Easy food ideas for X-mas eve

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I have never done it before, but I would love to have pizza... there might be an issue of places being open though (for carryout/delivery). Could do frozen pizza in the oven though.

 

[ronandannette]

I have never done it before, but I would love to have pizza... there might be an issue of places being open though (for carryout/delivery). Could do frozen pizza in the oven though.

It's probably the busiest night of the year for lots of pizza and Chinese take-out places. Around here they all seem to be open until about 8:00 pm. Order early and it's fine!

 

[Allison Joy]

For us, Christmas Eve dinner is always Mrs. Grass Chicken Noodle Soup (one of those soup starters) in sourdough bread bowls from Beard Co. (Panara).

 

[kanne323]

We tend to do appetizers for dinner (spinach & artichoke dip, veggies & dip, wings, cheese & crackers, etc.) Most easy to prep ahead of time (spinach & artichoke dip in the slow cooker) and then the wings go in the air fryer. Or we do assorted calzones and salad... I guess that could fall into the appetizer category, too. Prep earlier in the day, put in oven for about 20 minutes, then good to go.

 

[Buzz Rules]

We used to do Feast of Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, but now I just make seafood chowder (shrimp, scallops, clams, fish, lobster, mussels, squid- if I can get them all) the day before, serve it with crusty rolls or bread. I usually do the creamy-style, but this year I might try cioppino. My sister suggested paella but it's too much rice for me. Christmas dinner is always something stupidly easy; last year's favorite was a bag of frozen stuffed shells from Sam's covered with sauce (I went all-out and doctored our favorite canned sauce) with salad and garlic bread. I suppose I could have gone really over the top and put frozen meatballs in the sauce, too! Ice cream sundaes for dessert. I decided I was OVER the big holiday meal one year when I saw DH reading his new Christmas book, DD putting together a holiday puzzle, both of them watching TV while I was IN THE KITCHEN all freaking day! I want to read my Christmas books, too!

An alternative to paella you might like could be an orzo dish:

https://spainonafork.com/one-pan-orzo-with-tuna-tomatoes-recipe/

 

[disneychrista]

Christmas Eve growing up was always spaghetti. Quick, cheap & easy.

 

[BayouQueen]

We’ve tried various things, but what works best is getting a ham, maybe a turkey breast, rolls and breads, various salads — homemade or not — and just grazing on our little sandwiches and salads. It’s relaxed picnic food. The kids enjoy that.

 

[limace]

Ok, we do the best. Seriously.

Cheese fondue every year. Steamed veggies and bread and sliced cooked sausages. We used to buy stuff for chocolate fondue too but with all the Christmas goodies we’d never eat it. Anyway, fondue is delicious and festive and communal-we have so much fun eating and laughing.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We do a homemade lasagna Christmas Eve and eat the leftovers Christmas Day. I use farfalle instead of lasagna noodles to make assembling and serving it easier. I can make it on the 23rd and then just stick it in the oven on the 24th, so I don’t spend time on the holiday in the kitchen.

We've done lasagna, too. I use fresh ricotta ravioli as the noodles and cheese layers. Can add sausage and mushrooms -- those can be prepared ahead of time, as can the sauce. (Or use good quality sauce in a jar.) Extra cheese of choice on top. Always popular, can feed two or a crowd (just increase all the ingredients), and makes great leftovers.
If the mood strikes, we do lasagne with butternut squash ravioli, béchamel sauce, asiago and fontina, sautéed mushrooms, etc.
Add a large salad (usually bag salad from Trader Joe's) and crusty bread. So easy and so good!

 

[amcnj]

In addition to things already mentioned, pulled pork in a crockpot, and an antipasto salad (lettuce, Giardinerre, roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella, rolled/folded provolone, Genoa salami and capocollo (or other ham), with a red wine vinaigrette.

 

[unrequited23]

For several years I've made only made "heavy appetizers"--crockpot meatballs, baked potato skins, pepperoni bread, a hot dip (usually spinach artichoke since it's my MIL's fav), chicken strips, cheese & crackers, veggie tray, mixed nuts and homemade cookies & chocolates. Before that I found that everyone filled up on appetizers and no one was hungry for the main meal.

This year, I'm thinking about lasagna--but the kids are still weird about sauce and things touching.

 

[slo]

Looking for ideas for easy foods for x-mas eve. Sick of being in the kitchen all day. What are simple but tasty things that are easy to prepare but yet still feel like I'm feeding my family a "meal"?

Very grateful for this thread - I was going to post something similar.

I’ve been stressing about Christmas Eve dinner this year, because it’s just DH, DD19 and I - the first time it’s just the three of us.

We go to 5:00pm Mass which means we leave the house around 4:00 and return around 7:00. I want something good, but nothing to labor intensive. I’ve already got some good ideas from this thread and I’ll continue to read what others post

 

[seven dwarfs]

I have bought Stouffer's lasagna, made a nice garlic bread and a side salad. It's so easy and my kids love it as this is something I never buy. I cook all the time so it's great for me. Very fast and easy clean up as well.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

We usually order a sub tray and a couple of pizzas on Christmas Eve. I'll also add shrimp cocktail and also various chips and dips.

Another easy meal idea - as others mentioned - a spiral sliced ham is super easy to just warm up. Make a hash brown potato casserole the day before and bake the day of. Add a steamed vegetable in the microwave and bake some Sister Schubert frozen rolls (which takes from frozen just 5-6 minutes in the oven) and you have an easy meal.

 

[Mysterian]

Those who answered with variations of Taco/Taco Bar gave the correct response. And the grand prize is: I'm coming over to eat.

 

[1420Elexismc]

We actually meet up with my in-laws and exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. We each make an app and I usually make some sort of punch for the adults. So lots of grazing. In the past I have done a prime rib or pork roast. Just leave it in the oven to cook slow and very little attention needed lol

 

[nw6675]

I've already posted my faves, but if anyone wants an easy pulled pork with basically no prep - Walmart deli sells a lb of pulled pork (no sauce) for about $7. I'm from NC so I make eastern style vinegar sauce and serve on buns or just by itself. Very easy and versatile for any sauce you like. It is sealed with usually a good expiration date, so you can buy in advance.

 

[VandVsmama]

Another option:

Go buy a bunch of premade tamales, heat up & keep warm in crock pot. Go to closest favorite Mexican restaurant or Mexican grocery store (the kind of grocery store that sells hot pre-made rice & beans)...buy a bunch of rice & beans...heat up rice & beans.

And don't forget the Costco salsa (which is oh my goodness, so good).

 

[Buzz Rules]

Those who answered with variations of Taco/Taco Bar gave the correct response. And the grand prize is: I'm coming over to eat.

Ghosts can eat and leave their haunting spot?

 

[Kennywood]

Domino's