Christmas Eve is such a special time, isn’t it? The air is filled with excitement and the warm glow of lights. The last thing you want to do is spend the entire evening stressed out in the kitchen. You want a meal that feels celebratory but doesn’t require a culinary degree to pull off. That’s where this recipe comes in. It’s one of the best Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Simple enough for anyone to make.
We are talking about a beautiful steak dinner. Think perfectly seared rib eye, fluffy twice baked potatoes loaded with cheese and bacon, and tender asparagus. It sounds fancy, but I promise you, it is so straightforward. This is one of those Easy Christmas Meals that will impress your family without you having to break a sweat. Let’s get cooking!
Jump To:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? This meal has that special occasion feel, making it a fantastic choice when you’re looking for Xmas Eve Dinner Ideas. It’s a complete, balanced plate with a juicy steak, a comforting potato side, and a fresh green vegetable. It looks like a dish you would order at a nice restaurant.
The best part is how manageable it is. We use a few smart shortcuts, like starting the potatoes in the microwave, to save time. Everything comes together on one sheet pan at the end to get warm and delicious. It’s a thoughtful recipe designed to give you more time with your loved ones, which is what the holidays are all about. This is truly one of the most delicious Easy Christmas Recipes Dinner options out there.
It is also incredibly satisfying. The rich flavors of the steak, the creamy cheesiness of the potatoes, and the bright taste of the asparagus create a wonderful combination. This is a meal that feels both comforting and a little bit luxurious. It’s a perfect centerpiece for your holiday table and one of the best Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Simple enough for any skill level.
Ingredients
For The Steaks
- 2 rib eye steaks, about 1 pound each and one and a half inches thick
- Salt and pepper
For The Twice Baked Potatoes
- 2 medium Russet potatoes, scrubbed clean
- 3 slices beef bacon
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 scallion, sliced
For The Asparagus
- 1 small bunch of very thin asparagus, about 3/4 pound
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 a lemon
For The Steak Sauce
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 big handfuls baby spinach
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped sun dried tomatoes
For The Rest
- 2 small rolls from the freezer
- Butter, for serving the rolls
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Get The Oven Ready
First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 350 degrees F. While it warms up, take your steaks out of the fridge. Letting them rest at room temperature helps them cook more evenly later. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.
Step 2: Make The Potatoes
Potatoes can take a while to bake, so we are using a great shortcut. Poke a few holes in each potato with a fork. This lets steam escape. Wrap them in a paper towel and microwave on high for five minutes. Flip them over carefully and microwave for another five minutes. Check if they are tender with a knife. They should be soft all the way through.
Step 3: Cook The Beef Bacon
Place the beef bacon slices in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Let them cook and sizzle for about four minutes, then flip them. You want them to be almost crisp. Once they are ready, remove them from the pan. Don’t discard those drippings! We’ll use them to sear the steaks, adding so much flavor. This trick elevates our Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Simple recipe.
Step 4: Prepare The Potato Filling
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice them in half lengthwise. Scoop out the fluffy inside, leaving about a quarter inch border. This creates little potato boats. Put all the scooped out potato flesh in a bowl. Add the sour cream, milk, butter, cheese, scallions, and the chopped beef bacon. Mash everything together until it’s creamy and combined.
Step 5: Stuff The Potatoes
Now for the fun part! Scoop that delicious filling back into the potato skins. You can pile it high. Place the filled potato halves on a baking sheet. These are going to get so golden and bubbly in the oven. It’s a key part of our Christmas Dinner Recipes Main course.
Step 6: Prepare The Asparagus
Rinse your asparagus spears and trim off the tough, woody ends. A good way to do this is to snap one spear. It will naturally break where the tender part begins. Use that as a guide for the rest. Place the trimmed spears on the baking sheet next to the potatoes. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss them gently to coat.
Step 7: Sear The Steaks
It’s time for the star of the show. Heat the skillet with the beef bacon drippings over medium high heat. Pat your steaks dry with a paper towel. This helps get a beautiful crust. Season both sides very generously with salt and pepper. When the drippings are hot, carefully place the steaks in the pan. Let them cook without moving for four to five minutes. They will release easily when they are ready to flip.
Flip the steaks and sear the other side for about three minutes. This process creates a flavorful crust that makes the steak so delicious. It’s a crucial step for many great Christmas Dinner Recipes Main dishes.
Step 8: Bake Everything Together
Move the seared steaks to the sheet pan with the potatoes and asparagus. If you have some frozen rolls, you can pop them on the pan too. Now, bake everything for 10 to 15 minutes. You want the steaks cooked through, the asparagus tender, the cheese melted, and the rolls golden. It’s one of the best Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Simple and efficient.
Step 9: Make The Steak Sauce
While the pan is in the oven, let’s make a quick and creamy sauce. In a microwave safe glass measuring cup, combine the half and half and cornstarch. Whisk it well until the cornstarch dissolves completely. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, whisk, and then microwave for another 15 seconds until it thickens.
Immediately add the baby spinach, garlic, salt, pepper, parmesan, and sun dried tomatoes to the hot mixture. Cover it and let it rest for a few minutes. The heat will wilt the spinach and cook the garlic slightly. Stir it all together and taste. Add more salt if you think it needs it.
Step 10: Serve And Enjoy
Take everything out of the oven. Squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the asparagus. Slice the steaks against the grain for maximum tenderness. Arrange everything on a plate. This is one of those Easy Christmas Meals that looks as good as it tastes. Drizzle the steak with that amazing sauce and serve immediately. You have just created a memorable holiday dinner!
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers from your amazing Xmas Eve Dinner Ideas, storing them is easy. Let everything cool down to room temperature first. Then, place the steak, potatoes, and asparagus in separate airtight containers. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days. The sauce should also be stored in a small airtight container. When you’re ready to eat, you can gently reheat the steak in a skillet and the sides in the oven or microwave.
Tips
- Let your steaks come to room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. This helps them cook more evenly.
- Don’t be shy with the salt and pepper on the steaks. A generous coating creates a flavorful crust.
- When searing the steak, make sure your pan is hot enough. This is key to getting that beautiful brown crust.
- Feel free to customize the potato filling. A little bit of Monterey Jack or a different type of cheese can be a fun variation.
- If you don’t have beef bacon, you can use regular bacon or simply sear the steaks in a tablespoon of olive oil instead.
Conclusion
There you have it! A wonderful meal that is perfect for your holiday celebration. This recipe proves that finding Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Simple enough to execute is totally possible. You get all the festive feelings of a special dinner without all the fuss and long hours in the kitchen. It’s one of my favorite Easy Christmas Recipes Dinner options for a reason.
I hope this recipe brings a little extra joy to your Christmas Eve. It’s about creating delicious food and even better memories with the people you care about. From my kitchen to yours, I wish you a very happy and tasty holiday season. Enjoy every bite of these amazing Easy Christmas Meals.
FAQ
Can I Make The Potatoes Ahead Of Time?
Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the twice baked potatoes up to the point of baking them. Just assemble them, cover, and store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. When you are ready, just add them to the sheet pan and bake as directed. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What Cut Of Steak Works Best For This Recipe?
This recipe for Easy Christmas Eve Dinner Ideas Simple calls for rib eye, which is a great choice because it’s so tender and flavorful. However, you could also use New York strip or sirloin steaks. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your steaks.
Can I Cook This Without A Cast Iron Skillet?
While a cast iron skillet is great for getting a nice sear, any heavy bottomed skillet will work just fine. The key is to get the pan nice and hot before you add the steaks. A stainless steel pan would be a good alternative.
What Wine Pairs Well With This Dinner?
A beautiful steak dinner like this pairs wonderfully with a bold red wine. A Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot would be excellent choices. Their rich fruit flavors and structure complement the savory steak and creamy potatoes perfectly, making your festive meal even more special.
Easy Christmas Eve Steak Dinner
A simple yet celebratory steak dinner with perfectly seared rib eye, fluffy twice-baked potatoes, and tender asparagus, designed for a stress-free holiday meal.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Take steaks out to rest at room temperature for even cooking.
- Poke holes in potatoes, wrap in paper towel, microwave on high for 5 minutes, flip, and microwave for another 5 minutes until tender.
- Cook beef bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes per side until almost crisp. Remove bacon and save drippings for searing steaks.
- Once potatoes are cool, slice in half lengthwise, scoop out flesh, leaving 1/4 inch border. Mash scooped potato with sour cream, milk, butter, shredded Cheddar cheese, scallions, and chopped beef bacon.
- Scoop potato filling back into potato skins and place on a baking sheet.
- Rinse asparagus, trim woody ends, and place on the baking sheet next to the potatoes. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
- Heat skillet with beef bacon drippings over medium-high heat. Pat steaks dry, season generously with salt and pepper. Sear steaks for 4-5 minutes without moving, then flip and sear for about 3 minutes until a crust forms.
- Move seared steaks to the sheet pan with potatoes and asparagus. Add frozen rolls to the pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes until steaks are cooked through, asparagus is tender, cheese is melted, and rolls are golden.
- While baking, combine half and half and cornstarch in a microwave-safe glass measuring cup, whisk until dissolved. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, whisk, then another 15 seconds until thickened. Immediately add baby spinach, grated garlic, sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, Parmesan cheese, and sun dried tomatoes. Cover and rest for a few minutes to wilt spinach. Stir and taste, adjusting salt if needed.
- Remove everything from the oven. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over asparagus. Slice steaks against the grain. Arrange steak, potatoes, and asparagus on a plate. Drizzle steak with the sauce and serve immediately.
Notes
Let your steaks come to room temperature for about 20 to 30 minutes before cooking. This helps them cook more evenly.
Don’t be shy with the salt and pepper on the steaks. A generous coating creates a flavorful crust.
When searing the steak, make sure your pan is hot enough. This is key to getting that beautiful brown crust.
Feel free to customize the potato filling. A little bit of Monterey Jack or a different type of cheese can be a fun variation.
If you don’t have beef bacon, you can use regular bacon or simply sear the steaks in a tablespoon of olive oil instead.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
