30 Recipes for a Healthy Christmas Dinner

Read Time: 14 mins

30 Recipes for a Healthy Christmas Dinner2/30 Italian Artichoke-Green Bean Casserole 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Italian Artichoke-Green Bean Casserole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 50 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mother and I made a few small changes to a recipe we found in a cookbook to create this comforting side dish. We increased the vegetable count and tossed in some seasonings to take the flavor up a notch. It’s definitely not your average green bean casserole. —Denise Klibert, Shreveport, Louisiana Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 207 calories, 10g fat

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable

(2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 616mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable. 3/30 Stuffed Mini Peppers 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SUZAN NAJJAR FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: There’s plenty of both crunch and cream in these party appetizers. Fresh chives help them really stand out. —Jean McKenzie, Vancouver, Washington Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed pepper half: 48 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 68mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 4/30

Any type of winter squash works here

Roasted Herbed Squash with Goat Cheese 1 Review Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Roasted Herbed Squash with Goat Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55 min Servings 10 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Cooking is a hobby I’m so happy to share with my toddler. She (and all our Christmas Eve party guests) heartily approved of this new potluck favorite. Any type of winter squash works here. —Lindsay Oberhausen, Lexington, Kentucky Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 251 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 715mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 10g fiber), 7g protein.

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat

5/30 Savory Pork Roast 29 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love this herbed roast so much that I make it as often as I can. It’s wonderful for special occasions, particularly when served with sweet potatoes and corn muffins. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah Nutrition Facts: 4 ounces cooked pork: 188 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 240mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat. 6/30 Cranberry-Pecan Wheat Berry Salad 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total

My whole family goes nuts for this salad, especially my mom

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 family goes nuts for this salad, especially my mom. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 298 calories, 15g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 261mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 6g fiber), 5g protein. 7/30 Appetizer Wreath 56 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 35 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I have

lots of fun with this festive appetizer wreath

lots of fun with this festive appetizer wreath. I often place a bowl of stuffed olives in the center. —Shirley Privratsky, Dickinson, North Dakota Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 125 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 166mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. 8/30 Feta Bruschetta 29 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Feta Bruschetta Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 10 appetizers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You won’t believe the compliments you’ll receive when you greet guests with these warm appetizers. Every crispy bite offers the savory

tastes of feta cheese, tomatoes, basil and garlic

tastes of feta cheese, tomatoes, basil and garlic. They’re terrific for holiday parties or most any gathering. —Stacey Rinehart, Eugene, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 each: 296 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 547mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein. 9/30 Italian Meatball Kabobs Test Kitchen Approved Italian Meatball Kabobs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 12 kabobs Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: When the temperatures are high, and so is your craving for Italian fare, turn to these deliciously different kabobs. A green salad and rustic bread are

all you’ll need to complete this summer meal

all you’ll need to complete this summer meal. —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 kabob: 325 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 315mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein. 10/30 Christmas Cheese Balls 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 3 cheese balls (6 cups) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Christmas at our house just wouldn’t be complete without these rich cheese balls. Friends and family ask for them every year-and I can make three gifts from just one recipe. —Margie Cadwell, Eastman, Georgia Nutrition Facts:

When I made this mashup, my husband wolfed it down

2 tablespoons: 125 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 165mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. 11/30 Seven-Layer Mediterranean Dip 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Seven-Layer Mediterranean Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I like traditional seven-layer Mexican dip, but I love Mediterranean ingredients even more. When I made this mashup, my husband wolfed it down. And he won’t even touch hummus or Greek olives on their own! —Bee Engelhart, Bloomfield Township, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup (calculated without pita

Serve the cocktail straight up, with tortilla chips

chips): 91 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 286mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. 12/30 Spicy Shrimp & Crab Cocktail 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Shrimp & Crab Cocktail Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 12 servings (about 9 cups) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This seafood starter is so good that it makes me love a food I usually don’t—radishes! This recipe also calls for spicy V8, but Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix works just as well. Serve the cocktail straight up, with tortilla chips

or on a bed of butter lettuce

or on a bed of butter lettuce. —Heidi Knaak, Liberty, Missouri Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 162 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 604mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. 13/30 Garden Veggie Lasagna 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Stroll the farmers market and you’ll find veggies and cheeses you might not know what to do with. Why not pull them together in one harmonious bunch and make this go-to lasagna when you crave a twist on an

Italian favorite?

Italian favorite? —Samantha Neal, Morgantown, West Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 423 calories, 26g fat (12g saturated fat), 73mg cholesterol, 777mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 19g protein. 14/30 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 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

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. 15/30 White Chicken Chili 152 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved White Chicken Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 40 min Servings 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Folks will enjoy a change from traditional chili when they dip their spoons into this flavorful blend of tender chicken, white beans and just the right amount of zip. This is our favorite white chicken

chili recipe

chili recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 214 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 596mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 7g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 16/30 Herb-Buttered Baby Carrots 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The herb butter can be used for everything from vegetables to roast chicken, turkey, game hens—let your imagination be your guide.—Sandra Corey, Caldwell, Idaho Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 143 calories, 12g fat

(7g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 180mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. 17/30 Parmesan Baked Potatoes 56 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Parmesan Baked Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 45 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It always amazed me that this simple recipe could make potatoes taste so good. Mom liked to make them for Easter because they were more special than ordinary baked potatoes. —Ruth Seitz, Columbus Junction, Iowa Nutrition Facts: 2 halves: 165 calories, 9g fat (6g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (1g

💡 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.

📣 Join Our Community