge wreath. How is that for the Christmas spirit?

The peanut clusters are made by most of our friends as gifts. It is so easy to make a large amount of great candy.

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.
Check Out This Recipe
white chocolate almond clusters on a white plate
Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Chocolate peanut clusters are the best candy treat and are super easy to make at home in your crock pot. Lightly salted peanuts covered with sweet chocolate coating make the perfect gift, or keep them all for yourself—you can always make more with this smaller recipe.Only a few ingredients.
Check Out This Recipe
red plate full of chocolate peanut clusters
Easy 5-Minute Chocolate Fudge
With only 3 ingredients, you can make the best chocolate fudge. This easy, foolproof 5-minute fudge with sweetened condensed milk never fails and makes perfect holiday gifts, party snacks, or just for you.
Check Out This Recipe
pile of fudge on a white plate
graphic for holiday candy roundup
Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

Have a great holiday.

Molly, Lilly, Wifo, and DrDan

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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

Molly and Lilly with stuffed cats and the Christmas tree

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  1. Jerri

    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

  2. Leslie

    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

      Happy Holidays to You
      Dan