It’s the most wonderful time of the year—but it also can be the most stressful! You've got shopping to do, presents to wrap, a tree to decorate, cookies to bake, small get-togethers to attend... phew! But it's all worth it when Christmas Day finally comes, and your house transforms into a place of family, friends, and good cheer.
With a little planning, you can set the tone for all that holly-jolly fun with holiday dinner recipes that will keep guests full and happy from morn’ to night. We've got you covered with an easy whole-day Christmas menu that'll cement your place on the nice list!
BRING THE MAGIC TO CHRISTMAS MORNING WITH A HOLIDAY BREAKFAST OR BRUNCH
Nothing beats the excitement of Christmas morning. To maximize your time opening presents, you need to minimize your time in the kitchen. So, brew a big pot of coffee and fuel up with these Christmas recipes that are sure to make your day merry and bright!
- Fiesta Egg Bites: Add some zing to your list of Christmas recipes with Fiesta Egg Bites. Made with eggs, Hunt's® Petite Diced Tomatoes, fresh peppers and onions, zesty taco seasoning, and shredded cheese, these bite-sized beauties are ready with just 10 minutes of prep time. Bonus: You can make them ahead of time, freeze, and then reheat them on Christmas morning.
- English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas: Let's be honest, pizza is a great option any time of the day, especially for breakfast. English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas, topped with fluffy scrambled eggs, Odom's Tennessee Pride® Fresh Country Sausage, fresh veggies, and shredded cheese are a proven crowd-pleaser. Have the kids help you make the pizzas the week before and freeze them. Then, on Christmas morning, just pop them in the microwave for a quick and easy breakfast.
- Stuffed Eggnog French Toast: What pumpkin spice is to fall, eggnog is to Christmas. So for a really special holiday breakfast, whip up some decadent Stuffed Eggnog French Toast. Cinnamon-flavored cream cheese gets sandwiched between thick slices of French bread and dipped in a rich eggnog and Reddi-wip® mixture before being cooked to a perfect golden brown. Top with a drizzle of Mrs. Butterworth's® Original Syrup and more whipped cream for a breakfast that will be devoured before you can say, “Jingle all the way.”
KEEP THE YULETIDE SPIRIT WITH AN UNFUSSY LUNCH
Once the whirlwind of Christmas morning is over, all the wads of wrapping paper have been cleaned up, and the tots are happily playing with their new toys, it's time for one thing. No, not breaking out the wine (that part comes later)! You need to keep everyone from getting hangry before the big feast—so tide everyone over with these easy Christmas recipes that are perfect for lunchtime.
- Spicy Crunchy Chicken Wraps: Not only are Spicy Crunchy Chicken Wraps delicious, but they're a breeze to throw together, too. Just bake some Banquet® Chicken Breast Tenders, toss together with Wish-Bone® Ranch Dressing and RO*TEL® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, and wrap it all up in a warm tortilla with shredded lettuce and cheese.
- Quick Chicken Minestrone Soup: Throw on your favorite Christmas movie or crank the Christmas tunes while you make a pot of Quick Chicken Minestrone Soup. Flavorful Italian-style veggies, Hunt's Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano, tender rotini pasta, and diced chicken breast get simmered for 10 minutes for an easy and hearty Christmas Day meal.
ROCK AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE WITH THESE FESTIVE PARTY APPETIZERS
As your guests begin to arrive for Christmas dinner, get the party started with a spread of delicious holiday appetizers and snacks that are easy to prepare and that everyone will love.
- Pomegranate Guacamole: This recipe is a super simple way to wow your guests. Just mash up some avocados with a packet of Frontera® Guacamole Mix. Then add a festive touch by tossing pomegranate arils on top, and your guests will be saying, "ho-ho-holy guacamole!"
- Cheesy Bruschetta Pull-Apart Bread: Stockings aren't the only things to stuff on Christmas! Cheesy Bruschetta Pull-Apart Bread is a showstopping appetizer to add to your Christmas Day menu. It's made by cutting a loaf of Italian or French bread and stuffing it with Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.
ADD A LITTLE “HOLIDAY CHEER” WITH THESE BOOZY COCKTAILS
No list of Christmas Day dinner ideas is complete without some festive cocktails to help everyone get in the spirit. Cheers!
- Tipsy Caramel Gingerbread Milkshake: Part dessert, part cocktail, this boozy milkshake combines the seasonal flavors of gingerbread and caramel with a splash of vodka and a generous dollop of Reddi-wip.
- Espresso Martini: A nice cold Espresso Martini is the perfect post-Christmas dinner pick-me-up! The secret is Reddi-wip Barista Series Sweet Foam Coffee Topper, which adds just the right amount of creaminess.
BAKE UP A DINNER THAT WILL KEEP YOU FULL ALL WINTER
Your Christmas feast doesn't have to be complicated! These Christmas Day dinner ideas are easy to put together and will leave everyone satisfied.
- Wish-Bone Signature Brined Turkey: Avoid a Griswold family turkey disaster this year with a Wish-Bone Signature Brined Turkey. The meat is guaranteed to be juicy and flavorful, thanks to a simple marinade of Wish-Bone Italian dressing and chicken broth. For an extra savory burst of flavor, add quartered onions and oranges to the cavity.
- Classic Lasagna: This recipe is the perfect Christmas Day dinner idea to feed a crowd. Hearty layers of pasta, meat, and cheese come together with an easy tomato sauce made with Hunt's Crushed Tomatoes and Hunt's Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano.
Pair with these side dishes, which will perfectly complement your holiday dinner recipes.
- Pressure Cooker Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes: This recipe is a great way to add an extra serving of veggies to your Christmas recipes. Combine Yukon Gold potatoes with Birds Eye® Cauliflower Florets in your electric pressure cooker for a creamy, delicious, and healthy side that's ready in less than half an hour.
- Bacon Brussels Sprouts Mac and Cheese: Make everyone's spirits bright with Bacon Brussels Sprouts Mac and Cheese on your dinner table! In this indulgent dish, charred Birds Eye Steamfresh® Brussels Sprouts and pasta are tossed in a creamy, extra cheesy white cheddar and Parmesan sauce, and topped with crispy bacon.
DREAM OF SUGAR PLUM FAIRIES WITH THESE DAZZLING DESSERTS
A wise man—or elf—said that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. Another great way to spread Christmas cheer? By making the day even sweeter with one of these over-the-top, out-of-this-world Christmas desserts.
- Peppermint Fudge Cake: It doesn't get any more festive than a Peppermint Fudge Cake. This Christmas recipe is made all the easier with the help of Duncan Hines® Classic Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix. The rich cake is layered with cool, creamy buttercream frosting and crushed peppermint candy, and then topped off with a fudgy peppermint ganache. Yum!
- Santa Sugar Cookies: Kids and adults alike will love Santa Sugar Cookies. Have the kids help you make the dough, cut out the Santa shape, and decorate the cookies with frosting. Then, when it's time to serve, add a fun Reddi-wip beard.
- Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Christmas Toffee: Sink your teeth into this seriously addicting combination of sweet-and-salty melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Crispy saltines are layered with a brown sugar and butter mixture before taking on another delectable layer of peanut butter and milk chocolate. They say the season is all about sharing, but that might prove challenging with this tasty treat. 😋
‘Tis the season for good food and good company, and with these Christmas Day menu ideas, you’re sure to have a holiday that’s as tasty as it is merry. So, deck the halls, gather everyone together, and get ready to dig in.