33 Recipes to Make in December (Popular Ideas)

When it’s cold and dark outside, there’s nothing like these recipes to make in December to lift your spirits!

December is full of celebration, after all. So why not celebrate good food?

I know you’re probably busy with Christmas shopping, parties, and wrapping gifts.

But if you have a moment to slow down, I highly recommend spending some time in the kitchen.

Maybe make something you’ve never tried before. Or go for an old favorite to break the winter blues.

And even if it’s not cold where you are, you’ll still love these simple recipes to make in December.

They taste just as good on a patio 😉

1. Garlic Herb-Crusted Prime Rib

Garlic herb-crusted prime rib is going to be a new holiday tradition meal.

It’s so juicy, tender, and delicious. You’ll have a hard time believing you made it yourself. 

Don’t believe me? This recipe is foolproof.

With lots of spices and a little patience, you’ll have a steakhouse-quality meal! 

2. Baked Ham with Apricot Honey Glaze

Baked ham is another holiday favorite, and this one does not disappoint. 

The salty ham is perfectly cooked. It’s tender and tasty! 

Slather on the apricot honey glaze for balanced sweetness that will have you wanting seconds.

The subtle apricot flavor is absolutely delightful.

I bet you can’t wait for Christmas dinner now, huh?

3. Creamy Chicken Carbonara

Creamy chicken carbonara is a comfort meal if I’ve ever had one. This dish is full of flavor and it’s easy to make!

This Italian pasta is made with just a few simple ingredients.

Bacon, eggs, and cheese make up the sauce with a touch of heavy cream.  

Get some help to grate the cheese. Freshly-grated Parmesan will work best. 

4. No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake

With all the baking that goes on throughout December, no-bake cherry cheesecake is much needed. 

Mix up just a few ingredients: cream cheese, condensed milk, lemon juice, and vanilla.

Pour them into a graham cracker crust and wait. (Sorry, this is the hardest part).

When it’s set, top it with beautiful cherry pie filling and dig in!

5. Mississippi Pot Roast

This is one of my favorite takes on a traditional pot roast.

If you’re looking to spice it up this winter, try this recipe. 

Grab the crock pot and get ready to set it and forget it.

The Crockpot does all of the work to get this tender meat ready for your enjoyment. 

Banana peppers give it a hint of spice and ranch mix adds some tanginess. This will be your forever go-to for cozy dinners. 

6. Loaded Mashed Potatoes

I love a good side dish. These mashed potatoes are creamy, fluffy, and as the name suggests: loaded!

Pile on the cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, parsley, and chives.

All of your favorite potato toppings together in one dish. Could it get any better?

7. Colonial Hot Chocolate

This may be the best hot chocolate you’ll ever have. 

It’s wonderfully creamy and rich with the addition of warm, comforting spices.

Since there are so many tasty spices in this beverage, the flavors are deep and complex.

Add some orange rind for a hint of citrus flavor to cut the spices and rich chocolate.

This is a fantastic drink to get you through even the coldest winters. 

8. Taco Casserole

Taco casserole is a perfect recipe for busy weeknights. 

Everything you love about tacos, including ground beef, toppings, and some crunch, is in this casserole.

Just layer the ingredients in a dish and throw it in the oven. 

It’s way easier than assembling tacos and just as yummy, if not better!

9. Thai Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup

This isn’t your average butternut squash soup. This Thai twist is irresistible and it’s sure to warm you right up!

Ginger and curry paste add some heat and coconut milk is extra creamy. Plus, a few squeezes of lime adds a zingy finish. 

Butternut squash soup is a fall and winter classic but the additions to this one are unmatched. 

10. Vegan Miso Mushroom Pasta

Vegan miso mushroom pasta is loaded with flavor. It may just be the new ultimate comfort meal. 

Perfectly cooked pasta is paired with meaty mushrooms and a wonderfully savory sauce.

The mushrooms cook in the oven and soak up so much umami flavor. 

This pasta is seriously good. Try it whether you’re vegan or not, and you won’t regret it. 

11. Butternut Squash Soup

This butternut squash soup is simple, comforting, and so easy to make. Everybody will love this creamy soup.

Butternut squash is sweet so this soup has a natural sweetness that’s heavenly.

With added onions, veggies, and butter, the sweet-to-savory balance is incredible. 

Serve it as a starter for a holiday meal or as a meal of its own with some crusty bread. 

12. Eggnog Cookies

Turn the season’s favorite beverage into a delightful cookie.

These are perfectly spiced and have a creamy frosting on top. Once you have one, you’ll be hooked for life. 

With real eggnog in the dough and the frosting, there’s no better cookie this season. 

13. Meat Pie (Tourtière)

This meat pie is traditionally served on Christmas Eve in Canada, Quebec specifically. 

It’s filled with a mixture of ground pork, ground beef, onions, and spices. Add a little celery for crunch and you’ve got an irresistible meal. 

Serve it with a side of mashed potatoes for an extremely satisfying holiday meal. 

14. One-Pot Sausage and Cheese Cappelletti

Sausage and cheese cappelletti is so good. Plus, you’ll only have one dish to clean when it’s done!

It’s made with Italian sausage, lots of cheese, basil, oregano, and garlic. This dish will quickly become a family fave. 

In just under 30 minutes, this flavor-packed meal will be on the table, ready to enjoy!

15. Honeycrisp Apple Cider Sangria

Of course, you’ll need something to drink with all of these fantastic meals. A winter sangria is the way to go. 

Honeycrisp apples are sweet and refreshing. Star anise gives it a hint of licorice flavor and the cinnamon sugar rim is lovely. 

Keep the ingredients handy all month long.

You’ll be able to throw this drink together in a pinch.

16. Julia Child’s French Onion Soup

French onion soup is one of my favorites, and Julia Child’s version is the best!

The sweet-savory onion broth is heavenly and there’s nothing like the toppings.

The bread soaks up the soup and the melty cheese on top is perfect. 

If you’ve never made French onion soup at home, now is the time!

17. Grapefruit Cake

Grapefruits and citrus are in abundance during the winter months.

Take advantage of the juicy fruit season and make this grapefruit cake. 

It’s super moist with a delicate, grapefruit flavor. You won’t be able to get enough. 

Slather on some buttercream frosting for a scrumptious treat. 

18. Three Bean Salad

Three bean salad makes a great side dish for any meal.

With green beans, kidney beans, and garbanzo beans, this salad has lots of texture and flavors. 

The beans are all tossed with a delicious dressing and some parsley and onions.

It takes hardly any time at all and you can keep it in the fridge to enjoy over a few days. 

19. Authentic Beef Tamales

Everybody knows that Christmas time is tamale time. 

This authentic beef tamale recipe is so yummy. Flavorful shredded beef is wrapped in fluffy masa and cooked to perfection. 

They’re fun to make with lots of friends and family around and fun to eat, too! 

20. Roast Chicken with Herb Butter

Chicken can be a smaller, easier alternative to a turkey dinner that everybody will love. 

This roast chicken is easier than you think. Plus, the incredible herbs and seasonings make it so tasty. 

You have to try this recipe just to see how juicy and tender it really is. 

21. Peanut Butter Brownies

Peanut butter and chocolate are the ideal dessert combo and these brownies are spectacular. 

They’re fudgy and loaded with peanut butter. The ganache on top makes them extra indulgent. 

Peanut butter brownies will make the best dessert at any holiday party.

22. Honey Jalapeño Salmon

Honey jalapeño salmon is a terrific weeknight dinner option. 

Salmon is a yummy, flakey fish that tastes great and has all kinds of flavor.

The sweet and spicy flavors in this recipe are divine. 

This 20-minute dinner will be a family favorite. 

23. Loaded Potato Soup

Loaded potato soup is the definition of comfort food.

It’s creamy, cheesy, and full of potatoes and bacon. This soup is sure to warm up your belly and put a smile on your face. 

Sprinkle your favorite toppings on top and make it your own!

24. Ambrosia Fruit Salad

Ambrosia fruit salad was always my favorite growing up.

Since I’m sure you’ll attend lots of parties this month, keep this recipe handy. 

This is more than the average fruit salad. I mean, come on, it looks like a cloud!

Filled with fluffy marshmallows, coconut, mandarin oranges, and pineapple, it’s like heaven on earth. 

You can enjoy ambrosia salad as a mid-day snack, side dish, or dessert!

25. Gingerbread House White Chocolate Bark

The best part of making any dessert is eating it, right? Well, now the same thing goes for gingerbread houses. 

This Christmas bark has all the elements of a pretty gingerbread house without the frustration. 

Top it with marshmallows, gumdrops, M&Ms, peppermint, and anything your jolly heart desires. 

26. Holiday Yule Log Cake (Bûche de Noël)

A holiday Yule log is always welcome at any party.

This cream and chocolate dessert is rolled into a cute log that’s super delicious.

This simple recipe yields a moist cake, creamy filling, and a chocolatey outer topping.

Nobody will be able to resist a slice or two. 

27. Coquito

If you’re looking for the best holiday cocktail, look no further.

The coquito is a creamy coconut rum cocktail spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, and star anise. 

This drink is pretty similar to eggnog. But with coconut and evaporated milk, this Puerto Rican version is even better!

28. Blueberry Bread Pudding

Blueberry bread pudding is one of my favorite winter recipes. It makes such a fantastic breakfast or even dessert. 

This comforting dish is full of moist bread and is bursting with juicy blueberries.

It’s rich, fruity, and has a hint of cinnamon spice. You’ll love it. 

29. Sweet Potato Soup

Velvety, smooth, and creamy sweet potato soup is a winner in this house. 

Not only is this soup super flavorful but it’s packed with nutrients too. It’s good for your body and good for your soul. 

Cozy up with a bowl of sweet potato soup on the coldest December nights. 

30. Eggplant Lasagna

Whether you’re watching your calories this holiday season or not, eggplant lasagna is a must. 

Instead of noodles, use thinly sliced eggplant in each of the layers. It’s hearty, nutritious, and makes great use of seasonal produce. 

Eggplant lasagna is a fantastic dish for entertaining friends and family.

31. Waldorf Salad

Use up all those fresh apples in your fridge. This Waldorf salad is crisp and light with tons of flavor. 

Waldorf salad makes a wonderful side dish or snack.

Using grapes, apples, walnuts, and a creamy dressing, this dish is always a good choice. 

32. Mediterranean Pan-Seared Sea Bass

If you’re really short on time but want a delectable dinner, this sea bass won’t let you down. 

Pan-seared Mediterranean sea bass is perfectly tender and flaky.

Plus, the tomatoes, peppers, olives, and onions on top give it tons of flavor. 

Squeeze some lemon on top to add a little zest and enjoy!

33. Salted Caramel Pear Tarts

Salted caramel pear tarts are the bakery-quality dessert of your dreams. 

Seasonal pears deserve special treatment during the holidays. They can taste incredible if prepared with all the right ingredients. 

Salted caramel gives the pears a nice buttery, salty flavor that will make a comeback every year.