10 Great Recipe Ideas to Please a Crowd for your Holiday Dinner

Posted: November 28, 2022 2:25 pm

Now that Thanksgiving is in the rear view mirror, it is time to start looking ahead to the next holiday. Christmas will be here before you know it. This means that now is the time to start brainstorming ideas for your next holiday feast. Cooking can be more complicated if you are cooking for a crowd. Here are 10 of the best recipes to consider for Christmas dinner if you are feeding a large group of family and friends.

Garlic Herb Crusted Roast Lamb

This herb crusted roast lamb recipe is deserving of any special occasion meal. The juicy meat is accentuated with an herby crust that lends a unique flavor. The lamb pairs with the potatoes of your choosing to provide a large meal for a group. Serve the platter alongside carrots, green beans, or a simple green salad for a complete meal. As a bonus, you can safely let lamb sit for up to two hours at room temperature before it needs to be stored. This gives your guests plenty of time to eat and visit before you need to worry about storing the leftovers.

Rolled Turkey Breast with Stuffing

If you are not tired of turkey after Thanksgiving, you cannot go wrong with this rolled turkey breast with stuffing recipe. Not only does this turkey recipe taste delicious but it also looks beautiful sitting on the center of your table. Inside the rolled turkey breast, you will find cornbread stuffing that brings the dish all together. Serve this with a side of cranberry sauce and gravy for the perfect holiday meal. As an alternative, you can use a pork tenderloin rather than a turkey breast.

Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Gravy

If you are hosting family at your house but will not have a lot of time to slave over a stove, these slow cooker pork chops with gravy may be what you are looking for. The tender chops are cooked with mushrooms and onions to create a delicious gravy that complements the meat. Serve these juicy pork chops over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles. Or put out all the starches and let your guests decide. If you are serving an even larger group, simply use another slow cooker to hold what you need.

Pumpkin Risotto

Do you have some leftover pumpkin puree in your pantry that you did not use over the Thanksgiving holiday? This creamy pumpkin risotto makes a great seasonal side dish. Or use it as the perfect entree for the vegetarians in your group if you swap out the chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit the bacon. The creamy and hearty dish is a welcome addition to any holiday meal. Be sure to serve some crusty bread to mop up all of the sauce left in the bowl.

Italian Wedding Soup

This Italian wedding soup is a classic comfort dish that can also be prepared in advance. The homemade meatballs are made with a combination of ground beef and hot Italian sausage for extra zip. You can also cut corners and use pre-made frozen meatballs rather than making your own. Pair this soup with bread and a green salad for a complete meal that everyone will love. A glass of white wine also pairs beautifully with this light dish.

Prime Rib

Nothing screams Christmas dinner more than a beautiful prime rib cooked to perfection. This prime rib recipe makes the ideal focal point for your holiday feast. While this main entree looks fancy and complicated, it is anything but. Be sure to use a high-quality meat thermometer to avoid overcooking this nice cut of meat. You can expect one whole rib eye roast to feed about 15 people. Accentuate the prime rib with your family’s favorite potato dish and a green vegetable.

Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham

A holiday ham is another tradition that you will want to consider. This brown sugar mustard glazed ham recipe hits all of the high notes. A sticky glaze made with brown sugar, butter, honey, and mustard covers the tender ham to deliver a flavorful main entree for your Christmas feast. Trimming the rind off of the ham prior to preparation will encourage the glaze to seep through all of the meat. You can serve this versatile ham with the side dishes of your choice, however, it goes particularly well with scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, and yeasty rolls.

Red and Green Christmas Enchiladas

Do you want to think outside of the box this holiday season? These red and green Christmas enchiladas are a definite crowd pleaser. You will need to prepare both a red and green enchilada sauce to put together this festive entree. While this particular recipe is vegetarian, you can certainly add the meat of your choice for a heartier version. This recipe is also easy to double or triple if you need more servings for your group.

Pozole Rojo

Sticking with the Mexican theme this holiday, be sure to consider making a big batch of this pozole mojo. A classic Mexican pozole consists of a soup made with pork, hominy, and red chiles. This dish is traditionally served on Christmas Eve in Mexico, Spain, and other Spanish-speaking countries. Be sure to set up a fun toppings bar for your guests so that they can customize their bowls of pozole. Good choices include cilantro, lime wedges, shredded cabbage, cheese, sour cream, and fresh avocado slices.

Osso Buco

Level up your Christmas spread with this mouth-watering osso buco recipe. This traditional Italian favorite is made with braised veal shanks that are then topped with a gremolata sauce featuring parsley, garlic, and lemon zest. The special addition of pancetta in this recipe takes the veal up another notch. This recipe also offers make-ahead instructions for your convenience. Osso buco pairs wonderfully with risotto, mashed potatoes, or creamy polenta.

These 10 entree ideas provide you with plenty of creative ideas when you are in charge of preparing the main dish for a large crowd this holiday season.

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