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    Home » Recipe Collections

    by Traci · Post Updated: Dec 5, 2024

    30+ Holiday Recipes That are Elegant & Easy...Really!

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    (top) title text (bottom) spoonful of pomegranate cranberry relish

    Looking for stress-free Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes that are sure to impress? Check out this collection of easy appetizers, salads, mains, sides, and desserts, perfect for any holiday gathering, whether casual or formal.

    roasted turkey breast slices displayed on wood cutting board garnished with fresh parsley

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    Table of Contents hide
    1) Why you'll love this holiday recipe collection
    2) The Best Holiday Recipes

    Why you'll love this holiday recipe collection

    This holiday recipe collection has everything you need, from appetizers and salads to entrees, sides, and desserts. All the classic holiday recipes are right here–perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, potlucks, and holiday brunch.

    Many of these recipes can be made ahead, making your holiday prep a breeze and leaving you feeling like a rockstar in the kitchen. Plus, if you’re wondering what to do with leftover turkey, we’ve got 40 ideas ready for you!

    Dive in and make this holiday season deliciously easy!

    The Best Holiday Recipes

    Roast Turkey Breast Recipe
    roasted turkey breast slices displayed on wood cutting board garnished with fresh parsley and fresh cranberries
    Juicy roasted turkey breast made effortlessly. 10-minute prep and hands-free baking in under an hour make this perfect for a stress-free Thanksgiving.
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    Air Fryer Turkey Breast
    juicy slices of air fryer turkey breast
    Golden, juicy turkey breast in 40 minutes—ideal for a quick and easy holiday meal.
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    Easy Turkey Gravy from Drippings
    turkey gravy is ladled from white gravy boat
    Quick and easy turkey gravy with just five ingredients—use drippings or simple alternatives.
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    Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice
    cranberry orange sauce in bowl with serving spoon
    A quick cranberry sauce with a hint of citrus from orange juice—brightens up the classic holiday flavor.
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    Apple Sausage Stuffing
    baked sausage apple stuffing in white baking dish with serving spoon
    This sausage stuffing is everything you love but with an extra flair of diced apples, cranberries, and a nutty topping—a twist on a classic.
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    Best Ever Bread Stuffing Recipe
    bread stuffing in white baking dish with serving utensil
    Moist bread cubes with savory herbs and a crispy, buttery topping—just like classic Thanksgiving stuffing.
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    Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes Recipe
    sour cream mashed potatoes with fresh chives in wood serving bowl
    Creamy mashed potatoes made with sour cream for a rich, fluffy texture—make them ahead for convenience.
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    Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe
    mashed potatoes in Instant Pot with wood spoon
    Easy mashed potatoes made in the Instant Pot—no peeling, boiling, or heavy lifting required.
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    Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce
    pomegranate cranberry relish in glass jar with spoon
    A no-cook, juicy relish with cranberries and pomegranate—perfect as a side or on crostini.
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    Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad Recipe
    shaved Brussels sprout salad with kale, apples, dried cranberries, and pomegranate in a white bowl
    A festive salad loaded with raw winter veggies—healthy, flavorful, and diet-friendly.
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    Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe
    baked butternut squash mac and cheese with crispy panko topping in white baking dish with serving spoon
    Creamy, baked mac and cheese with butternut squash—serve as a main or side.
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    Fresh Green Bean Casserole
    creamy green bean casserole with crispy French onion topping in white baking dish with serving spoon
    A classic casserole with fresh green beans, creamy mushroom soup, and crispy onion topping.
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    Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
    mac and cheese in Instant Pot with serving utensil
    Classic mac and cheese made easy in the Instant Pot—a family favorite side.
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    Baked Smashed Potatoes Recipe
    crispy smashed potatoes on baking sheet
    Crispy smashed baby potatoes with a soft center—great with customizable toppings.
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    Easy Cream of Mushroom Soup
    cream of mushroom soup in white bowl with soup spoon
    Rich and creamy homemade mushroom soup—perfect for green bean casserole or as a standalone dish.
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    How to Make Gravy without Drippings
    gravy is ladled from gray bowl
    A silky gravy made in 10 minutes—perfect even without drippings.
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    How To Dry Bread Cubes (2 Methods)
    sliced bread and bread cubes on wood cutting board with serrated bread knife
    Quickly dry bread cubes in the oven or air dry for a few days—essential for perfect stuffing.
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    The Best Vegan Green Bean Casserole
    wooden spoon scoops creamy vegan green bean casserole from a white baking dish
    Fresh green beans with creamy mushroom soup and a crispy topping—loved by vegans and non-vegans alike.
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    How To Make Croutons
    croutons in gray bowl
    Easy, light, and crispy croutons that elevate your salads, soups, and stuffing.
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    Super Simple Charcuterie Board
    round charcuterie board with sliced meats, cheeses, fruit, nuts, olives, spreads, and crackers
    An elegant spread of cured meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and crackers—ideal for small gatherings.
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    Hot Crab Dip Recipe
    crostini is dipped in hot crab dip with stretchy cheese
    Everyone loves hot crab dip! Cozy, creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this easy crab dip is perfect for the holidays – and it’ll disappear fast!
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    How To Make Crostini
    golden brown crostini on baking sheet
    Toasted bread slices with olive oil, perfect for pairing with bruschetta and dips.
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    Pomegranate Cranberry Brie Bruschetta
    cranberry brie crostini appetizer on slate serving tile
    A festive bruschetta with brie, cranberry relish, walnuts, and thyme—a holiday favorite.
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    Crockpot Spinach Artichoke DIp
    Spinach artichoke dip in a slow cooker with a spoon
    A creamy, cheesy dip made in the crockpot—just load and go for a crowd-pleaser.
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    Herb Artichoke White Bean Dip
    herb artichoke dip with olive oil drizzle on silver tray with crackers
    A 5-minute dip with white beans, artichokes, and fresh herbs, perfect for dipping with crackers or crostini.
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    Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip
    A baked spinach and artichoke dip in a square dish, topped with herbs, with tortilla chips partially dipped and a spoon partially revealing the creamy dip underneath.
    Hot spinach artichoke dip is a holiday favorite, made with fresh spinach, cream cheese, and plenty of artichokes. It’s an easy, elegant addition to your holiday spread, perfect with crostini or crackers.
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    Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe
    sliced cranberry walnut bread loaf on cutting board next to Christmas decorations
    Fluffy, slightly sweet cranberry walnut bread, perfect for turkey sandwiches or with soft cheese. This beginner-friendly yeast bread is a must-try.
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    Easy French Bread Recipe
    partially sliced French bread on cutting board next to bread knife
    Make the perfect holiday French bread with just 4 ingredients. Fresh from the oven, it's crispy outside, soft and chewy as it cools—a bakery classic.
    Quick Cinnamon Roll Recipe
    fluffy glazed cinnamon rolls in baking pan with striped linen
    Make easy cinnamon rolls from scratch in under 90 minutes with quick-rise dough, baked to fluffy perfection, and topped with delicious glaze! Easy to make ahead for Thanksgiving morning!
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    Ham and Cheese Quiche
    Ham and cheese quiche on glass pie plate.
    Ham and cheese quiche baked to creamy perfection in a golden pie crust. Make ahead or same day, quiche is essential for special occasions. Use storebought pie crust and leftover ham for the ultimate shortcut.
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    Apple Cranberry Crisp
    baked apple cranberry crisp in iron skillet topped with melting scoops of ice cream and serving spoon
    Naturally sweetened crisp with apples, pears, and cranberries under a crispy oat topping—serve warm with ice cream.
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    Bananas Foster
    New Orleans-inspired Bananas Foster recipe. Scrumptious date night dessert with caramel sauce, bananas, pecans, and vanilla ice cream. #bananasfoster #flambe #neworleans #fattuesday #mardigras #alamode #warmdessert
    New Orleans-inspired bananas foster is a Thanksgiving treat. Bananas flambeed in caramel rum sauce, topped with vanilla ice cream—pure decadence!
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    Pumpkin Cheesecake
    A close-up of a delectable pumpkin cheesecake on a metal plate, showcasing its creamy texture and golden-brown crust.
    New Orleans-inspired bananas foster is a Thanksgiving treat. Bananas flambeed in caramel rum sauce, topped with vanilla ice cream—pure decadence!
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    Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats Recipe
    Christmas rice krispie treats on serving tray
    Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats are the holiday version of a classic treat with an irresistible white chocolate peppermint candy cane topping. They're easy, fun, and family-loved!
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    Chocolate Covered Nuts Recipe
    clusters of chocolate covered nuts on parchment paper
    This chocolate-covered nuts recipe is made with mixed nuts drizzled with salted dark chocolate. They make the best party snacks and edible gifts.
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    Peppermint White Chocolate Pretzels
    peppermint white chocolate pretzels laying on red background with scattered holiday decorations
    Peppermint white chocolate pretzels are pretzel rods dipped in melted white chocolate coated with crushed peppermint candy. Sweet and salty Christmas pretzel rods make great edible gifts and snacks!
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    Blood Orange Mimosa
    blood orange mimosa in wine glass
    Blood orange mimosa is the ruby red version of a classic mimosa. This festive brunch cocktail is perfect for winter holidays and special occasions.
    Get the Recipe

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    Traci

    About Traci

    I’m the recipe author, photographer, and videographer behind The Kitchen Girl food blog established in 2013. I test and share all of my original recipes here so you can make great food with simple ingredients for everyday meals and special occasions.

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    1. Bernadette says

      September 22, 2021 at 5:22 pm

      Hi Traci! I spoke to your Dad last night and he told me about your blog. So far I've printed three recipes and the first one I'll try is No Bake Energy Bites -- they look healthy and easy!

      Reply
      • The Kitchen Girl says

        September 22, 2021 at 11:02 pm

        Awww, I love hearing that you talked to my papa and I'm so glad you're finding recipes you can enjoy. I love those energy bites ... healthy AND addictive LOL. Please let me know if you have any questions at all, Bernadette. Sending hugs to you!

    2. Andrea Metlika says

      November 11, 2019 at 9:03 am

      So many fantastic recipes here. I'm going to start with the quiche and salmon dip. Then I'll go from there.

      Reply
      • Traci Antonovich says

        November 11, 2019 at 9:33 am

        Sounds like a great plan 🙂 Thanks, Andrea!

    3. Anita says

      November 08, 2019 at 9:20 pm

      This is such a nice article. My mind is racing trying to pick which ones to prepare. Is it bad I want them all? LOL. This is truly the case of my brain thinks it can eat way more than what my stomach can possibly handle. 😀

      Reply
      • Traci Antonovich says

        November 09, 2019 at 6:52 am

        Haha, this is a good problem, Anita 😉 Thank you!

    4. Calleigh says

      November 08, 2019 at 7:47 pm

      I l ove these collections of Thanksgiving recipes, they'll bring the family together and will satisfy your cravings every year!

      Reply
      • Traci Antonovich says

        November 09, 2019 at 6:36 am

        Thanks, Calleigh! Love the family gatherings 🙂

    5. Haley D. Williams says

      November 08, 2019 at 5:13 pm

      I love the selection of traditional and nontraditional recipes! So many good ones to choose from

      Reply
      • Traci Antonovich says

        November 09, 2019 at 6:35 am

        Thanks, Haley 🙂 Love hearing it!

    6. Danielle says

      November 08, 2019 at 4:18 pm

      I am so happy I've stumbled upon these ideas - I can officially declare that I am all set for Thanksgiving now 🙂 I think you've got everything one needs here - thank you!

      Reply
      • Traci Antonovich says

        November 08, 2019 at 4:24 pm

        So nice to hear that...thank you, Danielle. The list will grow too...stay tuned 🙂

    7. Mary says

      November 08, 2019 at 3:53 pm

      OMG, drooling! I love the great Brussels sprout inspiration!

      Reply
      • Traci Antonovich says

        November 08, 2019 at 4:02 pm

        Haha thanks Mary! Yep, it's Brussels sprout city over here 🙂

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