Thinking about holiday cooking can feel like a huge task. You want to create a memorable feast for your loved ones, but where do you even begin? It’s easy to get lost in complicated recipes and long shopping lists. It can feel like a lot of pressure.
But what if I told you that you can make a wonderful, traditional dinner without all the fuss? I have one of the best Christmas Meal Ideas for you. It’s a complete plan that is simple, budget friendly, and absolutely delicious. Let’s make this holiday meal a joy to cook.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is one of those Christmas Dinner Ideas Family members will talk about for years. It has all the classic flavors everyone loves. We’re talking juicy roast turkey, fluffy potatoes, and savory stuffing. It’s pure comfort on a plate.
What’s really great is how straightforward it is. The recipe includes a detailed time plan. This schedule tells you exactly what to do and when. It takes the guesswork out of cooking a big meal, which is fantastic for beginners.
It’s also designed to be budget friendly. We use smart tricks, like making your own breadcrumbs, to keep costs down. This proves you don’t need to spend a lot to create amazing Easy Christmas Food. This is one of my favorite Easy Christmas Dinner Ideas for that reason.
Plus, this whole menu is made in a single oven. This is a huge help if you have a smaller kitchen. No need to juggle multiple appliances. Just follow the plan and enjoy a smooth cooking experience.
Ingredients
For The Turkey And Gravy
- 2 large onions, peeled and cut into 8 wedges each
- 2 large carrots, chopped into large chunks
- 1 stick of celery, chopped into large chunks
- 1 garlic bulb, halved
- 3 dried bay leaves
- 300 ml chicken stock
- 1 kg turkey leg (turkey drumstick)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon cornflour
- 2 tablespoons cold water
For The Stuffing Balls
- 1 large red or white onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 200 g white breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons dried sage
- 2 teaspoons dried mixed herbs
- Salt and pepper
- 1 medium egg, beaten
For Everything Else
- More olive oil
- More salt and pepper
- 750 g baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 30g pieces
- 4 medium parsnips, peeled and cut
- 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into batons
- 200 g sprouts, outer leaves removed and halved
- 12 chicken sausages wrapped in turkey bacon
- 1 jar cranberry sauce
- 400 g Christmas pudding
- 150 ml double cream
Step By Step Instructions
Here is our timeline for the perfect day of cooking. If you want to eat at a different time, just adjust the schedule. Let’s begin!
Step 1: Start The Turkey (11:20 AM)
First things first, preheat your oven to 160C or 140C for a fan oven. Place your onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaves in a roasting tin. Pour the chicken stock over the vegetables.
Pat the turkey leg dry, drizzle with olive oil, and season well with salt and pepper. Place it on top of the vegetables. Cook this for two hours. This slow roast makes the turkey incredibly tender.
Step 2: Prepare Potatoes And Stuffing (1:00 PM to 1:20 PM)
At one o’clock, it’s time for the potatoes. Put your peeled and chopped potatoes in a saucepan and cover them with boiling water. Cook them on a medium high heat for ten minutes.
While the potatoes are cooking, you can start making the stuffing balls. At 1:20 PM, drain the potatoes well. Put the lid back on the saucepan and give it a good shake to rough up the potato edges. This is key for crispy roasties.
Step 3: First Bake And Turkey Prep (1:30 PM)
Now, place the stuffing balls in the oven. They will need about 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. It is time to turn up the oven heat to 220C or 200C for a fan oven.
Take the turkey roasting tin out of the oven. Remove the foil. If the bottom of the tin looks dry, add a splash of boiling water. Put the turkey back in the oven to cook for another 30 minutes. This will make the skin nice and crispy.
While that is happening, prepare a large baking tray for the potatoes. Drizzle enough oil to almost cover the bottom and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Prepare Other Veggies (1:35 PM)
Get your other vegetables ready. Peel and halve the sprouts. Peel and cut the parsnips and carrots into batons. Place the parsnips in a shallow roasting tray, drizzle with olive oil, and season. Toss them to make sure they are well coated.
Step 5: Roast The Potatoes (1:45 PM)
Carefully remove the hot baking tray from the oven. Tip the cooked potatoes onto the tray. Be careful of splashing hot oil. Turn the potatoes in the oil to coat them completely, then put them back in the oven.
Step 6: Cook Sausages And Parsnips (1:50 PM to 2:00 PM)
At 1:50 PM, take the stuffing balls out of the oven. Place the chicken sausages wrapped in turkey bacon onto a lightly oiled roasting tray.
By 2:00 PM, put the tray of parsnips and the tray of sausages in the oven. The sausages need about 20 minutes. The parsnips will need 15 minutes before you turn them.
Take the potatoes out to baste them. Spoon the hot fat over them and return them to the oven. This makes them extra crispy. These are important steps in our Christmas Menu Ideas.
Step 7: Rest Turkey And Make Gravy (2:05 PM)
Remove the turkey from the oven and place it on a board to rest. While it’s resting, make the gravy. Use the juices and vegetables left in the roasting tin. Mix the cornflour with cold water and add it to the pan to thicken the gravy.
Once the gravy is ready, turn off the heat but leave it in the pan. Boil the kettle for the carrots and sprouts.
Step 8: Cook Final Veggies And Baste (2:10 PM to 2:15 PM)
At 2:10 PM, steam the carrot batons and halved sprouts for about 10 minutes. If you don’t have a steamer, you can boil them for 5 to 7 minutes.
At 2:15 PM, give the potatoes one last baste with hot fat and return them to the oven. Remove the parsnips, turn them over quickly, and put them back for another 10 to 15 minutes until they are golden.
Step 9: Final Touches (2:20 PM to 2:25 PM)
Drain the carrots and sprouts and tip them into a serving dish. Remove the sausages from the oven and place them in a serving dish. At 2:25 PM, pop the stuffing balls back in the oven for 5 minutes to warm up.
Turn the gravy back on to reheat. Get the Christmas pudding ready to steam. This is one of the best Easy Christmas Food plans.
Step 10: Serve Dinner (2:30 PM)
It’s time! Remove the parsnips, roast potatoes, and stuffing balls from the oven and put them in serving dishes. You can turn the oven off now. Pour the hot gravy into a jug.
Place everything on the table. You should have the roast turkey, roast potatoes, parsnips, carrots, sprouts, stuffing, sausages, cranberry sauce, and gravy. Enjoy your amazing homemade meal!
Step 11: Dessert (3:30 PM)
After everyone has enjoyed the main course, it’s time for dessert. Serve the warm Christmas pudding with a generous pouring of double cream. A sweet ending to a wonderful dinner.
How To Store Leftovers
If you have any food left, let it cool completely before storing. Carve any remaining turkey off the bone and place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Leftover vegetables like potatoes, parsnips, and sprouts can be stored together in another container. They are delicious when reheated in the oven or an air fryer the next day. The gravy and stuffing can also be stored in the fridge.
Tips
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This menu is much easier with a sous chef. One person can chop vegetables while the other focuses on the turkey. Teamwork makes holiday cooking more fun.
Making your own breadcrumbs is cheaper and tastes better. Just grate a simple white loaf on a cheese grater. It’s a small step that makes a big difference for your stuffing.
To keep costs down, some items are better bought than made. Cranberry sauce, chicken sausages wrapped in turkey bacon, and Christmas pudding are often more affordable to buy ready made.
If you’re worried about the turkey getting cold while it rests, you can cover it loosely with foil. However, leaving it uncovered helps keep the skin crispy. In a warm kitchen, it should stay warm enough.
Conclusion
There you have it, a complete guide to fantastic Christmas Meal Ideas. This plan proves that a memorable holiday feast can be simple, affordable, and stress free. It’s one of the best Christmas Dinner Ideas Family and friends will enjoy.
Following this timeline allows you to relax and enjoy the process. The result is a delicious, traditional meal with all the trimmings. I hope this helps you have a wonderful and tasty holiday celebration with your loved ones.
FAQ
Can I Make This For More Than 4 People?
Yes, absolutely. This recipe is easy to double for 8 people. You will need two turkey legs instead of one, and you should double the chicken stock. Everything else can be simply doubled. A standard jar of cranberry sauce should be enough for eight.
Can I Prepare Anything In Advance?
To save time on the day, you can prepare some things a day before. You could peel and chop the vegetables and store them in water in the fridge. You could also prepare the stuffing mix, without adding the egg, and keep it covered.
What If I Do Not Have A Steamer?
No problem at all. If you do not have a steamer for the carrots and sprouts, you can simply boil them. Just cook them in a pot of boiling water for about 5 to 7 minutes until they are tender.
Is This Recipe Beginner Friendly?
Yes, it is very beginner friendly. The detailed timeline is designed to guide you every step of the way. It removes the stress of figuring out what to do next, making it one of the best Easy Christmas Dinner Ideas for new cooks.
Chocolate Protein Ice Cream
Enjoy a creamy, satisfying chocolate protein ice cream made effortlessly in your Ninja Creami. This delightful treat is packed with protein, perfect for a wholesome dessert or snack.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a Ninja Creami pint, combine the protein shake, protein powder, cocoa powder, sweetener, and salt. Add optional guar gum or pudding mix for extra creaminess.
- Mix with a frother or whisk until the base is completely smooth with no clumps.
- Secure the lid and freeze on a level surface for at least 24 hours until solid.
- Place the frozen pint into the machine and process using the ‘Lite Ice Cream’ setting.
- If the texture is crumbly, add a tablespoon of milk or shake and use the ‘Re-Spin’ function.
- If desired, create a well in the center, add mix-ins, and use the ‘Mix-In’ function to combine. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
Taste the base before freezing and adjust sweetener if needed. Frozen desserts tastes less sweet, so aim for slightly sweeter than you prefer.
Do not fill the pint past the max fill line, as the mixture will expand during freezing and processing.
A full 24-hour freeze is essential for the best, creamiest texture. Rushing this step can result in an icy or soupy consistency.
Feel free to experiment with other flavors like vanilla protein with frozen berries or adding mint extract for a mint-chip version.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
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