52 Quick and Easy Holiday Recipes Everyone Will Love
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Serve something impressive this holiday season—and still have time for family and friends.
Easy Holiday Ideas That Are Ready Fast
If you’re anything like us, you’ve made a list (and checked it twice!) and discovered that there’s a whole lot to do during the holidays. From planning appetizers for cocktail get-togethers to baking cookies for Santa, your days are likely filled with plenty of cooking, baking and hosting. That’s why it’s always a good idea to keep a shortcut or two in your back pocket—simple recipes that come together quickly, giving you more time for what’s really important. That’s where these dishes come in. They sacrifice nothing in terms of flavor or presentation, but help you accomplish more in less time. You’ll find impressive mains, crowd-pleasing cocktails and even some easy cookie recipes. Whatever you decide to make, be sure to save a spot on your menu for these miniature cherry pies. They come together in an hour with premade pie crust and canned cherry pie filling but look like fancy, bakery-made confections thanks to the help of a miniature Christmas tree cookie cutter.
Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloins
The key to perfecting Rachael's juicy herb-crusted pork tenderloins is to roast on high heat for just 20 minutes. That way, the inside stays tender while a nice crackly skin forms on the outside.
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Sunny's savory side dish comes together with just four ingredients: Brussels sprouts, bacon, chopped onion and butter. Together, the bacon fat and butter create an over-the-top indulgent sauce for the roasted sprouts.
Photo By: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Quick and Easy Peppermint Fudge
This quick and easy peppermint fudge is a festive treat made with just a few ingredients, perfect for holiday gifting or a sweet seasonal indulgence. Creamy, rich and topped with crushed peppermint, it comes together in minutes.
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Butter Cookie Wreath
This no-bake wreath is a very merry quick treat that’s perfect for a make-and-take gift or as an easy holiday project with kids. You’ll need just store-bought Danish butter cookies (there always seems to a blue tin of them around during the holidays!), some white chocolate for melting and some easy red-and-green decorations and candies. It’s fun and festive, there’s almost no cleanup and you don’t even need to turn on the oven.
Photo By: Derek R. Trimble
Easy Parmesan "Risotto"
The preparation for Ina's parmesan risotto is nearly effortless. Her trick is to cook the Arborio rice and chicken stock in a Dutch oven. They're well suited for long, slow cooking, eliminating the need for constant stirring, which you'll find with most stove top risotto recipes.
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Pepper and Black Olive Sauce
Rachael roasts beef tenderloin in the oven with peppers, garlic and olives, then simply pulses the veggies after in a food processor to make a sauce for the meat.
Photo By: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
My Mama's Braciole
Rachael's beef braciole is bursting with meaty flavor thanks to the slice of prosciutto inside every roll. Once they're stuffed and fastened, these small, savory treats are browned on the stove top in a butter and white wine gravy until they're cooked through.
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Fresh Mushroom and Parsley Salad
Giada's mushroom and parsley salad is light and fresh - the perfect side dish to balance out a rich cut of meat. Lemon juice brightens the flavor of the earthy mushrooms, and shaved Parmesan lends a hint of creaminess.
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Winter Kale Salad
Melissa uses seasonal ingredients, like kale, toasted pecans, sweet pear and blue cheese, to create a fresh and inexpensive salad for the holidays. The rustic flavors here will pair well with just about any main dish.
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Sunny Anderson's Butterflied Cornish Hens with Sage Butter
Sunny's Cornish hens get extra-crispy, flavorful skin when she sears them, roasts them with bacon and bastes them with sage butter. She butterflies them, which means they cook quickly and allow you to get a holiday main on the table in no time.
Photo By: Marshall Troy ©2012, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Beet Salad
This vibrant red and green salad is just the dish to grace a festive holiday table setting. Vinegar-dressed beets and radishes add tartness while the scallions and parsley lend crunch and fresh, herby flavor.
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Individual Potato Gratins
Melissa layers sliced russet potatoes, Swiss cheese and chopped green onion into muffin cups for easier serving, portion control and faster cooking time. Before baking, top each gratin cup with a splash of heavy cream for that rich, signature flavor.
Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Roasted Fresh Ham with Cider Glaze
Yes, this ham takes several hours to prepare from beginning to end, but it's certainly simple and requires just half an hour of active prep work. Once you've mixed the brine and scored the ham, the rest is a cinch. Let it sit overnight, then pop it in the oven the next day.
