In the South, that means casseroles, crown roasts, gratins, and biscuits aplenty.
With classics and fresh takes alike, these delicious dishes will get you through Christmas supper and beyond.
Take a look through these easyChristmas dinner recipesto find theholiday menuthat’s made for yourcelebration style.
Credit:Alison Miksch
Cornish Hens
Surprisingly easy to make, cornish hens will impress everyone at your holiday table.
Smoked Turkey Breast
Nothing says Christmas like fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs.
For even more festivity, check out the optional addition of pecan and thyme.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This recipe will delivers a perfectly cooked and seasoned main course every time.
These carrots really hammer the holiday spirit home with their bright and colorful demeanor.
No brining, no marinades.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This ham bakes for several hours.
Then, you’ll glaze it with a spicy-sweet sauce until the rind is crisp and caramelized.
Make-Ahead Yeast Rolls
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you could also make it ahead before the in-laws come into town, don’t dare forget it.
Balsamic Green Beans with Pearl Onions
key in your most versatile Christmas side.
Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Warm roasted broccoli makes macaroni and cheese feel a little more wintry.
Credit:Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Plus, it elevates the classic pasta bake from ho-hum to standout status on the holiday spread.
Our Favorite Buttermilk Biscuit
Trust us, we’ve tried hundreds of biscuit recipes.
This is the hands-down favorite we keep coming back to.
Credit: Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
Look at themthey’re practically begging to be perched on the edge of your dinner plate.
In this recipe, fresh thyme adds a savory twist that makes it taste fresh and new.
Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites
Is it Christmas in the South without sausage balls?
Credit:Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox
No, it’s not.
Switch things up with this seasonal twist that incorporates spicy, peppery Mexican-style chorizo sausage and mashed sweet potatoes.
Lightly spiced and oh-so-sweet, these candied yams are about to become a mainstay alongside the sweet potato casserole.
Credit:Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler
Cobbler?
After a simple 15 minutes of prep time, these ham-hocked collard greens finish in your slow cooker.
You won’t find a creamier, meltier macaroni and cheese rendition in all the land.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Stuffed Beef Tenderloin with Burgundy-Mushroom Sauce
Find a prettier main dish, we challenge.
These tender spirals of beef filled with creamy spinach and leeks always receive perfect scores on taste and style.
Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole
Why not gussy up a classicSouthern sandwichfor the holiday season?
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Slow-Cooker Green Beans
Crave the taste of your grandmother’s green beans?
This slow-cooker recipe gets you there, with a little extra bacon.
We’ll swear up and down that this side dish makes every festive dinner just a little bit better.
Credit: Iain Bagwell
The Ultimate Make-Ahead Gravy
Get out your best gravy boatbecause this gravy deserves a nice home.
Old-Fashioned Chicken Pot Pie
There’s always room for pot pie.
Skillet Squash Blossom
At first glance, we’re intrigued.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
At first bite, we’re sold.
Bacon, thyme, and a little maple syrup help make up the squash blossom’s success.
French Onion Soup Casserole
Like we said, we’ll make anything a casserole.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Transform your comforting bowl of onion soup into this cheesy, caramelized, layered masterpiece.
Smashed Baby Red Potatoes
Smashed, not mashed.
You’ll find something inherently satisfying about smashing these baby red potatoes.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Coated in a heavenly garlic-herb butter sauce, these will be an instant hit.
Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole
If broccoli-and-cheese casserole is wrong, then we don’t want to be right.
(We’d wager that just about every Southerner feels the same.)
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith
Oyster Casserole
You might know it as oyster dressing, oyster pie, or even scalloped oysters.
Buttery Toasted Pecans
This quick and easy recipe will get you into the holiday spirit.
Set these out for snacking or use them to top your holiday pie.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder
Even a humble pork shoulder roast likes to dress up for the occasion.
Skillet Cornbread
Three words: Hot.
Say hello to the secret weapon behind this perfect skillet recipe for Southern cornbread.
Credit: Jennifer Davick
Perfect Beef Tenderloin
It’s all in the technique.
(Hint: It also makes for great leftovers, placed inside a biscuit.)
Luckily, this recipe for fresh field peas covers its bases, using both.
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Hot Cheesy Crab Dip
Jumbo lump crab meat makes this cheesy dip worthy of a holiday spread.
It will only take a few bites for your guests to start requesting the recipe.
Christmas Snow Salad
No Southern holiday is complete without at least one jiggly gelatin masterpiece.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Like a delightfully retro Christmas tree ornament, this colorful salad will stand out on your dining room sideboard.
She never broke the tradition of serving this same little snack on Christmas Eve.
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Thought cornbread dressing was just for Thanksgiving?
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Delightfully caramelized roasted vegetables balance out any rich sides on your holiday table.
Stack sliced sweet potatoes in a muffin tin and top with sweetened rosemary-infused butter before baking.
This arrangement is almost too pretty to eat.
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Slice into rounds for serving to ensure bacon in every forkful.
Make a double batch of the spiced pecans for topping.
They make a greatcocktail snack.
Credit: Alison Miksch
This impressive side cooks on a sheet pan and is table ready in 30 minutes.
Harvest Salad
Dont kick off the celebration with an ordinary salad.
Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
Though this dish does bake awhile, theres practically no hands-on time.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
It takes just a few ingredients to create this creamy classic that’s perfect for the holidays and weeknights.
The tangy mustard-cream sauce is just the kick of flavor on top.
The instant pot makes the process even easier and will keep the potatoes warm until ready to serve.
Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith
We recommend letting the casserole sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
Credit: Iain Bagwell
Credit: Hector Sanchez
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith
Credit: Iain Bagwell
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Credit: Iain Bagwell
Credit: Hector Sanchez
Credit: Greg DuPree
Credit: Iain Bagwell
Credit: LauriPatterson / Getty Images
Credit: Alison Miksch
Credit: Jennifer Causey
Credit: Iain Bagwell
Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
Credit: Jennifer Causey
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Prop Styling: Mary Beth Wetzel; Food Styling: Pam Lolley
Credit: Lee Harrelson
Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch
Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch
Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch
Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas
Credit: Alison Miksch
Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
Credit: Will Dickey; Prop Styling: Christina Daley; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners
