18 Non-Traditional Christmas Dinner Ideas
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For us, Christmas is normally a small dinner where most (if not all) of us don’t enjoy the traditional ham or turkey. So we’re very used to making – and loving! – our non-traditional Christmas dinners.
Whether you’re cooking Christmas dinner for two or are simply looking to mix it up this year, we have some amazing non-traditional Christmas dinner ideas to inspire your holiday meal.
Creamy Pesto Gnocchi
Christmas can be busy. So if you want a dinner that is both simple and delicious, then this pesto gnocchi is exactly what you need. It comes together in under 10 minutes with only 3 ingredients. So grab some gnocchi, your favorite pesto, and a little extra parmesan for the simplest Christmas dinner you’ll ever make.
Vegetarian Lasagna with Cottage Cheese
Have a little more time on your hands? Make this lighter version of a comfort food classic for Christmas dinner. Featuring cottage cheese and a simple tomato sauce, it’s flavorful and satisfying without being too heavy – so you’ll have plenty of room to indulge in all your favorite holiday sweets after dinner.
Spicy Szechuan Dumpling Soup
Our Szechuan dumpling soup is always a hit during the holidays. So why not make it the main feature for Christmas dinner? It’s the perfect, spicy, cozy, soul-warming dinner to enjoy after a long day of opening presents. And if you want something to go with it, make a side of pork lo mein or the next recipe on our list, General Tso’s chicken.
General Tso’s Chicken
Nicole grew up eating Chinese food for Christmas dinner, so I guess this would kinda be traditional for her… But for many of us it isn’t. But that doesn’t mean that a delicious, saucy, and spicy General Tso’s doesn’t make for a delightful Christmas treat. Add in a side of homemade pork dumplings and this might just be my ideal Christmas dinner.
Goat Cheese and Tomato Gnocchi
Our go-to date night pasta. The rich red sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese makes for a creamy, luxurious gnocchi dinner. And it comes together in only 10 minutes so Christmas night can be spent enjoying time with family rather than cooking. We recommend serving this recipe with your favorite wine and a small appetizer like spinach and artichoke dip phyllo cups or burrata toast with tomato and basil.
Penne Alla Vodka
Penne alla vodka is the perfect fancy pasta Christmas dinner for a small crowd. It’s super easy to make — and comes together in just 25 minutes. It’s saucy, it’s cheesy, and it has bacon (yes bacon, because it’s easier to find and cheaper than pancetta) so what’s not to love? Plus if you break the vodka out for cooking, that means it’s time to pour yourself a cocktail. Check out our winter cocktail recipes for inspiration.
Pesto Ricotta Pizza
Grilled chicken, balsamic glaze, artichokes, and a touch of green from the basil pesto and this pizza makes for the perfect celebratory dinner in just 30 minutes. Plus, we always end up with flour everywhere after making pizza — kinda like a white christmas… right?
BBQ Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
BBQ pulled pork and mac and cheese (separately) is actually our Christmas dinner tradition. There’s just something special about sweet and saucy homemade pulled pork along with our decadently cheesy cast iron mac and cheese. But, we also highly vouch for combining them into a BBQ pulled pork mac and cheese Christmas dinner that’ll feed the whole family.
Deconstructed Basil Pesto Risotto
Creamy risotto with fresh basil, almonds, and plenty of parmesan cheese makes for a delicious and elegant Christmas dinner, if you’re willing to spend a little extra time in the kitchen. We love how the vibrant green color of this dish reminds us of the Christmas season! Top this risotto with fresh basil leaves and a few pomegranate seeds for an adorable mistletoe garnish.
Burrata Pasta With Blistered Tomatoes
If there’s any time of year to indulge in the decadence of creamy burrata, it’s Christmas! This flavorful pasta dinner comes together in less than 20 minutes so you can spend more time with your loved ones and less time in the kitchen this holiday season. You’ll need some white wine for the sauce, so pop open a bottle of your favorite pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc and pour yourself a glass while you cook.
Spicy Butter Chicken
If we’re looking for a cozy, comforting holiday meal, then we always turn to our spicy butter chicken. There’s just something special about sharing a saucy dish with friends and family. And better yet, serve it family style alongside some slow cooker chicken tikka masala and maybe even get some frozen momos to go with it all.
Eggless Spaghetti Carbonara
Fancy pasta dinners don’t have to be hard to make. We made this recipe as simple as possible while still achieving the same taste and texture of traditional carbonara. This way there’s no egg to worry about curdling or hunting down some guanciale in the grocery store. So treat yourself to a fancy Christmas dinner that comes together in just 25 minutes.
Carnitas Burrito With Salsa Verde
Take Christmas dinner in a different direction this year with some carnitas burritos verde. Burritos are always a special occasion in our house. Especially when they’re paired with a spicy mezcal margarita. And these burritos are probably my favorite. The juicy, tender carnitas and bright, zesty verde are the perfect combo.
Caprese Pizza
Pizza might not be a traditional Christmas dinner, but that is kinda why you’re here. This red and green pizza (thanks to the cherry tomatoes and pesto) just feels like Christmas time. And making a pizza with your loved ones is one of the best ways to celebrate the holidays together.
Chicken Parmesan For Two
You can never go wrong with a classic Italian favorite for a special occasion dinner. This chicken parmesan recipe is perfect for when Christmas dinner is just the two of you. Serve it with a nice bottle of red wine and an appetizer or side of crispy potatoes with whipped ricotta for an easy, elegant dinner.
Baked Gnocchi For Two
If you want a decadent Italian dinner without the hassle, you’ll want to give this baked gnocchi a try. Simply mix the ingredients together in a bowl, pop them in a baking dish with extra sauce and cheese, and bake until gooey. It’ll only take a few minutes of your time, so you can get back to watching Elf while dinner’s in the oven!
Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza
Go red and green with another pizza dinner for Christmas! This pie combines red sauce, prosciutto, and leafy arugula for a light dinner you’ll want to pair with a festive cocktail like our mistletoe mules. Take things up a notch with a tomato crostini appetizer and you’ll be glad you chose to skip the Christmas ham this year.
Chicken Burritos Ranchero
This recipe involves a little extra work since you’ll want to make a batch of this homemade ranchero sauce, but we promise it’s worth it. Make the sauce ahead of time, then have fun assembling these giant burritos with your loved ones on Christmas day. Make it a Mexican feast with sides like guacamole, Mexican bean dip, and a pineapple coconut margarita!
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