Christmas Dinner Meal Plan

We are sharing all the recipes, hints and tips that you need for the best and most delicious Christmas dinner - and more importantly as stress free as possible. This is The Ultimate Christmas Plan with all our favourite starters (appetizers), main course, sides, desserts and some party food favourites too.

Christmas dinner might be the biggest meal of the year, but it doesn't mean that it has to be stressful or overly complicated. Whether you are cooking for 1 or 20, remember that it is just a roast dinner, with maybe a few extras.

These are our tried and tested family favourite Christmas recipes, and I hope some of them will become your favourites too.

You don't want to be stuck in the kitchen all day, missing out on the present opening, champagne cork popping, chocolate eating and arguing over board games! So, we are also sharing some things that you can make ahead of time and our favourite kitchen time saving gadgets to make December 25th a little less chaotic.

I wanted to create a Christmas day food guide that you can look through, pick and choose your favourites and create your Christmas day meal plan and menu and then write up your shopping list from that.

Get some food prep under your belt, have a plan and let's try to make the day go as smoothly as possible.

Time Saving

Before we get ahead with the actual recipes, I wanted to share some things that we find really save time in the kitchen when it comes to food prep and cooking. And let's face it, we could all use a bit of help at Christmas time.

Air Fryer - Not only can the air fryer cook a lot of things quicker than you could in the oven, it's a great way to save some space in the oven when it's probably already bursting. We love our Ninja Dual Air Fryer. It's big enough for a family of 4 and we often cook "roast" veggies and even the joint of meat in there like our Air Fryer Turkey.

Disposable Baking Trays - We are not a big fan of single use items in general, however at Christmas time I think they have a place. To be able to just dump these Disposable Baking Trays in the bin rather than washing up feels like a way to find a tiny bit of joy at the end of a stressful day.

Meat Thermometer - Whilst this might not save any time, a Meat Thermometer does take the guess work out of seeing if your meat is cooked or not. I wouldn't be without mine.

Food Processor - I LOVE the chopping, slicing and grating attachment for my Food Processor. When it comes to slicing carrots or chopping up the cabbage, this saves SO much time.

Starters

I know some people don't do starters (appetizers), but we always have them an hour or two before the main meal. It stops the constant questioning of "is it ready yet?" You could choose just one, or make a few of them to lay out for people to pick at.

The Ultimate Prawn Cocktail

5 from 19 votes

Prawn cocktail is a timeless classic starter option, but we have totally transformed it to make it the ULTIMATE Prawn Cocktail.

Check out this The Ultimate Prawn Cocktail recipe

Smoked Salmon Canapes

5 from 12 votes

Smoked salmon and cream cheese is such a fresh and delicious combination and these Smoked Salmon Canapes are assembled in minutes and are easy to adapt.

Check out this Smoked Salmon Canapes recipe

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup

4.94 from 32 votes

This Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup ticks all those boxes and if you aren't usually a fan of cauliflower, this soup is here to change your opinion.

Check out this Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup recipe

Air Fryer Camembert

4.88 from 8 votes

Enjoy the ultimate cheesy comfort food: Air Fryer Camembert. This 10 minutes recipe is ideal for a festive treat - Crispy top and gooey melted cheese.

Check out this Air Fryer Camembert recipe

Christmas Sausage Rolls

4.75 from 27 votes

These super easy Christmas Sausage Rolls have just a few ingredients, are flavour packed and give a nice festive twist to a classic sausage roll.

Check out this Christmas Sausage Rolls recipe

Mains

We have all the classics here, from roast meats, slow cooker options and vegetarian alternatives. Pick one or two and these carry on reading for all the side dishes.

Easy Roast Turkey Breast

4.95 from 20 votes

This Roast Turkey Breast is perfect for when you are feeding a smaller number over the festive season, and you don't need to roast a whole turkey.

Check out this Easy Roast Turkey Breast recipe

Slow Cooker Turkey Crown

4.94 from 15 votes

This Slow Cooker Turkey Crown takes just 2 minutes to prepare and then let the slow cooker do all the work. Perfectly cooked turkey in the slow cooker.

Check out this Slow Cooker Turkey Crown recipe

Honey Roast Duck

4.88 from 48 votes

If you are looking for something a little bit different to serve for Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving, then why not try this Honey Roast Duck?

Check out this Honey Roast Duck recipe

Slow Cooker Roast Beef (with Gravy)

4.77 from 56 votes

This Slow Cooker Roast Beef is going to become your go-to for an easy Sunday Roast. Tender, melt in your mouth slices of beef  with a crispy crust in a rich and flavour packed gravy.

Check out this Slow Cooker Roast Beef (with Gravy) recipe

Honey Roast Ham

Impress your guests with a homemade honey glazed ham. This easy recipe yields a tender and flavourful centerpiece for your Christmas feast.

Check out this Honey Roast Ham recipe

Stuffed Butternut Squash

4.80 from 20 votes

Rice, leafy greens and cheese, all stuffed into a butternut squash half. Packed with protein and vegetables, easy to adapt and a vegan option too.

Check out this Stuffed Butternut Squash recipe

Sides

If I am being honest, the side dishes are my favourite part of Christmas dinner! I would happily just have a plate of roast potatoes. But, if you want more than potatoes then we have you covered!

Slow Cooker Roast Potatoes

Learn how to make the best slow cooker roast potatoes. No need for par-boiling, just peel, chop, mix, and let the slow cooker do the work.

Check out this Slow Cooker Roast Potatoes recipe

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic

4.94 from 66 votes

These sweet and crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts make a tasty side dish any time of the year, or a delicious snack.

Check out this Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic recipe

Air Fryer Stuffing Balls

5 from 7 votes

Air Fryer Stuffing Balls: Store bought mix, added flavour and ready in under 15 minutes. The perfect golden brown stuffing ball all done in the air fryer!

Check out this Air Fryer Stuffing Balls recipe

Microwave Broccoli

5 from 12 votes

A quick and easy side dish, this microwave broccoli goes with almost anything. Perfect broccoli every time, in just 5 minutes.

Check out this Microwave Broccoli recipe

Air Fryer Carrots

4.97 from 28 votes

Air Fryer Carrots have all the crispiness of roasted carrots, but they are quicker and easier to make. All done in the air fryer and in just 20 minutes.

Check out this Air Fryer Carrots recipe

Honey Roasted Parsnips

4.95 from 34 votes

Roasted vegetables are the best way to eat them and when it comes to these Honey Roasted Parsnips, it changes the texture and makes them nice and crispy.

Check out this Honey Roasted Parsnips recipe

Air Fryer Pigs in Blanket

5 from 8 votes

Air fryer pigs in blankets not only give you the perfect crispy texture in less time than the oven, but they will save you room in the oven.

Check out this Air Fryer Pigs in Blanket recipe

Broccoli Cheese

5 from 20 votes

Broccoli Cheese is a delicious and comforting make-ahead side dish that even the biggest vegetable dodgers will love. It's creamy and indulgent, and the best way to enjoy broccoli.

Check out this Broccoli Cheese recipe

Creamed Cabbage

Add a touch of indulgence to your meals with this creamed cabbage side dish. Made with a lighter swap, it's the perfect accompaniment to holiday feasts.

Check out this Creamed Cabbage recipe

Make Ahead

Get a head start on some of the Christmas dinner preparations by making some of the dishes a few days in advance and then freezing until you need them. here are some of our favourites that freeze, defrost and reheat well.

Slow Cooker Red Cabbage

4.63 from 59 votes

Red cabbage is best cooked low and slow, and you just put this Slow Cooker Red Cabbage on low for 5 hours, and it's done.

Check out this Slow Cooker Red Cabbage recipe

Easy Onion Gravy

4.95 from 18 votes

Everyone should know how to make homemade gravy and this easy onion gravy is going to totally transform your meals.

Check out this Easy Onion Gravy recipe

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

5 from 6 votes

Make ahead mashed potatoes are the ultimate Christmas dinner time saving hack! Easily make delicious and creamy mashed potatoes in advance to save time.

Check out this Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes recipe

Air Fryer Roast Potatoes

4.97 from 32 votes

Everything you could want from a roast potato, but this easy and fuss free recipe is made in the air fryer.

Check out this Air Fryer Roast Potatoes recipe

Desserts

If you can fit in any food after all of that, then we have some delicious treats for you to finish off the day with.

Christmas Cheesecake

4.90 from 19 votes

Christmas is the time when we indulge in deliciously indulgent desserts and this Christmas Cheesecake is perfect for that.

Check out this Christmas Cheesecake recipe

Slow Cooker Chocolate Cake

4.93 from 13 votes

Slow Cooker Chocolate Cake is the easiest and most deliciously rich chocolate cake with a layer of gooey chocolate sauce.

Check out this Slow Cooker Chocolate Cake recipe

Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

4.97 from 32 votes

Make this festive Nutella pastry Christmas tree in just 20 minutes - perfect for sharing on Christmas morning. Flaky puff pastry and Nutella!

Check out this Nutella Puff Pastry Christmas Tree recipe

Christmas Tree Cake

5 from 2 votes

This festive Christmas Tree Cake combines a light and fluffy chocolate cake with buttercream and jam, and is easy to decorate like a Christmas tree.

Check out this Christmas Tree Cake recipe

Party Food

After cooking all of that, you need a well deserved nap! But, if you have guests coming over and want to put out something that looking impressive with very little effort, then we have just the recipes for you!

Christmas Tree Cheese Board

Create a festive Christmas Tree Cheese Board for your holiday entertaining. Quick & easy to assemble with your favorite meats, cheese, and delicious extras.

Check out this Christmas Tree Cheese Board recipe

Christmas Fruit Wreath

Impress your guests with this easy-to-make Christmas Fruit Wreath. A stunning centerpiece that adds holiday cheer to your festive food table.

Check out this Christmas Fruit Wreath recipe

Christmas Veggie Tray

Add a festive touch to your Christmas party with an easy-to-make Christmas Veggie Tray. A colorful and healthy addition to your Christmas spread.

Check out this Christmas Veggie Tray recipe

Antipasto Skewers

5 from 14 votes

These Antipasto Skewers are the easiest appetiser ever! Packed with Italian flavours, these are perfect for putting together at the last minute.

Check out this Antipasto Skewers recipe

Cranberry Brie Bites

5 from 14 votes

Golden and flaky puff pastry wrapped around delicious gooey melted brie and a generous dollop of chunky cranberry sauce.

Check out this Cranberry Brie Bites recipe

Easy Mushroom Tartlets

5 from 6 votes

These bite-sized mushroom tartlets are bursting with flavour and perfect for serving up at a party. Make a double batch of these, as one is never enough!

Check out this Easy Mushroom Tartlets recipe

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!