35 Holiday Entertaining Recipes: a family-table method

A collection of memorable holiday entertaining recipes that will bring cheer to all your festivities, including honey baked ham, cranberry relish and rum balls.

Make entertaining fun and tasty with these fantastic dishes that are sure to be crowd-pleasers!

The holidays are near! I get excited about trying new recipes, but I worry about finding the reliable dishes that will please both the kids and adults at the table. To make your life a little easier, I’ve created this list of foolproof holiday favorites. I have developed these recipes over the years to give fantastic results, even for new cooks! These are the finest party and holiday dinner dishes to make your season a little more merry. Be sure to start off your meal with some fabulous snacks from my list of 30 Christmas Appetizer Recipes!

The key to any holiday meal is an memorable main course. I have some fabulous entrée options like smoked turkey, honey baked ham and prime rib. Need more guidance with making a ham? Be sure to check out my how to cook a ham tutorial. Don’t forget to top off that ham with a kitchen-made ham glaze.

Everyone loves a good side dish. My favorites are classic comfort foods such as stovetop mac and cheese and sweet potato souffle. There are some flavorful veggie dishes that even the kids will enjoy like honey roasted carrots, sauteed green beans and crunchy brussels sprouts. I know what you are thinking, brussels sprouts!? But yeah, try these hot, crunchy and tasty bites! You can never go wrong with a colorful and festive Christmas salad.

Make sure you don’t forget the dessert. Satisfy sweet lovers with some of my absolute go-to desserts like chocolate truffles, Christmas tree brownies and peppermint bark. Just for fun, make some classic Christmas sugar cookies. My family loves to see who can come up with the fanciest cookie decorations. Looking for more festive treats? Be sure to check out 20 Christmas Candy Recipes, 20 Candy Cane Recipes and 30 Christmas Cookie Recipes!

With all these recipes you will have everything you need for an memorable holiday season!

35 Holiday Entertaining Recipes

This air fryer asparagus is tender stalks of asparagus coated in olive oil, garlic and an assortment of herbs and seasonings, then cooked to tender and browned perfection. A 10 minute side dish that's the reliable accompaniment to almost any main course option. Get the RecipeThese bacon roasted Brussels sprouts are crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and full of smoky flavor. An straightforward side dish that will convert even the most staunch Brussels sprouts haters! Get the RecipeThis broccoli and cheese casserole is loaded with broccoli and rice in a silky cheddar cheese sauce, all finished off with a crunchy topping. The signature make-ahead side dish! Get the RecipeThis carrot souffle is made with pureed carrots, sugar, butter and eggs, all cooked together to golden brown perfection. A light and fluffy side dish option that pairs well with chicken and beef, but can also be served as a dessert offering! Get the RecipeThese chocolate covered cherries are made with maraschino cherries, a silky center and plenty of dark chocolate. A kitchen-made version of the classic treat that’s impossible to resist! Get the RecipeThese cheesy potatoes are diced potatoes tossed in a silky blend of sour cream, butter and cheese, then baked to golden brown perfection. A quick and straightforward casserole that's reliable for feeding a crowd and pairs perfectly with chicken, pork and beef. Get the RecipeThese chocolate covered pretzels are made with pretzel twists or pretzel rods coated in dark and white chocolate and topped with sprinkles. A super straightforward candy that’s reliable for parties and gift giving and can be customized for any occasion. Get the RecipeThese chocolate truffles are made with a dark chocolate ganache that's shaped into balls and rolled in an assortment of toppings. Kitchen-made truffles are straightforward to prepare and make for a super impressive dessert option for any event. Get the RecipeThese Christmas sugar cookies are roll out cookies that are frosted with an straightforward vanilla buttercream and decorated with sprinkles. A fun and classic holiday cookie that's reliable for school parties and gift giving! Get the RecipeThis cranberry relish is a blend of fresh cranberries, apple, orange and sugar, all mixed together to form a sweet and tart condiment. Cranberry relish is a unique and welcome addition to any holiday meal! Get the Recipe

These Christmas tree brownies are an straightforward and adorable treat that's the reliable addition to any holiday gathering. Fudge brownies are decorated with candy canes, frosting and sprinkles for the signature treat! Get the RecipeThis creamed corn recipe consists of corn kernels simmered in cream sauce, then topped with crunchy bacon and fresh herbs. A classic side dish that's straightforward enough to make on a busy weeknight, yet elegant enough to serve for a holiday meal. Get the RecipeThese crunchy Brussels sprouts are coated in olive oil, garlic and seasonings, then roasted at high heat until tender and golden brown. The absolute finest way to enjoy Brussels sprouts! Get the RecipeThis creamed spinach is fresh sauteed spinach leaves in a flavorful cream sauce with parmesan cheese. A classic side dish that's straightforward to make and pairs perfectly with chicken, beef and pork. Get the RecipeThese crock pot baked potatoes are seasoned Russet potatoes that cook all day in the slow cooker to become perfectly tender and fluffy. A super straightforward side dish that pairs perfectly with seafood, chicken and beef. Get the RecipeThis straightforward crock pot candy is silky chocolate peanut clusters, all made with the help of a slow cooker! The reliable treat for the holidays that serves a crowd. Get the RecipeThis honey baked ham recipe is a copycat of the super popular HoneyBaked Ham Store version. It’s a tender ham baked to perfection and coated in a crunchy spiced sugar glaze. The signature holiday ham! Get the RecipeThis recipe for honey roasted carrots is whole carrots, bathed in honey and seasonings, then roasted over high heat until tender and caramelized. A super straightforward yet elegant side dish! Get the RecipeThese make ahead mashed potatoes are Russet potatoes that are boiled until tender, then combined with butter, garlic, cream cheese and seasonings to make the signature side dish. The reliable recipe to make before a big holiday when you don't want to spend the whole day in the kitchen! Get the RecipeThese molasses cookies are chewy brown sugar cookies infused with plenty of aromatic spices, then baked to golden brown perfection. A classic holiday cookie that's straightforward to make and is sure to get rave reviews! Get the Recipe

This recipe for Oreo balls is Oreo cookie filled truffles dipped in chocolate, then decorated in a variety of sprinkles. Oreo balls are reliable for gift giving around the holidays and also make great party favors. Get the RecipeThese oven roasted potatoes are baby potatoes coated in olive oil, garlic, herbs and parmesan cheese, then baked until golden brown and crunchy. A unfussy yet totally satisfying side dish that pairs well with roasted chicken, grilled steak or baked salmon. Get the RecipeThese pecan pie bars are a brown sugar shortbread crust topped with plenty of gooey pecan filling. An alternative to the traditional pecan pie that's reliable for feeding a crowd! Get the RecipeThis recipe for classic peppermint bark is layers of white and dark chocolate topped with crushed candy canes. A holiday go-to that’s quick to make and reliable for parties and gift giving. Get the RecipeThese Rolo pretzels are 3 ingredient sweet and salty treats that are the reliable snack or dessert. They take just minutes to put together and can be customized for any occasion. Get the RecipeThese sauteed green beans are cooked in butter, garlic and an assortment of fresh and dried herbs. A ten minute side dish that pairs perfectly with roasted chicken, steak, pork chops and seafood. Get the RecipeThis recipe for peppermint brownies is fudgy chocolate squares topped with cream cheese frosting, a layer of chocolate and crushed candy canes. The reliable holiday treat! Get the RecipeThis rich and silky slow cooker hot chocolate is reliable for any party or special occasion. Don’t forget the marshmallows! Get the RecipeThis smoked prime rib is a beef roast coated in garlic and herb butter, then slow smoked to tender, melt-in-your mouth perfection. The signature meal for a special occasion. Get the RecipeThese rum balls are a blend of liquor, chocolate, pecans and cookie crumbs, all rolled together and coated with sprinkles. The reliable dessert or gift option for the holidays that's sure to be a hit with family and friends. Get the Recipe

This spatchcock turkey recipe is a whole turkey that's been brined, then flattened and roasted until golden brown. A spatchcocked turkey cooks significantly faster than a traditional roast turkey, and comes out tender and juicy every time! Get the RecipeThis sweet potato souffle is a silky blend of sweet potatoes and spices topped with a brown sugar and pecan streusel. An straightforward and elegant side dish that's reliable for the holidays and always gets rave reviews! Get the RecipeThis stovetop mac and cheese is a one pot dish of tender macaroni in an ultra silky cheese sauce. The finest macaroni and cheese recipe! Get the RecipeThis smoked turkey recipe is a whole turkey that’s coated in kitchen-made spice rub then slow smoked to tender and juicy perfection. A super straightforward and impressive holiday main course that won’t take up any oven space! Get the RecipeThis is the finest turkey gravy you'll ever have – it's smooth, silky and full of savory flavors. Kitchen-made gravy is a must have for any holiday meal, and my version is so unfussy to make. Get the Recipe

If you’re looking for more holiday delights, check out my Christmas appetizer recipes and my Christmas candy recipes.

Make your holidays merry and bright with these recipes. They are some of my favorites and I bet you will love them too. Let me know which ones you try in the comments below.