28 Easy Christmas Recipes to Make Your Holiday Shine

Christmas is hands down my favorite time of the year. The twinkling lights, the joyful carols, and the smell of pine in the air just make everything feel magical. But let's be real – one of the absolute best parts about the holidays is the food. There's nothing like gathering with loved ones and indulging in mouthwatering dishes that you only get to enjoy once a year.

That's why I've put together this list of "28 Easy Christmas Recipes to Make Your Holiday Shine." Whether you're a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, these recipes are simple, festive, and guaranteed to make your holiday extra special.

1. Classic Roast Turkey

Nothing says Christmas quite like a beautifully roasted turkey.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole turkey (12-14 lbs)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 lemon, halved
• Fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.
2. Rub the turkey with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Stuff the cavity with onion, lemon, and herbs.
4. Place the turkey on a roasting pan and roast for about 3 to 3.5 hours.
5. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes before carving.

2. Honey-Glazed Ham

A sweet and savory ham that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients:

• 1 fully cooked ham (spiral-cut)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F.
2. Place the ham in a roasting pan.
3. Mix honey, brown sugar, mustard, and cloves together, and brush over the ham.
4. Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes.

3. Cranberry Sauce

A tangy side that pairs perfectly with turkey or ham.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup orange juice

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Cook over medium heat until the cranberries pop and the sauce thickens.

4. Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Creamy, garlicky, and downright delicious.

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil potatoes until tender.
2. Mash with garlic, milk, and butter.
3. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Green Bean Casserole

A crunchy, creamy classic that everyone loves.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans green beans, drained
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 can fried onions

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix green beans, soup, and milk in a baking dish.
3. Top with fried onions and bake for 25 minutes.

6. Stuffing

This moist and flavorful stuffing will be a new favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of bread, cubed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup butter
• Fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Sauté onion and celery in butter.
3. Combine bread cubes with the sautéed veggies, broth, and herbs.
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

7. Baked Mac and Cheese

A cheesy, gooey side that’s sure to please.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 cups milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup flour

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter, stir in flour, and gradually add milk.
3. Stir in cheeses until melted.
4. Combine with macaroni and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.

8. Glazed Carrots

Sweet and tender, these carrots are a perfect side.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb baby carrots
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil carrots until tender.
2. In a pan, melt butter and brown sugar.
3. Toss carrots in the glaze.

9. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

A savory way to serve this often-overlooked veggie.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved
• 4 strips bacon, chopped
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp.
2. Remove bacon and add Brussels sprouts to the pan.
3. Cook until tender, then toss with bacon and balsamic vinegar.

10. Yorkshire Pudding

A puffed bread perfect for soaking up gravy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup beef drippings

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F and place drippings in a muffin tin.
2. Whisk together flour, milk, eggs, and salt.
3. Pour batter into the hot drippings and bake for 20-25 minutes.

11. Pumpkin Pie

A holiday classic that's always a hit.

Ingredients:

• 1 unbaked pie crust
• 1 can pumpkin puree
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Mix pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, and spices.
3. Pour into crust and bake for 15 minutes, then reduce to 350°F and bake for another 35-40 minutes.

12. Pecan Pie

Sweet, nutty, and utterly delightful.

Ingredients:

• 1 unbaked pie crust
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups pecans

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix corn syrup, sugar, and eggs until smooth.
3. Stir in pecans and pour into crust.
4. Bake for 60 minutes.

13. Gingerbread Cookies

Spicy and sweet, these cookies are a holiday must.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl, wet in another.
3. Combine both mixes and roll out dough.
4. Cut into shapes and bake for 10-12 minutes.

14. Sugar Cookies

Simple, sweet, and perfect for decorating.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, then add egg and vanilla.
4. Combine with dry ingredients, roll out dough, and cut shapes.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

15. Eggnog

Creamy, rich, and spiced just right.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 12 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup rum (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat milk and cream over medium heat.
2. Whisk sugar and egg yolks until pale.
3. Slowly add hot milk to egg mixture.
4. Return to heat and cook until thickened.
5. Add nutmeg and rum.

16. Hot Chocolate

Warm, chocolatey goodness in a cup.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups milk
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Heat milk over medium heat.
2. Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar.
3. Stir in chocolate chips until melted.
4. Add vanilla and serve with whipped cream or marshmallows.

17. Mulled Wine

A warm spiced wine perfect for cold nights.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle red wine
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 5 cloves

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pot.
2. Heat gently, stirring until sugar dissolves.
3. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, then strain and serve.

18. Cheese Ball

A savory appetizer that’s always a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 2 packages cream cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients except pecans.
2. Form into a ball and roll in chopped pecans.
3. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

19. Deviled Eggs

A tangy, creamy bite-sized treat.

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mustard
• Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

1. Halve the eggs and remove yolks.
2. Mash yolks with mayonnaise and mustard.
3. Spoon back into egg whites and sprinkle with paprika.

20. Shrimp Cocktail

A simple but elegant appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb cooked shrimp
• 1/2 cup cocktail sauce
• 1 lemon, sliced

Instructions:

1. Arrange shrimp and lemon on a platter.
2. Serve with cocktail sauce.

21. Spinach Artichoke Dip

Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
3. Transfer to a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.

22. Caprese Skewers

Fresh, light, and so festive.

Ingredients:

• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh mozzarella balls
• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze

Instructions:

1. Skewer tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
2. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.

23. Garlic Bread

Crusty, buttery, and infused with garlic.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf French bread
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon parsley

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cut bread into slices.
3. Mix butter, garlic, and parsley.
4. Spread on bread and bake for 10-12 minutes.

24. Chocolate Bark

A quick and easy sweet treat.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies

Instructions:

1. Melt dark chocolate and spread on a baking sheet.
2. Melt white chocolate and drizzle over dark chocolate.
3. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint.
4. Chill until set and break into pieces.

25. Holiday Chex Mix

A crunchy, sweet and salty snack.

Ingredients:

• 9 cups Chex cereal
• 1 cup mixed nuts
• 1 cup pretzels
• 1 cup M&M’s
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup sugar

Instructions:

1. Combine Chex, nuts, pretzels, and M&M’s in a large bowl.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter, corn syrup, and sugar.
3. Pour over mix and stir to coat.
4. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F for 1 hour.

26. Fruit Salad

A refreshing and colorful dessert.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 2 cups pineapple chunks
• 2 cups grapes
• 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Combine all fruit in a large bowl.
2. Mix honey and lemon juice, and pour over fruit.
3. Toss gently.

27. Chocolate Fondue

An indulgent dessert for dipping.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Assorted fruits and marshmallows for dipping

Instructions:

1. Heat cream in a saucepan until warm.
2. Add chocolate chips and stir until melted.
3. Serve with dipping items.

28. Cinnamon Rolls

Soft, gooey, and perfect for a holiday breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 packet yeast
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Combine warm milk, yeast, and sugar, and let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Mix in egg and butter, then add flour.
3. Knead dough and let rise for 1 hour.
4. Roll out dough, spread with butter and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
5. Roll up, cut into slices, and bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.

Conclusion

Christmas cooking doesn't have to be complicated. These 28 easy recipes will effortlessly make your holiday gatherings tasty and memorable. From savory mains to sweet treats, there's something here for everyone. Enjoy the season, savor the flavors, and create cherished memories with your loved ones. Happy Holidays!