48 Christmas Lunch Ideas You Can Make in a Twinkling
Updated: Feb. 05, 2024
Whether you're opening gifts, going to church or visiting family, Christmas Day can get busy, quick. Here are some Christmas lunch ideas that are easy, fast, and most importantly, delicious.
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Cuban Sliders
These wonderful little rolls are baked until lightly toasted and the cheese melts. The leftover King’s Hawaiian ham sliders keep really well in the fridge, and they make a lovely cold snack. Followers of my blog, houseofyumm.com, go nuts for these! —Serene Herrera, Dallas, Texas
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Christmas Tortellini & Spinach Soup
I made this soup for the first time in the summer, but when I saw its bright red and green colors, my first thought was what a perfect Christmas lunch or dinner idea! —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
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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. We love it for Christmas lunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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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
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Mushroom & Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
We took grilled cheese up a notch with baby portobello mushrooms, bacon and cheddar. For weeknight comfort food, it’s good to the last crumb. Readers of my blog, theseasonedmom.com, love these! —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
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Mini Chicken & Biscuit Sandwiches
My 11-year-old son invented these sliders at dinner one night when he set his chicken on a biscuit. The rest of us tried it his way, and now we enjoy these sandwiches all the time. —Jodie Kolsan, Palm Coast, Florida
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Nutty Broccoli Slaw
My daughter gave me the recipe for this delightful salad. The sweet dressing nicely coats a crisp blend of broccoli slaw mix, onions, almonds and sunflower kernels. Crushed ramen noodles provide even more crunch. It's a smash hit wherever I take it. —Dora Mae Clapsaddle, Kensington, Ohio
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Easy Cheesy Biscuits
I'm a big fan of homemade biscuits, but not the rolling and cutting that goes into making them. The drop-biscuit method solves everything! —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
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Dill & Chive Peas
Growing my own vegetables and herbs helps keep things fresh in the kitchen, but frozen peas make this side is a breeze to prepare. —Tanna Richard, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
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Guacamole Tossed Salad
The fresh blend of avocados, tomatoes, red onion and greens in my salad gets additional pizazz from crumbled bacon and a slightly spicy vinaigrette. It’s an easy but elevated Christmas lunch dish. —Lori Fischer, Chino Hills, California
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Tasty-Italian Vegetable Soup
Here's a dish that will warm you up fast. It takes just 25 minutes until you can sit down and start sipping on this soup. —Janet Frieman, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Fresh Fruit Bowl
The glorious colors of the fruit make this a festive salad. Slightly sweet and chilled, it makes a nice accompaniment to Christmas lunch or brunch. —Marlon Kirst, Troy, Michigan
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Turkey Linguine with Tomato Cream Sauce
I love an easy holiday meal! This meal comes together quickly and uses up the half block of cream cheese that always ends up in my fridge. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Roasted Red Peppers Soup
If you like cream of tomato soup, try making this roasted red pepper soup. Using jarred roasted red peppers makes it extra easy and pureeing the soup in a blender gives it a nice smooth texture. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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White Cheddar Mac & Cheese
My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
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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 so you can spend more time opening Christmas gifts! —Jackie O’Callaghan, West Lafayette, Indiana
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Waffle Sandwich
Breakfast for lunch or dinner? Why not, when the recipe's this easy! I like to serve it with some crisp, juicy sweet apples. Sometimes I add raisins and nuts to the filling of the waffle sandwich for sweetness and crunch. —Michele McHenry, Bellingham, Washington
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Broccoli-Pasta Side Dish
I love to fix new recipes for my husband, Robert, and our children. With garlic and cheese, this broccoli pasta is a tasty way to get kids to eat their veggies. —Judi Lacourse, Mesa, Arizona
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Spicy Sausage Soup with Tortellini
This Christmas-colored soup is such a family treasure, both my daughters asked for the recipe when they moved out on their own. I cook the tortellini separately, but you can let it plump up in the soup broth, too. —Cynthia Krakowiak, Langhorne, Pennsylvania
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Michigan Cherry Salad
This recipe reminds me what I love about my home state: picking apples with my children, buying greens at the farmers market and tasting cherries on vacations. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
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Quick Crab Melts
Two types of cheese on top of a savory crab mixture make these open-faced sandwiches ooey-gooey good! I usually serve them for dinner, but they also make a great app when cut in half. —Donna Bennett, Bramalea, Ontario
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Stuffed Pepper Soup
I was talking about stuffed peppers with the other cooks at the restaurant where I work. We decided to mix similar ingredients for a soup. Customer response was overwhelming! —Krista Muddiman, Meadville, Pennsylvania
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Slow Cooker Shredded Turkey Sandwiches
This easy and simple slow-cooked sandwich gets its flavor from bottled beer and onion soup mix. In total, it only takes five ingredients to make the recipe! —Jacki Knuth, Owatonna, Minnesota
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Chili Mac Casserole
This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota
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Quick Calzones
Leftover meat sauce makes a hearty calzone that tastes like it’s made from scratch. Top the calzones with a sprinkling of Parmesan. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Linguine with Fresh Tomatoes
This garlic and basil linguine is pretty Christmas lunch option. It makes a great light lunch when paired with a salad, or you can make it heartier with some chopped chicken. —Susan Jones, Downers Grove, Illinois
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Honey Buffalo Meatball Sliders
These little sliders deliver big Buffalo chicken flavor without the messiness of wings. The spicy-sweet meatballs are a holiday hit with kids and adults alike. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole
This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois
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Chicken Sausage & Gnocchi Skillet
I had a bunch of fresh veggies and combined them with sausage, gnocchi and goat cheese for this quick lunch. Mix and match your own ingredients for unique results. —Dahlia Abrams, Detroit, Michigan
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White Turkey Chili
Here's proof that chili doesn't have to be red. I combined several recipes and changed flavors until the recipe was just right. Trust me, this one is a keeper. —Tina Barrett, Houston, Texas
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Grilled Cheese & Pepper Sandwiches
This is a tasty and wholesome sandwich to make for one or two. It’s a nice twist on a grilled cheese, very tasty and filling and especially good with rye bread. —Arline Hofland, Deer Lodge, Montana
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Gingered Spaghetti Salad
We love this chilled chicken salad brimming with colorful veggies. Make it meatless by omitting the chicken and tossing in more edamame. —Cindy Heinbaugh, Aurora, Colorado
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Sourdough Turkey Melts
When days feel rushed, these sandwiches with turkey and green chiles are one of my favorite standbys. They stack up in about 10 minutes, honestly, so you can spend more time enjoying Christmas. —Leah Carter, San Pedro, California
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One-Pot Spinach Beef Soup
My idea of a winning meal is this beefy soup simmering in one big pot. Grate some Parmesan and pass the saltines for this hearty Christmas soup. —Julie Davis, Jacksonville, Florida
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Cherry Waldorf Salad
We combine apples with tart cherries and dried cranberries to give an autumn twist to classic Waldorf salad. —Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California
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Easy Apple Sweet Potato Bake
This holiday side dish is a winner. Not only do I like the flavor, I love the fact that it’s so easy. —Valerie Walker, Canton, Illinois
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Grilled Pesto, Ham and Provolone Sandwiches
These Italian-style sandwiches are loaded with zesty flavors. To lighten them a little, use fat-free mayo. We serve them with minestrone or a crisp salad. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
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Creamy Turkey Casserole
If you make turkey on Christmas Eve, save some leftovers for this Christmas lunch casserole! —Mary Jo O’Brien, Hastings, Minnesota
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Lemony Turkey Rice Soup
While growing up in Texas, I spent a lot of time helping my grandma cook. Lemon and cilantro add a deliciously different twist to turkey soup. —Margarita Cuellar, East Chicago, Indiana
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Giant Meatball Sub
As either a hearty party sandwich or a filling lunch or dinner, this sub will rise to the top of your list of favorites. It's also a perfect contribution to a potluck...but don't expect to have any leftovers! —Deana Paul, San Dimas, California
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White Bean Soup with Escarole
Pantry staples make this healthy soup oh, so simple to prepare. When I can't find escarole, I use fresh spinach. Just add to the soup pot moments before serving. —Gina Samokar, North Haven, Connecticut
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BLT Waffle Sliders
Craving a BLT for breakfast? Try a deliciously different version that features crisp bacon and fresh tomatoes between two golden cornmeal waffles. Prepare the waffles ahead of time and reheat in the toaster for quick assembly. —Stacy Joura, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania.
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Tri-Color Pasta Salad
Tackle gatherings with a bright side dish. This tri-color pasta salad with broccoli, tomatoes, olives and a hardworking dressing is one of the easiest cold pasta salad recipes you could take. —Amanda Cable, Boxford, Massachusetts
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Turkey Dijon Melts
I make this when I crave comfort food but don’t have the time or energy for a big meal. It works well with deli or leftover turkey. —Sarah Marshall, Creedmoor, North Carolina
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Roasted Beets
This roasted beets recipe makes ordinary beets taste tender and delicious with just a few sweet and good-for-you ingredients. Plus, the red will look lovely on your Christmas lunch table. —Wendy Stenman, Germantown, Wisconsin
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Antipasto Platter
We entertain often, and an antipasto platter is one of our favorite crowd-pleasers. Guests love having their choice of so many delicious nibbles, including pepperoni and cubes of provolone. —Teri Lindquist, Gurnee, Illinois
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Chicken Philly Sandwiches
A Philly cheesesteak sandwich is a wonderful thing if you don't focus on the nutritional downside. Preserve the flavor of a Philly sandwich but replace the steak with chicken for a healthier outcome. For added nutritional benefit, choose colorful red and orange sweet peppers. —Shelly Epley, Thornton, Colorado
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Toasted Reubens
New Yorkers say my Reubens taste like those served in the famous delis there. For a little less kick, you can leave out the horseradish. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, PennsylvaniaOriginally Published: December 23, 2021
