44 Easy Dinners to Make Between Christmas and New Year’s

Read Time: 20 mins

44 Easy Dinners to Make Between Christmas and New Year’s2/44 Christmas White Chili 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 10 servings (about 3-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Dreaming of a white Christmas? Try this chili decked with red and green veggies! —Catherine Nickelson, Scandia, Minnesota Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups: 482 calories, 24g fat (12g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 1488mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 10g fiber), 30g protein. 3/44 Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini 40 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Leftover Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50

min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe turns our leftover turkey into a whole new meal! We look forward to having it after I roast a turkey for a family gathering. —Susan Payne, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 444 calories, 21g fat (12g saturated fat), 90mg cholesterol, 685mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein. 4/44 Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup 69 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved ALEJANDRO MONFORT FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 7 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I knew

this ham soup recipe was a keeper when my mother-in-law asked for it!

this ham soup recipe was a keeper when my mother-in-law asked for it! The hearty soup—chock-full of ham, veggies and cheese—is creamy and comforting. And even though the recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, don’t expect it to last more than one meal! —Marty Matthews, Clarksville, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 331 calories, 20g fat (12g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 772mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. 5/44 After-Christmas Empanadas 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 20 appetizers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Turn your leftovers into

tasty empanadas using refrigerated pie pastry

tasty empanadas using refrigerated pie pastry. We make these savory pastries and freeze them for a quick fix during the holidays. —Cheryl Marinaccio, Webster, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 empanada: 205 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 191mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 6/44 Lemon Garlic Shrimp 25 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Pasta Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You’ll be amazed that you can make this simple, elegant pasta in mere minutes. Serve it with

crusty bread to soak up all of the garlic lemon sauce

crusty bread to soak up all of the garlic lemon sauce. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 163 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 284mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat. 7/44 Fried Chicken and Waffles Test Kitchen Approved Fried Chicken and Waffles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Chicken and waffles as a culinary tradition has origins in both Pennsylvania Dutch cuisine and soul food, with some variations.

This version features fried chicken in a flavorful coating that is crispy outside, tender inside, and a spongy, chewy waffle with some crisp ridges. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked chicken with 1 waffle: 668 calories, 40g fat (7g saturated fat), 162mg cholesterol, 691mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 34g protein. 8/44 Sausage and Squash Penne 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Sausage and Squash Penne Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love using frozen cooked winter squash because the

hard work—peeling, chopping and cooking—is all done for me

hard work—peeling, chopping and cooking—is all done for me. — Jennifer Roberts, South Burlington, Vermont Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup pasta with 1/2 cup sausage and 1/4 cup squash: 468 calories, 26g fat (8g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 705mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein. 9/44 Hearty Vegetarian Chili 7 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Hearty Vegetarian Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 9 servings (2-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Rich and flavorful, this chili is absolutely packed with fun veggies like mushrooms, beans and sun-dried tomatoes.

It’s so filling, you’ll win over any meat lover

It’s so filling, you’ll win over any meat lover. —Pam Ivbuls, Omaha, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 238 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 611mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 12g fiber), 14g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 10/44 Tenderloin with Herb Sauce 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tender pork is treated to a rich and creamy sauce with a slight red pepper kick. This hearty dish is very simple to prepare and is

always a dinnertime winner at my home

always a dinnertime winner at my home. —Monica Shipley, Tulare, California Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked pork: 238 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 495mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 fat. 11/44 Ravioli Lasagna 147 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Ravioli Lasagna Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When you taste this dish, you’ll think it’s a from-scratch recipe—but it starts with frozen ravioli! —Patricia Smith, Asheboro, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 cup:

You only need a handful of ingredients to make one of our family’s favorites

401 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 698mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein. 12/44 Black Bean and Beef Tostadas 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Black Bean and Beef Tostadas Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You only need a handful of ingredients to make one of our family’s favorites. It’s also easy to double for company! —Susan Brown, Kansas City, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 2 tostadas: 392 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 1011mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (2g sugars,

10g fiber), 23g protein

10g fiber), 23g protein. 13/44 Buffalo Chicken Tenders 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These chicken tenders get a spicy kick from homemade Buffalo sauce. They taste as if they’re from a restaurant, but they are so easy to make at home. Blue cheese salad dressing for dipping takes them over the top. —Dahlia Abrams, Detroit, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked chicken: 180 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 889mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars,

0 fiber), 27g protein

0 fiber), 27g protein. 14/44 Confetti Kielbasa Skillet 24 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s one of my husband’s favorite dishes. When it’s in season, substitute fresh corn for frozen. Add a dash of cayenne pepper if you like a little heat. —Sheila Gomez, Shawnee, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/4 cups: 347 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 692mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 7g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 lean meat, 1/2 fat. 15/44 Paprika Pork 20 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Creamy

She knew I was requesting this homey pork recipe

Paprika Pork Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When I was little, I would often ask my mom to make my “favorite meat.” She knew I was requesting this homey pork recipe. It’s been in my family for more than 30 years and it’s still a favorite! —Alexandra Barnett, Forest, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup pork mixture: 320 calories, 23g fat (14g saturated fat), 122mg cholesterol, 524mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. 16/44 Sweet Chili & Orange Chicken 9

17/44 Salmon with Spinach & White Beans 11

Reviews Sweet Chili & Orange Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband loves this simple sweet chili chicken dish so much he often requests it when he comes home from deployment. The sweet chili sauce adds just the right amount of heat to the bright citrusy sauce. —Jessica Eastman, Bremerton, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup chicken mixture: 309 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 1014mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. 17/44 Salmon with Spinach & White Beans 11

My husband, Oscar, is a Southerner at heart

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 15 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband, Oscar, is a Southerner at heart. This salmon with garlicky beans and spinach won him over at first bite. —Mary Ellen Hofstetter, Brentwood, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet with 1/2 cup spinach mixture : 317 calories, 17g fat (3g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 577mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 5g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 18/44 Broiled Chicken & Artichokes 26 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

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

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ 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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