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If you’re scratching your head over what to make for dinner on Christmas Eve, you don’t have to anymore. These Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas presents you with plenty of incredible recipes to cozy your way into the festive spirit!
Christmas is a time to spend with your loved ones.
And what better way is there than to organize a hearty fest comprising comforting and fabulous delicacies?
That’s why I bring you these Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas that’ll keep your Christmas spirits high and fill your house with holiday cheer!
You are going to have the best Christmas Eve dinner party with these traditional main courses to modern twists.
Plus, they are quite straightforward and effortless to make.
Because who wants to spend all of their time cooking on Christmas?
Mains & Snacks
1. Oven Roasted Turkey
Ready in: 3 hrs 15 mins
This simple oven-roasted turkey is the perfect way to start off these Christmas Eve dinner ideas, and your festive dinner.
Stuff the turkey’s cavity with onions, lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs, and coat the skin with a mixture of melted butter and herbs.
Roast the turkey in the oven for a couple of hours till it’s golden-brown perfection!
Recipe: asouthernsoul.com
2. Beef Wellington Recipe
Ready in: 2 hrs
Impress everyone with this stunning beef Wellington that can easily become the centerpiece of your table!
The crust comprises four different layers of pure bliss and in the middle is the gloriously cooked medium-rare beef.
A spectacular dish that needs only 30-40 minutes of prep work (the rest is just for baking) provides quite a relief on such a hectic day.
Recipe: houseofnasheats.com
3. Crockpot Maple-Glazed Ham
Ready in: 4 hrs 5 mins
Crockpot maple glazed ham is a fun twist on the classic honey-glazed one which utilizes the magic of a slow cooker instead of an oven.
To make this Christmas crockpot dinner, place the ham in a crockpot, pour maple syrup, brown sugar, and pineapple juice over it, and let it cook thoroughly.
A fuss-free recipe that allows a complete hands-off cooking experience.
Recipe: keepingitrelle.com
4. Braised Lamb Shanks
Ready in: 3 hrs 20 mins
It is one of my go-to Christmas Eve dinner recipes which is brimming with flavor curry and juicy tender lamb shanks.
The best part about this recipe is that there are various methods of cooking this entree- from slow cooker to even oven.
Pair it with mashed potatoes, plain basmati rice or pasta, anything you like!
Recipe: cafedelites.com
5. Stuffed Cornish Hens Recipe
Ready in: 1 hr 40 mins
For something unique and different, give these stuffed cornish hens a shot.
The hens are packed with a wild rice blend incorporating apples and cranberries, whereas the skin is glazed with honey resulting in a tangy sweet combination.
And my mouth has watered up just by thinking about it.
Recipe: littlesunnykitchen.com
6. Risotto Alla Zucca (Butternut Squash Risotto)
Ready in: 30 mins
If you’re looking for dishes for your Italian Christmas Eve dinner menu, you’ve got it!
Butternut squash risotto screams fall with its dreamy, creamy, and nutty kick.
Throw arborio rice with roasted butternut squash, and parmesan cheese bringing this whole dish together with its cheesy goodness.
Recipe: thebusybaker.ca
7. Slow Roasted Prime Rib
Ready in: 14 hrs 5 mins
This prime rib seems like a labor of love but it’s actually quite simple and easy to make.
You only need four ingredients: standing rib roast, salt, black pepper, and roasted garlic horseradish cream sauce to make this exquisite delight.
Just marinade the meat and store it in the refrigerator overnight (preferably 24 hours) before roasting it in the oven for an immense burst of flavor.
Recipe: stripedspatula.com
8. Homemade Shepherd’s Pie
Ready in: 1 hr 15 mins
Shepherd’s Pie is an incredible comfort food that warms you up from the inside out.
This hearty dish involves juicy ground beef layered with various chopped veggies smothered in rich gravy sauce and finally topped with mashed potatoes for a wholesome treat.
The best part is that you can use up all the leftovers and come up with a family-friendly meal that everybody will swoon over!
Recipe: savorynothings.com
9. Seared Salmon With Lemon Dill Sauce
Ready in: 19 mins
Among other Christmas Eve dinner ideas, this one is here to keep things on a lighter end.
The summer essence from lemon and dill helps you cozy up on chilly winter nights and salmon is a protein that can enjoyed throughout all seasons.
The quick dinner meal that comes out super moreish without much effort. What more could you ask for?
Recipe: sugarmaplefarmhouse.com
10. Baked Ziti
Ready in: 1 hr
Aaah, the classic Italian delicacy that has no rivals and is very close to my heart.
Incorporating ziti pasta with pureed tomatoes, mozzarella, ricotta, and sausages, this is a total crowd-pleaser and ideal for potlucks.
Simply mix the ingredients, layer them, and pop them in the oven till it is golden and bubbly.
Recipe: saltandlavender.com
11. Homemade Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Ready in: 40 mins
Imagine a crusty flaky pie filled with tender chicken and delightful veggies like carrots, corn, and peas swimming in a rich sauce.
Doesn’t it sound like a heavenly meal?
Inaugurate your Christmas Eve dinner bash with this remarkable meal and your guests will be smiling from ear to ear!
Recipe: persnicketyplates.com
12. Christmas Pizza
Ready in: 1 hr 10 mins
This Christmas pizza is simply a no-brainer on your Christmas Eve dinner menu which will make your holiday feast stand out from the rest.
Typically it involves a tree-shaped pizza dough slathered with pesto, onion slices, diced red pepper, and topped with a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese.
But you don’t have to stick by the book and use your imagination with different elements when decorating this masterpiece!
Recipe: acouplecooks.com
13. Mushroom Stroganoff
Ready in: 30 mins
Made with pantry-friendly ingredients, this mushroom stroganoff is for those times when you can’t face the kitchen.
The mushrooms give you a chewy and umami flavor similar to meat and are submerged in a smoky and creamy sauce that will tantalize your taste buds.
It is a recipe to make your vegetarian friends happy without much struggle.
Recipe: loveandgoodstuff.com
14. Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Ready in: 2 hrs 10 mins
This dip is the ultimate Christmas crockpot dinner or appetizer that everybody is a fan of!
Just toss spinach, artichokes, sour cream, garlic, and cheese in a crockpot and in a couple of hours, you’ll have a warm, healthy, and velvety condiment.
Scoop grilled meat, crisps, bread, or roasted veggies, anything goes.
Recipe: lovefromtheoven.com
15. Chicken And Waffle Sliders
Ready in: 25 mins
Since we are talking about appetizers, I present you: chicken and waffle sliders requiring only 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes.
Whether it is holiday gatherings or game nights, this treat always scores (see what I did there).
Indulge in this reminiscent of a burger, engulfing fried chicken fingers with a couple of mini waffles and a dollop of honey on top.
Recipe: foodfolksandfun.net
16. Easy Roasted Root Vegetables
Ready in: 50 mins
Muster up all the nutritional benefits of vegetables on a single plate with this dish.
Root veggies especially beets and carrots are the main selling point here. They are tasty, crunchy, and warm your soul.
Plus, the different textures and colors give off amazing Christmas vibes, suitable for the season.
Recipe: playpartyplan.com
17. Pork Tenderloin With Sauce
Ready in: 30 mins
Whenever I’m brainstorming for my Christmas Eve dinner recipes this pork tenderloin is always on my mind.
The pork is wrapped with a mix of herbs and spices, and then pan-seared to golden juicy perfection!
And don’t get me started on the lingonberry sauce that takes this meal to excellence.
Recipe: theyummybowl.com
18. Scalloped Potatoes With Cheddar
Ready in: 1 hr 20 mins
Bubbly, creamy, and gooey, these scalloped potaoes delivers on all flavor fronts, and is surprisingly easy to whip up.
As it bakes, the surface gets beautifully golden, creating a mouthwatering top that is hard to resist.
It is an extraordinary side that pairs well with grilled meats and salads.
Recipe: cookinglsl.com
19. Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
Ready in: 1 hr 20 mins
There is nothing you can do wrong when preparing lasagna for your special Christmas Eve dinner celebration.
Layers of roasted onions, zucchini, pasta sheets, ricotta, and mozzarella are toppled over each other to conjure this extravagant delish.
Furthermore, with a few simple swaps, you make it entirely plant-based, or protein-heavy.
Recipe: theliveinkitchen.com
20. Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ready in: 22 mins
Buffalo chicken dip is a glorious party snack that packs powerful punches of heat and flavor.
A medley of spices, whipped cottage cheese, and cheddar cheese are mixed with shredded chicken and assembled in a baking dish for cooking.
It is one of the best Christmas Eve dinner ideas that every body craves relentlesly and wants to dip their tortilla chips in it ASAP!
Recipe: pinchmegood.com
Desserts
21. Perfect Bûche de Noël (Yule Log)
Ready in: 5 hrs 50 mins
Doesnt this dessert look just spectacular? Even breaking it apart would be such a shame, but we all know we’ll do it.
This sweet dish features a variety of elements and some effort on your part, but its all worth it!
You need to be on your A-game while assembling it to make it look as elegant as it the picture.
Recipe: siftandsimmer.com
22. Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes
Ready in: 50 mins
Need something delicious to go along with your tea time?
This one is as much winterly dessert as they come thanks to spices like cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.
Finish off your Christmas Eve Dinner with a bang and satisfy your sweet tooth as well.
Recipe: kitchenmomy.com
23. Vegan Gingerbread Cake
Ready in: 1 hr 10 mins
Gingerbread is a staple at every Christmas celebration, and this cake magnificently inundates the occasion.
The molasses replaces the egg whites and the dairy-free milk keeps this indulgence completely plant-based.
For decorations, you’re gonna need gingerbread cookies, cranberries, and sugared rosemaries, and the best part is that this dessert can be put together in just one bowl.
Recipe: rainbownourishments.com
24. Eggnog Cheesecake
Ready in: 2 hrs 30 mins
This cheesecake is a divine dish that merges the festive flavors of eggnog with the creamy richness of a cheesecake.
And when combined with a crumbly crust made from gingersnap cookie crumbs, granulated sugar, and unsalted butter?
The result is an impressive velvety treat that you will not be able to stop eating once you try it.
Recipe: bakedbyanintrovert.com
25. Homemade Peppermint Bark
Ready in: 43 mins
It is a super simple snack that takes only 10 minutes of prep time.
The dark chocolate is spread over parchment paper with another layer of white chocolate, and crushed candy canes on top are what make it such a Christmas classic.
Perfect for gifting, perfect as a finishing blow to a dinner, just perfect for any holiday celebrations!
Recipe: thefoodcharlatan.com
Check out my 20 vegan Christmas dessert recipes roundup for more holiday dessert inspiration!
What Do You Think?
With this Christmas Eve dinner menu, you’re well-equipped for a memorable night with your special loved ones.
How many of these Christmas Eve dinner recipes have you tried? Which one of these Christmas Eve dinner ideas is your favorite? And if I missed any, let me know in the comments section below!
