These recipes are for when "just a simple dinner" isn’t in your holiday vocabulary.

By

Leah Colins

Senior Culinary Editor

Leah is the Senior Culinary Editor at Serious Eats, and was previously a recipe developer and editor with America’s Test Kitchen for almost 9 years. She has developed recipes for and edited over 20 cookbooks ranging in topic from bread baking to plant-based eating to outdoor grilling and so much more. While there, she also developed recipes and articles for Cooks Illustrated Magazine, Cooks Country Magazine, and ATK’s digital platform.Before her life as a recipe developer, she cooked in 5-star and Michelin-starred fine dining establishments from coast to coast such as The Herbfarm and Aubergine Restaurant at L’Auberge Carmel; she also treasures her time flipping burgers on flattops in her teenage years, and baking and boxing cookies and pies at a wonderful family-owned German bakery in her early professional life.

Published December 10, 2025

Serious Eats / Diana Chistruga

Every December, I tell myself I’m going to keep things simple—maybe a modest roast, a stress-free side or two, nothing that requires hauling out every roasting pan I own. And yet, the moment holiday invitations and family group chats start flying, I inevitably slip into Full Feast Mode. I can’t resist a showstopping centerpiece roast, whether it’s lacquered in glaze, wrapped in pastry, or slow-roasted to blushing perfection.

If you feel the same pull toward big, celebratory flavors, you’re in the right place. With holiday hosting in full swing, we’ve gathered the dinner recipes our readers have saved the most with MyRecipes, our free tool for saving and organizing recipes. You’ll find recipes below for crowd-pleasers worthy of any festive table.

J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

Beef tenderloin may not have the bold, fatty swagger of prime rib, but its ultra-tender texture makes it a luxurious holiday centerpiece. This slow-roasted version delivers a deeply browned crust and perfectly rosy interior from edge to edge. It’s an approachable, no-fuss method that still feels undeniably fancy on the table.

Serious Eats / Fred Hardy

Spatchcocking is the secret to a turkey that roasts faster and more evenly than the traditional whole-bird approach. Flattening the bird exposes more skin to heat, delivering shatteringly crisp results while keeping both the white and dark meat perfectly cooked. Paired with rich, homemade gravy, it’s a no-stress upgrade to the classic holiday centerpiece.

Serious Eats / Diana Chistruga

Few holiday centerpieces are as unapologetically extravagant as beef Wellington. A tenderloin is layered with savory mushroom duxelles, foie gras, and prosciutto, then wrapped in flaky puff pastry for the ultimate all-in-one roast. It’s dramatic, delicious, and guaranteed to make your guests gasp when you slice into it.

J. Kenji López-Alt

I was genuinely shocked this wasn’t our readers’ top pick—because it’s absolutely mine. This reverse-seared prime rib starts low and slow in the oven, then finishes with a high-heat blast for a deeply browned crust. The result is a roast that’s incredibly juicy, intensely flavorful, and perfectly cooked from edge to edge.

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Photograph: Vicky Wasik. Video: Natalie Holt

This classic spiral-sliced ham gets a major upgrade from a sweet-spicy glaze made with maple syrup, molasses, and mustard. The low-and-slow roast keeps the meat tender and moist, while the glaze caramelizes into a shiny, crowd-pleasing finish. For the best texture and flavor, choose a bone-in, shank-end ham with no added water.

Photograph: J. Kenji López-Alt. Video: Serious Eats Video

A crown roast of pork looks impressively grand, but it’s far easier to pull off than its showstopping shape suggests. Roasting it low and slow guarantees tender, juicy meat throughout, while the dramatic presentation does all the heavy lifting at the table. It’s the rare holiday centerpiece that’s both foolproof and unforgettable.

Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

In the Venn diagram of holiday roasts that are easy, impressive, and affordable, stuffed pork loin is the rare rainbow unicorn sitting right at the center. The mild, lean cut becomes something special when rolled with a flavorful stuffing and roasted until tender. It’s a budget-friendly centerpiece that still delivers major wow factor.

A rack of lamb may look fancy, but all you really need to make it shine is a hot pan, some butter, and a handful of garlic and herbs. This method gives you a beautifully browned crust and tender, rosy meat—without any fuss. It’s a fast, elegant centerpiece perfect for smaller holiday gatherings.

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Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

Lobster Thermidor is proof that seafood and cheese absolutely can—and should—coexist. Tender lobster meat is folded into a rich, creamy, cognac-scented sauce, then broiled under a blanket of cheese until bubbly and golden. It’s an indulgent, old-school showstopper that feels perfect for a holiday splurge.