These Christmas dinner ideas will help you build a holiday menu around the dishes your family looks forward to each year.
Start with ham, turkey, or roast beef, then add potatoes, vegetables, and bread to round out the meal.
For a traditional dinner, you can keep things simple with one main dish and a few favorite sides.
You’ll find Christmas recipes below for a larger gathering, along with smaller options when you don’t need a whole turkey or a big roast.
I’ve also included menu combinations to help you choose dishes that work together without making your cooking list too long.
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What Is a Traditional Christmas Dinner?
A traditional dinner often includes a roasted main dish, potatoes, vegetables, bread, and dessert.
Ham, turkey, prime rib, and beef tenderloin are popular choices, but the menu varies by family and cultural traditions.
Lasagna, roasted pork, and other family favorites can be part of the celebration, too.
To build your menu, choose one main dish, a potato or other filling side, one or two vegetables, and bread.
Serve pineapple brown sugar baked ham with garlic mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, and cornbread muffins.
Traditional Turkey Dinner
Pair garlic herb maple roast turkey with sweet potato casserole, roasted butternut squash, and cranberry sauce.
Christmas Roast Beef Dinner
Build your meal around prime rib or beef tenderloin, then add garlic mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, and bread.
Christmas Dinner for a Smaller Group
Make an Instant Pot turkey breast or roast chicken with mashed potatoes and one vegetable side. You’ll have a complete holiday meal with fewer dishes to manage.
This pineapple brown sugar baked ham pairs savory slices with a sweet, fruity glaze. It’s a classic Christmas dinner main that works with everything from mashed potatoes to roasted vegetables, and the simple glaze keeps preparation manageable.
Garlic herb maple roast turkey combines familiar savory flavors with a touch of sweetness. Pick this Christmas dinner centerpiece when you’re feeding a larger group and want a change from your usual turkey seasoning without adding a complicated stuffing or filling.
Roasted beef tenderloin gives you tender slices of beef with a browned outside and plenty of savory flavor. It’s a good choice for a special Christmas dinner because you can keep the sides simple and let the roast be the focus.
Classic lasagna layers pasta, savory sauce, and cheese into a hearty Christmas dinner main. Serve it with a salad and bread for a straightforward holiday menu, with everything baked together in one dish and sliced into portions at the table.
Prime rib roast brings rich beef flavor and a seasoned crust to your Christmas dinner table. Pair it with mashed potatoes and a vegetable side for a classic holiday meal, and follow the step-by-step tutorial to make preparing the roast feel more manageable.
Pork tenderloin roast with gravy makes a comforting Christmas dinner main with tender slices and a savory sauce. It’s an easy menu to build around: add mashed potatoes to catch the gravy and a vegetable side to finish the meal.
This oven baked whole chicken gives you golden skin and juicy meat for a smaller Christmas dinner. It’s a practical alternative to a whole turkey, using a familiar roasting method and pairing easily with your favorite holiday sides.
Instant Pot turkey breast gives you tender slices of turkey without roasting a whole bird. It’s a useful Christmas dinner option for a smaller group, and cooking it in the pressure cooker leaves your oven available for casseroles and other sides.
Roasted Cornish game hens have tender meat and browned skin, with individual birds that make Christmas dinner feel a little more special. They’re a good fit for a smaller gathering when you want a roasted main without handling a large turkey.
No fry eggplant Parmesan layers tender eggplant with tomato sauce and cheese for a hearty vegetarian Christmas dinner option. Baking the eggplant keeps you from frying batches on the stovetop, making this a practical addition when you’re preparing several holiday dishes.
Garlic red skin mashed potatoes are creamy and savory, with bits of potato skin adding a rustic texture. They’re a versatile Christmas dinner side for ham, turkey, or beef, and leaving the skins on means one less prep task.
This sweet potato casserole pairs a creamy filling with a buttery pecan crumble. It adds a sweet contrast to ham or turkey at Christmas dinner, and baking it in one dish makes it easy to bring straight to the table.
Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon combine browned vegetables with smoky, salty bites of bacon. They balance sweeter Christmas dinner sides like cranberry sauce and sweet potato casserole, with plenty of flavor from a straightforward roasted dish.
Garlic green beans add a fresh, savory bite to your Christmas dinner menu. They pair well with ham, turkey, or roast beef and come together quickly with just a few simple ingredients.
Southern baked mac and cheese brings creamy pasta and a golden cheese topping to your Christmas dinner menu. It’s a hearty side for ham or roast turkey, and the baking dish makes serving everyone at the table straightforward.
Braised red cabbage adds sweet, tangy flavor and a deep purple color to your Christmas dinner plate. It pairs well with rich pork or beef, and the slow braise gives you a vegetable side that doesn’t need oven space.
3 Ingredient Homemade Cranberry Sauce Made in 5 Minutes
This homemade cranberry sauce adds a sweet-tart bite alongside turkey, ham, and rich Christmas dinner sides. With just three ingredients and a quick preparation, it’s an easy extra to include without adding much to your cooking list.
Cornbread muffins bring familiar corn flavor to the table in individual portions. Serve them with ham, turkey, or roast chicken to round out Christmas dinner, with no loaf to slice when it’s time to eat.
Soft dinner rolls are perfect for passing around the Christmas table and soaking up gravy. They pair with any main dish, making them an easy choice when you’re putting together your holiday menu.
Sheet pan roasted butternut squash has tender centers, browned edges, and a naturally sweet flavor. It’s a simple Christmas dinner side to serve beside a savory roast, with one pan to manage and no separate sauce to prepare.
How many sides should I serve with Christmas dinner?
Plan for 3–4 sides for a smaller group and 5–6 for larger gatherings. This ensures variety without overwhelming the table.
Can I make dishes ahead of time?
Yes! Casseroles, cranberry sauce, pies, and even mashed potatoes can be made a day or two in advance. Reheat just before serving to save time on Christmas Day.
How do I keep everything warm while serving?
Use warming trays, slow cookers, and covered foil pans to keep dishes at the right temperature. Serve sides in insulated or oven-safe dishes if possible.
More Ideas to Complete Your Christmas Dinner Menu
Set out a few Christmas finger foods for guests to snack on while dinner finishes cooking.
Reesa Lewandowski is the creator of Momma Lew, a New Jersey-based food blog where she shares easy, family-friendly recipes inspired by everyday life. A mom of two teenagers and a self-taught cook and baker, Reesa has spent over a decade developing simple, approachable meals—from quick weeknight dinners to festive desserts—all tested in her own kitchen. Her recipes focus on comfort food with a modern twist, seasonal favorites, and stress-free baking. Drawing inspiration from her Jersey roots, Reesa’s goal is to help busy families enjoy delicious meals without the fuss.
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