Christmas is coming, and it’s time to be merry: We’re still here, and this wild year is almost behind us. No matter which winter holiday you celebrate, feast well with this recipe collection.
Well, a lot of things! You’ll probably see glazed ham, Brussels sprouts, apple pie, and eggnog, to name a few.
But honestly, it’s totally up to you what you want your Christmas spread to look like. If you want to skip the hard part (figuring out what the heck to cook), the menu below covers all the important bases.
Baked Brie with jam and nuts
This baked brie takes just 15 minutes to put together, with a yummy fruit and nut topping.
Apple, cranberry, and pepita green salad
This elevated green salad incorporates seasonal ingredients in holiday hues.
Pear, bleu cheese and candied pecan salad
Fall fruit and strong cheese meet sweet candied pecans in this quick seasonal salad.
Maple butter roasted acorn squash
Five ingredients. Fifteen minutes. What’s not to love?
Roasted balsamic Brussels sprouts
A honey and balsamic sauce that caramelizes, while the sprouts roast gives this the perfect sweet-tart note.
Easy homestyle mashed potatoes
This classic take includes a list of possible flavorful add-ins, like roasted garlic, crème fraîche, and fresh herbs.
Saffron rice with asparagus
Done in 30 minutes, this doubles as a vegan risotto-style main.
Instant Pot whole chicken
Thirty-minutes-and-done roast chicken seasoned with lemon and fresh herbs.
Honey Dijon crockpot ham
Ten minutes to prep and hands-off cooking means you can get everything else ready.
Cinnamon white chocolate cheesecake
This no-bake, six-ingredient cheesecake is done in 15 minutes, vegan, and gluten-free.
Roast Christmas goose
Take your cooking talents up a notch by cooking a whole goose. Don’t be intimidated. Simply Recipes’ take gives easy, step-by-step instructions.
Roast duck with honey balsamic glaze
Roast duck with honey balsamic sauce makes an easy yet impressive holiday main.
Sicilian fish stew
Who says you can’t have fish on Christmas? Celebrate your holidays with this flavor-packed stew that feeds a crowd.
Glazed baked ham
If your main priority is to chill this Christmas, might we suggest baking a ham? There’s very little work involved and it won’t break the bank.
No-fail roast chicken with lemon and garlic
We can’t stress enough how easy this baked chicken recipe is to make. With the nine steps clearly outlined in short videos, Bon Appétit isn’t lying when they say it’s “no-fail.”
Cranberry pork roast
Easy to make yet festive enough for the holiday table, this pork roast has a tangy sweet kick to it.
Roasted beef tenderloin deluxe
Oven-roasted beef served with a rich red wine-butter sauce? Yes, please.
Baked ham with honey mustard and apples
Stuffing apple slices inside a honey-baked ham is the perfect extra touch.
Spinach artichoke enchiladas
Topped with a homemade red sauce, these enchiladas are vegetarian-friendly and totally delicious.
Veggie Wellington
Made with store-bought puff pastry, this hearty plant-based main is as easy as it is elegant.
Crispy smashed potatoes with garlic pesto
Smashed potatoes are slathered with bright green, herby pesto for a dish that looks truly irresistible.
Winter citrus, roast beets, and avocado salad
Citrus, avocado and roasted beets make a festive light side salad.
Easy Parmesan roasted cauliflower
Easy, flavorful, and simple enough to complement a wide range of winter holiday mains. Plus, the Parm definitely doesn’t hurt.
Roasted stuffed butternut squash
This seasonal side dish from Minimalist Baker is a lot simpler than it looks. Hearty and vegan, every type of guest can enjoy it.
Roasted carrots with farro, chickpeas, and crème fraîche
When’s the last time you roasted carrots whole? The diversity of ingredients in this fancy-sounding dish is guaranteed to impress guests.
Instant Pot wild rice with mushrooms
Fifteen minutes of prep time, and your Instant Pot will bake this umami-rich wild rice pilaf.
Sweet corn spoonbread casserole
Southern-style corn pudding spiced with roasted poblano chili peppers and smothered with cheese. No, you’re not dreaming.
Amazing green bean casserole from scratch
This recipe gives the tired green bean casserole routine a glamorous makeover and the results are worth trying for yourself.
Roasted root vegetables with maple and pear vanilla butter
If your spread needs a sweet, earthy complementary dish, consider adding this original root veggie medley to the menu.
Twice baked potatoes with bacon
If there’s one potato dish you should try this year, let it be this decadent holiday favorite.
White cheddar truffle mac and cheese
This truffle mac and cheese might become your new favorite.
Cranberry meatballs
Swedish meatballs get a seasonal kick in this slow cooker Christmas appetizer.
Pizza bites wreath
Store-bought shortcuts make this festive pizza wreath do-able for a busy holiday season.
Slow cooker stuffing
Moist without being soggy, this crockpot stuffing dish is a keeper.
Chocolate Guinness crockpot beef stew
A classic dish gets an unusual treatment in this dark, rich winter stew.
Classic lasagna
This hearty holiday lasagna comes together in 30 minutes and serves 12.
Savory mushroom stew
Red wine, rosemary, two kinds of mushrooms, and carrots combine for a big-batch vegan Christmas main.
Swiss chard and kale gratin
Two healthy greens get baked in a creamy sauce and topped with crunchy breadcrumbs.
Slow cooker green bean casserole
A slow cooker helps this popular side dish come together quickly.
Christmas cranberry pudding with butter sauce
The cranberry-studded, buttery molasses cake is a decadent Christmas dessert.
Peppermint cheesecake trifle
This Christmas layered trifle for 20 comes together quickly using store-bought ingredients.
Vegan pecan pie
Don’t let the word vegan throw you off. This pecan pie is as rich and melt-in-your-mouth as it gets.
Red velvet cake with Ermine frosting
Fun fact: Ermine frosting — made with milk and flour — is the OG frosting used for red velvet cake. Go ahead, give this lavish classic a spin.
Spelt flour gingerbread cake with caramelized pears
Caramelized pears and mascarpone frosting make this special enough for holiday tables.
Christmas yule log (Bûche de Noël)
A beginner-friendly recipe for Bûche de Noël, it’s a rolled cake decorated with woodland-inspired garnishes.
Vegan pecan pie
Don’t let the word vegan throw you off. This pecan pie is as rich and melt-in-your-mouth as it gets.
Dark chocolate truffle tart
This is borderline food porn (OK, maybe not borderline). Decadent doesn’t even begin to explain it. Chocolate lovers, rejoice.
Apple pie
Did you know the iconic American dessert actually originated in England in the 14th century? Apples aren’t even from North America! Anyway, try this pie, it’s a delight.
Cranberry chai spice thumbprint cookies
Add these adorable little festive treats to your holiday cookie platter, and win the hearts of all.
Gingerbread cookies
The key ingredient in gingerbread, molasses, give these cookies their classic rich, earthy flavor. Also, the coconut oil in this recipe adds a nice touch.
Cranberry orange biscotti with white chocolate drizzle
Long-lasting biscotti with seasonal flavors and a snowy white chocolate drizzle.
Italian Christmas cookies
Popular in Italian households, these soft, sugary cookies have a secret ingredient: anise!
Mulled wine
It’s deeply unfair that spiced mulled wine only shows up around Christmas time. But we’ll get all we can take while it’s socially acceptable.
Homemade gingerbread latte
Sweetened with molasses and gingerbread spices, this latte is the perfect Christmas morning drink!
Hot chocolate on a stick
Never heard of hot chocolate on a stick? The concept is pretty clever. You make cubes of chocolate with an ice tray mold so that when you want a mug of hot cocoa all you have to do is add water.
Peppermint white hot chocolate
Flavored with peppermint extract and topped with crushed mints, this is Christmas in a mug.
Pro tip: Add a shot of bourbon or whiskey for extra holiday cheer.
Vegan eggnog
Classic eggnog is amazing. Don’t get us wrong. But all that egg and dairy makes it hard to drink more than one. This plant-based alternative is lighter, aka easier to put down.
Traditional eggnog
It’s been a hard year. Treat yourself to the true holiday treat.
Sparkling Christmas punch
A 5-minute, big-batch punch with cran-orange flavors. Careful not to overdo it. There’s more alcohol in there than you think.
Holiday cranberry mojito
With tart cranberries, lime, and fresh mint, this is the perfect pitcher drink for the holidays.
The ultimate holiday sangria recipe
This red sangria features seasonal pomegranate seeds and pear.
Gingerbread White Russian
The holidays are all about decadence, and so is this creamy, festive cocktail. The Dude would approve.
