Home Holidays & Events Holidays Christmas
Alyssa AsaroUpdated: Dec. 17, 2023
Looking for the best Christmas Eve dinner ideas to complement your favorite Christmas cookie recipes? Here are our top picks.
The countdown to Santa is on. The stockings are hung, the cookies are baked and the presents are wrapped. With so much to cross off your to-do list, making Christmas Eve dinner can sometimes feel like an afterthought. But whether your family is craving baked pasta or a whole roast turkey, we have a collection of festive Christmas Eve meals that will be just as comforting and fun as dinner on Christmas day. To keep dessert simple, make a holiday pie a day or two in advance. All you’ll have to do after dinner is slice and serve!
Here are some candy cane recipes for best utilizing any leftover candy canes during this holiday season.
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Chicken Alfredo Lasagna
Easing kids into Christmas ham couldn’t be simpler than with this Alfredo lasagna. With ham, prosciutto and rotisserie chicken, this dish has it all with the option to swap in bacon or even veggies.
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TMB Studio
Contest-Winning Chicken Wild Rice Casserole
With Christmas dinner fast approaching, a simple meal the night before can take some of the stress off. You can use rotisserie chicken, fresh chicken or leftover turkey for this quick and tasty 30 minute bake.
After dinner, enjoy these recipes for a Christmas Eve movie night.
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Seasoned Roast Turkey
The bigger the turkey, the longer it will take to roast. If you’ve decided on a 13- to 15-pound turkey for Christmas Eve dinner, plan on roasting it for around 3 hours. Consult our helpful turkey-roasting chart to determine exactly how long to cook your bird (and have a meat thermometer handy).
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Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Beets
What better way to prepare for a loaded Christmas than with a light, flavor-rich salad. This easy to assemble meal is a great vegetarian option for those looking to satisfy simultaneous sweet and savory cravings.
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Salmon with Spinach & White Beans
This well rounded salmon dish combines simple but strong flavors. Spinach, cannellini beans and lemon call for little preparation with a big payout.
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A Christmas Story Meat Loaf
Fans of “A Christmas Story” will instantly recognize this classic meal. Hopefully, unlike Randy, you won’t finish this dish still thinking “I hate meatloaf.”
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Slow-Cooker Lamb Chops
Chicken, turkey and ham usually are the stars of Christmas, so why not spice up your Christmas Eve dinner with some lamb? These melt in your mouth lamb chops can simmer in the slow cooker while you wrap any last-minute presents.
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Butternut Squash and Sausage Stuffed Shells
This easy pasta casserole is a great way to sneak in some veggies before the holidays. With tomatoes, kale and butternut squash, your loved ones will be head over heels for this customizable Christmas Eve dinner. If you enjoyed this, then you must check out our collection of Italian Christmas dinner ideas.
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Makeover Traditional Lasagna
This recipe consists of five kinds of cheese, two kinds of meat and a partridge in a pear tree. Okay, maybe not the last part; but this unique spin on a classic dish offers a low-fat option to the traditionally heavy meal.
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Seafood Cioppino
This recipe brimming with clams, crab, fish and shrimp is almost a Feast of the Seven Fishes in a bowl. Make it part of the traditional Italian Christmas Eve menu or have it on its own with a hunk of crispy bread.
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Pasta fa*gioli al Forno
This baked pasta is perfect to make in the nights leading up to Christmas. Easily stored and frozen, this dish is as comforting as it is quick.
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Chicken Tamales
These tamales capture the warm feeling of Christmas. This is a commitment-based recipe, but the taste is worth the effort. Invite the whole family for a tamalada party to help you make them.
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Christmas Eve Confetti Pasta
The red and green peppers in this colorful pasta serve as the best, and tastiest, last-minute decoration. Adding your own spices and flare could mean all the difference to this new tradition.
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Turkey Dumpling Stew
This cozy dumpling stew is easy to prepare and feels like it would be enjoyed near a fire. Like a blanket or a hug, the warmth is as lasting as the flavor is rich.
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Pork Medallions in Mustard Sauce
Finding new flavor combinations can be difficult. Fortunately, we’ve done it for you! The apple juice concentrate and mustard sauce is a combo that works.
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Holiday Herb-Cheese Rolls
These cheesy, herby and garlicky rolls are a great accompaniment to any of the recipes on this list. These holiday dinner rolls can be the perfect bread for leftover turkey, ham or chicken sandwiches the next day.
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Festive Slow-Cooked Beef Tips
This slow cooker meal will leave you and your loved ones with full bellies and fuller hearts. Save this beef tips recipe for a special occasion, and you’ll look forward to it all year.
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Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream Cheese
Treat yourself to steak on Christmas Eve! The sauce is very rich and easy to assemble. And the whole dish can be made in just 20 minutes!
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Artichoke Florentine Pasta
Think spinach artichoke dip but on pasta. This rich dish can pass as restaurant quality.
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Sage Pork Chops with Cider Pan Gravy
Apple cider is the best winter drink, but have you ever thought about it in a sauce? These pork chops can be accompanied by sliced apples or onions.
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New England Lamb Bake
Using potato slices as the crust is an ingenious way to present this lamb bake. You can also substitute the lamb for beef for a completely different dish within the same holiday season.
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Roast Chicken with Vegetables
This roast chicken is the perfect lead in to a smorgasbord Christmas dinner the next day. Roast chicken can be repurposed into sandwiches or stand alone as your main dish.
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Spinach Beef Pie
The homemade crust really puts a personal touch on this classic pie. This meal is filling—and colorful, too!
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Apple and Walnut Stuffed Pork Tenderloin with Red Currant Sauce
Red currants are small, vibrant red berries that taste a bit like tart raspberries. Red currant jelly, plus dried currants, cranberry juice, apple cider vinegar, shallots and honey combine to create a heavenly sauce that tastes exactly like Christmas.
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Creamy Spinach & Rigatoni Bake
Reminiscent of a spinach and artichoke dip or a macaroni and cheese, this baked pasta has it all. With pancetta for an Italian twist, what might start as a holiday dish will quickly become a regular recipe.
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Contest-Winning Braised Short Ribs
These short ribs fall off the bone. You can choose to dress it up or down with sides.
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Harvesttime Chicken with Couscous
This aromatic slow cooker meal can come in handy on a busy day. This predominately red dish is as festive as it is decorative.
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Rosemary-Lemon Chicken Thighs
This simple recipe can be made from spices already in your pantry. Serve with a potato side and a salad to complete the meal.
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Stuffed Flank Steak
Christmas Eve is the perfect time to showcase this special occasion dinner recipe. The pinwheel effect is stunning but the taste is even better, with the cornbread stuffing adding a holiday touch.
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Tomato-Poached Halibut
Christmas Eve dinner will be ready and on the table in about half an hour, thanks to this lightning-quick halibut dish. Served on a bed of poblano peppers, tomatoes and olives, it still feels elevated and special.
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Chicken & Cheddar Biscuit Casserole
This comfort meal has all the fixings of chicken and dumplings, with the added element of cheese. It makes for a portable dinner perfect for a gathering.
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Standing Rib Roast
For the best flavor in a standing rib roast (also known as prime rib), look for a cut of meat that has good marbling. You’ll also want to check that the rib roast has a fat cap, which will continue to baste the beef as it cooks. When in doubt, ask your butcher.
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Chorizo Pumpkin Pasta
This creamy pasta showcases the savory potential of pumpkin, proving that it isn’t just for Halloween. A fresh take on macaroni and cheese, the chicken sausage adds yet another unique element to the already memorable dish.
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Mushroom Hunter’s Sauce
This simple hunter’s sauce is light with a hint of tomato. It can be served over noodles or even a choice of meat.
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Cod with Hearty Tomato Sauce
This sweet and healthy recipe is perfect for emptying the fridge. With rice instead of pasta, or veggies thrown in, it’s easy to make this dish your own.
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Spicy Bean and Beef Pie
This one dish recipe is made spicy with a jar of thick and chunky picante sauce. It’s the perfect palate cleanser for the more sweet foods that Christmas usually invites.
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Italian-Style Pizzas
These personalized pizzas are the perfect way to partake in a new tradition. Christmas is all about making memories with the ones you love, which could include a simple Christmas Eve dinner.
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Hearty Baked Beef Stew
This wonderful stew is perfect for a busy day. Everything bakes together in just two hours!
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Tortellini Carbonara
This creamy pasta can be adjusted to your tastes by adding garlic and some pancetta. But there’s something to be found in simplicity, especially with such an exciting day approaching.
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Wild Rice with Dried Blueberries
Rice and fruit is an unlikely, but delicious, combination. Traditionally a Christmas or Thanksgiving side, this can act as the perfect Christmas Eve dinner with some added protein.
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Creamy Braised Chicken
While not an easy recipe, it is certainly a worthwhile one. This creamy chicken will become a fast addition to your recipe rotation.
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Best Lasagna
Putting “best” on a recipe is a bold claim, but it’s one that is easy to back with this lasagna. One of the best presents you’ll receive this Christmas are these leftovers.
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Creamy Salmon Linguine
This pasta is another recipe that’s great for emptying out a freezer of veggies. Season your salmon however you like to customize this lemony alfredo sauce.
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Puff Pastry Chicken Potpie
Chicken potpie is the ultimate comfort food, and the puff pastry adds a much needed crunch. This melt-in-your-mouth meal is like a soup and casserole in one.
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Meatball Chili with Dumplings
Dumplings, meatballs and chili are the big three comfort foods. Combining them results in a group nap and a movie on the couch.
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Slow-Cooker Beef Stew
The longer you cook this beef stew, the more tender the meat will be. Seasoned with thyme and dry mustard, this stew is chock-full of tender carrots, potatoes and meat.
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Rich Baked Spaghetti
Baked spaghetti takes longer to make than traditional stovetop pasta. However, the difference lies in a more infused and rich flavor.
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Artichoke Ratatouille Chicken
Some families have tried it all on Christmas Eve, but this creole-spiced dish featuring Japanese eggplant, tomato, sweet peppers and artichokes might just be one dish you haven’t tried yet. The chicken makes this otherwise veggie-packed meal complete.
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Italian Stuffed Shells
These stuffed shells are made with three types of cheese. This recipe bears 24 jumbo shells that can be frozen and eaten throughout the holiday season.
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Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole
This chicken and broccoli casserole is a take on chicken divan. However, instead of a cracker topping, this one uses chicken stuffing.
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Lemony Chicken & Rice
This one-dish bake is great for just popping in the oven. The light flavor balances the typically heavy tastes of Christmas.
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Cranberry and Bacon Swiss Cheese Dip
This appetizer could be a quick dinner in a pinch. Served with bread or veggies, this dip covers all the bases by being sweet, savory and smokey.
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Chicken-Pepper Alfredo
This meaty recipe includes bacon and chicken. Roasted red pepper Alfredo adds an extra kick to a filling dinner.
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Herbed Seafood Casserole
It’s hard to come by a casserole that doesn’t feel overdone, but this dish is fresh and original with seafood as the star. This creamy casserole is a wonderful blend of shrimp, scallops and crab.
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Rosemary Pork with Cherry-Pistachio Topping
This cherry-pistachio topping has a chutney consistency. With several sauces on hand, everyone can make this dinner their own.
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Deluxe Cornbread Stuffing
This stuffing is a perfect nod to Thanksgiving dinner. Reimagined with cornbread, this new flavor can change the minds of the pickiest eaters.
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Creole Skillet Dinner
With red and green peppers, this dish is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Colorful, flavorful and fun, this recipe will bring joy to all who eat it.
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French Canadian Tourtieres
This Christmas Eve dinner recipe is easy to assemble in advance and freeze for when the time is right. Yielding four pies, this is perfect for a small get together.
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Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast with Cranberry Gravy
Christmas makes you nostalgic of time passed, even if that’s just a month ago. This cranberry sauce turkey is a fresh take on Thanksgiving dinner just in time for festive season.
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Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Wait! Don’t wash those mushrooms. Instead, use a dry paper towel—or better yet, a mushroom brush—to clean off any dirt. Because mushrooms have a spongy texture, they will absorb extra moisture if they are submerged in water. Here are more helpful tips for cooking mushrooms.
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Rich Seafood Chowder
While Italians enjoy a Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, you can start with three types of seafood in this rich chowder. With clams, shrimp and crabmeat, this one pot meal will keep you warm all night long.
Up Next: Finish planning your holiday menu with theseimpressive Christmas dinner ideas.
Originally Published: October 10, 2019
As an enthusiast and expert in culinary arts with a particular focus on festive holiday meals, I bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to the table. Having explored and experimented with various Christmas Eve dinner ideas, I understand the importance of creating a memorable and delicious meal that complements the festive spirit of the season.
Now, let's delve into the concepts and recipes mentioned in the article:
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Chicken Alfredo Lasagna:
- Description: A festive twist on lasagna with Alfredo sauce, ham, prosciutto, and rotisserie chicken.
- Expert Insight: The combination of flavors, textures, and the option for ingredient swaps showcases a versatile and comforting dish for Christmas Eve.
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Contest-Winning Chicken Wild Rice Casserole:
- Description: A quick and tasty 30-minute bake featuring wild rice and options for rotisserie chicken or leftover turkey.
- Expert Insight: This recipe offers a convenient and stress-free option for a simple Christmas Eve dinner, freeing up time for other holiday preparations.
-
Seasoned Roast Turkey:
- Description: Guidance on roasting a 13- to 15-pound turkey for Christmas Eve dinner.
- Expert Insight: The detailed instructions and the reference to a turkey-roasting chart demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the culinary aspects of preparing a traditional holiday main dish.
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Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Beets:
- Description: A light and flavor-rich salad with spinach, goat cheese, and beets.
- Expert Insight: The inclusion of a vegetarian option that balances sweet and savory flavors provides a refreshing contrast to the heartier main courses.
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Salmon with Spinach & White Beans:
- Description: A well-rounded salmon dish with spinach, cannellini beans, and lemon.
- Expert Insight: The emphasis on simple but strong flavors and minimal preparation underscores the appeal of a seafood option for Christmas Eve.
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A Christmas Story Meat Loaf:
- Description: A classic meatloaf inspired by the movie "A Christmas Story."
- Expert Insight: The reference to a popular holiday film adds a nostalgic touch to the recipe, making it a fun and thematic choice for Christmas Eve dinner.
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Slow-Cooker Lamb Chops:
- Description: Lamb chops cooked in a slow cooker for a flavorful and tender result.
- Expert Insight: Introducing lamb as a unique and flavorful alternative to traditional holiday meats, with the added convenience of slow-cooking.
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Butternut Squash and Sausage Stuffed Shells:
- Description: An easy pasta casserole with butternut squash, tomatoes, kale, and customizable ingredients.
- Expert Insight: Sneaking in veggies before the holidays and offering customization highlights the versatility and health-conscious approach to Christmas Eve dinner.
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Makeover Traditional Lasagna:
- Description: A unique spin on traditional lasagna with five kinds of cheese and a low-fat option.
- Expert Insight: The creativity in recipe development, incorporating multiple cheese varieties and addressing dietary considerations, showcases culinary expertise.
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Seafood Cioppino:
- Description: A seafood-rich recipe with clams, crab, fish, and shrimp.
- Expert Insight: Drawing parallels to the Feast of the Seven Fishes, this dish adds a touch of tradition and richness to the Christmas Eve menu.
These insights demonstrate a nuanced understanding of diverse culinary elements, from traditional roasting techniques to innovative ingredient combinations, providing a well-rounded guide for planning a delightful Christmas Eve dinner.
