39 No-Fuss Christmas Eve Lunch Ideas

Read Time: 19 mins

39 No-Fuss Christmas Eve Lunch Ideas2/39 Christmas Tortellini & Spinach Soup 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Christmas Tortellini & Spinach Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I made this soup for the first time in the summer, but when I saw its bright red and green colors, my first thought was what a perfect Christmas Eve dinner idea! —Marietta Slater, Justin, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 239 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 1135mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 11g protein.

The simple dressing is easy to assemble

3/39 Winter Beet Salad 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: To save a little time on this sweet and savory beet salad, we recommend using packaged salad greens in this original recipe. The simple dressing is easy to assemble. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 213 calories, 15g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 80mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 6g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 3 fat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 starch. 4/39 Sausage and

Swiss Chard Pasta 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I whipped up lunch with fresh produce from the farmers market, and the result was amazing. The pasta absorbs the cooking liquid quickly, so serve immediately to guarantee the best texture. —Kate Stiltner, Grand Rapids, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 487 calories, 25g fat (6g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 726mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein. 5/39 Slow-Cooker Short Ribs 78 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Short Ribs Recipe photo by Taste

(That makes it my favorite beef short ribs recipe!)

of Home Total Time 6 hours 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These slow-cooker short ribs are an easy alternative to traditionally braised short ribs—you don’t need to pay any attention to them once you get them in the slow cooker. (That makes it my favorite beef short ribs recipe!) —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 251 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 402mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. 6/39 Baked Mac and Cheese 37 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe photo by

Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Even people who have had their own homemade baked macaroni and cheese recipe for years ask for mine when they taste this crumb-topped version. For the best baked mac and cheese, use extra-sharp cheddar cheese for more flavor. —Shelby Thompson, Dover, Delaware Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 688 calories, 37g fat (21g saturated fat), 103mg cholesterol, 839mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. 7/39 Perfect Winter Salad 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Winter Salad Recipe photo by Orly Catz for Taste

of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is my most-requested salad recipe. Serve it as a side salad along with your holiday meal, or enjoy it for lunch the next day with cubed turkey or chicken on top. —DeNae Shewmake, Burnsville, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 235 calories, 18g fat (1g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 47mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. 8/39 Chicken Cassoulet Soup 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 6 hours 35 min Servings 7 servings (about 2-3/4 quarts) Go

to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: After my sister spent a year in France as an au pair, I created this lighter, easier version of traditional French cassoulet for her. It uses chicken instead of the usual duck.—Bridget M. Klusman, Otsego, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 494 calories, 23g fat (7g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 1821mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 9g fiber), 34g protein. 9/39 Roasted Apple Salad with Spicy Maple-Cider Vinaigrette 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Roasted Apple Salad with Spicy Maple-Cider Vinaigrette Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 8 servings Go to

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fruit

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We bought loads of apples and needed to use them. To help the flavors come alive, I roasted the apples and tossed them with a sweet dressing. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 191 calories, 13g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fruit. 10/39 Spiced Acorn Squash 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Spiced Acorn Squash Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 3 hours 45 min Servings 4 squash halves Go to Recipe From

This treatment for squash is one of our favorites

the Recipe Creator: Working full time, I found I didn’t always have time to cook the meals my family loved, so I re-created many of those dishes in the slow cooker. This treatment for squash is one of our favorites. —Carol Greco, Centereach, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 squash half: 433 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 142mg sodium, 86g carbohydrate (63g sugars, 5g fiber), 3g protein. 11/39 Short Rib Ragu 13 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Slow-Cooker Short Rib Ragu over Pappardelle Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 7 hours 30 min Servings 12

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: An irresistible sauce gives the beef in this short rib ragu another dimension of flavor. Nearly any starchy side, such as potatoes or polenta, will work in place of the pasta. Short ribs are my crowd-pleaser weekend meal for all occasions. —Missy Raho, Morristown, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup ragu over 3/4 cup pasta: 302 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 328mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 18g protein. 12/39 Fruit and Cheese Platter 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SUZAN NAJJAR FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time

25 min Servings 14 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

25 min Servings 14 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Who says cheese and sausage get to have all the fun? Make this fruit charcuterie board a party go-to with any that are in season. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 304 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein. 13/39 Chicken Potpie Casserole 40 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 55 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I always have leftover chicken broth on hand and use

it for many things, including this comforting family favorite

it for many things, including this comforting family favorite. You can bake your own biscuits as I do or buy them at the store. I like to bake extra biscuits to eat with butter and jam. —Liliane Jahnke, Cypress, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 488 calories, 26g fat (14g saturated fat), 117mg cholesterol, 910mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. 14/39 Bistro Turkey Sandwich 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Bistro Turkey Sandwich Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: As a turkey

I love it with a soft, rich cheese like Brie

lover who can’t get enough during fall and winter, I was inspired to come up with a restaurant-worthy sandwich. I love it with a soft, rich cheese like Brie. —Grace Voltolina, Westport, Connecticut Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 797 calories, 28g fat (14g saturated fat), 171mg cholesterol, 1196mg sodium, 87g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 6g fiber), 55g protein. 15/39 French Onion Soup 63 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Classic French Onion Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 20 min Servings 12 servings (2-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Enjoy my signature French onion

soup the way my granddaughter Becky does: I make onion soup for her in a crock bowl, complete with garlic croutons and gobs of melted Swiss cheese on top. —Lou Sansevero, Ferron, Utah Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup soup with 2 pieces bread and 1 tablespoon cheese: 195 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 765mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. 16/39 Cobb Salad 18 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND For Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 6 servings (1-1/4 cups dressing) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Made on the fly

by Hollywood restaurateur Bob Cobb in 1937, the Cobb salad is a world-famous American dish. Here’s a fresh take, with all the original appeal and an extra special presentation. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 575 calories, 52g fat (8g saturated fat), 147mg cholesterol, 1171mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 20g protein. 17/39 Cranberry-Pecan Wheat Berry Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 30 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love to experiment with different grains and wanted to give wheat berries a try. My whole

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⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

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✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

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