Planning what to make on Christmas Day? Worried you might have forgotten something? Worry no more! Here are my 40+ Essential Christmas Recipes…
Christmas Breakfast Recipes
Start Christmas Day the right way with one of these delicious breakfast recipes.
Cinnamon Porridge with Cranberry and Plum Compote
Christmas in Porridge form! Not only is this Cinnamon Porridge with Cranberry and Plum Compote so much healthier than traditional Christmas breakfasts, it’s so much yummier too! And it’s gluten free, dairy free and vegan, meaning almost everyone can enjoy it!!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Cranberry, Cinnamon and Pecan Porridge Squares
Inspired by a delicious recipe from Livia’s Kitchen, these Cranberry, Cinnamon and Pecan Porridge Squares would make a fab Christmassy breakfast or healthy festive snack. They taste absolutely amazing and take less than 30 minutes to make. Perfect for when life is BUSY!!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Peasy American Pancakes
These deliciously fluffy American-style pancakes are super simple to make, use only a handful of ‘normal’ ingredients and are virtually foolproof! Perfect for brunch, dessert or whenever you need Easy Peasy American Pancakes in your life. Makes 24 pancakes of approximately 6cm/2½inch diameter.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Full English Breakfast Frittata
This is one of my favourite weekend brunch recipes – all the flavours of a full English breakfast in a frittata! This Full English Breakfast Frittata is really quick and simple to make, and tastes delicious. Plus, if you make too much, it tastes great cold too – perfect for packed lunches the next day!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Christmas Starters and Nibbles
Whether you are looking for some delicious nibbles to keep you going throughout the morning or you want to start your Christmas feast off in style, these recipes have you covered.
Turkey, Cranberry and Feta Sausage Rolls
Fancy a sausage roll recipe with a twist? How about making these easy peasy Turkey, Cranberry and Feta Sausage Rolls? They are perfect for taking to Christmas parties or munching on Christmas morning. Or wouldn’t they be a fab way of using up leftover turkey for a Boxing Day buffet?
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Bacon and Cheese Straws
What’s better than plain old cheese straws? Bacon and Cheese Straws, that’s what! These easy peasy puff pastry twists are made with streaky bacon, Dijon mustard and mature cheddar cheese for a delicious variation on classic cheese straws. They make excellent party nibbles or snacks. Adored by adults and kids alike, they are super easy to make and involve only 10 minutes hands on time!!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Roasted Pear, Stilton and Walnut Salad
Want a really simple Christmas starter that takes virtually no effort and doesn’t fill you up too much before the main event? Why not try this delicious Roasted Pear, Stilton and Walnut Salad?
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Spicy Parsnip Soup
This quick and easy Spicy Parsnip Soup recipe combines the wonderful flavours of parsnips, ginger, cumin, turmeric and garam masala, with just a touch of chilli… The result is a delicious and nutritious soup that can be on the table in under 30 minutes!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
The Christmas Turkey
The main event! For most people, this means turkey. But there is more than one way to cook the Christmas turkey. Which one will you choose?
Perfect Roast Turkey - the stress free way!
Take all the stress out of Christmas dinner by cooking my foolproof roast turkey recipe. Deliciously juicy breast meat, crispy skin and absolutely no faff! Read on to discover how to roast the perfect turkey – the stress-free way!!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Roast Turkey Crown
Make your life simple this Christmas and cook my Easy Roast Turkey Crown – all the delicious taste of a whole roast turkey, but less of the stress. Plus lots of tips on buying, defrosting and cooking a turkey crown and delicious ideas for your turkey leftovers! (Serves 6-10 depending on appetite)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Rolled Stuffed Turkey Breast
Juicy, tender turkey breast rolled round a flavoursome sausage stuffing and wrapped in crispy prosciutto, this showstopping Rolled Stuffed Turkey Breast is your answer to a delicously stress-free Christmas! (Serves 4-6 depending on appetite.)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Prosciutto Wrapped Turkey Mini Fillets with Sage and Sausage Stuffing
Do you find cooking a whole turkey stressful? Do you wish you could make something quicker and easier on Christmas Day, so you can spend more time with the family? Or are you a small family and find cooking a whole turkey expensive and wasteful? If so, I think I may have the answer: Prosciutto Wrapped Turkey Mini Fillets with Sage and Sausage Stuffing – all the flavours of a roast turkey with much less stress, hassle and expense.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Christmas Turkey Alternatives
Not a turkey person? Then what about one of these delicious alternatives?
Cranberry, Feta and Quinoa Stuffed Butternut Squash
In need of a gorgeous vegetarian Christmas main that is easy to make and can be prepared in advance? This Cranberry, Feta and Quinoa stuffed Butternut Squash could be exactly what you are looking for! It’s also gluten free, can easily be adapted to make it dairy free and is chock full of goodness!!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Peasy Honey Roast Ham (and Gravy)
A simple gammon joint, studded with cloves and liberally slathered with a delicious combination of honey and Dijon mustard before roasting, is an absolute classic – and for good reason! This Easy Peasy Honey Roast Ham makes a beautiful centrepiece, tastes wonderful and yet is super simple to make and involves very little hands-on time. It also makes a delicious ham stock – perfect for making Honey Roast Ham Gravy!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Mulled Wine Christmas Ham
Need an easy peasy glazed ham recipe for Christmas that’s full of flavour and looks pretty, but is simple and stress free to make? Why not try my Easy Mulled Wine Christmas Ham – only 5 ingredients and only 10 minutes hands on time!!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Simple Roast Beef and Mini Yorkshire Puddings
My Simple Roast Beef and Mini Yorkshire Puddings is easy to make and incredibly quick – 1h 15mins from turning the oven on to serving up! Perfect for when you need a roast dinner, but don’t have a lot of time.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Simple Roast Lamb
A roast dinner classic! This Simple Roast Lamb and Gravy is quick to prepare and quick to cook, but using plenty of rosemary and garlic ensures it's packed full of flavour! Perfect for your Sunday lunch or Easter celebrations this year. (Serves 6-8, depending on appetite, or serves 4 with enough for leftovers for the next day.)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Spiced Rack of Lamb with Honey Roasted Root Vegetables
Fancy something a little different for Easter this year? Then what about serving up a showstopping Spiced Rack of Lamb with Honey Roast Root Vegetables? Better still it can all be cooked in one tray and in under 1 hour, meaning you have more time to spend with your friends and family on Easter Day!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Peasy Roast Duck and Duck Gravy
Delicious roasted whole duck, crispy skin and a rich duck-flavoured gravy made from the giblets… this Easy Peasy Roast Duck and Duck Gravy recipe is a great alternative to your usual Sunday roast… or why not try roast duck instead of roast turkey on Christmas day? (Serves 4-6, depending on appetite.)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Roast Duck with Lentils, Red Cabbage and Mashed Potato
Roast duck on a bed of Puy lentils, served with braised red cabbage and buttery mash. Impressive looking, utterly delicious, but actually really easy to make!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Gin Brined Chicken or Turkey
Chicken that tastes of gin? Yes, Christmas wishes do come true! This amazing gin brine makes chicken unbelievably juicy, tender and flavoursome. Once you’ve tasted this, you will never want to eat normal chicken again! (Serves 4-6, depending on appetite.)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Essential Christmas Vegetables
All your favourite Christmas Vegetables!
Perfect Roast Parsnips
Quick, easy and delicious, this recipe for Perfect Roast Parsnips requires no par-boiling or any other tricks – but it delivers perfectly cooked and crispy roasted parsnips every time. Perfect for roast dinners, Christmas lunch… or any time when you fancy perfectly roasted parsnips!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Roast Parsnips with Honey and Thyme
An essential on our Christmas dinner table – and indeed with any roast dinner, these Roast Parsnips with Honey and Thyme are super easy to make and taste incredible! (serves 6-8 depending on appetite)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Honey and Mustard Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
These Easy Honey and Mustard Roasted Carrots and Parsnips could not be simpler, simply chop the vegetables up and put them in the oven for 45 minutes. For extra deliciousness add a honey and mustard glaze for the last 15 minutes.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Christmas Vegetable Traybake
In my quest to make cooking Christmas dinner less stressful, I have created this Easy Christmas Vegetable Traybake. Roasting the parsnips, carrots and sprouts all together in one tray means you can relax and have a glass of bubbly instead of juggling pots and pans like a mad thing this Christmas. (Serves 4-6, depending on appetite)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Braised Red Cabbage
For me Christmas wouldn’t be the same without braised red cabbage. Plus it’s really easy to make and it’s a great make ahead dish for Christmas and beyond!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Pan Fried Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon
Need a super easy, but totally delicious recipe for sprouts this Christmas? Then this Pan Fried Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon recipe is your answer. My easy peasy twist on this Christmas classic, this Brussels sprout dish uses only 3 ingredients and just 1 pan…and can be ready in under 15 minutes! (Serves 6-8 depending on appetite)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Pan Fried Sprouts with Leek and Bacon
Quick, easy and utterly delicious this Pan Fried Sprouts with Leek and Bacon recipe is hands down my favourite Brussels Sprouts recipe of all time (though there are some close contenders!)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Peasy Roasted Brussels Sprouts
If you have never eaten Roasted Brussels Sprouts, then you are in for a treat! They taste much nicer than plain old boiled sprouts and are much easier to make too… In fact, they are so good, they’ll even turn life-long sprout haters into sprout lovers!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Maple Roasted Sprouts with Cranberries and Pecan Nuts
Utterly delicious and dangerously moreish, these Maple Roasted Sprouts with Cranberries and Pecan Nuts are an easy peasy twist on plain old boiled Brussels sprouts. Perfect for Christmas Day or any time when you want to elevate your sprouts to the next level!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Sprout Gratin
Turn your Brussels sprouts into something wonderful this year by making this delicious Sprout Gratin - layers of sprouts, bacon and potatoes covered in a creamy garlicky sauce - virtually guaranteed to turn sprout haters into sprout lovers this year!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Roast Potatoes
An absolute must have on every Christmas table. But there’s more than one way to cook potatoes at Christmas time… which one will you choose?
Easy Peasy Roast Potatoes
Quick, easy and delicious, these Easy Peasy Roast Potatoes are perfect for your Sunday lunch...in fact they are so quick and simple to make you could even have them as a midweek treat!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Polenta Roast Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
Want the most perfect crisp and crunchy roast potatoes? Then you have to try my Polenta Roast Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic – polenta makes them super crunchy on the outside, whilst inside they are soft and fluffy…and deliciously flavoured with garlic and rosemary…and of course, as you’d expect from me, they are super easy to make! (Serves 6-8, depending on appetite)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Duck Fat Roast Potatoes
If you have never had Duck Fat Roast Potatoes before, you are in for a treat. Not only does duck fat give roast potatoes a wonderful flavour… it also makes them extra crispy!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Roasted New Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary
Quick, easy and delicious, these Roasted New Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary make a fab alternative to traditional roast potatoes. (Serves 4-6, depending on appetite.)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Roast Sweet Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
A great alternative to traditional roast potatoes, my Easy Roast Sweet Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic are quick and simple to make and packed full of flavour and goodness. They are delicious with a classic roast dinner… but equally at home with midweek favourites, such as burgers, fish and chicken.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
All the trimmings
All those little extras that turn Christmas dinner into a real feast – gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing and more!
Easy Peasy Turkey Gravy
Want to make delicious Easy Peasy Turkey Gravy made from scratch – including making the stock from the turkey giblets? Then you will love this recipe! The turkey stock can also be made ahead and frozen - meaning one less job to do on Christmas day!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Peasy Cranberry Sauce
Need a simple, foolproof cranberry sauce recipe that only uses 3 ingredients? Try my Easy Peasy Cranberry Sauce. It only takes 15 minutes and you can even use frozen cranberries! (Serves 4-8 depending on portion size)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Peasy Bread Sauce
Perfect with roast chicken or roast turkey, this Easy Peasy Bread Sauce is quick and simple to make, and knocks the socks off powdered packet bread sauce. Once you’ve tasted the real deal, there’s no going back!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls
Want an easy stuffing recipe that can be made ahead of time and takes just a few minutes? Try my delicious Easy Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls recipe that has been in my family for decades!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Balls
Deliciously festive, these gorgeous little Chestnut and Cranberry Stuffing Balls are the perfect complement to any roast meat, but especially roast turkey. This chestnut, cranberry and sausage stuffing recipe is super versatile and can also be used to stuff roast meats and/or cooked separately in an oven dish (see recipe notes for details).
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Apricot and Pistachio Stuffing Balls
Quick, easy and very moreish, these Apricot and Pistachio Stuffing Balls are the perfect accompaniment to roast chicken, roast duck and roast turkey. And the cute little ball shape guarantees everyone gets plenty of crispy bits!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Peasy Yorkshire Puddings
These homemade Yorkshire puddings are so easy peasy and taste so amazing, you will never again even consider buying ready-made yorkies! Better still they rise perfectly every time, only take 5 minutes hands-on time and are practically foolproof.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Christmas puddings, desserts and other sweet treats
Finish off the Christmas meal in style with one (or more!) of these delicious Christmas puddings and desserts… plus other sweet treats to keep you going for the rest of the day!
Easy Peasy Traditional Christmas Cake
This Easy Peasy Traditional Christmas Cake is a well tried and tested family recipe that has stood the test of time (several decades in my family). It doesn't need feeding and so is suitable to give to kids - if they'll eat it!!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Last Minute Emergency Christmas Cake
Left making your Christmas cake to the last minute? Suddenly and unexpectedly need a Christmas cake? Or perhaps you just want a really quick and easy Christmas cake recipe? Either way, this Last Minute Emergency Christmas Cake is your answer… ready in just 1 hour 30 minutes, it requires just a handful of classic ingredients and it can be decorated and served on the same day you make it!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
All-In-One Christmas Cake
This All-In-One Christmas Cake is super quick and easy to make… and because it’s all made in one pan, there’s minimal washing up too – and yet it tastes just as good as those much more complicated recipes. (I’d argue it’s actually even better!) So, if you need a stress-free, super simple and practically foolproof Christmas cake in your life, this is the one!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Christmas Loaf Cake
Need a smaller Christmas cake this Christmas? Or want to make Christmas cakes as gifts? Or do you just want a Christmas cake that is easy to make and easy to slice? Either way, this Easy Christmas Loaf Cake recipe is your answer… ready in 1 hour 30 minutes, it requires just a handful of simple ingredients, and can be decorated and served on the same day you make it!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Small Round Christmas Cake (6 Inch Tin)
Need a smaller Christmas cake this Christmas? Or perhaps you want to make Christmas cakes as gifts? Either way this Small Round Christmas Cake recipe is your answer! Better still it’s ready in 1 hour 15 minutes, it requires just a handful of simple ingredients, and can be decorated and served on the same day you make it! (Makes 6-8 slices, depending on your preferred slice size.)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Christmas Cake Traybake
A classic Christmas cake… in traybake form! This Easy Christmas Cake Traybake is easy to make, easy to decorate and easy to cut – perfect for Christmas entertaining and practically foolproof.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Mincemeat Christmas Cake
Want a great shortcut to making a quick and easy Christmas cake? Use a jar of mincemeat! This Easy Mincemeat Christmas Cake is made in a very similar way to a standard Christmas cake, but uses a jar of mincemeat instead of the dried fruit and mixed peel. The result is a little lighter than a standard Christmas cake, but just as delicious. Better still, this cake takes just 1 hour 15 minutes to make (plus 15 minutes to decorate) – perfect when you need a Christmas cake in a hurry!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Christmas Cake Muffins
Fancy making homemade Christmas cake but don’t have the time? Make my Easy Christmas Cake Muffins instead! These cute mini Christmas cakes have all the flavours of a traditional Christmas cake but take just 45 minutes from start to finish. They are perfect for taking to events or making with children.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
White Chocolate and Cranberry Brownies
A simple Christmas version of one of my most popular recipes, these White Chocolate and Cranberry Brownies are perfect for festive entertaining, and as a bonus they are very easy to make…just a few simple ingredients and 40 minutes of your time and you too can be the proud owner of these gooey fudgy Christmassy brownies.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Christmas Tree Brownies
Wonderfully chocolatey and fudgy brownies, decorated to look like Christmas trees – these Easy Christmas Tree Brownies taste delicious and are surprisingly simple to make! Perfect for Christmas parties, Christmas bake sales, a Christmas craft activity for kids… or even an alternative to Christmas pudding as a dessert on Christmas day itself!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Mincemeat Brownies
These Easy Mincemeat Brownies combine the classic Christmas flavours of dried fruit, brandy and spice with rich, chocolatey and wonderfully fudgy brownies, to make a delicious Christmas treat! Better still they are super simple to make and take just 30 minutes. Perfect for Christmas parties, Christmas bake sales… or even an alternative to Christmas pudding on Christmas day itself! (It's also a great way to use up leftover mincemeat after Christmas.)
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Chocolate Tart with Cranberries, Orange and Pistachios
Rather decadent, but deliciously easy, this Chocolate Tart with Cranberries, Orange and Pistachios is great as an alternative to Christmas pudding or for a Christmas party.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Gingerbread Traybake Cake
All the wonderful sticky, spicy, deliciousness of a classic old-fashioned gingerbread cake… in a handy traybake form – easy to cut and perfect for sharing! Keep this Easy Gingerbread Traybake Cake traditional and leave it un-iced, or drizzle with a simple lemon icing and scatter with stem ginger for an easy peasy wow factor!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Baked Apples with Mincemeat, Maple Syrup and Brandy Butter
Whether you want a decadent festive pud to get you in the mood for Christmas or an easy peasy way of using up leftover mincemeat after Christmas, these Baked Apples with Mincemeat, Maple Syrup and Brandy Butter are sure to hit the spot!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Peasy Mini Mince Pies
Nothing beats homemade mince pies! These star topped mini mince pies are super easy to make and utterly delicious. Ideal for making with kids (but grownups love them too!) They also freeze beautifully, meaning you can have homemade mince pies whenever you want.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Mincemeat Tart
This beautiful star-topped mincemeat tart makes a wonderful Christmas dessert. It’s essentially a giant mince pie – but in an attractive fluted tart shape, topped with pastry stars. Better still – it’s super easy to make, even if you are not great at pastry!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Iced Mince Pies
Delicious homemade mince pies topped with icing and a glacé cherry, instead of the traditional pastry top. These Easy Peasy Iced Mince Pies look and taste impressive, but are actually super simple to make, and they make a lovely change to traditional mince pies!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Crumble Topped Mince Pies
These delicious Crumble Topped Mince Pies are made by topping classic mince pies with an easy homemade crumble mix. They are super simple to make (even easier than regular mince pies!) and make a lovely change to traditional mince pies.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Puff Pastry Mince Pies
These cute little star-topped puff pastry mince pies are super quick and easy to make – perfect when you need mince pies in a hurry! Using ready-rolled puff pastry makes these Easy Puff Pastry Mince Pies my easiest ever mince pies… and my quickest – just 5 minutes hands-on time and less than 10 minutes in the oven. And my neat little cheat means the pastry off-cuts are not wasted!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Easy Peasy Christmas Star Biscuits
Deliciously easy, melt-in-the-mouth cookies, with just a touch of spice, these Easy Peasy Christmas Star Biscuits are the perfect Christmas treat. They make great homemade Christmas presents and are super simple - so a great recipe to make with kids.
GET THE RECIPE >>>
Christmas Cake Cheesecake (No Bake)
Want an alternative to Christmas pudding this year? Or maybe you are wondering what to do with some leftover Christmas cake? Or maybe you had a Christmas cake that went a bit wrong and you’re wondering what to do with it? Either way, you are going to love this easy no bake Christmas Cake Cheesecake - all the flavours of a Christmas cake in cheesecake form!
GET THE RECIPE >>>
If you like this…
…you might also like:
- Easy Budget Christmas Dinner + Time Plan
- Easy Peasy Christmas Dinner Time Plan and Shopping List
- What to cook for a small Christmas dinner?
- 10 Tricks to Make Cooking your Christmas Dinner Easy Peasy!
- 20 Simple Tips To Take The Stress Out Of Cooking Your Christmas Turkey
- 25+ Easy Christmas Vegetable Recipes
Pin Essential Recipes for Christmas Day for later
FREE 4 Week Easy Dinners Meal Plan
Have you got your hands on a copy of my meal plan yet? If not CLICK HERE to download a copy of my FREE 4 Week Easy Dinners Meal Plan today!
Don’t want to miss a thing?
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Or why not subscribe to my blog and get delicious, stress free recipes straight to your inbox every week?
Kate Smith says
Just made your loaf tin Christmas cakes which are delicious, so easy and quick to put together. Only thing is they won’t last until Christmas – just have to make more. Make good gifts too.
Eb Gargano says
That’s so great to hear! I know exactly what you mean about not lasting to Christmas – none of mine have so far 😀
Moireen says
I made for the 3rd year the easy peasy xmascake! So very nice to make, tonput 1 a weekna little bit of drambuie over the top and then before xmas to decorate en to eat on xmas breakfast with the family. Thank you
Eb Gargano says
Yay! That’s so great to hear. I love the idea of feeding the cake with Drambuie 😀