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33 Christmas Eve Dinner Recipes That Will Wow Everyone

Updated on November 12, 2025

Whether you prefer a seafood feast or a hearty prime rib, these classic recipes are guaranteed to dazzle.

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Our Best Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas

Whatever your Christmas Eve tradition (be it an elaborate Feast of the 7 Fishes or an all-out dinner party with holiday appetizers, a dazzling roast and plenty of festive sides) it never hurts to have a few extra recipes on hand. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of our favorites. You’ll find everything from crowd-pleasing stuffed mushrooms to a very merry Bundt cake—but there’s no denying the wow-factor that a crown roast of lamb brings to the table. Valerie’s take on this Christmas classic is undeniably elegant—and made even better with her savory mint-and-onion pesto. We wouldn't be surprised if this dish became a new Christmas Eve tradition in your home.

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Photo: Kate Mathis
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Christmas Pasta Salad

Thanks to its festive colors, this pasta salad will shine bright on your holiday table.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz
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Christmas Tree Pesto Breadsticks

This is a centerpiece fit for a celebratory gathering. We added extra pine nuts and reduced the olive oil a bit to make a chunky pesto that spreads easily but does not melt out in the oven. Any mozzarella bits sticking out of the "branches" become golden brown and crunchy.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Santa Hat Crispy-Treat Cheesecake Squares

Crispy treats make an unexpected and sweet crust for cheesecake. Topped with strawberry Santa hats, these squares are sure to become a holiday favorite.

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Christmas Sherbet Punch

Ree Drummond’s Christmas Sherbet Punch is fizzy, fruity and festive—a fun, colorful sip that’s perfect for toasting on Christmas Eve.

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Photo: MATT BALL
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Shrimp Scampi Stuffed Shells

Ree’s stuffed shells are easy, cheesy and perfect for a crowd. Bonus? This dish freezes beautifully, so feel free to prepare it in advance.

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Photo: Teri Lyn Fisher
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Christmas Steak

This restaurant-style steak is served carved and dressed in two fresh holiday-hued sauces -- salsa roja and chimichurri — inspired by the two-tone grilled snapper served at the restaurant Contramar in Mexico City. Don't be afraid of generously salting the meat; it helps create a real steakhouse crust.

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Photo: Teri Lyn Fisher
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Jingle Bell Bundt Cake

You can’t go wrong with this charmingly simple Bundt cake. Olive oil stands in for butter, which ensures a rich texture that will never dry out.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz
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Crab-and-Cheese-Stuffed Mini Peppers

Stuff crunchy mini peppers with sweet crab and flavored cream cheese for a poppable appetizer that's sure to be a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

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Simple Shrimp Scampi

Quick and easy shrimp scampi can work as an appetizer or a side dish for the holiday feast.

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Photo: Teri Lyn Fisher
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Red Chili Pork Tamales

While it's common to make tamales all year round, these delicious steamed corn husk-wrapped bundles are traditionally made and shared around the holidays. Everyone has their favorite filling--chicken, beef and pork are all popular. In our version, the pork shoulder filling is cooked low and slow in a flavorful sauce of dried chiles, aromatics and spices and then wrapped in a fluffy, tender masa dough. Enjoy these tamales on their own, or with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

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Eye Round Christmas Roast

Who says Christmas roast has to be prime rib? This much more affordable roast (made with eye round) will impress everyone at the holiday table. The crisp, spicy peppercorn crust pairs beautifully with the bright horseradish cream and leftovers make amazing sandwiches—so hold on to any extra sauce.

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Herby Butter Dinner Rolls

No holiday table is complete without a bread basket. Ree takes a shortcut by using frozen dinner rolls, which she dresses up with an herby melted butter.

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Photo: Teri Lyn Fisher
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Holiday Berry Meringue Wreath

This edible wreath is almost too pretty to eat (but seriously, you should dive in — it's delicious.) Crisp and crunchy meringue lies beneath a ruby-red cranberry, raspberry and pomegranate sauce.

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Cioppino

Giada’s aromatic seafood stew is perfect for an Italian-style Christmas Eve dinner.

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All-Crust Sheet-Pan Scalloped Potatoes

This super-sized version of a classic side dish maximizes the crunchy, browned bits without sacrificing the creaminess of the potatoes underneath.

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Photo: Melissa Libertelli
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Simple Standing Rib Roast

Don’t let its elegant appearance fool you — Giada’s rib roast is deceptively easy. To accompany the meat and potatoes, she whips up a simple herb sauce and a blistered baby pepper salad.

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Pull-Apart Gingerbread Man

Get your phones ready! This Insta-worth gingerbread man is actually made from cupcakes!

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Creamed Spinach with Crispy Cheese

Molly takes creamed spinach to the next level with a few dashes of hot sauce and a crispy cheese topping.

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Photo: Rob Pryce
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My Mom's Lasagna

Three cheeses, including ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan, make up Valerie’s cozy and comforting lasagna.

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Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms

Ree’s crowd-pleasing stuffed mushrooms can work as an appetizer or a side dish for your Christmas Eve celebration.

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Easy Prime Rib with Fresh Horseradish Sauce

As Valerie says, this prime rib is a great dish for special occasions. She roasts the meat on a bed of herbs, then serves the dish with a fresh and tangy horseradish sauce.

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Almond Cranberry Rice Pilaf

Toasted almonds and dried cranberries add a festive flair to Valerie’s rice pilaf.

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Photo: Kate Mathis ©
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Italian Rainbow Cookie Cake

The Italian bakery cookie's iconic almond flavor and colorful stripes are on display in this giant-sized twist on the dessert. Store-bought almond pastry filling takes the place of almond paste here, offering extra richness and a superbly moist texture.

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Make-Ahead Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are made even more decadent by incorporating goat cheese, sour cream, half-and-half and butter. Before serving, Ina sprinkles a layer of Parmesan and bakes the dish until golden-brown and sinfully rich.

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Roast Duck

Orange juice, balsamic vinegar, honey and molasses combine to form a sweet and tangy glaze for this impressive roast duck.

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Roasted Acorn Squash Agrodolce

Giada turns simple roasted squash into an extra-special side dish with the addition of fried sage leaves and a sweet and nutty mascarpone cheese sauce.

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Photo: David Malosh
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Brussels Sprouts with Butternut Squash and Pomegranate Seeds

Ree says, "When Bobby Flay came to the ranch for a throwdown, he made a version of this dish. The color combination was so beautiful."

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Photo: Michael Moriatis
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Hot Buttered Rum Cake

This cozy cake features all the same flavors as your favorite winter cocktail. Though the title may say “hot,” it's equally delicious when served cold.

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Photo: Ray Kachatorian
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Collard Cobbler

Trisha’s hearty cobbler makes an excellent accompaniment to roast pork or ham.

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Christmas Tree Pizza

Ree Drummond’s Christmas Tree Pizza is a fun, festive twist on pizza night, topped with colorful veggies and shaped like a holiday tree that's perfect for getting everyone in the spirit.

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Photo: Armando Rafael ©
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Salted Caramel Gingerbread House

Popcorn and pretzels meet caramel and candy in this salty-sweet house.

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Roasted Winter Vegetables

Colorful winter vegetables, like radish, carrots and beets, make a beautiful addition to your holiday table.

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