Christmas Dinner is the crown jewel of the holiday season, and every great celebration deserves a show-stopping main course. If you’re planning a cozy family gathering or hosting a big Christmas dinner party, these recipes are going to make everyone feel special. From traditional roasts to seafood specialties and hearty comfort foods, there’s something here for every kind of cook and crowd.
In this collection, you’ll find classics like glazed ham and roasted turkey, elevated with seasonal flavors like maple, sage, and brown butter. For something a little fancier, try slow-braised beef bourguignon or butter-basted prime rib with a perfect crust. Each recipe is designed to be approachable yet impressive, with simple techniques and big, memorable flavors.
Looking to mix things up this year? Lighter options like shrimp scampi or smoked whole chicken offer a fresh twist, while baked rigatoni, Swedish meatballs, and reverse-seared steak bring the comfort.
14 Christmas Main Dishes To Wow Your Family
Swedish Meatballs
Hearty comfort food that is perfect served over buttered egg noodles. Move over Ikea, this one is going to wow your whole family!
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Easy Meatball Recipe
This easy meatball recipe will be your go-to! Versatile enough for so many different preparations. Make Swedish meatballs, Italian meatballs, or anything in between! So tender and flavorful.
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Beef Bourguignon Recipe
This authentic beef bourguignon recipe features fall-apart tender beef with vegetables, braised in a rich red wine sauce. Surprisingly simple to make– let it simmer all afternoon and you'll be rewarded with a pot of pure comfort for dinner!
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Ham Glaze
Making a glazed ham is so simple! All you need is this easy, 3-ingredient ham glaze recipe. It's sticky-sweet & mouthwateringly delicious!
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Reverse Sear Steak
This reverse sear steak recipe gives you ultimate control! Cooks to any doneness, with a savory, flavorful crust. Best steak of your life!
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Shrimp Scampi
Make this easy shrimp scampi recipe in just 15 minutes! Garlicky, lemony, buttery, and so good. A real treat for dinner!
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Shrimp Scampi
Make this easy shrimp scampi recipe in just 15 minutes! Garlicky, lemony, buttery, and so good. A real treat for dinner!
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Baked Rigatoni
Baked rigatoni, made with sausage! So much robust flavor and melted cheese! And the added benefit of hidden veg. A balanced meal in one pan.
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Maple and Sage Brown Butter Roasted Turkey
This Thanksgiving turkey recipe roasts up so juicy, with a bronzed, crisp skin glazed with sweet, seasonal maple and sage brown butter.
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Chicken Marsala
Make this easy chicken marsala recipe for dinner tonight! It comes together in a snap & everyone will love the rich, savory mushroom sauce!
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Herb Encrusted Lamb Chops Recipe
This herb encrusted lamb chops recipe is easy to make yet so special! With a crunchy, flavorful outside edge & perfectly juicy, tender meat.
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Butter-Basted Smoked Prime Rib
Tender, juicy American Wagyu Prime Rib Roast is grilled on our pellet grill after being coated with seasoned butter. This crust is perfect!
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Smoked Beef Tenderloin
This Smoked Beef Tenderloin is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table. Don’t have a smoker? This recipe can easily be made in the oven!
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Smoked Whole Chicken
This simple recipe for a Smoked Whole Chicken creates a juicy, flavorful meal with a crisp, flavorful skin. Out method uses a low-and-slow approach to infuse all that rich, smoky flavor into the meat.
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Nicole Johnson launched the site OrWhateverYouDo.com in 2010 as a platform to share her favorite recipes with friends and family. It quickly morphed into a passion and thriving business that she and her husband work on full-time, more than 15 years later. You can find family-friendly recipes for the grill, griddle, and all cooking methods.
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