50 Christmas Lunch Ideas You Can Make in a Twinkling

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

Go to Recipe

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

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

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

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

Air-Fryer Honey Brussels Sprouts with Ham

After having caramelized sprouts at my favorite restaurant, I knew that I wanted to enjoy these at home too. It is simple to make, and doesn’t take too much time in the kitchen. A drizzle of honey really brings out the flavors, and makes them feel extra festive. — Kallee Krong-Mccreery, Escondido, California

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Baked Ham and Colby Sandwiches

This yummy ham sliders recipe is a winner with friends and family. Not only are the warm sandwiches a snap to prepare, but they smell so good when baking that no can resist them. They are a staple at our get-togethers. —Sherry Crenshaw, Fort Worth, Texas

Creamy Turkey Casserole

If you make turkey on Christmas Eve, save some leftovers for this Christmas lunch casserole! —Mary Jo O’Brien, Hastings, Minnesota

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

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

White Bean Soup with Escarole

This escarole and bean soup has become a favorite because it uses kitchen staples, it's packed with healthy ingredients and is a cinch to prepare. If I can't find escarole, I sub fresh spinach at the very end of cooking. —Gina Samokar, North Haven, Connecticut

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.

Tri-Color Pasta Salad

Tackle gatherings with a bright side dish. This tricolor 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

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

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

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

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

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, Pennsylvania