How to Prepare a Memorable Christmas Dinner for 2, 4 or More Guests

Christmas dinner is one of the most fun meals to plan — because there aren’t any hard-and-fast rules. Instead of feeling bound to particular traditions, you can just pick your family’s favorite festive foods and enjoy them all gathered around the table together. Each course can be customized, depending on what dishes you love and how many guests you’re expecting. It’s like a dinner party with a little extra sparkle and shine!

No matter how you choose to celebrate Christmas, when you Holiday the Food Lion Way, you’re all set to create savory, seasonal meals with a few special touches that add to the merry atmosphere. After all, the holidays only come around once a year, and there’s no better time to make memories with your family and friends.

Here are some of our favorite ideas for holiday dinner — no matter how many people are coming over!

An Intimate Gathering

If you’re keeping things cozy this year, there’s no need to roast a whole bird or ham. Instead, why not channel the indulgence of a steakhouse dinner? Juicy, tender T-Bone Steaks with Red Wine Sauce make a jaw-dropping centerpiece and are ready in under an hour. Sear the steaks in a cast iron pan or skillet, then finish them in the oven while a luscious sauce simmers on the stove. On the side, serve Crispy Smashed Red Potatoes and a Wedge Salad Platter to complete the steakhouse experience.

For a lighter option, Lemon Butter Salmon is a fabulous dish, bursting with bright flavors and rich textures. On the side, serve Garlic Herb Mashed Cauliflower as a low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, and Roasted Green Beans.

For dessert, something small and shareable works great. You can bring whatever you don’t eat along to parties and family gatherings to spread the love! Peppermint Mocha Mini Cookie Cups, White Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Bars and Gingerbread Cookies with Eggnog Frosting are all delicious picks. A warm, sweet drink can also be a nice dessert option if baking isn’t on your agenda. Try Hot Cider Nog or Gingerbread Hot Chocolate.

A Four-Guest Gathering

Is it just the family enjoying Christmas dinner together? We can’t think of a better excuse to prepare a meal that everyone can dig into with some extra trimmings and treats.

Kick things off with a snack or two, like Easy Snack Mix and Mushroom Bacon Bites, paired with cheers-worthy cocktails. Snow Punch is a hit with kids and grown-ups will love Grapefruit Rosemary Champagne Cocktails.

At dinner, Cranberry Roasted Turkey Breast provides all the festive flavors of the holiday with just a fraction of the prep and clean up! Roasted Pork Loin with Herb Stuffing is also a tasty alternative to baking a whole ham. If you’d rather keep it vegetarian, a French Onion Tart, Veggie Lasagna with Cream Sauce or Hearty Cauliflower Soup in a bread bowl are satisfying options.

For sides, whip up a batch of Green Bean Casserole Cups, which combine the classic casserole and golden popovers in one clever dish. Scalloped Sweet Potatoes and Hot Honey Brussels Sprouts deliver colorful, earthy and sweet flavors to the table.

Don’t skimp on dessert! A Toasted Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie is sure to be a new family classic, and Christmas Crunch Popcorn makes a sweet snack if your family tradition includes snuggling up to watch holiday movies after dinner.

A Family Feast

If you’re tasked with entertaining your extended family, set the table with your holiday linens, fire up the oven and get ready to make an impressive feast. A bit of planning helps to simplify things so that when the day comes, you’ve got a plan in place (and hopefully, some helpers to do dishes!).

A selection of appetizers and snacks helps to keep everyone happy before the meal begins. Set out a Holiday Meat and Cheese Board, Crab and White Bean Toasts and Deviled Eggs for a tempting range of flavors. White Cranberry Christmas Margaritas and Pomegranate Apple Cocktails are fun to batch up for the adults.

Build your feast around one impressive main dish. A golden brown Herb Butter Roasted Turkey is a picture-perfect centerpiece, as is a glistening Prosecco Glazed Ham. Build around the main protein with lots of side dishes. Baked Brown Rice with Peppers is a crowd-pleaser, and a good meat-free option for vegetarian guests; Cheesy Fanned Scalloped Potatoes, Creamed Spinach Casserole and Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Cranberries are must-haves. Packaged or Easy Parmesan Garlic Dinner Rolls add a homey touch, as well.

When it’s time for dessert, we suggest preparing three desserts that check off three different flavor categories: chocolate, fruit and spice. That way, there’s something for every taste!

An unbeatable combo would be rich German Black Forest Cake, a sweet-tart Cranberry Apple Bake and warming Eggnog Snickerdoodles. Or, mix it up with Easy Christmas Yule Log Cake, Blueberry Crumble Pie and Eggnog Pound Cake. Vanilla ice cream is always a welcome addition.

Food Lion wishes you a wonderful holiday, filled with laughter, love and, of course, delicious food! Come shop our shelves to find everything you need to make the season merry and bright.