18 Festive Holiday Dinner Recipes

By Jenn Segal

Celebrate the holidays with a show-stopping main course that’s sure to impress! Whether you’re sticking with a classic roast or branching out with something new, these festive dishes are perfect for creating memorable holiday meals. Who knows—you might even start a delicious new tradition.

Beef Tenderloin with Red Wine Sauce

Wow your guests with ease! My roasted beef tenderloin paired with a rich red wine sauce is simple, sophisticated, and foolproof.
Classic Lasagna

Comforting yet refined—my favorite lasagna recipe layers oven-ready noodles with rich meat sauce, veggies, and plenty of cheese.
Coq au Vin

Rich and full of flavor, coq au vin is a classic French stew with tender chicken braised in red wine. It’s the perfect dish to warm you up on a chilly day.
Cioppino (Fisherman’s Stew)

Cioppino, a hearty Italian-American stew made with a medley of fresh seafood in a rich tomato and wine broth, perfectly captures the taste of the sea.
Rack of Lamb with Dijon & Panko Crust

Who says elegance can’t be easy? Rack of lamb is a dish worthy of special occasions, yet so quick and effortless, it’s doable any night of the week!
Spanish Paella

Paella is a classic Spanish rice dish that combines the best of land and sea. This version, packed with smoky chorizo, shrimp, and mussels, is easier to make than you’d think—and will rival your favorite Spanish restaurant’s version!
Braised Short Ribs

Rich, tender, and slow-cooked in a flavorful red wine sauce, braised short ribs are the ultimate comfort food.
Sweet & Spicy Roast Chicken with Carrots, Dates & Pistachios

This sheet-pan roast chicken dinner is the perfect no-fuss dish for company. Everything can be prepared and assembled a day in advance, so all that’s left to do at dinnertime is pop it in the oven.
Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Glaze

This pork tenderloin recipe with a sweet mustard glaze is an easy, elegant way to turn any night into a special occasion—weeknight dinners included!
Classic Braised Brisket with Onions

Prepare a memorable dinner with this incredibly simple, make-ahead beef brisket recipe. It’s a foolproof crowd-pleaser, complete with a French onion soup-like gravy.
Slow-Roasted Salmon with French Herb Salsa

Hosting made easy and elegant: let this slow-roasted salmon be the stress-free star of your brunch or buffet.
Hungarian-Style Goulash

With tender beef and a rich broth, Hungarian goulash is a deeply satisfying dish. Serve it over egg noodles with a dollop of sour cream for the ultimate comfort food.
A Nice Cheese Lasagna

From cookbook author Julia Turshen, this cheese lasagna is light, simple, and elegant—a fresh take on a classic that’s as effortless as it is delicious!
Chicken Marbella

One of the most popular dishes from the Silver Palate Cookbook, Chicken Marbella has been a family favorite for decades. Loved it back then; still love it now!
Beef Stew Recipe with Carrots & Potatoes

This classic French beef stew is the ultimate comfort food. Slow-cooked in a wine-based broth, the meat becomes meltingly tender and enveloped in a richly flavored sauce—perfect for chilly nights.
Chicken Cordon Bleu

Master the classic chicken cordon bleu: juicy chicken, savory ham, and melty Gruyère cheese, all bundled up in a crispy golden crust.
Moroccan Chicken Tagine

Chicken tagine is a traditional Moroccan dish of chicken pieces braised with spices, garlic, onion, olives, and preserved lemons. It’s company-worthy yet easy to throw together.
Stuffed Turkey Breast with Sausage & Herbs

Looking for a smaller, more flavorful turkey option for the holidays? This stuffed turkey breast is juicy, packed with flavor, and cooks in just over an hour. It’s also make-ahead friendly and easy to carve—perfect for a stress-free holiday meal!