50 Christmas Recipes for Two

Herb-Stuffed Roasted Cornish Hens

If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your dinner table, we suggest this moist Cornish game hen recipe. A blend of sage, lemon, onion and garlic give this entree outstanding flavor. —Taste of Home Cooking School

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Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

You can recreate Olive Garden Alfredo sauce at home in only 20 minutes! This rich, creamy, cheesy sauce makes a fantastic fettuccine Alfredo—but you can use it as a dipping sauce for breadsticks, too.

Eggnog Shakes

Although made with fat-free ingredients, the easy-to-fix eggnog shake recipe retains the thick creamy consistency of the classic Christmas beverage. I love serving this milkshake! —Dale Hartman, Coventry, Rhode Island

Merlot Filet Mignon

Although this is such a simple recipe, you can feel confident serving it to any guests. The rich sauce adds a touch of elegance. Just add a salad and rolls. —Jauneen Hosking, Waterford, Wisconsin

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Mashed Garlic Potatoes

I infuse creamy mashed potatoes with the subtle taste of garlic, which makes them a welcome addition to any meal. —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas

Vegetable Lasagna

I cooked up this fresh lasagna for vegetarian customers at a local grocery store, where I work part-time. It’s absolutely packed with veggies. —Sam Hunsaker, Lawrence, Kansas

Individual Flans

A longtime empty nester, I'm always on the lookout for special desserts sized for two. This rich, comforting custard is smooth, easy and just right for my husband and me! —Lee Bremson, Kansas City, Missouri

Parmesan Pork Tenderloin

I am of Danish descent and love all things pork, both old recipes and new. Here's a dish I came up with myself. —John Hansen, Marstons Mills, Massachusetts

Irish Coffee

Irish coffee, with a splash of Irish whiskey, sugar and cream, is a classic recipe for a reason. Cozy up with this easy-to-make boozy treat. Sláinte!

Cornbread-Stuffed Pork Chops

Tart apple adds a delicious flavor to the moist stuffing that fills these savory chops. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Salmon with Spinach Sauce

You won't have to fish for compliments with this tasty recipe. Poaching is a quick and healthy way to prepare an entree as delicate as fish, keeping it moist and tender while cooking. And the flavorful spinach sauce adds a pretty green accent to the pink salmon. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Italian Sausage Orzo Soup

I always look for recipes high in taste and nutrition but low on prep time and fat. This thick, chunky soup fills the bill and is such a family favorite that I serve it at least once a month! —Deborah Redfield, Buena Park, California

French Hot Chocolate

Throw that powdered drink mix to the side! It's time to make French hot chocolate with thick, rich cream and melted chunks of real dark chocolate.

Creamy Twice-Baked Potatoes

With a yummy cream cheese filling, these rich potatoes tucked into their own skins are sure winners. They look fancy but are not tricky to make. —Linda Wheeler, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Spiced Chocolate Molten Cakes

Take some time to linger over this decadent dessert. There is nothing better than a gooey chocolate cake with a warm melted center. —Deb Carpenter, Hastings, Michigan

Sausage and Spinach Tortellini Soup

This recipe for sausage tortellini soup is delicious, filling and easy to execute.

Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Pudding

This rich bread pudding recipe comes together in minutes. There's plenty of old-fashioned cinnamon flavor. The treat is sure to become a favorite! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

Cranberry Short Ribs

We live in the Yukon bush, so I pick wild cranberries for this incredibly tender comfort food. I sometimes substitute moose for the beef. —Cathy Wylie, Dawson City, Canada

Savory String Beans

I love making this dish when I can pick the beans right out of the garden and put them into the pot. The fresh taste is unbeatable. I've also made it with beans purchased at the store. Either way, you'll find this recipe a winner. There's no need for any extra seasonings at the table. —Ina Reed, Kingman, Arizona

Chocolate Mousse

Our favorite chocolate mousse recipe makes a light, fluffy, rich showstopper of a dessert.

Stuffed Shells

This stuffed shells recipe includes a savory, creamy filling of four cheeses and spinach. Topped with rich tomato sauce, it's an easy vegetarian main dish the whole family will gobble up.

Cinnamon Apple Dumplings

WHEN Mom made pies to feed the crew during wheat harvest, she always had plenty of dough left over, so she treated us kids to apple dumplings. I've carried on this tradition in my own family. Now my husband and I enjoy this special dessert even when I'm not baking pies.

Rosemary Pot Roast

Come home to a comforting, ready-to-eat entree with this slow-cooker favorite sized just right for two. It’s so easy, and it fills the house with a wonderful aroma. —Marcia Schroeder, River Edge, New Jersey

French Onion Soup with Provolone

I adapted a basic recipe to copy the onion soup served at my favorite restaurant. No matter what entree I chose, I always ordered the soup. Now I can make it at home. It's a meal in itself or an impressive beginning to a multicourse meal. —Barbara Brunner, Steelton, Pennsylvania

Creamy Rice Pudding

I was fortunate to grow up around fabulous cooks. My mother and grandmother taught me to experiment with recipes, and we tried a lot of variations on this one. No matter how we chose to embellish it, it was always tasty. When I make this, it brings fond memories to mind. —Laura German, North Brookfield, Massachusetts

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

When it comes to easy and cheesy comfort food, nothing's better than broccoli cheddar soup.

Ground Beef Wellington

Trying new recipes is one of my favorite hobbies. It’s also the most gratifying. What could beat the smiles and compliments of the ones you love? This recipe is easy enough for weeknights yet fancy enough to serve for special occasions. —Julie Frankamp, Nicollet, Minnesota

Dark Chocolate Pecan Cake

Made in a single loaf pan, this doubly good chocolate cake has a nutty praline layer and two layers of fluffy whipped cream. This is the only cake my husband really likes. —Laura Draper, Garfield, Washington

Simple Herbed Scallops

Living in Kansas, fresh seafood can be hard to come by. Luckily, frozen scallops aren't. This dish offers coastal flavor to those of us in the Midwest. —Sarah Befort, Hays, Kansas

Macaroni and Cheese for Two

This is one of those dishes that our family calls "a Mama recipe." My mother rarely consulted a cookbook, so when asked for a recipe, she could only estimate. I've worked out the ingredients to make it for two, but it can easily be doubled. It's simply a good, wholesome dish most folks seem to enjoy. —Betty Allen, East Point, Georgia

Chai Tea Latte

This chai tea latte recipe is a modern twist on traditional Indian chai. The creamy, spiced beverage combines robust black tea with a blend of cinnamon, ginger and allspice. It's sweetened with brown sugar and enriched with French vanilla creamer for a delightful treat.

Spinach Rice

I like to serve this Greek-style rice dish alongside steaks with mushrooms. It makes an elegant side that can be doubled for guests. —Jeanette Cakouros, Brunswick, Maine

Poached Pears with Orange Cream

End the meal with a flourish with this easy and elegant dessert. A hint of orange lends just enough sweetness to temper the wine's bold taste. —Julianne Schnuck, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash

With a maple syrup and brown sugar glaze, this squash becomes pleasantly sweet. This is comfort food—easy to prepare and a tasty pairing with a pork entree. —Nancy Mueller, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin

Li'l Pecan Pies

These tempting little tarts have all the rich traditional taste of a full-size pecan pie in a much smaller package. The tarts are perfect for two. —Christine Boitos, Livonia, Michigan

Beef Tenderloin in Mushroom Sauce

When our kids are visiting Grandma, I make this recipe for just my husband and myself. It's a recipe my mother-in-law has been using for more than 30 years. I especially look forward to preparing it as part of a special Valentine's Day menu. —Denise McNab, Warminster, Pennsylvania

Crackling Hot Cocoa

This hot chocolate recipe is more than a warm-you-up—it's rich and thick decadence in a mug. —Cyndi Nistico, Palm Island, Florida

Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes

Twice-baked sweet potatoes make a great side dish any time of year. The custardy mashed filling bursts with cinnamon and brown sugar sweetness, and the crispy skin adds texture.

Frosty Caramel Cappuccino

This frothy iced cappuccino is positively delicious for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack or an after-dinner dessert. It's also a great quick treat to serve with a plate of cookies for the holidays. To make the ice cream topping easier to drizzle, put it in a squeeze bottle, take the cap off and microwave for a few seconds. —Carol Mann, Summerfield, Florida

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan, an Italian-American classic of shallow-fried cutlets topped with melty cheese and rich tomato sauce, is a homey dish that never fails to please.

Creamy Ham & Potatoes

If you love scalloped potatoes, this downsized version with tender chunks of ham is just for you. The cozy, comforting entree comes courtesy of Wendy Rowley from Green River, Wyoming.

Brussels Sprouts with Leeks

THIS is a dish I’ve tried a few times for my husband and me. Since we both love Brussel sprouts, I often experiment with different combinations to enhance the taste. We found leeks give the sprouts a special flavor.

Coffee with Cinnamon and Cloves

A quick-and-easy, fall-flavored coffee made with instant granules. What's not to love about this special beverage? —Jill Garn, Charlotte, Michigan

Creamy Butterscotch Pudding for 2

One day when I had a craving for something homemade, I tried from-scratch pudding. It’s much better than the store-bought kind! —EMR, tasteofhome.com

Thai-Style Green Beans

Thai for two, anyone? Peanut butter, soy sauce and hoisin sauce flavor this quick, fabulous bean dish.—Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina

Goat Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Chicken

This spinach-stuffed chicken breast recipe is special to me because it has so much flavor, yet not too many calories. I love Italian food, but most of the time it is too heavy. This is a healthy twist on an Italian dish! —Nicole Stevens, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Microwaved Poultry Dressing

Homemade stuffing in 15 minutes? You bet! Thanks to your microwave oven and this easy recipe. It is lower in sodium than packaged mixes and has ingredients you can tailor to suit your own taste. —Evelyn Clark, Sauk City, Wisconsin

Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake

I always get compliments when I whip up this rich little cheesecake. With layers of caramel, chocolate and vanilla, it's an instant classic. —Erin Byrd, Springfield, Missouri