16 Complete Christmas Dinner Menus for the Holidays

If you're looking to make things just a little bit fancier, this Christmas menu is what you've been looking for. From the beef tenderloin main course to rich Christmas side dishes infused with tons of flavor, this menu will leave your family beyond satisfied.

Appetizers:

Cable-Knit Breadsticks

Three-Cheese Fondue

Main Course:

Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Cauliflower-Pomegranate Salad

Side Dishes:

Root Vegetable Gratin

Roasted Butternut Squash with Cider Vinaigrette

Garlic and Rosemary-Infused Mashed Potatoes

Dessert:

Pine Tree Cake

Drink:

Sparkling Pear & Orange Champagne Punch

A traditional British Christmas dinner looks similar to an American Thanksgiving dinner (which they don't celebrate, of course). While the list below has British-themed dishes, such as pigs in blankets and fruitcake in the form of cookies, the way to truly make it feel authentic is to whip up a batch of Yorkshire pudding and break open some Christmas crackers.

Appetizers:

Pigs in Blankets

Main Course:

Herb and Citrus Butter Roasted Turkey

Thyme-Pear Gravy

Side Dishes:

Roasted Potatoes with Fresh Herbs

Rosemary Monkey Bread Stuffing

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Spiced Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Star Anise

Dessert:

Fruitcake Cookies

Fruit and Nut Trifle

Drink:

Cranberry Gin Fizz

The holidays are a time to delight in the most decadent food, and that's exactly what this menu does. Each dish delivers a luxurious look and taste, yet is easy to make. Finish off the night with the smooth rum cocktail below and viewings of some classic Christmas movies.

Appetizer:

Honey-Drizzled Citrus Salad with Pistachio-Poppy Seed Granola

Main Course:

Pork Chops with Bourbon-Molasses Glaze

Side Dish:

Brussels Sprouts with Pickled Shallots and Hazelnuts

Roasted Squash with Goat Cheese and Poached Cranberries

Hasselback Potato Gratin

Dessert:

Cranberry Tart

Fruit and Nut Trifle

Drink:

Driven Snow Cocktail

Treat your guests to the ultimate comfort food Christmas feast. This menu includes classic holiday favorites like sweet potato casserole and pecan pie, with inventive spins on them. Each dish is packed with flavor and is sure to leave you in the best food coma ever.

Appetizer:

Composed Waldorf Salad

Main Course:

Seasoned Roasted Turkey

White Wine and Rosemary Gravy

Side Dish:

Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin

Sweet Potato Casserole with Homemade Marshmallow

Corn Salad with Bacon and Honey

Scalloped Oysters

Dessert:

Double-Crust Apple Cheddar Pie

Pecan Slab Pie

Drink:

Apple Cider Punch

You didn't come to play! These unbelievably impressive Christmas dinner menu ideas aren't just delicious; they look the part too. Featuring exciting ingredients and creative twists, they're just the thing you need to make your guests say "wow"—and mean it.

Appetizer:

Caramelized Onion Dip with Crispy Shallots

Main Course:

Spice-Rubbed Turkey Wrapped in Prosciutto

Side Dish:

Pimento-Cheese Potato Gratin

Sautéed Kale with Garlic and Red Onions

Roasted Cauliflower with Cumin

Creamed Pearl Onions

Dessert:

Gingerbread Cheesecake with Pecan Graham Crust

Persimmon Crème Brûleé

Drink:

Pomegranate-Champagne Cocktails

Got a few vegetarians coming over this year? Make them feel right at home with our very best vegetarian Christmas menu ideas. Trust us: You won't notice a difference. Here, bucatini acts as a satisfying, meatless entrée.

Main Course:

Bucatini with Winter Pesto and Sweet Potatoes

Side Dish:

Marinated Mushroom and Charred Broccolini Salad

Green Bean Salad with Red Onions

Pumpkin Cheese Bread

Coriander-Roasted Carrots

Dessert:

Candy Cane Cake

Here's a menu that incorporates the delicious taste of fresh herbs in all of its elements. From a fennel-scented panzanella to an herbed goat cheese dip, every dish here is flavorful and sweet-scented.

Appetizers:

Herbed Goat Cheese Dip

Main Course:

Cider-Braised Chicken-and-Fennel Panzanella

Herbed Chicken with Beets and Brussels

Side Dish:

Green Salad With Roasted Carrots and Creamy Tarragon Dressing

Creamy Bibb and Herb Salad

Drink:

Orange-Thyme Old-Fashioned

Yes, you really can make everything on this menu ahead of time—including the desserts. Leave the ice cream in the freezer until you're ready to enjoy it, give yourself enough time to heat up the pasta, and you've got yourself a delicious, time-savvy meal.

Main Course:

Pancetta and Brussels Sprouts Linguini

Side Dish:

Farro and Acorn Squash Salad

Spiced Apricot, Golden Raisin, and Cranberry Compote

Dessert:

Pretzel-Chocolate-Pecan Slab Pie

Gingerbread Chocolate Chunk No-Churn Ice Cream

There's nothing easier than being able to set your slow cooker—then forget it while you plan the rest of your Christmas festivities. Each and every one of these recipes lets you do exactly that!

Main Course:

Slow Cooker Herbed Chicken

Side Dish:

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Butternut Squash Soup

Dessert:

Slow Cooker Cherry Apple Crisp

Drinks:

Slow Cooker Apple Cider

An array of hearty dishes displayed in festive hodgepodge servingware makes this Tex-Mex meal perfect for Christmas at the ranch.

Main Course:

Beer-Braised Chicken and Jalapeno Ranch Coleslaw Tacos

Side Dishes:

Buttermilk and Hatch Chile Grits

Oven Avocado Fries

Black Pepper and Bacon Pinto Beans

Texas-Style Pimento Cheese

Dessert:

Skillet S'mores

Drinks:

Spiced Mexican Hot Chocolate

Grapefruit Ranch Water

This sumptuous spread—rack of lamb, fennel salad, onion pie, and more—gives reason to rejoice.

Main Course:

Cherry-and-Port-Glazed Rack of Lamb Recipe

Side Dishes:

Fennel, Orange, and Olive Salad

Onion Pie

Baked Potatoes with Bacon Butter

Dessert:

Pumpkin Cream Tarts with Candied Cranberries

Drink:

Pomegranate-Apple Cocktails

Fete a crowd—sans stress—with this satisfying, make-ahead fare: sweet-and-spicy ham, mini cheesecakes, and more.

Appetizer:

Lemon Goat-Cheese Dip

Main Course:

Sweet-and-Spicy Cola-Glazed Ham

Side Dish:

Cheddar Biscuits

Orange Carrots with Yogurt Parsley Dressing

Roasted Acorn Squash with Maple-Bacon Drizzle

Dessert:

Mini Brown-Sugar Cheesecakes

Drink:

Sparkling Winter Sangria

Hosting your friends and family for the holidays doesn't have to break the bank. This delicious, crowd-pleasing party menu is simple, fun, and easy on your wallet.

Appetizers:

Roasted Winter Squash Soup

Pigs in Blankets

Pulled Pork in Biscuits

Smoky Popcorn

Spicy Rosemary Peanuts

Dessert:

Mini Bread Puddings

A Trio of Cocktails:

Cranberry Cava Cocktail

Tropical Bourbon Punch

Warm Bourbon Cider

A classic menu that's the perfect accompaniment to a snowy, New England country Christmas.

Main Course:

Cider-Brined Pork Roast with Onions and Apples

Side Dishes:

Oven Roasted Mushroom Stew

Sweet Pear and Gorgonzola Salad

Pumpkin and Cauliflower Casserole

Dessert:

Apple-Cheddar Crumble Pie

Drink:

Block Island Fog

Get a dose of Southern holiday cheer with this Christmas dinner menu of traditional southern staples.

Main Course:

Maple-Orange Glazed Ham

Side Dishes:

Potato Clover Rolls

Green Bean Casserole with Fried Shallots

Pimento-Cheese Gratin

Dessert:

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Drink:

Low Country Pousse-Rapiere