The holiday season is a time for indulgence and celebration with loved ones, marked by festive gatherings and an abundance of flavorful food. As the host of a special event, selecting recipes that are both scrumptious and stress-free can be a daunting task, whether you’re hosting a cozy family gathering or a grand affair.
To make your holiday catering experience seamless, we’ve curated a list of 28 delectable and easy-to-make recipes for you to delight in.
From savory starters to decadent desserts, our collection caters to every taste and preference. Let the culinary festivities begin!
Air Fryer Crispy Potatoes
Kick off your holiday celebrations with our first recipe of the season – a scrumptious side dish that pairs perfectly with any main course. This air fryer-based recipe is a game-changer for those looking to indulge in traditional flavors while keeping things healthy. To make it, you’ll need baby potatoes seasoned with a trio of flavor boosters: garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and optional Cajun seasoning for an extra kick.
Apricot-Stuffed Pork Loin
Looking for a departure from the ordinary main course? Look no further than this delectable apricot-stuffed pork loin recipe. This unique dish sees a tender pork loin filled with a savory blend of sweet apricots, pungent garlic, and a touch of salt. The harmonious fusion of flavors results in a succulent and mouthwatering culinary experience.
Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Cauliflower and Pomegranate Salad
If beef isn’t your go-to protein and you’re craving a red meat option, this recipe for tender and juicy beef tenderloin might be just what you’re looking for. To get started, season the beef with salt and pepper before adding a medley of flavorful ingredients to the pan, including cauliflower, shallots, Dijon mustard, and kale. As the beef reaches your desired level of doneness, finish it off with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds for a burst of sweetness.
Butternut Squash Soup
During the holiday season, a warm and comforting bowl of soup can be just what’s needed to bring everyone together. And when it comes to fall vegetables, butternut squash is a standout choice, making it an ideal addition to many holiday soups. This particular recipe combines the natural sweetness of roasted butternut squash with the earthy flavors of potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion, all blended together in a rich and creamy base made from chicken stock.
Perfect for a cold winter’s night, this hearty soup is sure to become a new family favorite.
Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin
Indulge in a delightful side dish perfect for any holiday gathering. By combining the nutritional benefits of cauliflower and broccoli with the richness of Gruyere cheese, this gratin is sure to become a staple on your table. The savory flavors are elevated by a hint of nutmeg, salt, and pepper, making it impossible to resist a second helping.
Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
Step away from the traditional glazed ham this holiday season! Instead, try our unique recipe that’s sure to impress your family and guests. To start, roast the ham for about an hour to an hour and a half before adding the sweet and tangy glaze. This game-changing combination of crushed pineapple, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and garlic is pressed into the ham and then baked for another 30 to 60 minutes, resulting in a truly unforgettable culinary experience.
Brussels Sprouts with Pickled Shallots and Hazelnuts
Transforming traditional Brussels sprouts into a show-stopping side dish, perfect for both Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. This delightful recipe combines the humble vegetable with caramelized shallots, crunchy hazelnuts, and pungent garlic, all infused with the rich flavors of red wine vinegar and thyme. A simple yet impressive addition to any holiday table.
California Roast Lamb
There’s something special about serving lamb during the holiday season – it’s a true showstopper. However, cooking lamb can be a bit tricky, as it’s easy to end up with an overcooked or underseasoned dish. Fear not, though, as this recipe is designed to bring out the best in your lamb. The star of the show is a beautifully seasoned leg of lamb, rubbed with a simple blend of salt, pepper, and oregano.
From there, it’s elevated by the addition of tangy tomato sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, all cooked to perfection alongside some tender artichokes.
Cinnamon Roll Wreath
Starting off our list of sweet treats is a show-stopper – a cinnamon-infused wreath that’s surprisingly easy to make. The secret lies in using premade pizza dough, which serves as the base for a delightful combination of cinnamon and cream cheese glaze. As you shape the dough into a wreath, its appearance rivals its impressive flavor profile.
Cornbread Stuffing
Cornbread stuffing is a staple of many Thanksgiving celebrations, and for good reason – it’s a flavorful and savory addition to any holiday meal. This classic recipe combines the warmth of cornbread with the freshness of celery, parsley, and onion, along with the subtle spice of nutmeg and the richness of chicken. With its comforting aroma and delicious taste, this dish is sure to become a new family favorite. Simply combine all the ingredients, season to taste, and bake until golden brown.
Corn Salad with Bacon and Honey
In the heart of Southern cuisine, there’s a refreshing twist on traditional side dishes: a sweet and savory corn salad that combines bold flavors in perfect harmony. This delightful concoction brings together crispy bacon, pungent shallot, fragrant thyme, tangy sherry vinegar, and soothing honey. And the best part? You can effortlessly whip it up using frozen corn, making this recipe a stress-free addition to your culinary repertoire.
Cranberry Almond Apple Pie
Indulge in our scrumptious holiday dessert, a warm pie that’s sure to become a family favorite. This delectable treat combines the sweet and tangy flavors of apples, cranberries, and nutmeg, topped with a delightful medley of brown sugar, cinnamon, and crunchy almonds. Enjoy it on its own or elevate the experience with a scoop of creamy ice cream or rich custard.
Cranberry Brie Bites
One of our most beloved appetizers, this bite-sized delight also makes for an excellent choice when catering to a party crowd. While the foundation is typically a tube of crescent dough, the adventurous can opt for their own homemade version. The filling itself is a harmonious blend of creamy brie, tangy cranberry sauce, and crunchy pecans, all brought together by a sprig of fragrant rosemary.
Creamed Spinach
This delightful side dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s simplicity belies its flavor profile. Choose between fresh or frozen spinach, depending on your pantry’s contents. The spinach is sautéed with onion and garlic to bring out their natural sweetness before being whisked into a rich mixture of milk, heavy cream, and cream cheese. The result is a velvety smooth dish packed with the nutritious benefits of spinach.
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole
When it comes to the holiday season, casseroles are a staple in many households. By leveraging the convenience of a crockpot, these hearty dishes become even more accessible. Imagine preparing your casserole early in the day and then letting it cook effortlessly throughout the day – a true game-changer for any busy host. What’s more, this recipe can be easily adapted to suit vegan dietary preferences by substituting whole milk with vegetable broth.
Grandma’s Cornbread Dressing
Cornbread is a beloved Southern staple that’s perfect for the holidays. This classic recipe has been a crowd-pleaser for generations, and it’s easy to see why – the combination of cornmeal, buttermilk, and flour creates a rich, moist base that’s then elevated by the savory flavors of onion, celery, chicken soup, and chicken broth.
Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry
Puff pastry’s versatility knows no bounds, making it a staple in many culinary creations. This versatile ingredient serves as the foundation for a multitude of delectable appetizers, one notable example being these indulgent ham and cheese puff pastries. While homemade puff pastry is certainly an option, utilizing frozen pastry can be just as effective. To create these savory treats, simply fill pre-made puff pastry with a harmonious blend of spinach, Swiss cheese, and ham.
Hasselback Butternut Squash
In our previous recipe, we showcased a delicious butternut squash soup, but this dish takes these versatile vegetables in an entirely new direction. The process begins by baking the large squash for 20 minutes before transforming it into a stunning Hasselback-style presentation. This unique preparation is then elevated with a tangy sauce crafted from shallots, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar, resulting in a truly memorable culinary experience.
Holiday Roasted Vegetables
No holiday meal is truly complete without a medley of roasted vegetables on the table. This scrumptious recipe combines the finest ingredients to deliver a flavorful and aromatic side dish that will impress your loved ones. The star-studded cast includes Brussels sprouts, carrots, crunchy pecans, tart cranberries, fragrant rosemary leaves, and warm thyme – all working harmoniously together to create a truly show-stopping roasted vegetable medley.
Molasses Fruitcake
While some may view fruitcake as a relic of the past, we’re still passionate about its enduring appeal. This classic dessert is not only a delightful treat but also a satisfying snack for the holiday season. The recipe we’re sharing features a harmonious blend of traditional spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, along with sweet and tangy candied citron. To add texture and flavor depth, we’ve included an assortment of fruits and nuts, including currants, raisins, and walnuts.
Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert or a festive snack to enjoy throughout the holidays, this fruitcake recipe is sure to delight.
Pastry-Wrapped Holiday Ham
Our second holiday ham recipe takes a different approach than our glazed ham, instead featuring a pastry-wrapped delight. To create this show-stopping centerpiece, the ham must first be roasted with a sweet and tangy mustard glaze. After a few hours in the oven, it’s then wrapped in flaky pastry and baked again until golden brown. But that’s not all – we’re also sharing a simple recipe for an apple cider sauce to serve alongside.
A perfect blend of savory and sweet, this holiday ham is sure to impress.
Pecan Snowflake Cookies
Holidays are often associated with indulging in a wide range of sweet treats, including cookies that not only tantalize our taste buds but also add to the festive atmosphere. Specifically, we’re fond of a particular type of cookie that combines the richness of pecans with the warmth of cinnamon and the comforting familiarity of vanilla extract.
What sets these cookies apart is their unique appearance, which can be achieved by using a snowflake-shaped cookie cutter to create intricate designs that evoke the magic of winter.
Pigs in a Blanket
A staple at any social gathering, pigs in a blanket are a tried-and-true appetizer that also happens to be an excellent finger food option. What’s more, these bite-sized treats require only the most basic of ingredients – puff pastry, hot dogs, and shredded cheddar cheese. To make them even more convenient, you can opt for frozen puff pastry, simplifying the process even further.
Scalloped Potatoes Recipe
When it comes to holiday side dishes, potatoes are always a crowd-pleaser. This beloved recipe features thinly sliced potatoes and onions harmoniously combined in alternating layers, each one infused with rich buttery goodness. The finishing touch? A generous pour of creamy milk that brings the entire dish together.
Shrimp Cocktail
The iconic shrimp cocktail is a timeless favorite that never goes out of style. By poaching the succulent seafood in a flavorful broth comprised of white wine, water, garlic, lemon juice, and salt for approximately three minutes, you’ll create a dish that’s as elegant as it is effortless. Serve the tender morsels with a tangy cocktail sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon, and you’ve got an appetizer that’s sure to please even the most discerning palates.
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
There’s something special about sweet potatoes during the holiday season – they’re an integral part of many celebrations. Our go-to recipe is for twice-baked sweet potatoes, where we take a simple approach by baking them once with just oil to bring out their natural sweetness. The real magic happens when we shell and fill them, then give them a second bake with a delicious mixture of mashed sweet potato, melted cheese, tangy sour cream, and a blend of savory seasonings.
If you’re ready to indulge in this sweet potato goodness, head over to the recipe page to get started!
Ultimate Mac n’ Cheese
A quintessential comfort food, mac and cheese has earned its place in the hearts (and stomachs) of many. Our take on this beloved dish is a game-changer, boasting an impressive medley of cheeses, tender macaroni, crispy bacon, and an array of seasonings that will leave you craving more. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself or impress family and friends, this ultimate mac and cheese recipe is sure to hit the spot.
Barbara is an enthusiastic food-exploring person that goes through different culinary experiences. She got inspired by creating a pizza blog post after she tasted one of the best-selling pizzas in Toledo.