11 Merry Meals for the Holiday: A Whole Day of Christmas Recipes

From carols and movies to gift-giving and quality time with family, there is so much to love about the holiday season. But another thing that truly makes this time of the year so wonderful is the food. There is something incredibly comforting about returning to the same dishes, year after year, to ring in the festivities! It’s heartwarming to imagine families everywhere pulling up chairs around their tables to share meals and make memories.

Traditional Christmas dishes capture the flavors of the season and nourish all the senses. One way to keep these traditions alive is to refresh old favorites with modern ingredients and creative twists. Sometimes, a dash of imagination adds that extra little sparkle to a meal and can even lead to new kitchen traditions! 

We’ve got 11 delicious recipes to help you make the most of each meal during this holiday season. They’re the perfect combination of inspiration and tradition for your cozy small gathering this Christmas.

Breakfast/Brunch

Christmas morning is a wonderful time, with the little ones rushing downstairs to see what Santa delivered. After the scattered wrapping paper remnants have been cleaned up, it’s time for breakfast — or hopefully, if the kids weren’t up with the sun, a leisurely brunch. While this doesn’t have to be an elaborate affair, many families enjoy preparing something a bit more special than the usual weekday toast or cereal and milk. But that doesn’t have to mean hours spent cooking! Put on a pot of coffee and try this recipe everyone will love.

Leftover Stuffing Breakfast Hash

For a savory start, use leftovers from your Christmas Eve feast for a Leftover Stuffing Breakfast Hash that’s a cinch to prepare. Breakfast sausage and stuffing create the bottom layer in a skillet, which is baked until the stuffing is perfectly browned and crunchy. Then, you make small indentations into the stuffing and crack eggs right into them. Shredded cheese is sprinkled on top, and the whole pan goes into the oven again for a gooey, cheesy bake that slices up easily to serve the entire family.

Lunch

Ham, Cheddar & Cranberry Grilled Cheese

If you’re looking for a tasty bite before heading out for some last-minute shopping, or maybe you need a quick, hearty meal for the kids, Ham, Cheddar and Cranberry Grilled Cheese Sandwiches are sure to please. This recipe calls for leftover ham, making it great for Christmas day or the few days that follow. Thick slices of Texas toast are layered with sharp cheddar, smoky ham, tart cranberry sauce and mayo, for a fantastic medley of textures and flavors.

Dinner

If you’re tasked with preparing dinner on Christmas Day, it can feel like a big job. But with the right recipes up your sleeve, putting together an impressive meal doesn’t have to be stressful!

Maple Mustard Roast Chicken

The centerpiece of the table doesn’t need to be a huge piece of protein that takes hours to roast. In fact, our Maple-Mustard Roast Chicken takes less than an hour from start to finish. Seasoned drumsticks or chicken breasts and red potatoes are roasted together on a sheet pan. During the last 15 minutes of baking, the chicken is basted with a tangy, herb-flecked maple mustard mix that creates a delicious glaze. Arranged on a platter with a few sprigs of fresh thyme, this dish looks just as stunning as a whole bird.

Spicy Cornbread Dressing

Stuffing, or dressing, as some families call it, is often served alongside poultry at holiday meals and often, it’s a bit underwhelming (don’t tell Grandma we said that). So, this year, try Spicy Cornbread Dressing to kick this side dish up a notch! Crumbled cornbread, bold kielbasa, jalapeno peppers and hot sauce bring a whole new world of flavors to the table that’ll surprise your family’s taste buds in a great way.

Christmas Sides

No holiday feast is complete without a few helpings of veggies. Try Roasted Sweet Potatoes with pecans, and Roasted Green Beans dressed simply with lemon juice and olive oil and topped with a secret ingredient (toasted buttery crackers!). Creamed Spinach Casserole with Parmesan cheese and a topping of crispy fried onions make a great side dish or vegetarian entree.

Sweets & Snacks

Time off from school and work means more time for hanging out with friends and family, meaning you can’t have too many snacks and sweet bites around!

Eggnog Pound Cake

A loaf cake is a wonderful treat any time of year. Covered, it keeps well for a few days, and you can easily slice off a few pieces whenever company comes to call or sneak a piece after breakfast while you’re cleaning up the kitchen. Our Eggnog Pound Cake with orange drizzle takes its cues from everyone’s favorite holiday beverage, minus the bourbon, so the kids can enjoy it, too.

Christmas Crunch Popcorn

Gourmet popcorn mix has become so popular over the past few years. And we totally understand why - sweet and salty is such a tasty combo! We have a little secret for you: Making your own is super-simple. Craft a big bowl of Christmas Crunch Popcorn, with lightly salted popped kernels tossed with sweet nibbles, like white chocolate chips, red and green chocolate candies and sprinkles, and watch it disappear like magic!

Pigs-in-a-Blanket Christmas Wreath

Another clever snack, especially for Christmas movie night or while watching a sports game in the days leading up to the holiday, is the Pigs-in-a-Blanket Christmas Wreath. Mini smoked sausages are rolled up in flaky crescent roll dough, then arranged in a circular pan to resemble a wreath shape. Serve them in this festive shape, along with a side of cranberry Dijon dipping sauce.

Gingerbread Cookies with Eggnog Frosting

Gingerbread cookies are a true Christmas classic! For a fun update, try our soft Gingerbread Cookies with Eggnog Frosting. With the perfect texture, warm baking spices, rich brown sugar-sweetness and a topping made with real eggnog, we guarantee this will earn a place in your recipe box.

If you’re looking for even more kitchen inspiration, check out our recipe portal. Search by ingredient, dietary restriction, occasion, or other categories, or simply peruse the front page to see what’s fresh and seasonal. 

And keep in mind, Food Lion is your local destination for Christmas recipe essentials at low prices. Stop by to pick up all the ingredients you need to make these scrumptious recipes or any others that your family looks forward to each holiday season. We wish you many merry meals in the weeks to come!