Christmas Holiday Recipes Recommendations

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

Breakfast Recipes
Main Dish Recipes
Side Dish Recipes
Dessert Recipes
Holiday Candy

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.

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.

How to Cook Bacon in the Oven

Learn to bake perfect crispy and delicious bacon in the oven with no splatter mess to clean up. Super easy, just pop it in the oven and do something else for a while—perfect bacon every time.

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.

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.

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 Roast Turkey Breasts the Easy Way

Learn the easiest way to learn how to cook a turkey breast in an oven to perfection. A great alternative to a full-size turkey for smaller households or as supplemental white meat at a larger Thanksgiving feast.

turkey slice with gravy on orange plate.

Small Ribeye Roast

Ribeye roast is a classic main entree for a special holiday or family meals.. Learn to cook a smaller version of this delicious meal without eating leftovers for a week.

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.

slices of ham with pineapple on white plater

Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak

Learn how to cook New York strip steaks in the oven like the best steakhouses. A little 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

Easy sweet potato casserole with your choice of a pecan or marshmallow topping will become a family favorite. A classic holiday side that will have them asking for the recipe.

Close up image of a large serving of sweet potato cassierole on a white plate

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

Absolutely awesome "REAL" cheesecake. Not one of those "no-cook" pie pan things. And it is easy... so easy with only six ingredients. This will be your new "take to the party" signature dessert.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

A high-end restaurant dessert, this super easy flourless chocolate cake makes the perfect dessert for a special meal or someone special. Even the beginner can bake this wonderful cake. Make this your special signature dessert.

Crock Pot Apple Crisp

Celebrate fall and apples with this easy classic dessert with juicy cinnamon apple filling topped with a sweet buttery, and crispy oat crust. Great for the smaller households but easy to double for larger families. All you need is 10 minute prep time, a few ingredients, and your slow cooker.

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.

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.

white chocolate almond clusters on a white plate

Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Chocolate peanut clusters make the perfect holiday sweet treat. With just 5 minutes of preparation time, three ingredients, and your crock pot, your delicious chocolate peanut clusters make the perfect holiday gift, a cookie exchange, or a treat for the office Christmas party.

Chocolate Peanut Clusters on a red plate

Easy Chocolate Fudge

With only 3 ingredients, you can make the best chocolate fudge. This easy, foolproof recipe never fails and makes perfect holiday gifts, party snacks, or just for you.

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

Molly and Lilly with stuffed cats and the Christmas tree

Comments

Jerri

December 21, 2021 at 9:30 pm

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!

Leslie

December 27, 2017 at 11:36 pm

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

- DrDan
  
  December 28, 2017 at 7:45 am
  
  Happy Holidays to You
  Dan