December is the month when everyone starts planning their holiday table — something warm, simple, and comforting, without spending hours trying to decide what to make. So I put all my best Christmas mains, sides, soups, and breads together in one place.
Nothing complicated, nothing fancy. Just solid, reliable recipes that fit beautifully on a Christmas table.
🍗 14 Christmas Mains
Standing Rib Roast
A classic holiday centerpiece — tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Perfect for special dinners.
1
Standing Prime Rib Roast
This prime rib roast or standing rib roast is seasoned with a dry spice rib marinade. Then, cooked to a perfect medium-rare, and served with pomegranate gravy. The perfect roast to serve on special occasions
Slow-roasted with herbs and garlic for a rich, festive roast that always impresses.
2
Roast Leg of Lamb – Garlic Butter Marinade
This is how to roast a leg of lamb perfectly every single time. With a simple garlic butter marinade, this meat is tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection. Serve with a side and bread for a complete meal. Leftovers are great for sandwiches and wraps.
A simpler lamb option with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and holiday-friendly seasoning.
3
Boneless Roast Lamb
Roast lamb may seem complicated, but it does not have to be. Here is an easy roast recipe that will win your heart and mouth in one bite. A herb marinade and honey mustard glaze make an impressive presentation to serve with family and friends.
Braised until fall-apart tender in a rich, flavorful sauce. Great for a rustic Christmas meal.
4
Easy Braised Lamb Shanks Stovetop
Braised lamb shanks are delicious and fairly easy to prepare. Indeed, they are perhaps the perfect cut for those who like their meat cooked long, fork-tender, and flavorful. This is slow-cooked on the stovetop for a few hours.
Slow-cooked beef with a deep, rich gravy. Ideal for feeding a crowd.
5
Slow Cooked Beef Brisket (Oven)
Whether you're a seasoned pitmaster or a novice home cook, there's something undeniably captivating about the allure of a perfectly tender, slow-cooked beef brisket infused with rich flavors and melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
A cozy, comforting roast simmered with vegetables — perfect for casual Christmas dinners.
6
Oven Braised Fall-Apart Honey Mustard Roast Beef (Low and Slow)
Our ultimate pot roast recipe will have you drooling with anticipation and require minimal effort on those frantic weeknights. Imagine sinking your teeth into tender, juicy beef that has been slow-cooked to perfection, accompanied by a medley of flavors that will transport you to comfort food heaven.
French-style beef stew simmered in wine. Elegant, comforting, and full of depth.
7
The BEST Beef Burgundy aka Beef Bourguignon
This Beef Burgundy or Beef Bourguignon consists of beef pieces bathed in burgundy wine and cooked long and slow with herbs and mushrooms until they are fork-tender. This ultimate comfort food can be made in a slow cooker, on the stovetop, or in the oven.
Tender short ribs in a rich braising sauce. A special-occasion dish without the fuss.
8
Short Ribs with Black Eyed Peas
Beef short ribs really lend themselves to slow cooking, as the meat becomes very tender. Here, they are cooked in the slow cooker with black-eyed peas until very tender. This is probably the best short ribs with black-eyed peas.
Slow-braised shanks in a flavorful wine sauce — a hearty option for winter gatherings.
9
Oven Braised Osso Buco Recipe
This Osso Buco is a fork-tender veal shank slow-cooked in the oven with red wine and a few other ingredients. A simple recipe that needs only 20 minutes to prep and about 2 hours to bake. Served over mashed potato and sides for an inviting meal.
Sweet, savory, and simple. A lovely alternative to turkey.
10
Maple Roast Chicken with Fruits and Veggies
This roast chicken is flavored with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar. Accompanied by baby potatoes and grapes, which add a wonderful fruity flavor to the final gravy. Also, the leftover chicken, if any, makes the most delicious sandwiches and wraps.
Here's how to make whole roast chicken in the oven perfectly every single time. This chicken is juicy on the inside with a crisp golden skin on the outside that looks perfect on the center of any festive dinner. The best part is it's using simple and easy-to-find ingredients. Leftovers are perfect for sandwiches and wraps.
Perfect for hands-off cooking if your oven is busy with desserts.
12
Slow Cooker Roast Chicken
This slow cooker roast chicken is incredibly tender and flavorful, thanks to the low and slow cooking method. The chicken is seasoned with a savory dry rub and stuffed with herbs and lemon for added aroma. A quick broil at the end gives the skin a perfect golden, crispy finish.
A festive salmon with sweet citrus glaze — great for smaller holiday dinners.
13
Orange Glazed Salmon
This pan-seared salmon is coated in a light flour crust and finished with a rich, citrusy orange glaze infused with garlic, butter, honey, and capers. It is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner or an elegant meal.
Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes — the ultimate holiday comfort food.
15
Mashed Potatoes
Discover the secrets to creating the fluffiest, creamiest mashed potatoes you've ever tasted by choosing the right variety of potatoes. Say goodbye to gummy or watery mashed potatoes and unlock the key to the perfect mash.
Crispy edges and soft centers. An easy way to make potatoes feel festive.
16
Hasselback Potatoes
Baked Hasselback potatoes have thin, crispy edges and soft, creamy centers. They take some time and finesse to make, but the results are well worth it! The perfect side to impress guests on special occasions.
Crispy, garlicky, and golden — a simple side that goes with everything.
17
Crispy Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Elevate your side dish game with these Crispy Parmesan Garlic Roasted Potatoes! Perfectly parboiled and seasoned with a mouthwatering blend of parmesan, garlic, and paprika, then roasted to golden perfection. These potatoes are tender on the inside and irresistibly crispy on the outside. Easy to make and bursting with flavor, they’re a crowd-pleaser at any meal.
Soft roasted sweet potatoes with warm spices — a cozy, colorful side dish.
18
Baked Sweet Potato Slices
Sweet potatoes are one of the most versatile vegetables around. They pair well with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These baked sweet potato slices are simple to make and impressive to serve.
Sweet, caramelized carrots that pair well with any roast.
19
Oven-Baked Carrot Sticks
The oven-baked carrot sticks are an easy way to eat heart-healthy veggies more often. Baking veggies makes them sweeter and more delicious. This simple and easy recipe will have you and your family eating carrots often, as it takes less than 30 minutes to make.
Light, fresh, and ready in minutes. Great for balancing a heavy main.
20
Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan
This Parmesan Roasted Asparagus is a quick and flavorful side dish, featuring tender asparagus with a golden, cheesy crust. The bright lemon zest and garlic add a fresh, savory kick that complements the asparagus perfectly. It's an easy yet elegant addition to any meal.
Quick, simple, and perfectly crisp-tender — a holiday classic.
21
Sautéed Sesame Green Beans
This green bean dish uses fresh green beans, sesame seeds, and garlic. Sesame Green Beans are served warm and can be an entree or a side dish. This recipe is also gluten-free and dairy-free.
Smooth, warm, and lightly sweet — a cozy starter for any holiday dinner.
22
Roast Butternut Squash Soup
This is the easiest butternut squash soup you can make. We roast the butternut squash and veggies to bring out the natural sweetness of the vegetables. And then, sauté, simmer, and blend it to make this delicious comfort food. Today, I am using milk to keep it healthier b,ut cream works just as well.
Bright, comforting, and gently spiced. Perfect for December evenings.
23
Roasted Carrot Ginger Soup Recipe
This roasted carrot ginger soup is a creamy, flavorful bowl of comfort packed with health benefits. Sweet roasted carrots and zesty ginger combine beautifully with coconut milk for a velvety texture. Perfect for a cozy meal, it’s both detoxifying and delicious!
Earthy, creamy, and rich with flavor — a great soup for entertaining.
24
Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup
Imagine indulging in a warm bowl of soup, satisfying your taste buds, and nourishing your body with unexpected health benefits. That's exactly what cream of mushroom soup has to offer. This humble concoction, often underestimated, packs a punch when it comes to promoting overall well-being.
Simple, classic, and loved by everyone. A warm way to start a holiday meal.
25
Tomato Soup Recipe
Skip the can! This creamy tomato soup with fresh tomatoes is easy to make and packed with bold, homemade flavor. Includes tips, substitutions, and storage options.
Fluffy, warm rolls that pair perfectly with any Christmas main.
26
Soft Dinner Rolls – Homemade
Buttery, fluffy, and soft dinner rolls are the best to have with any main course. This bread recipe needs only 6 ingredients, 10 minutes to prep, and 20 minutes to bake with some proofing time in between
These whole wheat dinner rolls are light and airy and made with 70% whole wheat flour. The recipe is simple, easy to make, and much healthier than most bread rolls.
Pretty, pull-apart rolls that always look festive.
28
Homemade Cloverleaf Rolls
Classic old-fashion cloverleaf rolls are an absolute treat and very versatile. These simple cloverleaf shaped dinner rolls pair well with any food, sweet or savory and are perfect for any meal from breakfast to dinner. Serve it for breakfast with butter and jam or for dinner alongside your favorite roast or gravy.
Soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for any holiday table.
29
Challah Bread Recipe – 3 Braids
Have you been intimidated by the pretty challah? Not anymore. Today, I share with you the easiest three-braid challah bread recipe you will ever make. This recipe uses just six ingredients, which are regular pantry staples, and the process is surprisingly simple and easy.
A beautiful pull-apart bread shaped like a star — perfect as a centerpiece.
30
Christmas Star Bread
Get ready to become the star of your next festive gathering with our easy and impressive Star Bread recipe. Not only will this show-stopping holiday delight captivate your loved ones with its stunning appearance, but it will also tantalize their taste buds with its flaky and delicious texture.
Festive, fun, and great for sharing. Looks impressive but made from simple dough.
31
Italian Christmas Bread – Panettone
Perfect for the holidays, this is more than bread – it’s a perfect edible gift to family and friends, too.
32
Panettone – Italian Christmas Bread
Picture yourself walking through the bustling streets of Italy during the holiday season, where the air is filled with the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked Panettone. This iconic Italian Christmas bread is more than just a festive treat – it symbolizes celebration and togetherness.
These mains, sides, soups, and breads make it easy to plan a complete Christmas dinner without overthinking it. Choose one main, a couple of sides, a simple soup, and a fresh bread — and the whole meal comes together naturally. I hope this roundup helps you build a warm, simple, stress-free holiday table.
I’m a cook, baker, and former cake decorator sharing dependable recipes for everyday cooking, bread baking, and classic desserts. Everything here is tested, technique-driven, and designed to work in real kitchens — food that’s balanced, full of flavor, and never overcomplicated.
