10 Simple Holiday Dinner Menus You Can Cook Without Stress

Looking for a stress-free holiday dinner? Whether you’re hosting family or just cooking for yourself, preparing a delicious and easy meal doesn’t have to be complicated. From one-pan meals to slow cooker recipes, these dinner ideas are designed to save you time and effort, so you can enjoy the festive season without being stuck in the kitchen. Each recipe offers simple ingredients and minimal prep, leaving you more time to relax and celebrate.

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Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

For a simple and flavorful holiday dinner, this sheet pan roasted chicken and vegetable dish is both easy to prepare and satisfying. Start with a whole chicken (about 4-5 pounds), olive oil, garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. You will also need potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts, or any other vegetables you prefer. Season the chicken by rubbing it with olive oil, minced garlic, fresh herbs, and seasoning. Prepare the vegetables by cutting them into large chunks and tossing them in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the seasoned chicken in the center of a large sheet pan and surround it with the vegetables.

Once everything is arranged on the pan, roast the dish in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. To save time, you can prep everything the day before by seasoning the chicken and cutting the vegetables, then storing them in the fridge overnight. On the day of your dinner, simply arrange the ingredients on the sheet pan and let the oven do the rest of the work while you focus on other tasks.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

A hearty and comforting dish like beef stew is ideal for a stress-free holiday meal. To prepare, gather stew beef (about 2 pounds), potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, garlic, and beef broth. You will also need fresh thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper for seasoning. Begin by chopping the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and mincing the garlic. Place the beef, vegetables, garlic, and herbs in a slow cooker, then pour in enough beef broth to cover the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir everything together. Set the slow cooker on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours, until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together.

This dish is perfect for making ahead of time because the slow cooker does all the hard work for you. You can prepare the ingredients in the morning, set the cooker to work, and focus on other parts of your holiday dinner. Once the stew is ready, simply serve it with some crusty bread for dipping, making it a comforting and filling meal with minimal effort.

Baked Ziti with Garlic Bread

Baked ziti is an easy yet delicious dinner option, perfect for a holiday meal. For the ziti, you will need 1 pound of ziti pasta, 2 cups of marinara sauce, 1 cup of ricotta cheese, 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, and ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Begin by cooking the ziti according to package instructions, then drain and return it to the pot. Stir in the marinara sauce and ricotta cheese, mixing everything until evenly combined. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve the baked ziti with a side of garlic bread for an easy yet satisfying holiday dinner. You can even prepare the ziti the day before, store it in the fridge, and simply bake it the next day, saving time and effort on the day of your celebration.

Roast Salmon with Asparagus

Roast salmon with asparagus is a light and healthy dinner option that’s easy to prepare for the holidays. For this dish, you’ll need 4 salmon fillets, 1 bunch of asparagus, olive oil, lemon, garlic, salt, and pepper. Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F. Arrange the salmon fillets and asparagus on a large baking sheet. Drizzle both the fish and vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add a few minced garlic cloves over the top of the salmon and asparagus for added flavor, and then squeeze fresh lemon juice over the entire dish.

Roast everything in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. You can prepare the ingredients in advance by cleaning and trimming the asparagus and seasoning the salmon fillets. When you’re ready to cook, simply arrange everything on the sheet and let the oven work its magic, allowing you to enjoy a delicious holiday dinner with minimal effort.

One-Pot Chicken and Rice

A one-pot chicken and rice dish is a simple yet hearty meal that requires little cleanup. For this recipe, gather 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 2 cups of rice, 1 onion, garlic, 4 cups of chicken broth, and your favorite seasonings, such as thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs. In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat and brown the chicken breasts on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Once browned, remove the chicken and set it aside. In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic until softened, then stir in the rice and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Add the chicken broth and bring everything to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pot, cover, and let it cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked. This one-pot meal is perfect for a stress-free holiday dinner because it requires minimal preparation and cleanup. You can even swap out the chicken breasts for thighs or add in some vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.

Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Apples and Sweet Potatoes

Pork tenderloin with roasted apples and sweet potatoes is a flavorful, seasonal dish that is easy to prepare. For this, you will need 1 to 1.5 pounds of pork tenderloin, 2 apples (such as Granny Smith), 2 sweet potatoes, olive oil, fresh rosemary, garlic, and salt and pepper. Begin by preheating the oven to 400°F and seasoning the pork tenderloin with salt, pepper, and fresh rosemary. Slice the apples and sweet potatoes into chunks and toss them in olive oil, garlic, and seasoning. Arrange the pork tenderloin in the center of a roasting pan and surround it with the apples and sweet potatoes. Roast everything for about 25-30 minutes or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, and the vegetables are tender.

This dish is simple to make and packs a lot of flavor. You can prepare the apples and sweet potatoes in advance, cutting them the night before, and store them in the fridge. When ready to cook, simply season the pork and toss the vegetables together for a quick, hands-off meal.

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs with Roasted Potatoes

Baked chicken thighs with crispy skin are an easy, flavorful dinner option that requires minimal prep. For this dish, you’ll need bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, potatoes, olive oil, garlic, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Preheat your oven to 400°F and rub the chicken thighs with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cut the potatoes into small cubes and toss them in olive oil, garlic, and thyme. Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet, surround them with the seasoned potatoes, and roast everything for about 40-45 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and the potatoes are tender.

This recipe can be prepared in under 10 minutes, and the oven does the rest of the work. The crispy chicken skin and flavorful roasted potatoes make it an excellent dish for a relaxed holiday dinner, and you can easily make it ahead of time by seasoning the chicken and chopping the potatoes the day before.

Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu

For a light and vegetarian-friendly holiday dinner, vegetable stir-fry with tofu is an excellent option. You will need firm tofu, mixed vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and rice. Start by pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture, then cut it into cubes. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and sauté the garlic and ginger until fragrant. Add the tofu and vegetables to the pan, then pour in soy sauce and stir-fry everything until the vegetables are tender and the tofu is crispy on the outside. Serve over steamed rice for a complete meal.

This stir-fry is quick to prepare and can be easily adjusted based on your favorite vegetables. You can use pre-cut vegetables or frozen stir-fry mixes to save time. With minimal ingredients and effort, this dish offers a healthy and vibrant holiday meal option.

Shrimp Scampi with Pasta

Shrimp scampi is a flavorful seafood dish that comes together quickly and is perfect for a simple holiday dinner. You’ll need 1 pound of shrimp (peeled and deveined), 8 ounces of spaghetti, butter, garlic, lemon, white wine, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Start by cooking the pasta according to package instructions, then drain and set aside. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, then pour in white wine, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Toss in the cooked pasta and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

This dish requires only about 20 minutes to prepare, making it an excellent choice for a quick yet elegant holiday dinner. The combination of garlic, butter, and lemon perfectly complements the shrimp, while the pasta soaks up all the delicious flavors.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are a customizable and easy-to-make dinner option. You will need 4 large bell peppers, ground beef (or turkey), cooked rice, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, and cheese. Begin by cutting the tops off the peppers and removing the seeds. In a skillet, sauté onions and garlic, then add the ground meat and cook until browned. Stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and oregano. Stuff the peppers with the meat and rice mixture, then top with shredded cheese. Bake the stuffed peppers in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 30 minutes, until the peppers are tender.

This dish is perfect for making in advance, as you can prepare the stuffing and fill the peppers the day before. Simply bake them on the day of your holiday dinner, and you’ll have a satisfying, hearty meal with minimal work.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.