Quick and Easy Holiday Recipes

Serve something impressive this holiday season — and still have time for family and friends. These simple recipes come together quick, giving you more time for what's really important.

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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.

Get the Recipe: Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloins

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.

Get the Recipe: Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Foolproof Popovers

Melissa's easy recipe uses an everyday muffin tin and produces perfectly puffy, golden brown popovers from five standard pantry items.

Get the Recipe: Foolproof Popovers

Christmas Tree Tarts

These miniature cherry pies come together in under an hour, thanks to premade pie crust and canned cherry pie filling.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Tarts

Toasted Gruyere and Cranberry Cups

Nutty gruyere cheese is the perfect complement to sweet-tart cranberry. Served together in a bite-size phyllo cup, they make the perfect holiday appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Toasted Gruyere and Cranberry Cups

Sauteed Green Beans and Mushrooms

Easily upgrade fresh green beans for the holidays with just a few flavorful ingredients. In this recipe, spicy chili flakes, savory garlic and fresh rosemary work together to make an otherwise simple side dish shine.

Get the Recipe: Sauteed Green Beans and Mushrooms

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.

Get the Recipe: Easy Parmesan "Risotto"

Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

Wondering how a tasty cheese ball becomes a festive Christmas tree? A coating of fresh green herbs and pomegranate seed 'ornaments' will do the trick!

Get the Recipe: Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

Cheese Straws

Save time the day of by letting the puff pastry thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Get the Recipe: Cheese Straws

Winter Green Salad with Green Apple Vinaigrette

Green is the theme in Bobby's simple winter salad. Toss all the ingredients in a vinaigrette and top with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for a 15-minute side.

Get the Recipe: Winter Green Salad with Green Apple Vinaigrette

Ina's Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Ina's version of this holiday classic gets rolled in coconut flakes. They give the cookies extra texture, and the added sweetness pairs well with the raspberry and apricot jam.

Get the Recipe: Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Mulled White Wine

A simple twist on mulled wine? Use white instead of red! It will completely change the taste, without sacrificing the classic holiday flavor from the warm baking spices.

Get the Recipe: Mulled White Wine

Chipotle and Rosemary Roasted Nuts

"There are a lot of strong flavors in this recipe, but everything earns its place. You have sweet, salty and spicy — they're all well-balanced," Ina says.

Get the Recipe: Chipotle and Rosemary Roasted Nuts

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.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Pepper and Black Olive Sauce

Big Festive Salad

Candied nuts, homemade dressing and a bounty of sweet fruit — what's not to love about this holiday-worthy salad?

Get the Recipe: Big Festive Salad

Gingerbread Sundaes

Whip up a quick gingerbread-inspired sauce for sundaes and you've got the perfect holiday dessert!

Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Sundaes

Pizza Candy Cane Crescent

Look again: This savory candy cane-shaped appetizer is filled with all the fixings of a pepperoni pizza. A sweet basil bow is the final touch.

Get the Recipe: Pizza Candy Cane Crescent

Smoked Salmon Dip

This is the perfect make-ahead party dip. Ina says it tastes even better the day after.

Get the Recipe: Smoked Salmon Dip

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.

Get the Recipe: My Mama's Braciole

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.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Mushroom and Parsley Salad

Rachael's Five-Minute Fudge Wreath

There's no special equipment needed for Rachael's almost-instant and definitely delicious fudge.

Get the Recipe: Five-Minute Fudge Wreath

Creamed Spinach

Tyler's silky creamed spinach gets a flavor boost from the addition of crunchy caramelized onion. For a hint of holiday spice, finish the dish off with some freshly grated nutmeg.

Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach

Filet of Beef

Four ingredients and five minutes of prep work are all that's needed to pull off Ina's elegant Filet of Beef. Round out the meal by serving the meat with her Easy Parmesan "Risotto."

Get the Recipe: Filet of Beef

Red Wine Risotto with Peas

Giada De Laurentiis proves that risotto is easier to make than you think. Her recipe calls for red wine for a robust flavor, and she adds frozen peas right at the end for freshness.

Get the Recipe: Red Wine Risotto with Peas

Leeks with Walnut Vinaigrette

Simple yet sensational: Dijon mustard, walnuts and walnut oil give these leeks enough pizzazz to pair with even the most sophisticated entree.

Get the Recipe: Leeks with Walnut Vinaigrette

Roasted Garlic Clove Chicken

Juicy, herb-crusted chicken thighs make a comforting yet perfectly elegant main dish for a holiday celebration. The soft, roasted garlic cloves are excellent spread on fresh bread.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Garlic Clove Chicken

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.

Get the Recipe: Winter Kale Salad

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

These cookies have a delicious secret ingredient: chocolate hazelnut spread.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

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.

Get the Recipe: Butterflied Cornish Hens with Sage Butter

Rachael's Christmas Pasta

Loaded with vegetables and three types of meat, Rachael Ray's chunky pasta sauce is hearty and celebratory. It's a Christmas tradition in her house.

Get the Recipe: Christmas Pasta

Sunny's Easy Holiday Spiral Ham

For a no-fuss main dish that still has wow factor, Sunny lathers a precooked spiral ham in a homemade glaze made of brown sugar and warm pumpkin pie spices.

Get the Recipe: Sunny's Easy Holiday Spiral Ham

Gingerbread Waffles

Rachael fuses classic holiday ingredients like pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger and molasses into waffle batter to create a gingerbread breakfast dish.

Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Waffles

Grilled Flank Steak with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce and Asparagus

It may not look like a less-than-30-minute meal, but it is: Simply use a grill pan to sear the flank steak, then dress it up with this perfectly seasoned sauce.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce and Asparagus

Eggnog Monte Cristos

Use leftover eggnog for a great breakfast-for-dinner sandwich.

Get the Recipe: Eggnog Monte Cristos

Fettuccine with Quick Ragu

Use veal or ground turkey in this pasta that takes only 35 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Fettuccine With Quick Ragu

Mocha Meringue Bark

The perfect dessert on the fly: White and milk chocolate combine for a satisfyingly crunchy indulgence.

Get the Recipe: Mocha Meringue Bark

Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

Combine two favorite desserts — cinnamon rolls and bread pudding — and make one crowd-pleasing dish.

Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

Lamb Sausage in Puff Pastry

"Nobody serves pigs in a blanket anymore, but they're so delicious!" Ina says. "You can make these with any kind of sausage."

Get the Recipe: Lamb Sausage in Puff Pastry

Gorgonzola Polenta

Gorgonzola gives a punch of flavor to instant polenta.

Get the Recipe: Gorgonzola Polenta

Magic Lemon Meringue Pie

Trisha fills a graham cracker crust with a lemony filling and tops it with an easier-than-it-looks layer of meringue.

Get the Recipe: Magic Lemon Meringue Pie

Cheese-Crusted Squash

Parmesan, breadcrumbs and sage leaves create a salty and crunchy crust on seasonal acorn squash. Pair this side with any holiday meal or serve as an appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Cheese-Crusted Squash

Glazed Vegetables

Carrots, celery and pearl onions are glazed with a butter, sugar and lemon sauce to let the natural flavors of the vegetables shine.

Get the Recipe: Glazed Vegetables

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.

Get the Recipe: Beet Salad

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.

Get the Recipe: Individual Potato Gratins

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.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Fresh Ham with Cider Glaze

Chestnut-Potato Puree

Whip up creamy potatoes with a special holiday ingredient: tender, salted chestnuts.

Get the Recipe: Chestnut-Potato Puree

Clementine Cosmos

Festive and elegant, this Cosmo is simple enough to complement a variety of menus.

Get the Recipe: Clementine Cosmos

Thumbprints

Pick your favorite jam to cover these cookies that take less than an hour to bake.

Get the Recipe: Thumbprints

Cornish Hens au Vin

Cloves, white wine and flavorful thick-cut bacon give these Cornish hens rich, amazing flavor in less than an hour. (Plus, they're oven-ready in just a few simple steps.)

Get the Recipe: Cornish Hens Au Vin

Escarole with Pancetta

Make an easy side dish by wilting escarole with garlic, then topping it with pancetta.

Get the Recipe: Escarole With Pancetta

Chicken and Asparagus Crepes

Pork, Veggie and Rice Noodle Lettuce Wraps with Sweet Chili Sauce

Sourdough “Discard” Chocolate Chip Cookies

Turkey Lasagna

Juicy Chicken Breasts (Baked from Frozen)

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Western Omelet Quiche

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Holiday Central

Quick and Easy Holiday Recipes

Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloins

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Foolproof Popovers

Christmas Tree Tarts

Toasted Gruyere and Cranberry Cups

Sauteed Green Beans and Mushrooms

Easy Parmesan "Risotto"

Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

Cheese Straws

Winter Green Salad with Green Apple Vinaigrette

Ina's Jam Thumbprint Cookies

Mulled White Wine

Chipotle and Rosemary Roasted Nuts

Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Pepper and Black Olive Sauce

Big Festive Salad

Gingerbread Sundaes

Pizza Candy Cane Crescent

Smoked Salmon Dip

My Mama's Braciole

Fresh Mushroom and Parsley Salad

Rachael's Five-Minute Fudge Wreath

Creamed Spinach

Filet of Beef

Red Wine Risotto with Peas

Leeks with Walnut Vinaigrette

Roasted Garlic Clove Chicken

Winter Kale Salad

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

Sunny Anderson's Butterflied Cornish Hens with Sage Butter

Rachael's Christmas Pasta

Sunny's Easy Holiday Spiral Ham

Gingerbread Waffles

Grilled Flank Steak with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce and Asparagus

Eggnog Monte Cristos

Fettuccine with Quick Ragu

Mocha Meringue Bark

Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

Lamb Sausage in Puff Pastry