Easy Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving & Christmas
Easy Holiday Recipes for Thanksgiving & Christmas
Sheet Pan Roast Turkey Breast
Ingredients:
- 1 bone-in turkey breast (5–7 lbs)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix olive oil, butter, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Rub all over turkey.
3. Place turkey on a large sheet pan; arrange carrots and potatoes around it.
4. Roast for 1½–2 hours or until turkey reaches 165°F internally.
5. Rest 15 minutes before slicing.
Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Ingredients:
- 1 fully cooked spiral ham (8–10 lbs)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup orange juice
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Whisk glaze ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Place ham in roasting pan and brush with half the glaze.
4. Cover with foil and bake 1 hour.
5. Remove foil, brush with remaining glaze, and bake another 30–45 minutes, basting occasionally.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 tbsp butter
- ½ cup heavy cream (or milk)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Boil potatoes 15–20 min until fork-tender.
2. Drain and mash with butter, cream, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Adjust consistency with more cream if needed.
Easy Homemade Stuffing
Ingredients:
- 10 cups cubed day-old bread
- 1 stick (½ cup) butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried sage
- 1 tsp thyme
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Melt butter in a skillet, add onion and celery, and sauté 5–6 min.
3. In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, sautéed veggies, broth, and seasonings.
4. Spread into greased baking dish and bake uncovered 30–35 min, until golden.
Roasted Green Beans with Almonds
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- Salt & pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss beans with olive oil, garlic, almonds, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast 15 min, stirring halfway through.
Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs carrots, peeled and sliced into sticks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp thyme
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Toss carrots with all ingredients.
3. Roast 20–25 min, stirring once, until caramelized.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Ingredients:
- 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (about 3–4 potatoes)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Topping: 1 cup chopped pecans or 1 cup mini marshmallows
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Pour into greased baking dish.
4. Add toppings (pecans for crunch, marshmallows for sweet).
5. Bake 30–35 min, until golden.
Quick Garlic Dinner Rolls
Ingredients:
- 1 package frozen dinner rolls or canned biscuits
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
1. Bake rolls per package instructions.
2. Combine melted butter, garlic powder, parsley, and salt.
3. Brush over warm rolls before serving.
Pumpkin Pie Bars
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1½ cups flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup butter (softened)
Filling:
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin purée
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ginger
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix crust ingredients and press into greased 9x13 pan. Bake 15 min.
3. Whisk filling ingredients, pour over crust, and bake 45–50 min.
4. Cool completely before cutting.
Classic Apple Crisp
Ingredients:
Filling:
- 6 apples, peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Topping:
- ¾ cup oats
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup butter (melted)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Toss apples with sugar and cinnamon; spread in baking dish.
3. Mix topping and sprinkle over apples.
4. Bake 35–40 min, until bubbly.
No-Bake Cheesecake
Ingredients:
- 1 graham cracker crust (store-bought)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz whipped topping (Cool Whip)
- Optional: cherry pie filling or crushed candy canes
Directions:
1. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Fold in whipped topping.
3. Pour into crust and chill 4 hours.
4. Add topping before serving.
Holiday Punch
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cranberry juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 2 cups ginger ale
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- Fresh cranberries & orange slices (optional)
Directions:
1. Combine juices and ginger ale in a punch bowl.
2. Chill and add fruit before serving.
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
- 6 cups milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve with marshmallows or whipped cream.