Bookended by last-minute shopping and an influx of visitors, Christmas Eve lunch is a meal that often needs to be not only delicious but fuss-free.
39 No-Fuss Christmas Eve Lunch Ideas
Updated Oct. 02, 2024
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Ham and Swiss Sliders
My next-door neighbor shared this ham and Swiss sliders recipe with me, and I simply cannot improve it! You can make it ahead and cook it quickly when company arrives. The combo of poppy seeds, ham and cheese, horseradish and brown sugar makes it so delicious. —Iris Weihemuller, Baxter, Minnesota
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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 Eve dinner idea! —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas
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Winter Beet Salad
To save a little time on this sweet and savory beet salad, we recommend using packaged salad greens in this original recipe. The simple dressing is easy to assemble. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Sausage and Swiss Chard Pasta
I whipped up lunch with fresh produce from the farmers market, and the result was amazing. The pasta absorbs the cooking liquid quickly, so serve immediately to guarantee the best texture. —Kate Stiltner, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Slow-Cooker Short Ribs
It is easy to learn how to cook short ribs in a slow cooker. The slow-cooker short ribs become so tender that you can cut the meat with a fork! The beef short ribs cook in a rich braising liquid that doubles as a gravy when it comes time to serve.
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Baked Mac and Cheese
With its rich cheese sauce and crunchy crumb topping, this has to be the best baked mac and cheese recipe out there. Serve it as a comforting weeknight dinner or a holiday side dish.
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Perfect Winter Salad
A delight to the palate and also just a great-looking dish, this winter salad is easy to make yet complex and satisfying.
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Chicken Cassoulet Soup
After my sister spent a year in France as an au pair, I created this lighter, easier version of traditional French cassoulet for her. It uses chicken instead of the usual duck.—Bridget M. Klusman, Otsego, Michigan
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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
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Spiced Acorn Squash
Working full time, I found I didn't always have time to cook the meals my family loved, so I re-created many of those dishes in the slow cooker. This treatment for squash is one of our favorites. —Carol Greco, Centereach, New York
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Short Rib Ragu
This rich, hearty short rib ragu is made in the slow cooker. The tomato-wine sauce is decadent, and the short ribs are so tender you can cut them with a fork.
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Fruit and Cheese Board
Quick, easy and totally irresistible, this fruit and cheese platter is the perfect grazing board for your next party.
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Chicken Potpie Casserole
Make our easy chicken potpie casserole for dinner tonight. It doesn't get much cozier than a casserole rich with gravy and veggies and topped with fluffy biscuits.
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Bistro Turkey Sandwich
As a turkey lover who can't get enough during fall and winter, I was inspired to come up with a restaurant-worthy sandwich. I love it with a soft, rich cheese like Brie. —Grace Voltolina, Westport, Connecticut
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French Onion Soup
This rich and comforting French onion soup recipe is surprisingly simple to make at home. And it rivals the soup you’ll find at any restaurant.
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Cobb Salad
Cobb salad might have started with a handful of leftovers, but it has become a classic.
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Cranberry-Pecan Wheat Berry Salad
I love to experiment with different grains and wanted to give wheat berries a try. My whole family goes nuts for this salad, especially my mom. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
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Authentic Pasta Carbonara
I learned on my culinary internship in Tuscany that real Italian cuisine is simpler than you think! This carbonara is quick, simple and delicious, just the way they like it in Italy. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
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Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork
Cranberry sauce adds a yummy twist to pulled pork, and my family can't get enough of it! The pork cooks to tender perfection in the slow cooker, which also makes this dish conveniently portable. —Carrie Wiegand, Mount Pleasant, Iowa
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Pasta Fagioli Soup
Filled with fresh turkey sausage, beans and pasta, pasta fagioli soup is a powerhouse of nutrients and flavor.
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Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Honey-Maple Vinaigrette
This salad makes a beautiful presentation for the holidays with the bright colors of the sweet potatoes, cranberries and spinach. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
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Boston Baked Beans
Simmered in molasses, these slow-cooker Boston baked beans are perfect to take to your next potluck. The sauce is sweet, dark and rich and they complement anything you serve with them.—Darlene Duncan, Langhorne, Pennsylvania
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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
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Fig, Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Panini
A taste of this sandwich whisks you to the Italian countryside. It combines sweet honey, dried figs, tangy goat cheese, nutty Asiago and salty prosciutto. We often pack it in our picnic basket for summer or fall outings. —Maria Brennan, Middlebury, Connecticut
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Slow-Cooker Spicy Pork Chili
This hearty and flavorful crock pot pork chili is a set-it-and-forget-it weeknight hero.
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Best Lasagna
What makes this classic lasagna recipe so spectacular? Homemade meat sauce and plenty of cheese. Best of all, it's easy to make lasagna ahead of time so dinner can be ready in a flash.
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Wild Rice, Quinoa & Cranberry Salad
This fragrant salad is a vitamin and protein powerhouse. Toss in leftover cooked turkey to make it a meal the next day. —Jerilyn Korver, Bellflower, California
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Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Bake
This casserole brings together two classic comfort foods: grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. There’s no need for your hands to get messy dipping bread into a bowl of hot soup! Best of all, my picky-eater husband devours every bite. —Megan Kuns, Perrysburg, Ohio
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Cranberry Turkey Sloppy Joes
Want a seasonal spin on classic sloppy joes? This combination of turkey and cranberries is a hit with everyone! The flavor has a touch of sweet and a touch of salt—just right for any cold-weather get-together. A slow cooker easily keeps the mixture warm on a buffet. —Christine Grimm, Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania
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Steak Salad
This classic steak salad recipe features a perfectly cooked, well-seasoned steak atop a hearty mix of greens and toppings. It's a nutritious and quick dinner perfect for any night of the week.
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Black-Eyed Peas & Ham
Every New Year's Day we have these slow-cooked black-eyed peas to bring good luck for the coming year. —Dawn Legler, Fort Morgan, Colorado
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Chicken and Swiss Stuffing Bake
I love to cook but just don't have much time. This casserole is both comforting and fast, which makes it my favorite kind of recipe. I serve it with a green salad. —Jena Coffey, Sunset Hills, Missouri
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Brussels Sprouts & Quinoa Salad
With Brussels sprouts for the green and cranberries for the red, I make a cheery Christmastime salad. Refreshing and versatile, it works with any kind of nut or dried fruit. —Cameron Stell, Los Angeles, California
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Chicken Taco Salad
Ten minutes of prep are all you need to make this delicious chicken taco salad. The slow cooker does the rest of the work, creating a satisfying and easy-to-make meal even on the busiest of weeknights.
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Bistro Apple Panini
My family loves panini press recipes. The bacon, apple and tarragon in this recipe go together so well. If you don’t have a panini maker or an indoor grill, you can easily pan-fry or broil these excellent sandwiches.—Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
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Fennel Wild Rice Salad
This is a salad I invented years ago when my sister's family had to go gluten-free. It has since become a family favorite, and Thanksgiving just isn't the same without our wild rice salad! —Aimee Day, Ferndale, Washington
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Cranberry Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas
Whether canned or homemade, cranberry sauce delivers a healthy dose of vitamins to this dish. A little bit sweet, a little bit smoky, these enchiladas are a delightful way to use leftover chicken or turkey. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
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Lamb and White Bean Chili
I created a fresh take on chili using lamb and Moroccan seasoning with a feta and almond garnish. It was so exciting and tasty to my husband and son, I made a second batch almost right away. If you like a spicier chili, add harissa paste or use medium salsa instead of mild. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Nutty Barley Bake
When I started bringing this distinctive dish to holiday dinners, a lot of people had never seen barley in anything but soup. They have since dubbed me "the barley lady", and now I wouldn't dare bring anything this dish. Even if I double the recipe, I come home with an empty pan. -Renate Crump, Los Angeles, CaliforniaOriginally Published: November 13, 2019
