Bring back the flavors of childhood — 23 holiday recipes to try

Holiday recipes can bring back memories and make any gathering feel special. These are the kinds of recipes that are easy to love—flavors that hit just right and make people come back for seconds. They’re perfect for anyone who wants food that’s comforting, familiar, and simply tastes great. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just for yourself, these recipes feel effortless and rewarding without being complicated.

Funeral Potatoes

A close up image of cheesy potatoes in a casserole, garnished with parsley. — Funeral Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This recipe features cheesy potatoes baked beneath a crisp cornflake topping that adds contrast to every forkful. It works well as a make-ahead side and earns its place because the rich layers feel familiar and deeply comforting at group meals.
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

In this recipe, sweet potatoes are paired with garlic and honeyed walnuts for a hearty side that cooks without much effort. The natural sweetness paired with depth from roasting makes it a standout dish people return to year after year.
Get the Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

This recipe brings green bean casserole together quickly with cream cheese, making prep simple even on busy holidays. Its creamy texture and straightforward bake time explain why it remains a trusted part of holiday meals.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Cream Cheese

Roasted Whole Chicken

This recipe uses a skillet to roast chicken with crisp, buttery skin that locks in moisture during oven cooking. The method is straightforward and results in juicy meat, making it a dependable choice for a comforting dinner without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Whole Chicken

Holiday Roasted Chicken

This recipe prepares holiday-style roasted chicken in one pot, keeping prep and cleanup manageable. Garlic, lemon, rosemary, and onion season the bird as it roasts, creating juicy meat and crisp skin that suit both festive dinners and weeknight meals.
Get the Recipe: Holiday Roasted Chicken

Apple Butter Roasted Chicken

An image of apple roasted chicken. — Apple Butter Roasted Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This recipe for apple butter roasted chicken pairs gentle sweetness with savory notes for a balanced main dish. Roasted until the skin turns crisp and the inside stays tender, it works well as a relaxed Sunday meal that still feels special.
Get the Recipe: Apple Butter Roasted Chicken

Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Biscuit Topping

Two bowls of creamy soup with peas, topped with heart-shaped biscuits. — Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Biscuit Topping. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This recipe turns the flavors of chicken pot pie into a soup topped with biscuits for a one-bowl meal. It keeps its place among familiar dinners because it’s simple to serve and easy to portion.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup with Biscuit Topping

Chicken Pot Pie

This recipe bakes chicken, vegetables, and pastry into a cohesive dish that slices cleanly for serving. It remains a staple because it reflects the steady rhythm of home-cooked dinners.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie

Stuffed Turkey Breast

This recipe uses apricot and cranberry stuffing inside turkey breast to create balanced sweet and savory notes. The smaller cut cooks faster than a whole bird while still feeling special on a holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Turkey Breast

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Close up of mashed potatoes in a Dutch oven, with wooden spoon. — Cheesy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This recipe for cheesy mashed potatoes comes together on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot in under an hour. The smooth texture and ease of preparation make it a reliable side during larger meals.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Cornbread Chestnut Stuffing

This recipe combines cornbread, sausage, mushrooms, fennel, and chestnuts into a textured stuffing that bakes evenly. The mix of ingredients creates depth that many look forward to each holiday season.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Chestnut Stuffing

Pomegranate Chicken and Rice

This recipe cooks chicken and rice together in one pot with spices, pistachios, and pomegranate for balanced flavor. The streamlined method keeps cleanup light while still feeling rooted in tradition.
Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Chicken and Rice

American Chop Suey (American Goulash)

This recipe brings pasta and ground beef together in a single pot for a filling dinner ready on a busy evening. Its lasting popularity comes from being easy to cook and dependable for family meals.
Get the Recipe: American Chop Suey (American Goulash)

Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf

A plate with two slices of stuffed meatloaf topped with gravy, alongside mashed potatoes garnished with green herbs. — Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf. Photo credit: Easy Homemade Life.

This recipe bakes meatloaf filled with melted cheese and topped with barbecue glaze for an easy family dinner. The familiar flavors and straightforward method explain why it remains a household favorite.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Stuffed Meatloaf

Turkey Shepherd's Pie

This recipe transforms leftover turkey into a casserole that feels planned rather than improvised. It extends holiday meals while keeping preparation easy in the days that follow.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Ultimate Homemade Mac and Cheese

This recipe finishes baked mac and cheese with breadcrumbs for contrast over a creamy base. It continues to appear at gatherings because it feeds a crowd with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Ultimate Homemade Mac and Cheese

Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

This recipe bakes spaghetti with cream cheese into a hearty dish that works well for weeknights. Its quick assembly recalls the kind of pasta meals that kept dinners manageable.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cream Cheese Spaghetti

Stuffing

This recipe focuses on stuffing made with hearty ingredients and steady seasoning throughout. It earns attention for how well it holds flavor from the first bite to the last during holiday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Stuffing

Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

This recipe layers broccoli with cheese and a crisp topping, then bakes quickly into a dependable side. It earns its spot by making vegetables easy to serve alongside larger meals.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

Roast Turkey with Cheesecloth Method

A platter filled with pieces of roasted turkey, showing crispy golden-brown skin and juicy meat. — Roast Turkey with Cheesecloth Method. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This recipe uses the cheesecloth method to roast turkey with evenly cooked meat and golden skin. The process is approachable while still producing results that people associate with long-standing holiday traditions.
Get the Recipe: Roast Turkey with Cheesecloth Method

Bomb Meatloaf

Meatloaf on a white plate cut into slices with fresh parsley garnish. — Bomb Meatloaf. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This recipe for meatloaf uses a tangy glaze and simple ingredients that come together without extra steps. Clean slices and consistent results explain why it stays in regular dinner rotations.
Get the Recipe: Bomb Meatloaf

Garlic Butter Fondant Potatoes

This recipe for garlic butter fondant potatoes creates crisp edges with soft centers using a straightforward stovetop and oven method. The polished look comes together without complicated steps, making it a smart choice for special meals.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Fondant Potatoes

Sausage Gravy and Biscuits

This recipe combines buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy and a touch of maple syrup for a quick breakfast option. It works well for mornings when something filling is needed without a long cooking process.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Gravy and Biscuits