The holidays are a time for gathering with loved ones, creating cherished memories, and indulging in delectable festive feasts. From succulent roasts to comforting side dishes and decadent desserts, a well-planned holiday dinner can transport you to a world of culinary bliss. However, crafting the perfect menu can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling multiple tasks and trying to cater to various tastes and preferences. Fear not, because we’ve curated a collection of 23 simple yet impressive holiday dinner recipes that will make your celebrations truly unforgettable. These recipes strike the perfect balance between elegance and ease, ensuring that you can spend more time enjoying the company of your guests and less time stressing in the kitchen.
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Garlic Herb Butter Roast Turkey Recipe
This garlic herb butter roast turkey recipe is a mouthwatering delight! First, mix butter, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper. Next, pat the turkey dry, stuff it with aromatics, rub it with the herb butter mixture, and place it breast-side down on a bed of garlic and herbs. Roast at high heat, flip, baste, and finish roasting at a lower temperature. Broil for crispy skin, rest, carve, and enjoy!
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Honey Glazed Easter Ham Recipe
This honey glazed Easter ham recipe whips up a delectable main dish! Combine honey, Dijon, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, butter, garlic powder, ground cloves; brush on a 4-5lb bone-in ham. Bake at 325°F for 2 hours, basting every 30 minutes, until the internal temp hits 145°F. Let that bad boy rest 10-15 minutes before carving and serving. Mmm, tasty!
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Perfect Garlic Prime Rib Recipe
Here’s a mouthwatering garlic prime rib recipe that’ll tantalize your taste buds! Rub a savory blend of garlic, herbs, oil, salt, and pepper all over a 7-pound prime rib roast. Let it rest for an hour before roasting at 450°F for 20 minutes. Lower the temperature to 325°F and cook until the thermometer reads 125-130°F. Rest the roast for 20 minutes, then serve topped with a zesty citrus gremolata.
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Cranberry Apple Stuffed Pork Loin Recipe
Butterfly pork loin, pound flat. Mix panko, stock, apples, walnuts, cranberries, shallots, maple syrup, rosemary for filling. Spread on pork, roll up, tie with string. Roast at 450°F for 15 minutes, reduce to 325°F, cook until 140°F internal temperature. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with pan drippings or gravy. Perfect holiday main course that’ll impress guests with its flavorful filling, juicy meat.
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Roast Goose with Potato & Stuffing Recipe
This roast goose recipe stuffs a 12-pound bird with herby breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, salt and pepper. Roast it at 350°F for 2-3 hours ’til done, then let it rest. Boil quartered potatoes separately; roast ’em in a hot, oiled pan for 30 minutes while the goose is resting. Carve that goosey goodness up, serve with crispy spuds – bon appétit!
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Roast Beef Tenderloin with Wine Sauce Recipe
Sear seasoned beef, then oven-roast till medium-rare. Sauté shallots in butter, add wine, broth, thyme, salt, pepper, sugar; reduce. Whisk in flour-butter paste to thicken. Slice tenderloin, serve with sauce. Rest meat before carving, collect juices for sauce. Discard fat from pan, deglaze with broth. Simmer sauce before serving. Enjoy this elegant dish!
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Roasted Spiced Rack Of Lamb Recipe
Spiced rack of lamb marinates in yogurt, garlic, ginger, spices for 6-12 hours. Roast at 450°F until medium-rare; let rest. Serve with yogurt sauce made from shallots, sumac, cilantro, pomegranate seeds, mint leaves. Carve chops between ribs, arrange on platter. Yogurt sauce alongside complements Indian-inspired flavors infused into tender meat.
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Roasted Duck Breast with Plum Sauce Recipe
This mouthwatering recipe guides home cooks through preparing roasted duck breast with a tangy-sweet plum sauce. First, score duck skin; season with salt and pepper. Sear breasts skin-side down until crisp and golden. Flip ’em, then roast in a 400°F oven for medium-rare perfection. Whip up the sauce by combining plum sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic. Slice duck, drizzle with sauce, garnish if desired – voila!
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Cornish Game Hens with Garlic and Rosemary Recipe
This recipe guides you through roasting Cornish game hens with garlic, rosemary, lemon, and white wine. Hens are seasoned inside and out, stuffed with aromatics, then roasted at high heat. Oven temperature’s reduced, liquids added, and hens continue roasting until golden brown. Pan juices and garlic are boiled into a sauce consistency. Hens are halved, plated, and garnished with the sauce and extra rosemary sprigs before serving.
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Best Green Bean Casserole Recipe
This mouthwatering green bean casserole recipe combines tender beans, creamy mushroom soup, and crunchy fried onions. Boil trimmed beans, mix with seasoned soup and milk, then transfer to a greased dish. Top with onions and bake until golden brown – a perfect side dish that’s easy to make and sure to impress your family and friends. Serve hot for maximum deliciousness!
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Marshmallow and Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Here’s a tasty twist on sweet potatoes! Mash ’em up with cinnamon, ginger, and chicken broth. Spoon into a casserole dish, top with mini marshmallows, then bake till golden brown. Mmm, fluffy and sweet with a hint of spice! Perfect side dish for holiday dinners. Nutrition info included for regular, natural, and organic broth options. Enjoy this classic comfort food!
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Sour Cream and Chive Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Here’s a mouthwatering recipe for sour cream and chive mashed potatoes! Boil peeled, chunked russet potatoes until tender. Mash ’em smooth, then mix in sour cream, chopped fresh chives, salt, and pepper. That’s it – you’ve got a savory, creamy side dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Serve piping hot alongside your favorite main course and watch these delicious spuds disappear!
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Easy Cranberry Sauce Recipe
Here’s a tasty, easy cranberry sauce recipe that’ll wow your taste buds! Simmer cranberries, sugar, cranberry juice, and cinnamon sticks for 10 minutes until berries pop. Cool sauce completely before refrigerating. Makes about 4½ cups of deliciousness to complement roasted turkey and stuffing. Whip up this simple yet flavorful sauce for your next holiday feast, and watch family and friends gobble it up!
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Thanksgiving Stuffing with Sausage and Apples Recipe
This Thanksgiving stuffing recipe combines toasted sourdough bread, browned country sausage, sautéed celery, apples, onions, sage, thyme, pepper. Toss ingredients together in a baking dish; add chicken stock for moisture. Cover with foil, bake 20 minutes, then uncover and bake 20 more until crispy on top. Serves a crowd; perfect side dish for holiday meals. Enjoy the savory, sweet, herbaceous flavors of this classic stuffing!
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Roasted Carrots with Honey Butter Recipe
Roasted Carrots with Honey Butter is a simple, delicious side dish. Slice carrots into uniform pieces, toss ’em with olive oil and salt, then roast at 425°F for 33-40 minutes. Melt butter in a pan until golden, stir in honey, pour that heavenly mixture over the hot carrots, toss to coat, sprinkle with pepper, serve piping hot. Your taste buds will thank you later!
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Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Recipe
This chocolate bourbon pecan pie recipe combines dark corn syrup, brown sugar, bourbon, eggs, butter, vanilla extract, salt, pecan halves and chocolate chips. Whisking filling ingredients together, then stirring in pecans plus chocolate chips creates a delectable mixture. Pour it into a pre-made pie crust before baking for 45-50 minutes at 350°F. Let your pie cool completely to room temperature prior to serving this indulgent dessert!
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Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Crust and Caramel Sauce Recipe
This pumpkin cheesecake recipe features a gingersnap crust, spiced pumpkin filling, and homemade caramel sauce. You’ll need a food processor, springform pan, and some patience to create this delectable dessert. Baking involves a water bath and cooling takes several hours, but the result is worth it! Cheesecake can be frozen for later enjoyment. Serve with a drizzle of warm caramel sauce and whipped cream if desired.
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Dark Chocolate Peppermint Truffles Recipe
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Truffles are a delectable treat made with semisweet chocolate, heavy cream, vanilla, peppermint extract, and butter. Melted chocolate is combined with heated cream and flavorings, then chilled until scoopable. Mixture is rolled into balls, coated in cocoa powder for easy handling. Truffles can be served immediately or stored at room temperature for a week. Bring refrigerated truffles to room temperature before indulging in this delightful confection.
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Gingerbread Houses Recipe
Baking gingerbread houses? You’ll need flour, spices, shortening, sugar, molasses – mix ’em up! Roll out that dough, cut using templates. Bake pieces ’til hardened; let cool. Whip up royal icing with egg whites, cream of tartar, powdered sugar. “Glue” house together using icing, prop roof. Decorate with more icing, candies – get creative! Microwave leftover dough for extra decorations. Enjoy your whimsical creation!
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White Chocolate Crème Brûlée Recipe
This white chocolate crème brûlée recipe yields a decadent, creamy custard infused with smooth white chocolate flavor. Egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and white chocolate-infused cream are whisked together, then baked in a water bath until set. After chilling, brown sugar is sprinkled on top and caramelized for a crisp, golden crust. Serve this elegant dessert at your next dinner party to impress guests!
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Hot Cocoa Brownies with Marshmallows Recipe
Melt shortening and chocolate, then mix in cocoa, sugar, eggs. Slowly add flour, mix thoroughly. Fold marshmallows into batter, pour into greased pan. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Cool before serving this delectable treat that combines rich chocolate flavor with gooey marshmallows – perfect for satisfying sweet cravings!
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White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Recipe
White chocolate peppermint bark is a festive holiday treat that’s easy to make at home. Melt white chocolate, stir in peppermint extract, then pour it onto a lined baking sheet. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the top, pressing them in slightly. Refrigerate for about an hour until firm, then break into pieces and enjoy this delicious, minty sweet!
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Rich Dark Fruitcake Recipe
This rich dark fruitcake recipe combines dried fruits, nuts, and rum-soaked goodness. Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs, vanilla, flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg. Stir in the boozy fruit-nut mixture. Bake for 2-3 hours at 325°F. Cool completely, wrap tightly, store in an airtight container. For best flavor, let sit a few days before serving. Enjoy a slice of holiday cheer!