12 Fantastic Christmas Recipes You Shouldn't Miss

Christmas time is one of the best times of the year. There’s something about it that makes it an awesome experience for several reasons. It’s a great time to get family members together and enjoy some quality time with them. You will also have full stomachs because of loads of traditional Christmas food that you would be eating. Traditional Christmas food includes things like mashed potatoes, turkey and ham, stuffing, and so much more. Even if there are people who are vegetarians, they don’t have to miss out on all the fun when it comes to eating a delicious Christmas meal. But in addition to all of these traditional foods, there are many different recipes that you could prepare for your guests or for your family. 

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, Christmas Eve is the time to get together and enjoy the most delicious meals for this season with your friends & family. These 12 mouthwatering recipes will enhance your holiday season experience. 

You can’t miss out on the celebrations during Christmas, can you? Why be left behind when your friends and other loved ones would like to surprise you with a delicious meal in their brand new Des Moines home. Nothing completes the Christmas season more than warm, delicious, and healthy recipes. Below are some of our favorite recipes:

1. Roasted Parsnip and Pear Soup

There's nothing wrong with a classic potato leek soup, but this Roasted Parsnip and Pear Soup makes for a more interesting winter meal. Thickened with already sweet parsnips, pear juice and roasted pears, this bowl of soup (it reminds us of something you might have ordered at a restaurant) is a perfect highlight to a Sunday lunch.

Cherries and chicken pair so well because of their complementing qualities. Leaf through any cookbook and you’ll see cherries paired with pork, they pair exquisitely with steak, the list goes on. Swiss or Napoleon Cherry Bruschetta is just a simple example that cherries have a place at the dinner table. Not yet convinced that bruschetta can be so much more than the chopped tomato, basil and garlic on toast? Try this cherry-swirled version!

Some roast beefs are tender, some roast beefs are lean… but this roast beef is peppery! The horseradish sauce is cool, creamy and oh, so dreamy. Pair a slice with a little bit of red wine to help wash down the fiery spiciness. This sandwich needs is sure to be the headliner at any meal-time get together, whether it’s a formal sit-down dinner or a serve-yourself potluck.

This Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables is so delicious that your only problem will be not eating too much of the meat or potatoes. You can arrange it on one large platter and serve it for a special occasion. It's usually served for guests but consider throwing in brussels sprouts because they're so good for you, too! Put the asparagus in last so it doesn't over cook.

This herbed rib roast is a real treat at our holiday gatherings.  The roast looks impressive but is really quite simple to make. Here's how it goes down at my house: It all starts with the herbs, which are pungent and flavorful.

This green bean casserole is the real deal! It gently infuses fresh green beans and cauliflower florets with chicken broth to give them a delicious crunch. Plus, there is no use of condensed cream of mushroom soup which is common in other casserole recipes. Using a homemade creamy sauce instead allows you to have full control over the ingredients that are added.

These light and fluffy Parmesan scones are just the thing to share on Christmas Eve. The addition of onions gives these scones a nice bite. You can even stir in some basil or oregano if you like.

What goes together better than chicken and cheese? Well, unless we’re talking about a blue cheese dressing. Then we take it to a new level! This Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe is a slight twist on the traditional cordon bleu, yet it's not as complicated to make as you might think.

Who can resist cheesy pasta hot from the oven? This ooey-gooey rigatoni mac and cheese boasts a homemade white sauce with five cheeses for maximum flavor. It’s an easy dinner recipe that will have your family begging for more!

Everyone loves a good salad, and this recipe is no exception. If you’re looking for a light, but the still sweet and flavorful dish, then you should make this recipe. This lettuce salad recipe is one you should definitely try!

Pretty. Pretty Duchess potatoes do exist! They are a gloriously inch-high creations of whipped mashed potatoes and melted cheddar cheese, topped with a pecan half. They’re the perfect companion to any holiday feast, but they also make an impressive side dish throughout the year.

Bacon and parmesan are a natural combination, so why not bring them to an easy and delicious recipe like these popovers? The salty bacon, flavorful parmesan cheese, and fresh-from-the-oven airy texture make this a quick dish to prepare.

There’s no question that Christmas can offer you a lot of moments for gathering around the table with loved ones and enjoying a great meal. Even if you aren’t a cook, these recipes should prove to be more than accessible for all levels of skill in the kitchen.

We hope you enjoyed these collection of recipes. Whether you’re looking for sweet or savory, spicy or comforting, there’s sure to be something here to delight your taste buds. Be sure to use these recipes while entertaining family and friends this holiday season, or enjoy them during your own cozy Des Moines home evenings!

In the end, you may disagree with some of these lists, or you just might love them so much that you decide to make many of these recipes. That’s completely up to you. There are many different things that you will have to consider before you can actually get started preparing your Christmas dinner or dessert. Ideally, you should know exactly what recipe it is that you want to make before you start looking for the ingredients. Which 12 recipes would be on your list?