These Christmas dinner menu ideas will help you plan a memorable meal for your family.
Christmas is just around the corner, so today I am sharing Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas. Here is a collection of appetizer, entree, side dish, dessert, and cocktail recipes to help you plan the perfect holiday party or meal.
Appetizers
Sweet Peppers Stuffed with Spinach Dip – Sweet peppers stuffed with a creamy spinach dip and wrapped with prosciutto are the perfect two bite snack.
Cheesy Mushroom Spread – If you love mushrooms this is for you. This easy to prepare spread is so delicious that I can’t stop eating it.
Roasted Garlic and Lemon Hummus – Homemade hummus just tastes so much better and this recipe balances the fresh flavor of lemon with rich roasted garlic.
Classic Artichoke Dip – This artichoke dip has been on the menu at my parents house for decades.
Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Almonds – Always the first appetizer to go at a party.
Entrees
Chicken Marsala – One of my favorite all-time recipes, this Chicken Marsala tastes even better when it is made a day ahead.
Honey Maple Glazed Ham – Perhaps the easiest way to prepare enough food to feed a crowd.
Beef Tenderloin with a Red Wine Sauce – Beef tenderloin is so easy to prepare and this recipe is my favorite.
Roast Turkey – Or if you want to serve turkey again at Christmas, here are step by step instructions.
Turkey Breast – A perfect alternative to preparing a full turkey, a turkey breast is usually 6-8 pounds.
Shallot and Mushroom Pork Tenderloin – This recipe is quick enough to be a weeknight meal, but elegant enough to serve for a holiday meal.
Goat Cheese, Butternut Squash, and Sage Stuffed Pork Tenderloin – Fact: everyone loves this recipe.
Braciole – I love this recipe for beef wrapped up with cheese and herbs and cooked in tomato sauce.
Braciole in a Red Wine Sauce – Or, you can make Braciole with a red wine sauce – this is how my Mom makes it.
Side Dishes
Creamy Spinach with Parmesan Breadcrumbs – You can make this side dish in just 15 minutes and it pairs really well with almost any meat.
Roasted Acorn Squash with Crispy Prosciutto – If you are making ham, I highly recommend serving this on the side.
Caramelized Onion, Pear, and Blue Cheese Galette – Is there a flavor combination better than caramelized onions, pear, and blue cheese? Probably not!
The Ultimate Mashed Potatoes – My parents have been making these mashed potatoes for decades and I still look forward to them every year.
The Very Best Corn – A creamy cheesy corn recipe that takes only 30 minutes to prepare.
Ginger Honey Roasted Carrots – A veggie side dish with sweet and spicy flavors.
Crispy Parmesan Roasted Potatoes – These roasted potatoes are perfectly crispy.
Blue Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin – A bold tasting alternative to mashed potatoes.
Brown Butter Risotto – I like to serve this on the side when I make pork tenderloin.
Desserts
Pielogen – It’s a pecan pie topped with a caramel cheesecake topped with a yule log. Any questions?
Christmas Tree Brownie Bites – These are super cute and incredible easy to make.
Snowmen Cupcakes – This would be a fun baking activity for children, or a cute dessert to serve at a party.
Indiana Sugar Cream Pie – Who knew Indiana had a state pie? And who expected it be to so delicious?
Raspberry Cheesecake Brownies – This recipe is an easy upgrade to boxed brownie mix.
No Bake Nutella Cheesecake – The quickest and easiest recipe on this list.
Millionaire’s Shortbread Cookies – These cookies are a little time consuming, but they did win my friends’ annual holiday cookie contest.
Snowmen Rice Krispie Treats – I think rice krispies taste even better when they are cut into festive shapes.
Chocolate Walnut Pie – This is the easiest pie recipe I have, and I love the pairing of chocolate and walnuts.
Caramel Cheesecake Brownies – My friend specifically request these brownies when I host parties.
Pecan Pie – A no-fail recipe for a classic holiday pie.
Cocktails
Lambrusco Sangria – A festive and fruity sparkling cocktail made with winter fruits and dry lambrusco.
Bourbon Eggnog – Eggnog tastes so much better when it is homemade, and this is my Mom’s famous-in-a-small-town recipe.
White Chocolate White Russians – This recipe was inspired by my favorite back in Reykjavik, Lebowski Bar. And this drink tastes like a boozy white hot chocolate (but chilled).
Cucumber Lime Gin and Tonics – Here is an easy twist on a classic gin and tonic that can be made in large batches.
Mocktail Sangria – And here is a fun non-alcoholic option!