If you’ve been too busy going to parties and buying gifts to come up with Christmas dinner ideas, you’re not alone! Luckily you’ve got a little more culinary leeway with this meal than Thanksgiving. If you’re a mom who would rather spend your day enjoying opening gifts with the family than slaving over a hot stove, we’ve found some absolutely delish quick meals that will have everyone convinced you spent hours slaving over a hot stove but actually require minimal prep.
Appetizers are a no-brainer. All you need is a simple fruit and cheese plate, bruschetta or veggies and dip. If you want something a little less basic, these amazing Prosciutto Rolls with fig preserves and goat cheese take less than a half an hour to make. Or whip up Martha Stewart’s Mushroom Tart with baby spinach and goat cheese for an equally impressive vegetarian option.
Now for some Christmas dinner ideas starting with salad and sides, then on to an entree and cap it off with dessert. We can’t forget dessert!
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Whet their appetites with a five-minute Spinach Salad with Dried Cranberries, Walnuts and Pomegranate Vinaigrette or mix things up with light, flavorful Salmon Fennel & Lime Plates. Sweet Potato & Leek Soup is perfect on a cold winter day and it’s ready in about half an hour.
There is no shortage of super scrumptious and super easy side dishes. Creamy Parmesan Risotto is always a favorite and it goes with just about everything. Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon is another surefire crowd-pleaser. For more kid-friendly fare (You can’t make them eat Brussels sprouts on Christmas day!) Pumpkin Macaroni & Cheese is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food and it only takes 25 minutes. Fettuccini with Quick Ragu made with turkey or veal and seasoned with rosemary is another tasty option.
Now for the entrees! It’s hard to believe but you truly can put together a rich, flavorful and healthy dish in under an hour. Roasted Chicken with Chorizo & Sweet Potatoes makes a beautiful feast with only 10 minutes of prep. Cut that in half with this classic Glazed Ham with Coriander & Fennel recipe. Or try fresh, mouthwatering Grilled Swordfish with Tomato & Cucumber Salsa.
No Christmas dinner ideas are complete without dessert! Plum Tarts with Honey & Black Pepper are an unexpected, perfectly seasonal and light ending for your meal. Marcela Valladolid’s Easy Mexican Chocolate Soufflé takes a little longer but the results are too tantalizing to pass up!
