42 No-Fuss Christmas Eve Lunch Ideas to Serve Your Guests (2024)

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42 No-Fuss Christmas Eve Lunch Ideas to Serve Your Guests (1)

ByLauren Habermehl

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: Apr. 13, 2024

    Bookended by last-minute shopping and an influx of visitors, Christmas Eve lunch is a meal that often needs to be not only delicious but fuss-free.

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    Ham and Swiss Sliders

    My next-door neighbor shared this ham and Swiss sliders recipe with me, and I simply cannot improve it! You can make it ahead and cook it quickly when company arrives. The combo of poppy seeds, ham and cheese, horseradish and brown sugar makes it so delicious. —Iris Weihemuller, Baxter, Minnesota

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    2/40

    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

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    3/40

    Taste of Home

    Winter Beet Salad

    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

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    4/40

    Sausage and Swiss Chard Pasta

    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

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    5/40

    Slow-Cooker Short Ribs

    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

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    6/40

    Baked Mac and Cheese

    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

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    7/40

    Perfect Winter Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Perfect Winter Salad

    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

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    8/40

    Taste of Home

    Chicken Cassoulet Soup

    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

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    9/40

    Roasted Apple Salad with Spicy Maple-Cider Vinaigrette

    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

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    10/40

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    Spiced Acorn Squash

    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

    11/40

    Slow-Cooker Short Rib Ragu over Pappardelle

    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

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    12/40

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    Fruit and Cheese Board

    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

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    13/40

    Chicken Potpie Casserole

    I always have leftover chicken broth on hand and use 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

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    14/40

    Taste of Home

    Bistro Turkey Sandwich

    As a turkey 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

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    15/40

    Classic French Onion Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Classic French Onion Soup

    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

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    16/40

    Cobb Salad

    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

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    17/40

    Cranberry-Pecan Wheat Berry Salad

    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

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    18/40

    Authentic Pasta Carbonara

    I learned on my culinary internship in Tuscany that real Italian cuisine is simpler than you think! This carbonara is quick, simple and delicious, just the way they like it in Italy. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California

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    19/40

    Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork

    Cranberry sauce adds a yummy twist to pulled pork, and my family can't get enough of it! The pork cooks to tender perfection in the slow cooker, which also makes this dish conveniently portable. —Carrie Wiegand, Mount Pleasant, Iowa

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    20/40

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    Pasta fa*gioli Soup

    My husband enjoys my version of this dish so much that he doesn’t order it at restaurants anymore. With fresh spinach, pasta and seasoned sausage, this fast-to-fix soup is a meal on its own. —Brenda Thomas, Springfield, Missouri

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    21/40

    Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Honey-Maple Vinaigrette

    This salad makes a beautiful presentation for the holidays with the bright colors of the sweet potatoes, cranberries and spinach. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania

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    22/40

    Taste of Home

    Boston Baked Beans

    Simmered in molasses, these slow-cooker Boston baked beans are perfect to take to your next potluck. The sauce is sweet, dark and rich and they complement anything you serve with them.—Darlene Duncan, Langhorne, Pennsylvania

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    23/40

    Cranberry Ricotta Gnocchi with Brown Butter Sauce

    To make light and airy gnocchi, work quickly and handle the dough as little as possible. You'll be pleased with the resulting pillowy dumplings. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan

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    24/40

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    Fig, Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Panini

    A taste of this sandwich whisks you to the Italian countryside. It combines sweet honey, dried figs, tangy goat cheese, nutty Asiago and salty prosciutto. We often pack it in our picnic basket for summer or fall outings. —Maria Brennan, Middlebury, Connecticut

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    25/40

    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Spicy Pork Chili

    Tender pork adds extra heartiness to this slow-cooked chili. You can use pork tenderloin, boneless pork roast or boneless pork chops for the pork called for in the recipe. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    26/40

    Taste of Home

    Blood Orange Caprese Salad

    A colorful twist on the classic caprese salad of mozzarella, basil and tomato, this one uses blood oranges in place of the tomato and is flavored with pomegranate instead of basil.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    27/40

    Best Lasagna Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Best Lasagna

    Want to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. —Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois

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    28/40

    This fragrant salad is a vitamin and protein powerhouse. Toss in leftover cooked turkey to make it a meal the next day. —Jerilyn Korver, Bellflower, California

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    29/40

    Taste of Home

    This casserole brings together two classic comfort foods: grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. There’s no need for your hands to get messy dipping bread into a bowl of hot soup! Best of all, my picky-eater husband devours every bite. —Megan Kuns, Perrysburg, Ohio

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    30/40

    Cranberry Turkey Sloppy Joes

    Want a seasonal spin on classic sloppy joes? This combination of turkey and cranberries is a hit with everyone! The flavor has a touch of sweet and a touch of salt—just right for any cold-weather get-together. A slow cooker easily keeps the mixture warm on a buffet. —Christine Grimm, Mount Wolf, Pennsylvania

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    31/40

    Balsamic Steak Salad

    My husband loves blue cheese and I like a hearty salad that eats like a meal, so I put the two things together to make this steak salad recipe. The sweet-tartness of dried cranberries pairs deliciously with the cheese, creamy avocado and balsamic vinegar. It's irresistible! —Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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    32/40

    Every New Year's Day we have these slow-cooked black-eyed peas to bring good luck for the coming year. —Dawn Legler, Fort Morgan, Colorado

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    33/40

    Chicken and Swiss Stuffing Bake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Chicken and Swiss Stuffing Bake

    I love to cook but just don't have much time. This casserole is both comforting and fast, which makes it my favorite kind of recipe. I serve it with a green salad. —Jena Coffey, Sunset Hills, Missouri

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    34/40

    Taste of Home

    With Brussels sprouts for the green and cranberries for the red, I make a cheery Christmastime salad. Refreshing and versatile, it works with any kind of nut or dried fruit. —Cameron Stell, Los Angeles, California

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    35/40

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Salad

    We use this super-duper chicken across several meals, including it in tacos, sandwiches, omelets and enchiladas. My little guys love helping to measure the seasonings. —Karie Houghton, Lynnwood, Washington

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    36/40

    Bistro Apple Panini

    My family loves panini press recipes. The bacon, apple and tarragon in this recipe go together so well. If you don’t have a panini maker or an indoor grill, you can easily pan-fry or broil these excellent sandwiches.—Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

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    37/40

    Fennel Wild Rice Salad

    This is a salad I invented years ago when my sister's family had to go gluten-free. It has since become a family favorite, and Thanksgiving just isn't the same without our wild rice salad! —Aimee Day, Ferndale, Washington

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    38/40

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    Cranberry Chipotle Chicken Enchiladas

    Whether canned or homemade, cranberry sauce delivers a healthy dose of vitamins to this dish. A little bit sweet and a little bit smoky, these enchiladas are a delightful way to use leftover chicken or turkey. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

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    39/40

    Lamb and White Bean Chili

    I created a fresh take on chili using lamb and Moroccan seasoning with a feta and almond garnish. It was so exciting and tasty to my husband and son, I made a second batch almost right away. If you like a spicier chili, add harissa paste or use medium salsa instead of mild. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

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    40/40

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    Nutty Barley Bake

    When I started bringing this distinctive dish to holiday dinners, a lot of people had never seen barley in anything but soup. They have since dubbed me "the barley lady", and now I wouldn't dare bring anything this dish. Even if I double the recipe, I come home with an empty pan.-Renate Crump, Los Angeles, California

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    Originally Published: November 13, 2019

    Author

    Lauren Habermehl

    Often found with a spoon in one hand and a pen in the other, Lauren is a recipe developer, food photographer and the creator of the blog, Frydae. From homestyle comfort food classics to carefully recreated copycat recipes, Lauren’s aim as a writer at Taste of Home is to go beyond ingredients and techniques to celebrate the people behind the dishe...

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    42 No-Fuss Christmas Eve Lunch Ideas to Serve Your Guests (41)

    42 No-Fuss Christmas Eve Lunch Ideas to Serve Your Guests (2024)
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