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We have a lot to do this holiday season. We have cookies to make, pies to bake, hams to roast, and gingerbread houses to build. But in the meantime, we also have to get meals on the table.\n<\/p>\n
In between the trays of treats and antipasto platters, here are the recipes we\u2019ll be adding to our nice list this month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Of course you can pick up the packets and just add water, but we’ll be making the homemade version to sip while we watch all the Christmas movies this season. Recipe creator Jeanie Bean\u00a0says, “This old-fashioned hot chocolate is so comforting on a dreary day. It makes the kitchen smell wonderful and it’s good for the soul.” It also makes a great base for spiked winter cocktails for the adults as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Though there are countless goodies to bake and enjoy this season, nothing evokes the holidays quite like the flavor of eggnog. This recipe offers a twist on traditional cookies that will be welcome at any swap. So after you get your sugar cookies ready for Santa, treat yourself to these thumbprints.\n<\/p>\n
“I have been making these cookies since 2000, and every year, they are my biggest request. My family literally begs me to make them. The cookies are simple, but combined with the flavorful frosting filling, are absolutely spectacular!” says one Allrecipes member.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios<\/p>\n
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Provide a counterpoint to eggnog with these adorable marshmallowy treats. Who would have guessed that cornflakes would steal the spotlight on our cookie trays this season? Reviewer\u00a0Debby Miller\u00a0states, “I have been making these for decades, my youngest child is 39, and my oldest is 45, and they still ask if I am making them.”\n<\/p>\n
They’re also perfect on a plate next to our Salted Caramel Ritz Cookies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Photographer: Kelsey Hansen \/ Food Styling: Shannon Goforth \/ Prop Styling: Natalie Ghazali<\/p>\n
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Creator Olivia shares, “These balsamic roasted grapes are surprisingly delicious! They pair perfectly with wine and cheese.” We’re saving this recipe for all our holiday cheese boards and appetizer platters this season.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios<\/p>\n
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As the intro to this new recipe by\u00a0Juliana Hale says, “Use your slow cooker for this comforting Italian sausage soup with ziti pasta and sausage in tomato sauce topped with cheese.” It couldn’t be easier, and we couldn’t think of a more perfect December dish. Serve it with\u00a0French bread and a\u00a0side salad,\u00a0and you’re set.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
For a new take on traditional meatballs, try this version with ground chicken and onion soup mix. They sound too good to pass up. Recipe creator\u00a0fabeveryday helped to convince us, “Richly seasoned meatballs baked with a rich French onion sauce and topped with melted Gruyere cheese make this a meal fit for hosting guests.” Serve alongside\u00a0rice\u00a0and\u00a0roasted veggies.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Jason Donnelly \/ Food Styling: Holly Dreesman \/ Prop Styling: Lexi Juhl, Dera Burreson<\/p>\n
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When we need to get a protein-packed meal on the table to fuel marathons of holiday shopping, baking, and gift-wrapping, but don’t want to sacrifice flavor, we turn to this easy recipe featuring our trusty sheet pan. Chicken, carrots, onion, and garbanzo beans get tossed with warming spices like cumin, coriander, and ginger. Finish your plate with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of cilantro for a bright pop, and dinner is served in no time.\n<\/p>\n
“Super easy and amazingly tasty. My whole family loved it. I don’t save many recipes but this one is terrific.” – SteveS<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Swap out your typical Caesar for this version with homemade dressing and Brussels sprouts. As creator Chef Sous Chef says, “If you’ve never liked Brussels sprouts, you’re going to now.” Reviewer Teddi adds, “This recipe is fantastic! I made this for my family and they couldn’t stop eating it or raving about it!” To save yourself time, you can always use store-bought dressing, but don’t skip the extra lemon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios<\/p>\n
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You may have a family heirloom recipe for brisket already (or you may not follow a recipe at all) but this “easiest” version is hard to beat, whether it’s for a holiday table or a festive dinner at home. Place the handful of ingredients in a baking dish and let it go in the oven for about 4 hours. It can also be made in a slow cooker according to the 350-plus five-star reviews, and tastes even better the next day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Chef John<\/p>\n
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If you go for seven fishes on Christmas Eve, this hearty, comforting fish stew is the best place to start. Take it from Chef John, “When you feel like splurging a little, San Francisco’s famous cioppino is a great choice. This cioppino recipe, a spicy fish and shellfish stew, is a big red bowl of yummy, and when paired with a loaf of crusty sourdough bread, it’s downright otherworldly.” Double up on crab at the store to make crab cakes while you’re at it, too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios<\/p>\n
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“If you\u2019re searching for a side dish that\u2019s both comforting and elevated, look no further…” the recipe page starts. “Potatoes\u00a0are always a crowd-pleaser, but this version\u2014with its peppery, nutty cheeses and crispy golden edges\u2014is guaranteed to stand out. As our Test Kitchen put it, this dish is ‘luxurious and comforting at the same time\u2014elegantly cozy!'” It’s safe to say this dish would be welcome on any holiday table this month.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios<\/p>\n
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Turn leftover mashed potatoes into a tasty dinner that combines two classics into a one-pot meal. Saut\u00e9 the tangy meat mixture with a signature sauce, and then top it with creamy mashed potatoes and shredded cheese. Pop it into the oven until bubbly and delicious, and tuck into a steaming plate of comfort.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
If a lot of your December meals feel heavy, switch things up with an easy and light yet satisfying dish from Allrecipes Allstar France Cevallos. You can customize the mushrooms and vegetables to your liking. “Loved the consistency of the sauce and all the flavors melded beautifully. It came out like [a restaurant dish]! I used a red onion, which gave the dish extra sweetness. Delicious\u2014will make again!” says reviewer Leah. Pro tip: Make extra sauce to coat a side of noodles or rice.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Allrecipes \/ Qi Ai<\/p>\n
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This is a quick and simple recipe we not only make in December, but all year long on the regular\u2014not only because it takes 15 minutes but because it’s flavorful and satisfying.\n<\/p>\n
“This brown sugar salmon recipe with Dijon is my favorite. I make this quick and easy dish way too often. Serve with rice and broccoli.” – Tamara\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Allrecipes \/ Qi Ai<\/p>\n
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Home cook\u00a0LaDonna Langwell gives us this cozy solution to an easy, crowd-pleasing meal: “Looking for something that is quick but super tasty? This one-pot Italian sausage and tortellini checks all the boxes! Using pantry and refrigerator staples, it comes together quickly and can easily be doubled for a larger group.”\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS\u00a0<\/p>\n
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We can’t forget about breakfast, and this make-ahead casserole is the perfect choice for your holiday morning or breakfast-for-dinner type of day. With more than 1,500 five-star reviews, it’s sure to be a hit no matter when you serve it. As one Allrecipes member says, “I am constantly being asked for this recipe every time I make it. So easy to put together. Best way to feed many for a stress-free morning meal.” We’re sold.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
John Mitzewich<\/p>\n
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Chef John exclaims on the recipe page that his holiday monkey bread, studded with just the right amount of cranberries and walnuts, “is so delicious that it will turn the most civilized group into a troupe of very unruly simians, as they reach for morsel after morsel.”\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios<\/p>\n
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After all that cookie making, you might be looking for a decadent dessert that doesn’t require turning on the oven yet again. And this might be just the ticket. Just look at the five-star reviews. “I love a no-bake pie and a sucker for anything Italian. When it comes to cannolis, I am very partial to the citrus and pistachio flavors. This recipe nails it. So many times, I’ve tried but been let down to find a recipe that is true to the Italian\/Sicilian ways…If you’re like me, this will not disappoint.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Allrecipes \/ Qi Ai<\/p>\n
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“Ponche de cr\u00e8me is a cream punch that’s similar to eggnog. It’s Trinidad’s traditional Christmas drink and has quite a kick if you use just the right amount of rum.” – CRYSTAL_CLARE\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
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What better way to celebrate December than with a classic cocktail? After you’ve had your fill of spiked eggnog, toast the season with something a little lighter. Mimosas couldn’t be easier to make and can be personalized with your favorite juice or garnish\u2014though we always love the traditional combo of orange juice and Champagne. Cheers to what’s to come in 2026!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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