21 Holiday Recipes You’ll Wish You’d Found Last Year

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21 Holiday Recipes You’ll Wish You’d Found Last Year

These 21 holiday recipes are exactly what you needed last year. Surprisingly simple to make and full of flavor, they’re perfect for any festive occasion, from family dinner nights to New Year’s Eve parties. You’ll find everything from appetizers to main courses and sides, all destined to become new favorites at your holiday table.

Baked tomatoes with cheese and basil on a baking sheet.
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Jalapeño Cranberry Dip

A person is dipping a cracker into a bowl of jalapeño cranberry dip.
Jalapeño Cranberry Dip. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This dip is a great mix of sweet and spicy, perfect for holiday parties. It’s easy and fast to make, adding something special to your holiday meals without much work. It’s a dish you’ll wish you had for last year’s Christmas or New Year’s parties.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Cranberry Dip

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Hash brown breakfast casserole with a wooden spoon in it.
Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This casserole is great for a relaxed Christmas morning breakfast. It’s made with bacon, eggs, and cheese, filling enough to start your day. It’s easy to make, and you can customize it to what your family likes and what ingredients you already have in your kitchen. So delicious that you’ll wish you’d have made it last year.
Get the Recipe: Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms on a serving tray.
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These mushrooms are an easy and impressive appetizer for your holiday party. You can make them ahead of time with simple ingredients. They are perfect for a quick party dish and are something you’ll wish you had known about last holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms

Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese

Baked tomatoes with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese garnished with parsley.
Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These baked tomatoes are a perfect addition to any holiday meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, they bring a burst of flavor to your festive table. Ideal for Christmas dinner, these tomatoes are such an impressive side dish you’ll wish you discovered them last year.
Get the Recipe: Baked Tomatoes with Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheese

Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie soup with peas and carrots.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken Pot Pie Soup brings a cozy, comforting feel to your Christmas dinner table. It’s easy to cook in just an hour. The creamy texture and familiar ingredients make it a warm, welcoming choice for family gatherings during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Garnished Parmesan crusted potatoes in a baking dish.
Parmesan Crusted Potatoes. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Parmesan Crusted Potatoes are a versatile side dish for your Christmas dinner. Easy to prepare with common ingredients, they cook in less than an hour. They pair well with your main protein, making a memorable addition to your festive meal.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Cheesy twice baked potato casserole with bacon and green onions.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Twice Baked Potato Casserole, with its combination of bacon, potatoes, and cheese, is ideal for holiday meals. Easy to prepare, it can be made ahead to save time. It’s a hearty dish perfect for a comforting Christmas or New Year’s Eve dinner.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

A pot of soup with creamy parmesan cheese and parsley.
Creamy Italian Sausage Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Creamy Italian Sausage Soup is a quick, one-pot meal great for the holiday season. It’s ready in just 30 minutes, fitting well into a busy Christmas schedule or a relaxed New Year’s meal. A simple, warming choice for winter evenings.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Italian Sausage Soup

Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Sweet potato casserole with spinach and sour cream.

This dish is a wonderful choice for holiday dinners. With butternut squash, cauliflower, and bacon, it’s simple to prepare and cooks on one sheet. It’s a convenient and flavorful addition to your festive meals, something you’ll be glad to have discovered.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cubed Butternut Squash with Cauliflower and Bacon

Creamy Dijon Chicken

A pan with chicken, spinach and bacon in it.
Creamy Dijon Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Dijon Chicken, ready in just 30 minutes, is a fantastic choice for a holiday dinner. The mustard and bacon sauce adds a flavorful twist to this easy dish. It’s perfect for a hassle-free Christmas or New Year’s dinner that your family will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Dijon Chicken

Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese

Sausage balls on a plate with a dipping sauce.
Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

These Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese are surprisingly quick to prepare, making them ideal for holiday gatherings. Ready in 30 minutes, they’re a straightforward yet enjoyable appetizer. Perfect for adding a new twist to your Christmas or New Year’s Eve parties.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese

Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

A skillet with chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce.
Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce is quick and simple, perfect for a holiday dinner. Ready in 30 minutes, its rich sauce makes it a great choice for a festive meal. It’s a dish you’ll be happy to serve at Christmas or New Year’s.
Get the Recipe: Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

A bowl of Hungarian mushroom soup with a spoon.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Hungarian Mushroom Soup, taking about 45 minutes to prepare, is a great option for a cozy winter meal. It’s a one-pot dish that combines easy preparation with a hearty flavor, ideal for family gatherings during the holidays.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Two bowls of sweet potato and red pepper soup with sour cream and parsley.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup is a wonderful choice for a simple, comforting meal during the holiday season. It’s a one-pot dish, ready in 1 hour, perfect for a relaxed dinner. A great addition to your holiday menu, it’s a recipe you’ll wish you had last year.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Soup

Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

A casserole dish with broccoli and cheese.
Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a flavorful and memorable side dish, try this Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole. It takes just 30 minutes to make. With cheese, bacon, and veggies, it’s an easy addition to your Christmas Eve dinner.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Cauliflower mushroom risotto in a pan with a wooden spoon.
Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms is a great choice for a New Year’s Eve dinner. It’s a one-pot, 30-minute meal that’s filling and easy. Perfect for a busy holiday night, it’s a dish you’ll be glad to have in your recipe collection.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Risotto with Mushrooms

Chili Cheese Dip

Chili cheese dip in a baking dish with toppings.
Chili Cheese Dip. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

This Chili Cheese Dip is perfect for a holiday party, ready in 30 minutes. Easy to make, it’s a great addition to your party menu. Garnish with ingredients like jalapeños, green onions, and cilantro, and enjoy with tortilla chips.
Get the Recipe: Chili Cheese Dip

Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

A bowl of wild rice mushroom soup.
Wild Rice Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

For a flavorful start to your Christmas dinner, try Wild Rice Mushroom Soup. It’s rich and full of flavor, cooking everything at the same time for convenience. A great choice for a festive meal.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Mushroom Soup

Keto Zuppa Toscana

Keto zuppa Toscana with meat, kale and onions.
Keto Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

This Keto Zuppa Toscana is a hearty soup perfect for a holiday dinner. Taking an hour to make in one pot, it’s a filling main dish. A simple recipe that makes holiday meal planning easier.
Get the Recipe: Keto Zuppa Toscana

Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Chicken with spinach and cream sauce in a skillet.
Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken, ready in under 40 minutes, is ideal for a special holiday dinner. This one-pan meal with chicken, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes is easy to make. A great dish for a festive meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Sausage breakfast casserole on a plate with a fork.
Sausage Breakfast Casserole. Photo credit: Plays Well With Butter.

For holiday mornings, make this Sausage Breakfast Casserole. It takes 50 minutes to make and is a filling breakfast with sausage, eggs, and cheese. Perfect for beginner cooks, it’s extra easy to make and can be customized to include what ingredients you have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Breakfast Casserole

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