Holiday Dinner Menu Inspiration

Whether preparing for houseguests, planning a last-minute get-together, or attending a gathering as a guest, it’s always nice to have a few tried-and-true recipes up your sleeve to celebrate. We’re excited to make a few of our favorite seasonal go-tos and hopefully experiment with some new additions as well. Looking to some of our most trusted food bloggers, we’ve compiled a list of holiday dinner menu items inspiring us this year. Each recipe is comforting and crowd-pleasing, from the best pull-apart cheese bread to a classic tiramisu. Here’s what we have on our shortlist this season:

TO START

Marinated Olives & Feta

When it comes to holiday hosting, we’re always on the lookout for easy yet elegant appetizers that feel simple enough to throw together the day of. This appetizer is a go-to and is incredibly quick and elevated. The oil is flavored with red pepper flakes and garlic, paired beautifully with warm, crusty bread slices.

Pull Apart Cheese Bread

We often make this pull-apart cheese bread at our house, and it’s a crowd-pleaser for gatherings. Pull-apart bread also means no pre-slicing is required before your guests come over, making it super easy to serve for groups of people. It’s warm, garlicky, buttery, and relatively foolproof.

ENTRES

Balsamic and Pomegranate Roasted Chicken

Nothing pleases a crowd like a classic roast chicken. To make it feel extra special, you’ll make a marinade of olive oil, pomegranate molasses, pomegranate juice, honey, balsamic, lemon, garlic, and pomegranate seeds. Allow the chicken to sit in that marinade for at least 30 minutes (or overnight), and transfer to a roasting dish. It will cook for about an hour and a half and make your home smell delicious in the process.

Winter Green Risotto

Risotto is the perfect winter comfort food. If you’ve never made risotto before, this one from What’s Gabby Cooking is a great one to start with. It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with kale to make it extra hearty. This risotto pairs nicely with roasted chicken and is excellent served with lemon wedges to brighten it up.

ON THE SIDE

Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes

No holiday meal is complete without a great potato side dish, and this one puts just enough of a spin on the traditional mash while still feeling familiar and indulgent. Packed with garlic, butter, and parmesan cheese, these potatoes are simple to serve and pair well with virtually any dish.

Shredded Brussels Sprout Bacon Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette

We’re of the mind that holiday side salad should be a little more dressed up than your typical ceaser. This shredded Brussels sprouts bacon salad packs the best of winter’s seasonal produce and brings a lot of flavor in one bite. Bacon bits make it hearty and filling, and a sprinkle of pomegranate on top keeps it festive and bright.

DESSERT

Classic Tiramisu

There’s no better time to make Tiramisu than the holiday season, and for a dessert that can be a little time-consuming, this recipe is super simple. The best part? You can store Tiramisu covered with plastic wrap for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, and because the flavors develop as it keeps, it’s even better on day 2.

TO SIP

Honey Bourbon Cocktail with Rosemary Simple Syrup

Every holiday gathering needs a fun drink, and this honey bourbon cocktail brings all the holiday flavors without feeling over the top. The rosemary simple syrup adds the perfect festive touch, and the flavors strike just the right balance between savory and sweet. An easy crowd-pleaser!

For more holiday content, check out our gift guides, wrapping guide, and holiday hosting guide.