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Up your holiday game with these non traditional Christmas dinner ideas. The easy to make dishes include mains and sides that aren’t typically served for Christmas but will be a delicious alternative.

Cooked, seasoned chicken pieces rest on a wire rack in a baking tray, garnished with fresh herbsโ€”a delightful option for a non-traditional Christmas dinner.
Non Traditional Christmas Dinner Recipes. Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs. Photo Credit: Slow Roasted Italian

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There’s nothing wrong with going non traditional when it comes to Christmas dinner. If you want to shake the dinner table up a bit, these alternative Christmas dinner ideas are sure to be a hit.

Dutch Oven Prime Rib Roast

How To Store Dutch Oven Prime Rib Roast
Dutch Oven Prime Rib Roast. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

With just 4 ingredients, this prime rib roast is an easy non traditional main dish you can make for the holidays and enjoy with some tasty sides.

Get The Recipe: Dutch Oven Prime Rib Roast

One Pot French Onion Pasta

lunch ideas for coworkers
FRENCH ONION PASTA. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Serve up a flavorful pasta dish that will make everyone’s taste buds happy. Made with French onion flavors, this pasta is easy to make.

Get The Recipe: One Pot French Onion Pasta

Best Baked Salmon

The best Spring recipe featuring a plate with a succulent piece of salmon.
BAKED SALMON WITH MAYONNAISE. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Tender flaky salmon is a delicious alternative to Christmas dinner you can serve for the family. The mayo makes it extra moist and flavorful.

Get The Recipe: Best Baked Salmon

Nigerian Fried Rice

Friday dinner ideas
NIGERIAN FRIED RICE. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

With a mix of colorful veggies and having the rice parboiled in a seasoned broth, this Nigerian fried rice is one that you can pair with your non traditional Christmas mains.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice

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Creamy Pumpkin And Sage Pasta

A delicious pumpkin and sage pasta dish.
Creamy Pumpkin And Sage Pasta. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Pumpkin doesn’t just have to be for fall, this creamy pumpkin and sage pasta is one of those non traditional Christmas dinner recipes that will make your taste buds happy.

Get The Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin And Sage Pasta

Easy One Skillet Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

step 6 chicken egg roll in a bowl
Easy One Skillet Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Skip the turkey, ham, or traditional main dishes and go with a one skillet chicken egg roll in a bowl. It’s a delicious alternative Christmas dinner idea friends and family will enjoy.

Get The Recipe: Easy One Skillet Chicken Egg Roll in a Bowl

Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Instant Pot meals
INSTANT POT GARLIC BUTTER STEAK BITES. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Make steak bites in the instant pot for a quick and easy alternative Christmas dinner. The steak is cooked in a flavorful garlic butter sauce to create a delicious main dish.

Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant

4th of July vegetarian recipes
Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

A filling made with veggies and Mediterranean flavors, these stuffed eggplants will be an enjoyable alternative to turkey or ham for Christmas dinner.

Get The Recipe: Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant

TikTok Ramen Lasagna

What Is Stove Top Lasagna Soup
TikTok Ramen Lasagna. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Using ramen noodles, this lasagna is quicker and easier main than traditional lasagna. The cheesy meaty goodness is one that’s bursting with flavor.

Get The Recipe: TikTok Ramen Lasagna

Easy Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

easy summer dinner
BROCCOLI CHEDDAR STUFFED CHICKEN. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Serve something different and go with chicken for your Christmas dinner. Chicken breasts are stuffed with a broccoli and cheddar mixture to make a main dish that’s delicious.

Get The Recipe: Easy Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken

Easy Smoky Carrot Dip

What Does Smoky Carrot Dip Taste Like
Easy Smoky Carrot Dip. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

A dip that’s fun for the Christmas dinner table, or appetizer table, this smoky carrot dip is an easy dip that brings some unique flavors to the table.

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One Skillet Bacon Mac And Cheese

easy meals for tired moms
One Skillet Bacon Mac And Cheese. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Serve a non traditional holiday mac and cheese for the dinner. This one skillet side dish brings in crispy bacon to make it even more flavorful.

Get The Recipe: One Skillet Bacon Mac And Cheese

Pasta Puttanesca Without Anchovies

lazy Sunday dinner ideas
BEST VEGAN PASTA PUTTANESCA WITHOUT ANCHOVIES. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

A healthy and easy to make non meat dish, this pasta puttanesca is made without anchovies to create a filling and flavor Christmas dinner alternative.

Get The Recipe: Pasta Puttanesca Without Anchovies

Nigerian Jollof Rice

kwanzaa recipes
Nigerian Jollof Rice. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

A tasty rice dish that brings in some Nigerian flavors, this will go great with a hearty meat dish for the holidays.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Jollof Rice

Crockpot Shepherdโ€™s Pie

A piece of cornbread casserole on a fork.
CROCKPOT SHEPHERD’S PIE. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Make shepherd’s pie in the crockpot for an easy non traditional Christmas dish that’s hands off, filling, and delicious.

Get The Recipe: Crockpot Shepherdโ€™s Pie

Slow Cooker Vegan Pot Roast

crockpot summer meals
SLOW COOKER VEGAN POT ROAST. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

A meatless alternative to pot roast and one of those non traditional Christmas dinner recipes you can make with ease, this vegan pot roast is packed with flavor and healthy ingredients.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegan Pot Roast

Easy Cold Green Bean Salad

summer dinner
COLD GREEN BEAN SALAD. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

Instead of going with a traditional green bean casserole, try this easy cold green bean salad. The tasty side dish is healthy and flavorful.

Get The Recipe: Easy Cold Green Bean Salad

Mushroom Stroganoff

summer pasta recipes
VEGAN MUSHROOM STROGANOFF. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

Hearty and healthy, this mushroom stroganoff is a filling main dish for the holidays. Serve it with your favorite sides and desserts.

Get The Recipe: Mushroom Stroganoff

Eggplant Parmesan

A plate of spaghetti with a side of breaded chicken topped with tomato sauce and cheese is a tempting lunch idea.
VEGAN EGGPLANT PARMESAN.PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

Tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, this eggplant parmesan is one that’s both easy to make and oh so flavorful.

Get The Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan

Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Mexican lasagna in a white baking dish.
BLACK BEAN ENCHILADA CASSEROLE. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD, HAPPY LIFE.

Super easy to make and healthy, this black bean enchilada casserole is a turkey alternative dish that you can serve for the holidays.

Get The Recipe: Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

Easy Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf

Two slices of meatloaf with tomato sauce sit on a white plate, offering a non-traditional Christmas dinner option. A fork rests beside them on a plaid tablecloth, while a side of mixed leafy greens adds freshness to the setting.
Easy Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf. Photo Credit: A Magical Mess

You may not find meatloaf on the Christmas dinner table but if you want a non traditional dinner, it’s perfect. This meatloaf is stuffed with cheese for a filling and tasty dish.

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Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Seasoned baked chicken thighs on a wire rack over a baking pan, garnished with fresh thyme, make for a delightful non-traditional Christmas dinner.
Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs. Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian

Seasoned with the perfect amount of flavors, these chicken thighs are baked until the skin in crispy the chicken in juicy and tender.

Get The Recipe: Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Classic Beef and Pork Meatloaf

A rectangular meatloaf with a glossy brown glaze on top sits proudly on a wooden cutting board, adding a delightful twist to a non-traditional Christmas dinner.
Classic Beef and Pork Meatloaf. Photo Credit: Shaken Together Life

A mix of beef and pork makes for a flavorful meatloaf that you can enjoy over the holidays if you want a non traditional Christmas dinner.

Get The Recipe: Classic Beef and Pork Meatloaf

Apple Soy Glazed Chicken Legs

Three plates of glazed chicken drumsticks, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, make for a delightful non-traditional Christmas dinner.
Apple Soy Glazed Chicken Legs. Photo Credit: Karen’s Kitchen Stories

Sticky, juicy, and delicious, these glazed chicken legs are made with an apple soy glaze that’s packed with flavor.

Get The Recipe: Apple Soy Glazed Chicken Legs

Roast Pork Tenderloin

Two slices of herb-crusted pork roast grace the plate, complemented by creamy mashed potatoesโ€”an enticing twist for a non-traditional Christmas dinner.
Roast Pork Tenderloin. Photo Credit: Erica’s Recipes

Easy and quick enough to be a weeknight dinner, you can serve this roast pork tenderloin as an alternative Christmas main dish.

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These non traditional Christmas dinner recipes will make sure you’re still serving up a flavorful holiday dinner without the typical dishes.

25 Xmas Drinks That Will Lift Your Holiday Spirits

A glass of white cocktail with ice, garnished with sugared cranberries, a cinnamon stick, and rosemary sprig.
Xmas Drinks. Ponche Crema Recipe. Photo Credit: A Latin Flair

Lift your holiday spirits with these Xmas drinks! From cozy boozy drinks to fun holiday punches, these drinks will be a delicious way to enjoy the holidays.

Read it here: 25 Xmas Drinks That Will Lift Your Holiday Spirits

25 Cookies For Santa So Good He Might Just Leave Another Gift

A tree-shaped cookie with green icing and red candy sprinkles, perfect for the Cookies For Santa tradition, rests on a cooling rack.
Cookies for Santa. Rolled Sugar Cookies. Photo Credit: Homemade Hooplah

Leave these cookies for Santa out so that he has a tasty treat to enjoy as he delivers gifts. The sweet cookies are festive, cheery, and most importantly, easy to make.

Read it here: 25 Cookies For Santa So Good He Might Just Leave Another Gift

The Best Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

Side-by-side gift guides: "For the Foodie" with kitchen gadgets and cookbooks; "For the Hostess" with candles, books, and home items.
Photo Credit: La Passion Voutee.

Finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list just got easier! Whether you’re shopping for a foodie who loves experimenting in the kitchen or a hostess who appreciates thoughtful touches, this ultimate guide has over 1,000 unique and practical gift ideas for every personality. Get inspired to check off your holiday list with ease!

Check it out: The Best Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List

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