We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. 30 Christmas Dinners for Two That Are Effortlessly Delicious These meals don’t require endless ingredients — but they christmas dinners to go luxe for a festive night in.
Christmas tables usually are full of loved ones from near and far, but if your holiday traditions are on hold during a tricky travel season, cooking up a formal dinner may seem out of the picture. Nothing beats the intimacy and warmth of a festive dinner for two, especially when the meal is an impressive step up from your standard weeknight dinners. Skip the thinly shaved pork chops and go for a bone-in option for a hearty winter’s night dinner. Whether you’ve made them ahead or not, mashed potatoes are a classic on Christmas, too. Forget any other method for preparing your steak.
Christmas dinner doesn’t get much easier than this flavorful, elevated meat-and-potatoes dish that you can have on the table in under 30 minutes. Peppers and mushrooms are the ideal pairing for sweet and savory honey-soy glazed salmon in this simple, one-pan Christmas dinner. The recipe makes enough for four, but all you need to do is choose a smaller piece of salmon if you’re committed to avoiding leftovers. A petite bird can be carved right down the middle for an adventurous pair of homebound diners. Plus, the bed of fennel and raddichio that you use to roast the chicken make for an equally shareable side. Steak and plump potatoes may feel routine, but you’ll feel super fancy dining on these ridiculously easy hasselback potatoes. Stuffing your breasts with parmesan and spinach is a quick way to elevate juicy chicken filets.
You’ll sear the breast in a pan, finish them in the oven, and marinade a quick tomato salad. Lamb feels luxe and special for a Christmas dinner, but couples may be surprised at how easy it is to roast at home — and how many delicious leftovers they’ll enjoy during the holiday week. A petite lamb top round is rubbed with garlic, rosemary, and thyme and roasted atop a bed of grape tomatoes. Roasting up an entire bird for two may feel overzealous, but a succulent breast is much more manageable for a party of two. Stuffing it and wrapping it in all of its bacon glory still ups the wow factor at dinnertime. For those chilly, blustery Christmas nights where all you want is to sleep on a full, happy stomach.
This gourmand take on bread pudding makes use of a bunch of ingredients that you may already have for Christmas brunch. Served over egg noodles, this one-skillet meal feels like a departure from all the rest. If you’re putting together a Christmas Eve dinner, why not portion out some of your Christmas ham earlier? Pasta is an easy night-of dinner idea for any Christmas routine.
Eggplant parmesan is wonderful, but stuffed eggplant parm will take your vegetarian-friendly Christmas dinner to the next level. This Italian take on a rustic “stew” du jour comes to life with tomatoes fresca and a heavy handed pour of white wine and butter. It’s the one soup that feels like a really warm hug on a cold wintry night, but the tried-and-true process to brewing a pot of this soup means many home cooks save it for special occasions. Our dump-and-roast version is ready in less than 2 hours! A classic roast sounds lovely on Christmas, but we’ll be reaching for this innovative twist on coq au vin that makes use of rosé instead of red wine.
Olive oil and ground mustard come together for a quick lather on a gorgeous fish filet. One of the OG recipes to be made in a single pan, you’ll throw in a bunch of fresh seafood you’ve picked up from the fish monger atop a bed of rice. Half moons of acorn squash dressed in a glaze and generous dusting of feta cheese become super crispy in the oven. Pomegranate juice and honey will bubble across the chicken while the squash crisps up.
This insanely flavorful dish manages to pack in a mere 300 calories. If you’re looking to save your splurge for Christmas desserts, this healthy dinner is a great option for you both. 4 hours of patiently waiting to be rewarded with a flavorful meal you’ll be thinking about into next year. Cheat your way through making a homemade pot pie crust by using a food processor. This seafood borrows the best elements from moist crab cakes by blitzing together in a food processor.
This delicately plated salmon may look like it requires a ton of prep work, but the reality is that you simply rub it with spices — and let the oven do the rest! A side of green beans can go on the bottom rack. For a meat-free holiday dinner that’s heavy on the veggies and ready in less than 30 minutes, this creamy pasta dish can’t be beat. There’s something about dining on mussels that feels decadent and festive for the holidays. Even better, the colors of this dish just scream Christmas, thanks to bright-red sauce and a fresh parsley garnish. Essential: Don’t forget some crunchy bread for dipping.