When it comes to planning your Christmas dinner buffet, these food ideas will help you create the best experience for your party guests. Whether your entertaining a large crowd or planning a simple buffet for your family and friends, these recipes will help.
I’ve included in this list at least 25 dinner ideas that include appetizers, side dishes, and main dishes. Plus, you’ll find some helpful tips that will make your Christmas party the best yet.
Check it out and get ready to be inspired!
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Tips for Planning a Christmas Party Food Buffet
Here are some practical tips that will aide in your planning.
- Start brainstorming menu ideas early. If you’re late getting started, these recipes below will still help! I’ve used them all and they are great. Make sure to offer 2-3 choices for appetizers, sides, and main dishes.
- Can anything be made in advance? For main meal dishes, look for recipes that can be made in advance and frozen. Pull them out and let them thaw at least 24 hours before you plan on serving.
- Organize your shopping list. As you decide what you want on your Christmas dinner menu, prepare the shopping list. Buy your items in advance and make sure to keep them separate from your regular daily pantry items. This way you won’t accidentally grab that special jar of pasta sauce you purchased just for the pasta bake!
- Plan your buffet station. Will it be in the dining room? Will it be on the dining room table, or foldable event tables? It’s not a bad idea to have some food warmers set up so your dishes don’t go cold.
- Label your food. If anything has nuts, dairy, or other ingredients that might impact guests that have food sensitivities, using labels is a great way to avoid any mishaps. My chickpea salad recipe is great for meat free, dairy free, and gluten free guests.
Garlic Roasted Pecans
1
Enjoy these garlic roasted pecans that are bursting with flavor! Perfect appetizers for your Christmas party. Serve with small spoons since they can be buttery.
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Antipasto Salad
2
This antipasto salad is so convenient and full of flexibility. It requires very little preparation and can be made a day in advance. Antipasto is the first course before the main meal. Instead of using a platter, a salad served in small bowls which are convenient and easy to serve.
Check out this recipe
Chickpea Salad
3
Enjoy this festive chickpea salad as part of your menu options. It is healthy and is always a hit at parties. It is also a recipe you can make ahead of time too!
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Marinated Mushrooms
4
These Italian marinated mushrooms can be served warm or at room temperature. You can use them on antipasto platters or individually. If you want to use them as a side dish, you can do that too for a festive holiday dish.
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Antipasto Platter
5
If you don't want to make an antipasto salad, try an antipasto platter. You can additional cheeses, crackers and bread for a niche charcuterie board!
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Chicken Parmesan
6
This easy chicken parmesan recipe is great for buffets. Just keep under a warmer to keep the chicken crispy and warm.
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Skinny Breadsticks
7
Grissini! These are those skinny and crunchy breadsticks you see at fancy restaurants or on the shelves at grocery stores in the specialty section. They are super easy to make and are perfect for a traditional Christmas snack.
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Festive Caprese Salad
8
This caprese salad is a festive looking salad with it's red, green and white colors. Perfect for Christmas time! It's super easy to prepare and can be made a day in advance.
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Baked Zucchini Slices with Rosemary
9
Here's a healthy baked zucchini recipe with chopped onions, breadcrumbs and rosemary is a delicious Christmas dinner side dish. This recipe is best prepared the day of.
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Crispy Fried Zucchini Slices
10
Fried zucchini isn't just for hot summer months. These zucchini are pan-fried in a batter of egg, breadcrumbs and Italian seasonings. This is best served as a warm side dish and kept under warmers to maintain their crispiness.
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Green Beans and Tomatoes
11
Here's a delicious side dish that mixes string beans and tomatoes. It's a flexible recipe and goes great with meat dishes.
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Asparagus and Prosciutto Bundles
12
To really spruce up your Christmas dinner, try wrapping your asparagus with thin slices of prosciutto. Follow my recipe instructions, it's easy and delicious!
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Garlic Mashed Potatoes
13
These garlic mashed potatoes taste so much better than at the restaurant. They are easy to make and will be a nice side dish for any chicken or meat main courses you might be serving.
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Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic
14
Roasting your asparagus with drizzled olive oil and balsamic vinegar is absolutely mouth watering delicious! This will turn any asparagus nay-sayer into a raving fan. Top the asparagus with Romano cheese at the end and it tastes amazing! I'll step you through the process here.
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Stuffed Mushrooms Topped with Breadcrumbs
15
One of my standard go-to family recipes for Christmas Dinner is this stuffed mushrooms side dish. My recipe uses simple ingredients and is very easy. The great thing about making these for Christmas is that they can be made in advance and then cooked in the oven.
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Spinach and Ricotta Manicotti
16
Delicious Italian spinach manicotti recipe that uses premade manicotti shells. You can buy them at most grocery stores. This easy recipe is full of flavor and easy to make. Perfect for making in advance!
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All Beef Meatballs
17
In some Italian traditions, meatballs are not served with the pasta but as a side dish or part of a main course. My recipe for all beef meatballs are super moist. If you're serving pasta as part of your Christmas menu, make sure to serve these delicious meatballs too!
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Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells
18
I love these stuffed pasta shells filled with spinach and ricotta filling. Everyone will think you spent all day making these but in reality they are very easy! This recipe is used by many Italian American families for holidays and special occasions.
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Pasta and Pesto
19
This Pesto and pasta recipe is easy to make at the last minute. It's full of flavor and tastes great. It adds a nice variation to your Christmas party buffet.
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Chicken Cutlets
20
Italian chicken cutlets are fun and easy to make. They are best served immediately, but if not, just crisp them up again in the oven at 350F for 10 to 13 minutes. This dish goes great with any pasta recipe and is a nice Christmas buffet table food menu idea.
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Baked Chicken with Figs and Olives
21
Here's a nice menu option for your buffet. The chicken parts are cooked with a figs and olives mixture making this a flavorful Mediterranean dinner item.
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Pot Roast
22
I made this recipe for a large Christmas party we hosted a few years ago and it was a huge hit. It isn't a quick recipe but it's worth the wait. The beef is tender and loaded with flavor. It is a one of my top dinner party foods for large crowds.
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Peppers, Sausage and Onion
23
Here's one of our Italian family recipes for sausage, peppers and onions. I grew up with my mom making this recipe for every holiday, especially Christmas. It's a must-have as one of your Christmas party menu items!
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Meatless Ricotta Lasagna
24
If you want a simple lasagna recipe, try this one! Lasagna is another American tradition for a Christmas meal. You can make this recipe in advance and reheat in the oven. Serve extra sauce on the side in a gravy boat.
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Eggplant Parmesan
25
Eggplant parmesan is delicious and my mother made this for Christmas every year for my father who is full-blooded Italian. If you want to make this recipe, serve it with pasta or lasagna. If your party is Italian-themed, this is a must. Increase the recipe as needed for larger crowds.
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