95 Impressive Christmas Dinner Ideas

Baked Ham with Pineapple

I first learned the technique for baked ham with pineapple for a themed dinner my husband and I hosted. Since it is widely known as the symbol of hospitality, pineapple was the star ingredient on our menu and on this lovely baked ham. —JoAnn Fox, Johnson City, Tennessee

Peppery Roast Beef

With its spicy coating and creamy horseradish sauce, this tender roast is sure to be the star of any meal. —Maureen Brand, Somers, Iowa

Want more? Check out these showstopping beef recipes for Christmas.

Best Dinner Rolls

These are the best dinner rolls around. If you can’t decide which enticing topping to choose, just use them all.—Christina Pittman, Parkville, Missouri

End the meal with these impressive Christmas dessert ideas.

Mulled Wine

This mulled wine is soothing and satisfying with a delightful blend of spices warmed to perfection. Refrigerating the wine mixture overnight allows the flavors to blend, so don’t omit this essential step. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Green Bean Bundles

I found this recipe in a rural newspaper years ago and have made it often. The bean bundles are excellent with chicken or beef. Sometimes I’ll arrange them around a mound of wild rice to make an appetizing side dish. —Virginia Stadler, Nokesville, Virginia

Duck with Orange Hazelnut Stuffing

For more than half a century, this elegant entree has graced my family’s holiday table. The zesty stuffing with its nice nutty crunch complements the slices of moist duck, while the hint of orange in the gravy sets it apart.

Vegetable Tian

This colorful, hearty and delicious Vegetable Tian originated in Provence, France. A mandoline makes easy work of slicing all the vegetables, but if you don’t have one, a knife will work well. —Francine Lizotte, Surrey, British Columbia

Looking for more global inspo for your holidays? Try these Christmas recipes from around the world.

Peppercorn Beef Top Loin Roast

A red wine sauce complements the brown sugar rub on the roast in this inviting entree. It’s easy and elegant—one of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Pear and Gorgonzola Salad

When it comes to Christmas dinner ideas, don’t count out salad! This quick, easy recipe really showcases pears. —Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina

Roasted Sage Turkey with Vegetable Gravy

There’s no prep like home-style when roasting the big bird. Instead of sage stuffing with turkey, fill this bird with fresh sage and thyme sprigs for the same delicious flavors. —Beth Jacobson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Don’t miss the best Christmas recipes from every state.

Pomegranate-Hazelnut Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I converted many people to Brussels sprouts with this recipe, and it has since become my most requested dish. The richness of the hazelnuts and the sweetness of pomegranate and orange elevate the sprouts to a new level. —Melanie Stevenson, Reading, Pennsylvania

Holiday Herb-Cheese Rolls

These rolls are flavored with garlic, dill and cheese—they’re yummy even without butter! When you’re looking for Christmas dinner ideas, you can’t go wrong prepping a batch of these. —Nancy Boyd, Midlothian, Virginia

Spiral Ham with Cranberry Glaze

The sweet, tangy glaze that complements this ham looks so pretty, and the cranberry flavor pairs well with the meat. It’s been a tradition in my home for as long as I can remember. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

These tender crab-stuffed mushrooms with their crispy golden topping are always popular at parties! The crab filling is a delicious special occasion treat. Serve them while they’re warm. —Nancy Aiello, Bloomery, West Virginia

Homemade Manicotti

These tender manicotti are much easier to stuff than the purchased variety. People are always amazed when I say I make my own noodles. My son fixed this recipe for several of his friends, and they were extremely impressed with his cooking skills. —Sue Ann Bunt, Painted Post, New York

This recipe is a great vegetarian option for the holidays. Check out more vegetarian recipes for Christmas.

Elegant Green Beans

Mushrooms and water chestnuts give new life to ordinary green bean casserole. Every time I make it for friends, I'm asked to share the recipe. —Linda Poe, Sandstone, Minnesota

Honey-Glazed Turkey

Even during the holidays, my husband wouldn't eat turkey...until I tried this recipe. Now, he loves it! The sweet and spicy turkey glaze gives the bird a wonderful flavor. —Mary Smolka, Spring Grove, Illinois

Glazed Marsala Carrots with Hazelnuts

This makes an elegant side dish for company and is easy enough to make when you want to serve something special on a weeknight. Marsala wine makes it so deliciously different and unlike any other carrot recipe you’ve tasted. —Barbara Morris, South Amboy, New Jersey

Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables

I appreciate this recipe because it includes a side dish of roasted potatoes, brussels sprouts and carrots, giving me one less dish to think about!
—Janet Tucker, Bellevue, Ohio

Sweet Potato Pilaf

The combination of sweet potatoes, bacon, asparagus and kale makes this simple Sweet Potato Kale Pilaf taste amazing! To save time and dishes, you can easily cook the rice in an Instant Pot and also use it to saute the other ingredients. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Crown Roast with Apricot Dressing

I have been making crown roasts for many years but was only satisfied with the results when I combined a few recipes to come up with this guest-pleasing version. It’s beautifully roasted with an apricot glaze and a nicely browned stuffing. —Isabell Cooper, Cambridge, Nova Scotia

Apple-Glazed Ham

Each Christmas I’m asked to prepare this apple glazed ham. I’m happy to oblige because it is easy to assemble, bakes for a few hours unattended and is simply delicious. —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia

Parmesan Butternut Squash

Butternut squash sprinkled with Parmesan and bread crumbs makes a superb side dish we love to share. Using the microwave cuts down on long roasting time. —Jackie O’Callaghan, West Lafayette, Indiana

Herb-Glazed Turkey

Honey and corn syrup blend with savory herbs and seasonings to give my turkey a slightly sweet flavor. My tried-and-true recipe never fails to win compliments. —Charlene Melenka, Vegreville, Alberta

Roasted Apple Salad with Spicy Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

We bought loads of apples and needed to use them. To help the flavors come alive, I roasted the apples and tossed them with a sweet dressing. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina

Standing Rib Roast

This standing rib roast recipe is practically foolproof. Treat your family to tender slices of standing rib roast or use the seasoning blend on a different beef roast for a hearty, delicious main dish. I love to prepare this recipe for special occasions. —Lucy Meyring, Walden, Colorado

Bacon and Broccoli Salad

You'll want to serve this family-friendly broccoli salad with bacon year-round. The broccoli gets a big-time flavor boost from bacon, toasted pecans, dried berries and a mayo dressing. —Cindi Read, Hendersonville, Tennessee

Baked Ham with Honey-Chipotle Glaze

Your Easter celebration will be so simple to orchestrate with this sweet, smoky ham recipe at your fingertips. It feeds a crowd and the baked ham glaze tastes fantastic. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Granny’s Apple Scalloped Potatoes

This scalloped potatoes with apples dish is delicious with baked breaded pork chops, which you could cook at the same time in another cast-iron pan. We are retired, so it's just the two of us, but you could easily double the recipe to serve a crowd. —Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida

Cranberry-Stuffed Beef Tenderloin

Fresh cranberries and cranberry juice lend a satisfying sweet-tart taste to this Christmas dinner idea. Serving plated dishes to guests makes for a pretty presentation.—Carolyn Cope, Allston, Maryland

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pears

This year I decided to create this roasted Brussels sprouts with pears recipe for Thanksgiving dinner. This easy dish uses only a handful of ingredients but still feels special. Apples, fresh figs and pecans are also delicious with these sprouts. —David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington

Holiday Herb-Cheese Rolls

These low-fat hot rolls are flavored with garlic, dill and cheese—they’re yummy even without butter! Or stuff with your favorite fixings for mini sandwiches.
—NANCY BOYD, MIDLOTHIAN, VIRGINIA

Cocoa Spiced Salmon

You simply can’t beat salmon from the Pacific Northwest waters. Family and friends go salmon fishing all the time and share their bounty. Inspired by the flavors of a Mexican mole, I came up with this blend for salmon and it is a perfect accent to this wonderful fish. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington

California Roast Lamb

This recipe is very easy to make and requires little attention (just what you need during a busy holiday season!). It goes well with any rice dish, and it’s perfect for just about any occasion.

Butternut Squash Custard

My husband first tasted this comforting casserole more than 10 years ago when he was still my fiance. Having enjoyed it so much, he said I needed to offer it at every Thanksgiving dinner. I was happy to oblige!—Maura Calusdian, Londonderry, New Hampshire

Cranberry Fluff Salad

It wasn’t the holidays without my grandmother’s cool and tangy cranberry fluff. With only four ingredients, it’s a cinch to make. Now my siblings and I carry on her tradition. —Leah Nicholes, San Diego, California

Apple & Herb Roasted Turkey

My daughter loves to help me make this moist apple turkey. Her job is to hand Mommy the ingredients—if she doesn’t eat them first! —Kimberly Jackson, Gay, Georgia

Stilton, Bacon & Garlic Smashed Potatoes

Bold, savory flavor from bacon, Stilton cheese and fresh garlic take mashed potatoes to a whole new level. This side dish is so rich and satisfying, it could be eaten as an entree! —Jamie Brown-Miller, Napa, California

Roast Rosemary Leg of Lamb

Roast lamb is perfect for Easter time or any special occasion. This succulent rosemary leg of lamb recipe calls for a flavorful rosemary, garlic and onion rub. —Suzy Horvath, Milwaukie, Oregon

Four-Cheese Sausage Rigatoni

To make this twist on traditional baked pasta, we start with creamy goat cheese and build from there with mozzarella, ricotta and Parmesan cheese. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohio

Balsamic Purple Potatoes

I volunteered at a local organic farm in exchange for fresh produce, and I was given purple potatoes. I wanted to cook something new and use herbs from our garden. Coming from the Midwest, adding vinegar to potato recipes has always been a hit, especially with fries! —Kristin Schultz, Manor, Texas

Herb-Crusted Prime Rib

Prime rib always makes an impression on a holiday dinner table. But it’s actually easy to prepare. This roast is wonderfully flavored with a prime rib rub featuring lots of fresh herbs. —Jennifer Dennis, Alhambra, California

Learn how to cook prime rib with this step-by-step guide from our Test Kitchen.

Honey-Mustard Brussels Sprouts Salad

Even if you dislike Brussels sprouts salad, you will love this dish. The dressing is truly tasty, and it pairs so nicely with the apples, grapes and walnuts. You can also add whatever cheese, nuts or fruit you prefer. —Sheila Sturrock, Coldwater, Ontario

Cranberry Ricotta Gnocchi with Brown Butter Sauce

To make light and airy gnocchi, work quickly and handle the dough as little as possible. You’ll be pleased with the resulting pillowy dumplings. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan

Five-Cheese Ziti al Forno

After having the five-cheese ziti at Olive Garden, I tried to make my own version of it—and I think I got pretty close. I always double this when I’m making it and freeze the second one for another meal. —Keri Whitney, Castro Valley, California

Traditional Holiday Stuffing

Sausage and sage add a gourmet taste to this stuffing. It's perfect for large family gatherings, but you can also save some for later. —Lorraine Brauckhoff, Zolfo Springs, Florida

Grandma’s Rosemary Dinner Rolls

My grandma (I called her Baba) made these in her coal oven. How she regulated the temperature is beyond me! She always made extra rolls for the neighbors to bake in their own ovens. At lunchtime, my mom and aunts delivered the formed rolls. —Charlotte Hendershot, Hudson, Pennsylvania

Beef Wellington with Madeira Sauce

You can make this very impressive-looking (yet easy-to-make) beef Wellington with Madeira sauce ahead of time. Just finish the baking process when your guests arrive. —Janaan Cunningham

Warm Tasty Greens with Garlic

My farm box had too many greens, so I had to use them up. This tasty idea uses kale, tomatoes and garlic in a dish that quickly disappears. —Martha Neth, Aurora, Colorado

Sweet Potato & Chipotle Casserole

Sweet potato marshmallow casserole is old-school. My sweet potatoes with a streusel topping is a blockbuster. Everyone who tries it gives it two thumbs up. —Diana Malach, Vancouver, Washington

Holiday Creamed Spinach

My mother made a variety of spinach dishes when I was growing up. This rich, delicious creamed version is the only one that stayed with me through the years.—Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

Plum-Glazed Lamb

Fruity and flavorful, this wonderful glaze is simple to prepare, and its hint of garlic really complements the lamb. The recipe makes enough glaze to baste the lamb during roasting and leaves plenty to pass when serving —Ann Eastman, Greenville, California

Potatoes Romanoff

I like to serve potatoes Romanoff with steak and green beans, but it’s a dish that pairs nicely with just about any roasted or grilled meat. Sometimes I assemble the casserole in advance so I just have to pop it in the oven when I get home. –Rita Deere, Evansville, Indiana

Marinated Beef Tenderloin

My three grown children and grandkids enjoy this tempting beef tenderloin marinade. Leftovers make wonderful sandwiches with fresh bread and Dijon mustard. I sometimes substitute a marinated eye of round roast. —Connie Scheffer, Salina, Kansas

Cranberry-Orange Roast Ducklings

I came up with this recipe few years ago. The first time I served it, there wasn't a speck of food left on the platter and I knew I had a winning recipe. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Creamed Spinach with Parmesan

Cooked spinach makes a perfect accompaniment to many entrees, especially salmon.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Pressure-Cooker Mushroom Pork Ragout

Savory, quickly made pork is luscious served in a delightful tomato gravy over noodles. It’s a nice change from regular pork roast. I serve it with broccoli or green beans on the side. —Connie McDowell, Greenwood, Delaware.

Chestnut Dressing

I enjoyed this chestnut stuffing when I spent my first Thanksgiving with my husband, Mike. It’s a family recipe his mother has been making for years. Italian seasoning and chestnuts add flavor and texture. —Sharon Brunner, Mohnton, Pennsylvania

Crab-Stuffed Manicotti

I love pasta, and my husband loves seafood. I combined them to create this dish, and he raved that it’s the best meal ever. —Sonya Polfliet, Anza, California

Braciole

In our family braciole was served as a special treat for birthdays and holidays. It was Grandma’s specialty and the preparation was time-consuming. When the meat and sauce were fully cooked, Grandma called us into the kitchen to watch her lift the big braciole roll from the sauce to the cutting board to slice it. The pinwheels of meat, laid side by side on the platter, topped with Grandma’s delicious sauce, made a colorful picture. —Cookie Curci, San Jose, California

Grilled Cauliflower Wedges

This side is incredibly easy, yet is packed with flavor and looks like a dish from a five-star restaurant. The grill leaves the cauliflower cooked but crisp, and the red pepper flakes add bite. —Carmel Hall, San Francisco, California

Crunchy Spinach Casserole

Our holidays would not be the same without this family tradition. My mother made it every Thanksgiving when I was growing up; now I make it every Christmas as well, and my children and grandchildren absolutely love it! We triple the recipe because the kids can’t get enough. —Sharon Scaletta, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Holiday Crown Pork Roast

Crown roast makes a regal Christmas dinner. Flavored with rosemary, sage and thyme, it’s elegant and simple, a real blessing during the hectic holidays. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

Pomegranate-Glazed Green Beans

Green beans are a popular vegetable in our house. They get a nice zing from this slightly tangy glaze featuring fruit juices, vinegar, maple syrup and seasonings.—Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Pork Tenderloins with Wild Rice

Apricots say sweet things to earthy herbs in this gravy-licious meal. Remember this recipe—it’s worthy of a weekend celebration. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

White Seafood Lasagna

We make lasagna with shrimp and scallops as part of the traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes. Every bite delivers a tasty “jewel” from the sea. —Joe Colamonico, North Charleston, South Carolina

Broccoli with Garlic, Bacon & Parmesan

My approach to this broccoli is to cook it slowly in the seasonings so the garlic blends with smoky bacon. A few simple ingredients make ordinary broccoli irresistible. —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

Glazed Cornish Hens

If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your holiday dinner table, we suggest these Cornish game hens topped with a sweet apricot glaze. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Italian Herb-Crusted Pork Loin

I like to change things up during the holidays with pork loin recipes that incorporate my favorite herbs and veggies. This showpiece dish really dazzles my family. —Kim Palmer, Kingston, Georgia

Lemon Herbed Salmon

We sometimes send our delicious Washington salmon all the way to Michigan for my sister to use in this family-favorite dish! The tasty topping can be used on other types of fish, too. Fresh thyme from your garden really sparks the flavor. —Perlene Hoekema, Lynden, Washington

Beef Bolognese with Linguine

After much research, tasting and tweaking, I finally came up with this beef bolognese recipe that is based on a dish from an Italian restaurant where I worked. It’s perfect for feeding a house full of guests. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey

Roasted Citrus & Herb Turkey

Thanksgiving has never been the same since I tried this recipe. I have made it for the past three years, and it never fails to impress both in presentation and taste. This is a true showstopper! —Nancy M. Niemerg, Dieterich, Illinois

Twice-Baked Cheddar Potato Casserole

Bacon, cheddar and sour cream turn ordinary potatoes into an extraordinary twice baked potato casserole. It’s one of our family’s beloved standards for the holidays. —Kyle Cox, Scottsdale, Arizona

Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry-Orange Relish

I like how grilled pork and fruit bring out the best in each other. If you have leftover relish, break out the tortilla chips! —Cindy Esposito, Bloomfield, New Jersey

Merry Berry Salad

Dried cranberries, crunchy apple chunks and toasted almonds dress up this crisp green salad. It's drizzled with a sweet-tart dressing that's a snap to blend. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Apricot Ginger Mustard-Glazed Ham

Although I usually buy spiral-sliced hams, I decided to do a home-baked ham with a gingery glaze. This is how you do special-occasion dining. —Ally Phillips, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

Hot Chocolate

Roasted Acorn Squash & Brussels Sprouts

I love creating dishes with few ingredients and easy steps, like squash with Brussels sprouts. Maple syrup adds a slight sweetness, and pecans give it a toasty crunch. —Angela LeMoine, Howell, New Jersey

Garlic Herbed Beef Tenderloin

You don't need much seasoning to add flavor to this beef tenderloin recipe. The mild blending of rosemary, basil and garlic does the trick. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington

Sausage and Cornbread Dressing

At our house, we add sausage and a little steak sauce to this cornbread dressing for a meal that warms cold winter nights. —Mandy Nall, Montgomery, Alabama

Holiday Brussels Sprouts

Make Brussels sprouts special with peas, celery and, of course, bacon. The recipe doubles easily if needed. —Jodie Beckman, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Wassail

This traditional wassail recipe came from a dear friend in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where we lived for many years. Because it’s warm, wonderful and non-alcoholic, we’ve even served it at church. This wassail drink is also perfect for a holiday open house. —Maryellen Hays, Wolcottville, Indiana

Honey Whole Wheat Pan Rolls

With their pleasant wheat flavor and a honey of a glaze, these rolls impress my guests. Every time I take them to potluck dinners, I come home with an empty pan. —Nancye Thompson, Paducah, Kentucky

Triple Mash with Horseradish Bread Crumbs

Why settle for traditional mashed potatoes when you can enjoy three times the flavor? Combine spuds with rutabaga and parsnips, along with the zip of horseradish, for a tasty treat. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Crown Roast of Pork with Mushroom Dressing

It looks so elegant that everyone thinks I spent a lot of time on this roast. But it's actually so easy! The biggest challenge is to remember to order the crown roast from the meat department ahead of time. —Betty Claycomb, Alverton, Pennsylvania

Perfect Winter Salad

This is my most-requested salad recipe. Serve it as side salad along with your holiday meal, or enjoy it for lunch the next day with cubed turkey or chicken on top. —DeNae Shewmake, Burnsville, Minnesota

Golden Apricot-Glazed Turkey Breast

Basted with a simple glaze, this wonderfully moist and tender turkey bakes to a lovely golden brown. Make it the centerpiece of your holiday table; guests will be glad you did. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas

Spaetzle Dumplings

These tender homemade spaetzle noodles take only minutes to make and are a natural accompaniment to chicken. You can serve them with chicken gravy or simply butter them and sprinkle with parsley. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio

Thyme-Roasted Carrots

Cutting the carrots lengthwise makes this dish look extra pretty. For a little more elegance and color, garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme or parsley. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri

Chocolate Martini Recipe

Is it a beverage or a dessert? Don’t let its looks fool you: This chocolate martini recipe is potent but good! —Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona

Brown Rice and Vegetables

This filling rice dish, full of big chunks of butternut squash and sweet potatoes, is a standout combination of sweet and savory flavors. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Easy & Elegant Tenderloin Roast

I love the simplicity of this easy beef tenderloin recipe. Olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper—just add the tenderloin and pop it in the oven. In an hour or so you’ve got an impressive main dish to feed a crowd. This leaves you with more time to visit with family and less time fussing in the kitchen. —Mary Kandell, Huron, Ohio

Three-Cheese Meatball Mostaccioli

When my husband travels for work, I make a special dinner for my kids to keep their minds off missing Daddy. This tasty mostaccioli is meatball magic. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

Fruit Cake

This is my own fruitcake recipe, and it’s a family favorite. The mixture of fruits and nuts helps make it a tasty treat. —Allene Spence, Delbarton, West Virginia

Next Up: Put your air fryer to good use this holiday season with our air-fryer Christmas recipes.