Is there anything more wonderful than the buzz of Christmas Eve? The scent of pine fills the air, carols are playing softly, and the anticipation is just bubbling over. But let’s be honest, it can also be a little bit chaotic. Finding dinner inspiration that is both festive and simple can feel like a tall order.
If you’re looking for Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Simple enough to keep your sanity, you have come to the right place. This creamy vegetable pasta is delicious, comforting, and comes together so quickly. It’s one of those amazing Easy Christmas Recipes Dinner that feels special without the stress.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this dish is incredibly fast. You can have a warm, satisfying meal on the table in about 30 minutes. This frees up more time for family, last minute gift wrapping, or just relaxing with a warm drink.
It is also a fantastic choice if you want some Non Traditional Christmas Dinner Ideas. It breaks from the usual heavy roasts but still feels celebratory and special. The colors from the bell peppers and herbs are so vibrant and festive.
This is truly one of the most versatile Fun Christmas Dinner Ideas. Kids love it, adults love it, and you can tweak the ingredients based on what you have in your fridge. It is a crowd pleaser that will become a new holiday favorite.
We are talking about one of the great Christmas Meal Ideas Dinner Main Dishes that won’t have you stuck in the kitchen for hours. It’s a wonderful, straightforward recipe for a memorable evening.
Ingredients
For The Pasta And Veggies
- 150g Pasta of your choice (about 5 oz or 1 ½ cups)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil or Butter
- ½ Onion, finely chopped
- 3 to 4 Garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 4 oz Mushrooms, chopped
- ½ Bell pepper (any color), chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon Red chili flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
For The White Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Butter or Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons All purpose flour
- 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups Whole Milk
- A small pinch of Nutmeg
- Black pepper powder to taste
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons grated Cheese or 1 cheese slice (optional)
Other Delicious Add Ins
- 2 tablespoons Sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Olives, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese for topping
- Fresh Parsley, Basil, or Cilantro for garnish
Step By Step Instructions
Making these Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Simple is a breeze. Just follow along and you’ll be sitting down to eat in no time.
Step 1: Cook The Pasta
First things first, get a pot of water boiling for your pasta. Cook it according to the package directions until it is al dente. This just means it should still have a little bite to it. Nobody likes mushy pasta!
Once it’s done, drain the water and set the pasta aside. You might not use all of it, depending on how saucy you like your dish. I used simple penne for this, but any short pasta works well.
Step 2: Sauté The Veggies
Grab a large pan and heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add your finely chopped onion and garlic, along with a little pinch of salt. Cook them, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
Next, add the chopped mushrooms. Let them cook until they get a little bit of nice color. This step really brings out their flavor.
Now it’s time for the bell pepper, Italian seasoning, and red chili flakes if you are using them. Sauté everything together for another couple of minutes. Once done, transfer all the lovely veggies to a plate and set them aside.
Step 3: Create The Creamy White Sauce
In the same pan, melt the butter over medium low heat. Sprinkle in the all purpose flour and stir it for about two minutes. You are making what is called a roux. It should become smooth and a light golden color. Just be careful not to let it brown.
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously. This is the key to a smooth, lump free sauce. Keep whisking until the mixture bubbles and the sauce starts to thicken up nicely.
Finish the sauce by adding a pinch of nutmeg, black pepper, salt, and the cheese. Stir it all together for another two to three minutes. Your beautiful, creamy white sauce is now ready. This is the heart of our Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Simple recipe.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
It’s time for the final act. Add the sautéed veggies, cooked pasta, chopped olives, and sun dried tomatoes directly into the pan with the white sauce. Give everything a good mix until it is all beautifully combined and coated in that creamy goodness.
Serve it up hot right away. I love to garnish mine with a little extra parmesan cheese and some fresh parsley. It looks so pretty and tastes even better. A simple garlic bread on the side is a great addition.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is not always a given, storing them is easy. Let the pasta cool down completely before you put it away. This helps it stay fresh.
Place the cooled pasta in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It should stay good for up to three days. This is great for a quick lunch the next day.
To reheat, I suggest warming it in a pan on the stove over low heat. You might want to add a small splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce up again, as it can thicken in the fridge.
Tips
Want to customize this dish? Go for it. You can add other vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or zucchini. Just toss them in with the mushrooms and peppers.
If you want to add some protein, cooked chicken or shrimp would be wonderful. For a vegetarian option, a can of chickpeas or white beans would also work really well.
Feel free to use any pasta shape you like. Bow ties, rotini, or shells would all be great for catching that creamy sauce. This makes it one of those truly Fun Christmas Dinner Ideas.
To make things even easier on Christmas Eve, you can chop your veggies and cook your pasta a day ahead. Store them in separate containers in the fridge. This is a great shortcut for a quick assembly.
Conclusion
And there you have it, a wonderfully delicious and festive pasta dish. This recipe proves that finding Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Simple and satisfying is totally possible. It’s a meal that brings warmth and comfort to the table without adding any holiday stress.
This is more than just a quick meal; it is a way to create a calm and joyful atmosphere. You get to enjoy a fantastic dinner and, more importantly, spend precious time with your loved ones. This is one of the Easy Christmas Recipes Dinner that will surely make your holiday brighter.
FAQ
Can I Make This Pasta Gluten Free?
Yes, absolutely. To make this recipe gluten free, simply use your favorite brand of gluten free pasta. For the white sauce, you can substitute the all purpose flour with a good quality gluten free all purpose flour blend.
What Kind Of Cheese Works Best?
Parmesan is a classic choice and adds a wonderful nutty flavor. However, you could also use grated mozzarella for a stringy, cheesy texture, or even a mild cheddar. It’s very forgiving.
Is This Recipe Kid Friendly?
It is very kid friendly. Most children love creamy pasta. If your kids are sensitive to spice, you can simply leave out the red chili flakes. The colorful bell peppers also make it appealing for little ones.
What Are Some Good Side Dishes?
This pasta is a wonderful main dish on its own. If you’re looking for great Christmas Meal Ideas Dinner Main Dishes with sides, I would suggest serving it with some crusty garlic bread and a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette. It’s a balanced and filling meal.
Creamy Vegetable Pasta
This creamy vegetable pasta is delicious, comforting, and comes together quickly. It’s a special dish without the usual holiday stress.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook your chosen pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and garlic with a pinch of salt. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent.
- Add chopped mushrooms and cook until lightly colored. Then add bell pepper, Italian seasoning, and optional red chili flakes. Sauté for a few minutes, then transfer all veggies to a plate and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Sprinkle in all purpose flour and stir for about two minutes to create a smooth, light golden roux.
- Slowly pour in the milk while continuously whisking until the mixture bubbles and thickens.
- Stir in a pinch of nutmeg, black pepper, salt, and the grated cheese. Cook for another two to three minutes until creamy.
- Add the sautéed veggies, cooked pasta, chopped olives, and sun dried tomatoes into the white sauce. Mix everything until beautifully combined and coated.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. A side of garlic bread pairs well.
Notes
Cool leftovers completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in a pan with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
Customize with other vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or zucchini. Add protein such as cooked chicken, shrimp, chickpeas, or white beans. Any pasta shape works well.
For convenience, chop veggies and cook pasta a day ahead and store them separately in the fridge for quicker assembly on Christmas Eve.
Nutrition
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