53 Nontraditional Christmas Dinner Ideas to Shake Up the 2024 Holiday Season

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: instant pot, slow cooker, high protein

I visited Jamaica last year and had my first encounter with this traditional stew of tender oxtail and creamy butter beans. Let’s just say that this is one of the best nontraditional Christmas dinner ideas around—namely because it’s a flavor bomb that’s destined to be the star of the show on any special occasion, Christmas included.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Serves: up to 6
• Why I Love It:  <500 calories, one pan, low carb, beginner-friendly

Update ordinary creamed spinach with curry powder, ginger and full-fat coconut milk for a side that’s anything but snoozy. I personally love this variation on the classic and make it regularly. (I also recommend that you experiment with different spice quantities and combinations, and feel free to add some heat if you like.) Either way, it pairs beautifully with pretty much any protein and delivers loads of flavor.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It:  <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, gluten-free

Want to skip a laborious entrée and sides but still enjoy a fulfilling meal? Look no further. “We make this recipe at least once a month because it’s quick and kid-friendly, but still feels special occasion or dinner party-worthy,” says PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, high protein

Who needs pumpkin pie when you can use that can of puree to whip up a rich and cheesy pasta casserole with savory flavors that will make your tastebuds sing? PureWow’s former Senior Food Editor Katherine Gillen, the culinary talent behind this recipe, says “it’s creamy, comforting and big enough to feed a crowd, but still feels modern thanks to dollops of ricotta and plenty of spinach (you know, for #health).” Sounds good to me.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: high protein, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

This traditional Irish dish featuring a layer of mashed potatoes atop a rich beef stew definitely falls in the category of nontraditional Christmas dinner ideas, but it’s so festive and comforting it probably shouldn’t.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: high protein, sheet pan recipe, special occasion-worthy

Turkey seems pretty lackluster compared to these Cornish hens, which are adorned with dried apricots, honey and spices, then roasted until golden brown. Sexy, no?

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Serves: up to 16
• Why I Love It: vegan, sheet pan recipe, crowd-pleaser, gluten-free

Coterie member Jodi Moreno’s potato skins feature sweet potato dressed up with Thai peanut sauce and an assortment of garnishes (think: cilantro, basil, toasted nuts, scallion) that deliver bold flavor and plenty of textural appeal. The end result is a long overdue update on a classic party appetizer.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, crowd-pleaser, gluten-free, vegetarian

Swap butternut squash in for pasta and you’ve got a festive, seasonal twist on lasagna that boasts all the cheesy goodness without the sky-high carb count.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <500 calories, high protein

Chinese food on Christmas is a time-honored tradition among folks who don’t celebrate the holiday, and let’s just say they’re onto something. Branch out from the standard holiday fare and serve up some sriracha-spiked firecracker chicken at your feast for a dish that tastes like a breath of fresh air.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours 20 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, slow cooker recipe

A classic French stew that’s rich, hearty and special occasion-worthy. Our cheater’s version relies on the slow cooker as a fuss-free alternative to sweating over the stove. The finished dish would make Julia Child proud.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours 25 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: slow cooker recipe, one pot, <10 ingredients

If you’re leaning into French comfort food this holiday, it just makes sense to have your guests warm up with a cheesy bowl of French onion soup before the beef bourguignon is served. Better still, this slow-cooker version is a no-stir solution that will allow you to actually spend some time out of the kitchen.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, beginner-friendly, one pan

A classic Christmas veggie side meets a Hanukkah staple and the result is crisp, crave-worthy fritter that tastes like holiday magic. Consider it a new Chrismukkah staple.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: vegan, high protein

Fun fact: KFC is a Christmas tradition in Japan. You can celebrate the holiday Tokyo-style and feed your vegan friends, too, with this highly convincing, meatless version, featuring a tofu and seitan substitute fried in a kicky, seasoned batter.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Serves: 8
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, kid-friendly

Jumbo shells are the perfect vessel for Italian sausage and three different types of cheese in this cozy and comforting baked pasta dish.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Serves: up to 6
• Why I Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, gluten free

This polenta is elegant, decadent and loaded with umami flavor. We like to make it with a gourmet mix of wild mushrooms (chanterelles, maitake, oyster) and finish it with a drizzle of truffle oil for an extra special touch.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours 35 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, make ahead, high protein

Presenting a close cousin of stuffing with a fresh flavor profile of tangy goat cheese, melty leeks and spicy dijon.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Serves: up to 8
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, <500 calories

No one can refuse hot, gooey baked Brie. This version boasts a decidedly festive garnish of pomegranate seeds, cranberries, rosemary and pecans that looks almost too pretty to eat.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Serves: up to 6
• Why I Love It: crowd pleaser. <10 ingredients, low carb, <500 calories

Apply this Scandinavian cooking technique to butternut squash for an eye-pleasing holiday side that features the swoon-worthy flavor combination of fresh herbs, honey and whole-ground mustard.

• Time Commitment: 7 hours 35 minutes
• Serves: 8
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special-occasion worthy

Creamy, comforting and oh-so-satisfying—this slow-cooker chicken pot pie is more stew than soup, which means you can serve it as an appetizer or as a perfectly cozy Christmas main.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Serves: 10
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, low carb, <500 calories, vegetarian

The classic combination of beets and goat cheese tastes and looks more festive when sprinkled with aromatic thyme and baked into a pretty puff pastry tart. It makes for a great appetizer or side, but with a hearty salad, it could even serve as an entrée.

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, beginner-friendly, sheet pan recipe

This seasonal side features beautifully caramelized rings of delicata squash and a sweet, sour and spicy glaze that you’ll want to use on just about everything.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <500 calories, special occasion-worthy

This kale and cheddar galette has enough aesthetic appeal to be a centerpiece and enough palate-pleasing decadence to make everyone excited about eating their greens.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Serves: up to 6
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, low carb, gluten-free

Impress your guests with these fancy, pomegranate glazed lamb chops and your Christmas feast will be the talk of the town. Plus, with the entrée ready in 40 minutes flat, you’ll still have plenty of time to enjoy your guests’ company.

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: high protein, low carb, sheet pan recipe

Ground pistachio and spices make a flavorful and texturally appealing crust for buttery, melt-in-your-mouth pork in this standout main dish. Best of all, it cooks from start to finish on a single baking sheet.

• Time Commitment: 30 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, sheet pan recipe, vegetarian

Tangy yogurt sauce, a subtly sweet and boldly flavored harissa glaze and an aromatic garnish of herbs and seeds come together to achieve the impossible. Yep, these roasted carrots are just that exciting.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: low-carb, gluten-free, <500 calories, crowd-pleaser

This low-carb take on baked ziti is every bit as tasty as the original pasta dish and scores bonus points for a beautiful presentation that’s blessedly easy to accomplish.

• Time Commitment: 18 minutes
• Serves: 2
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, high protein

Chinese food on Christmas is the OG non-traditional tradition, and these spicy pork noodles do not disappoint. Plus, it’s a low-fuss dinner that lets you focus on the most important part of the holiday: spending time together.

• Time Commitment: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Serves: 8
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, make ahead, one pot

A little French, a little Jewish and exceedingly delicious—this praise-worthy holiday centerpiece dish boasts a mouthwatering combination of rich and tender brisket, sweet caramelized onions and just a splash of sherry vinegar for a hint of acidity that will make your palate sing.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, beginner-friendly, one pot

If you were to condense the spirit of Christmas into a bowl of soup, this blend of warm curry spices, tart apples and earthy parsnip is what you’d get.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, low-carb, one pot

This simplified version of coq au vin has all the elegance and flavor of the classic (and famously fussy) French dish…and you don’t need a culinary degree to pull it off.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Serves: 2
• Why I Love It: special occasion-worthy, high protein, beginner-friendly

Is anybody ever more excited about turkey or ham than lobster? I think not. Yes, a risotto is time-consuming, but such a special occasion is worth a little extra time spent stirring.

• Time Commitment: 25 minutes
• Serves: up to 3
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <500 calories, high protein

If you neglected to serve up this divine combination of Middle Eastern spices, crispy chickpeas and buttery scallops for the Feast of the Seven Fishes, now’s your chance.

• Time Commitment: 15 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, <30 minutes, vegan

Add a little Caribbean flavor to your Christmas spread with this combination of beans, avocado, plantain and mango for a colorful side salad that tastes like a party in your mouth.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: no cook, <500 calories, vegetarian

This hearty salad featuring a creamy, sriracha-spiked yogurt sauce comes together in a flash with store-bought falafel. It’s also a perfect accompaniment to pomegranate-glazed lamb chops (above) or Iraqi roasted salmon (below).

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Serves: up to 10
• Why I Love It: high protein, low carb, crowd-pleaser

Cumin, coriander and turmeric combine to create an intoxicating spice blend; when paired with the bright acidity of citrus and tomato, the end result is a far cry from your snoozy weeknight salmon dinner.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Serves: 10
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy

Mac and cheese is the creamy, indulgent comfort food that everyone in attendance is secretly craving. Add some phyllo rosettes (it’s not hard, we swear!) and you have a family favorite that’s truly special occasion-worthy.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein, special occasion-worthy, one pan

Paella is a celebratory dish that boasts a statement-making presentation. It’s also a labor of love (emphasis on labor). Or you could cheat with our tasty weeknight version, which can be easily enhanced with the addition of lobster and crab legs if you’re feeling fancy.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy

Lentils lend heartiness to this warm and colorful salad and the pine nut cream is such a luscious complement that we can no longer imagine roasted veggies without it.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: high protein, low carb, crowd-pleaser

Spaghetti squash has paired up with ground turkey to fight for entree status and the result is more than the sum of its parts. (Not to mention a major improvement on the time-sucking hassle of roasting a giant bird.)

• Time Commitment: 40 minutes
• Serves: up to 8
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, vegetarian, crowd-pleaser

Serve this Irish twist on classic mashed potatoes with any hearty stew and the crowd will go wild.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 55 minutes
• Serves: 6
• •Why I Love It: high protein, one pot, crowd-pleaser

Tender chunks of lamb and hearty vegetables swim in a Guinness-infused gravy. Let’s just say the only thing missing is some colcannon potatoes on the side.

• Time Commitment: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pot, slow cooker recipe

Melt-in-the-mouth short ribs and mushrooms in a rich red wine sauce are so elegant and gourmet, no one will ever guess it’s a Crockpot dump dinner. (Psst: The pierogies are optional but encouraged if you’re looking for a quick and easy side.)

• Time Commitment: 35 minutes
• Serves: up to 8
• Why I Love It: vegetarian, <500 calories, beginner-friendly

Serve this savory, satisfying dish of crispy pan-fried gnocchi, caramelized fennel, mushrooms, goat cheese and greens as a hearty side or a vegetarian main.

• Time Commitment: 55 minutes
• Serves: up to 6
• Why I Love It: <10 ingredients, <500 calories, vegetarian

What is potage, you ask? It’s the fancy French term for thick veggie soup and this creamy, buttery and delicately flavored blend of potato, turnip, leeks and green onions is a truly delightful example.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Serves: 10
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian

Leeks make everything better. Same goes for cheese. Stuff them both in a loaf of bread and you’ve got a sinfully delicious starter that will earn you “Star Baker” status.

• Time Commitment: 50 minutes
• Serves: up to 10
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, low carb, high protein, crowd-pleaser

Another no-brainer for a Feast of the Seven Fishes—this San Francisco cioppino gets a boost from saffron, fennel and a splash of wine.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Serves: 8
• Why I Love It: gluten-free, vegetarian, sheet pan recipe, kid-friendly

These cheesy scalloped potatoes (i.e., potatoes au gratin) are sinfully delicious and easy on the eyes, to boot. Serve ‘em up and no one will miss the standard mash. Trust.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: gluten-free, beginner-friendly, special occasion-worthy

Take a page out of Phoebe Lapine’s book and season your bird with Chinese five spice for a bold, warm flavor that’s unexpectedly festive. Try serving it with scallion pancakes or a hearty salad with a sesame-based dressing to complement its flavor.

• Time Commitment: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Serves: 10
• Why I Love It: high protein. <500 calories, low carb, crowd-pleaser

Whole roasted turkey is, you know, fine. Ina Garten’s recipe for juicy turkey breast stuffed with prosciutto, garlic and herbs, on the other hand, is what we call exceptional.

• Time Commitment: 1 hour
• Serves: up to 10
• Why I Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

This casserole-style souffle is the definition of decadence and our new favorite way to feature ham on the Christmas menu.

• Time Commitment: 20 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, low-carb, gluten-free

Green bean casserole? Yawn. Lighten things up with a quick and flavorful green bean stir-fry, featuring sweet red pepper and the pleasantly crunchy almonds.

• Time Commitment: 45 minutes
• Serves: 4
• Why I Love It: dairy-free, gluten-free, low FODMAP

Lean into the Italian tradition known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes with some seafood-forward comfort food. This wonderfully decadent gluten-free “pie” is packed with veggies and relies on full-fat coconut milk to achieve its swoon-worthy creaminess. If you’re looking for an elegant main course that’s well-suited for special diets and serves up tons of umami flavor, this one fits the bill.

• Time Commitment: 3 hours, 25 minutes
• Serves: 6
• Why I Love It: <500 calories, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, slow cooker recipe

Apple butter, aromatic thyme, crispy sage and caramelized shallot and onion mingle with melty beef pot roast in this dreamy recipe, which can be made on the stove or in your slow cooker for a set-it-and-forget-it sensation. It has all the seasonal flavors you want for a holiday feast and the end result is a divine comfort food that will leave guests feeling oh-so warm and content this Christmas.