Forget the Holiday Ham—These 21 Recipes Are the Real Reason to Gather
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If you’re tired of the same old holiday ham, this lineup of recipes is exactly what you need to shake things up. These dishes are packed with flavor and perfect for bringing everyone to the table, from cozy appetizers to memorable main dishes and sides. Each recipe is easy to make but big on taste, making holiday gatherings more delicious and way less stressful.
Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
Picture warm, fluffy bread loaded with melty cheese and garlic butter – this pull-apart loaf is all about cozy bites you’ll want to keep reaching for. With only six ingredients and a bit of prep, it’s the easiest way to add comfort to your table. Perfect for sharing, it’s the bread that’ll get everyone’s hands reaching in.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread
Peanut Butter Fudge
This creamy peanut butter fudge is pure homemade indulgence in bite-sized squares. Rich, smooth, and ready to impress, it tastes like the best peanut butter cup you’ve ever had. It’s a sweet treat that’s way easier than baking but every bit as satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Fudge
Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
Juicy pineapple and crispy bacon come together for a sweet and savory treat that’s as simple as it is addictive. With just two ingredients, it’s the kind of appetizer that disappears fast and gets people talking. You’ll love having this easy, delicious go-to in your holiday arsenal.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
Vodka Cranberry
This vodka cranberry is light, refreshing, and festive – everything you want in a holiday drink. Topped with fresh cranberries, it’s easy to make but feels special enough for the occasion. With five ingredients and five minutes, it’s your shortcut to a crowd-pleasing cocktail.
Get the Recipe: Vodka Cranberry
Saltine Toffee
Sweet, salty, crunchy – saltine toffee hits all the right notes and couldn’t be simpler. With caramel, chocolate, and pecans over a layer of saltine crackers, it’s a treat that’s impossible to resist. Make a batch, and you’ll be surprised how fast it disappears.
Get the Recipe: Saltine Toffee
Overnight Breakfast Casserole
This overnight breakfast casserole means you can have a stress-free, hearty breakfast that’s ready to go in the morning. With layers of eggs, sausage, and cheese, it’s filling and delicious without any last-minute cooking. Just pop it in the oven and enjoy a relaxed start to your day.
Get the Recipe: Overnight Breakfast Casserole
Almond Crescent Cookies
Buttery, crumbly, and dusted with powdered sugar, almond crescent cookies bring a bit of holiday magic to the table. They’re simple to make but taste like a special treat everyone will remember. You’ll want to make a double batch – they disappear fast.
Get the Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, fluffy, and loaded with garlic, these mashed potatoes are the perfect side that’s as comforting as it is easy. Made with simple ingredients but packed with flavor, they’re a classic everyone loves. No dinner is complete without these crowd-pleasers.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Frozen Cranberry Margarita
This frozen cranberry margarita is a frosty, vibrant addition to your holiday party. With a balance of tart cranberry and a hint of lime, it’s refreshing and festive. In just five minutes, you’ll have a beautiful cocktail ready to serve – no mixology required.
Get the Recipe: Frozen Cranberry Margarita
Cranberry Chicken Salad
With juicy chicken, tart cranberries, and crunchy pecans, this cranberry chicken salad has a mix of flavors that’s seriously addictive. It’s ready in just minutes, so it’s perfect for a quick and tasty meal. Add it to croissants or serve it over greens, and it’s sure to be a hit.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad
Sheet Pan Eggs
Sheet pan eggs make breakfast for a crowd easy, with thick, fluffy slices that are perfect for quick, no-mess servings. Just bake and slice for a simple, hands-off breakfast that tastes amazing. It’s the easiest way to get breakfast on the table with no chaos.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Eggs
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
These slow cooker mashed potatoes are creamy, garlicky, and free up your stovetop for other dishes. Let the slow cooker do the work, so you can relax or focus on other things. With minimal prep and a big flavor payoff, this recipe is a holiday must.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Cinnamon Palmiers
Buttery, flaky, and sweet, cinnamon palmiers are simple yet elegant pastries that are perfect for snacking. With just puff pastry, cinnamon, and sugar, they’re as easy to make as they are delicious. Set these out, and watch them become a crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Palmiers
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Cozy up with a cup of this peppermint hot chocolate that’s creamy, minty, and topped with whipped cream and candy cane crumbles. It’s easy to make and adds the perfect holiday touch to any gathering. A warm drink that feels like a treat for everyone.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Potato Fritters
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these potato fritters are a delicious, savory addition to any meal. With grated potatoes, garlic, and onion, they’re quick to make and full of flavor. Serve them with a dollop of yogurt, and they’re a comforting bite everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Potato Fritters
Pineapple Cheese Ball
Sweet, tangy, and savory, this pineapple cheese ball is a fun and tasty party starter. With creamy cheese, juicy pineapple, and crunchy pecans, it’s a unique appetizer that’s sure to stand out. Bring it to your holiday spread and watch it disappear.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Cheese Ball
Salmon Quiche
This salmon quiche is a fancy-looking dish that’s actually a breeze to make, with flaky crust, smoked salmon, and creamy eggs. Perfect for brunch or a holiday spread, it’s a savory treat that feels special. Serve it up, and get ready for rave reviews.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Quiche
Impossible Quiche
This “impossible” quiche creates its own crust while baking, making it easy but still loaded with flavor from eggs, bacon, and cheese. It’s a breakfast or brunch go-to that you can set and forget. A delicious, all-in-one meal that makes mornings feel effortless.
Get the Recipe: Impossible Quiche
Stuffed Dates
Sweet Medjool dates stuffed with creamy goat cheese and topped with walnuts are a perfect sweet-salty snack. With no cooking required, they’re ideal for quick entertaining or satisfying a snack craving. Set these out, and they’ll disappear in no time.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Dates
Broccoli Casserole
Creamy, cheesy, and topped with buttery cracker crumbs, this broccoli casserole is the ultimate veggie side. It’s an easy, one-pan dish that turns broccoli into a family favorite. Serve it up, and you’ll have everyone excited to eat their greens.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
2-Ingredient Pancakes
These 2-ingredient pancakes are quick, delicious, and endlessly customizable – all you need are eggs and cream cheese. Perfectly thin and tender, they’re a comforting breakfast without any hassle. Pair them with fruit or syrup for a simple meal that’s surprisingly satisfying.
Get the Recipe: 2-Ingredient Pancakes
