50 Small-Scale Christmas Dinner Ideas

Read Time: 22 mins

50 Small-Scale Christmas Dinner Ideas2/49 Apple-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Apple-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Recipe photo by Ruthie Darling for Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 3 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mother used to make this apple stuffed pork loin. To lighten my mom’s recipe up a bit, I reduced the amount of croutons called for and used the fat-free variety. —Sandra Harrison of Viera, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 336 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 417mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 35g protein.

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch. 3/49 Cheddar Seafood Chowder 6 Reviews Cheddar Seafood Chowder Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Shrimp and scallops make this thick, cheesy and chunky chowder extra special. It’s packed with veggies, and the crispy bacon makes a yummy garnish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 309 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 981mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein. 4/49 Garlic and Herb Mashed Potatoes 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Garlic

Cream cheese is the secret ingredient in these comforting spuds

and Herb Mashed Potatoes Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 2 hours 40 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cream cheese is the secret ingredient in these comforting spuds. Simply mash, mix and let them warm in the slow cooker. —Frieda Bliesner, McAllen, Texas Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 341 calories, 24g fat (15g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 267mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. 5/49 Bacon Parmesan Popovers 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon Parmesan Popovers Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings

6 popovers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

6 popovers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe proves that simple ingredients often result in the best-tasting dishes. These popovers are a nice change from ordinary toast or muffins. —Donna Gaston, Coplay, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 popover: 167 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 248mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein. 6/49 Spice-Crusted Steaks with Cherry Sauce Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re hosting meat lovers, these impressive cast-iron skillet steaks are guaranteed to

They’re perfect for a special-occasion dinner without too much fuss

please. They’re perfect for a special-occasion dinner without too much fuss. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 steak with 3 tablespoons sauce: 506 calories, 28g fat (13g saturated fat), 124mg cholesterol, 381mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein. 7/49 Cream of Crab Soup 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved JULIA HARTBECK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: One of our Chesapeake Bay delicacies is the Maryland Blue Crab. It’s abundant from May through October and used in a variety of dishes, like

this rich soup

this rich soup. Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 262 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 878mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 16g protein. 8/49 Fig-Carrot Stuffed Kabocha Squash Test Kitchen Approved Fig-Carrot Stuffed Kabocha Squash Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: While searching for a new winter squash variety, I stumbled upon kabocha squash—it really wowed me. The flavor and texture are both rich and beautiful, and this recipe, which I improvised, really suits the squash well. —Caitlin Stephens-North, Malden, Massachusetts

Try cauliflower jazzed up with cheddar cheese and rosemary

Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed wedge: 299 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 489mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 13g fiber), 5g protein. 9/49 Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Cheddar Mashed Cauliflower Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Want an alternative to mashed potatoes? Try cauliflower jazzed up with cheddar cheese and rosemary. —Chrystal Baker, Studio City, California Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 122 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 374mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 8g protein. 10/49

This spinach mushroom soup is the perfect accompaniment to any buffet

Creamy Spinach Mushroom Soup 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This spinach mushroom soup is the perfect accompaniment to any buffet. It can even be made ahead, then warmed and quickly finished on the day of your party. —Susan Jordan, Denver, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 219 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 952mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. 11/49 Maple & Bacon Glazed Brussels Sprouts 25 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Maple & Bacon Glazed Brussels

Sprouts Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For special meals, here’s a fantastic side dish that even children will love. The sweet maple syrup and smoky bacon complement the Brussels sprouts perfectly. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 273 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 32mg cholesterol, 544mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 5g fiber), 8g protein. 12/49 Scalloped Cranberries 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Scalloped Cranberries Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From

the Recipe Creator: This warm cranberry casserole is a nice substitute for traditional cranberry relish. It’s been a staple on my holiday table ever since my aunt gave me the recipe many years ago. —Ellan Streett, Clear Spring, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 388 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 246mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (55g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein. 13/49 Chicken-Prosciutto Pinwheels in Wine Sauce 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We host a large group for holiday meals, and these

pinwheels always go over well alongside the regular dishes

pinwheels always go over well alongside the regular dishes. I often double this recipe and use two 13×9-in. pans. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 3 pinwheels: 581 calories, 30g fat (15g saturated fat), 227mg cholesterol, 827mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 48g protein. 14/49 Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Hearty Meatless Shepherd’s Pie Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Mushrooms, carrots, celery, peas and potatoes pack this full-flavored meal-maker. In fact, you’ll never even miss the meat. It’s

that rich and satisfying!

that rich and satisfying! —Kim Hammond, Kingwood, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 223 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 753mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1 lean meat, 1 fat. 15/49 Mushroom-Stuffed Flank Steak Roll 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Mushroom-Stuffed Flank Steak Roll Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 40 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My daughter and her family, who live in Hong Kong, love to make my flank steak becuase it reminds

them of home

them of home. —Ethel Klyasheff, Granite City, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked beef with stuffing: 358 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 1345mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. 16/49 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

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. 17/49 Whipped Squash 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is an excellent way to serve one of the season’s most delicious vegetables—butternut squash. Its rich flavor and golden harvest color really come through in this smooth vegetable side dish.

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat

—Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas Nutrition Facts: 0.700 cup: 86 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 37mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 fat. 18/49 Chicken Cordon Bleu 7 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This chicken cordon bleu is a great, fast dinner for two. It’s easy to fix and makes an elegant entree. — Betty Palmesino, Phoenix, Arizona Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 441 calories, 23g fat (13g saturated fat), 157mg cholesterol, 792mg sodium,

💡 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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