17 Holiday Recipes That Help You Build a Memorable Holiday Meal

A memorable holiday meal is usually built from dishes that feel steady, familiar, and worth gathering around. These recipes focus on foods that hold their place on the table and give the meal a clear sense of rhythm from start to finish. Across 17 dishes, you will find mains, sides, and desserts that taste comforting without feeling repetitive. Each one adds something meaningful to the meal, whether it anchors the table or quietly rounds everything out.

Almond, Cranberry And Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole

Almond, Cranberry And Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole is a baked holiday side that takes about 60 minutes to prepare. It combines sweet potatoes, dried cranberries, almonds, herbs, and gentle spices into a hearty casserole. The flavor leans lightly sweet with nutty depth and soft texture throughout. It works well alongside roasted meats and holds its shape through a long meal.
Get the Recipe: Almond, Cranberry And Sweet Potato Stuffing Casserole

Orange Vegetable Tagine With Peaches

Orange Vegetable Tagine With Peaches is a simmered vegetable dish that takes about 60 minutes to prepare. It includes carrots, squash, peaches, spices, and aromatics. The flavor is warm, gently sweet, and spiced with a soft texture. It adds color and balance to the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Orange Vegetable Tagine With Peaches

Classic White Fish In White Wine Sauce

Classic White Fish In White Wine Sauce is a stovetop main that takes about 35 minutes to make. It uses white fish fillets, white wine, butter, garlic, and herbs. The flavor is clean and lightly rich without overpowering the fish. It offers a lighter option for holiday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Classic White Fish In White Wine Sauce

Gluten Free Pecan Pie With Maple Syrup And Maple Dulce De Leche Cream

Gluten Free Pecan Pie With Maple Syrup And Maple Dulce De Leche Cream takes about 90 minutes to prepare and bake. It includes pecans, maple syrup, eggs, a gluten-free crust, and creamy topping. The flavor is nutty, sweet, and rich with a soft filling. It delivers classic holiday dessert flavor in a gluten-free format.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Pecan Pie With Maple Syrup And Maple Dulce De Leche Cream

Gluten-Free White Chocolate Lava Cake With Raspberries

Gluten-Free White Chocolate Lava Cake With Raspberries is an individual dessert that takes about 30 minutes to prepare. It features white chocolate, eggs, butter, and fresh raspberries. The taste is sweet and creamy with a soft molten center. It feels special without being heavy or complicated.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free White Chocolate Lava Cake With Raspberries

Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf

Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf is a stovetop side that takes about 45 minutes to prepare. It combines wild rice, roasted squash, onions, herbs, and light seasoning. The flavor is earthy and nutty with gentle sweetness from the squash. It balances heavier holiday dishes without feeling plain.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf

Baked Creamy Salmon

Baked Creamy Salmon is a sheet-pan main dish that takes about 30 minutes to cook. It includes salmon fillets, potatoes, garlic, cream, and simple seasonings. The taste is rich and savory with tender fish and a smooth sauce. It feels substantial enough to anchor a holiday dinner.
Get the Recipe: Baked Creamy Salmon

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel is a baked casserole that takes about 75 minutes to cook. It uses pasta, mushrooms, leeks, eggs, dairy, and fresh dill. The flavor is earthy, savory, and creamy throughout. It works as either a main or substantial side.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Leek Pasta Kugel

Baked Brie With Peaches, Pecans, Herbs And Honey

Baked Brie With Peaches, Pecans, Herbs And Honey is a warm appetizer that takes about 25 minutes to prepare. It brings together brie cheese, sliced peaches, chopped pecans, honey, and fresh herbs. The flavor is creamy, lightly sweet, and savory with a soft melted center. It pairs naturally with crackers or bread for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie With Peaches, Pecans, Herbs And Honey

Argentinian Flan (Bread Pudding) With Caramel Sauce

Argentinian Flan With Caramel Sauce is a baked dessert that takes about 75 minutes to make. It uses soaked bread, eggs, milk, sugar, and a smooth caramel topping. The texture is soft and custardy with deep caramel sweetness. It feels comforting and familiar at the end of a holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Argentinian Flan (Bread Pudding) With Caramel Sauce

Chicken Marbella Ottolenghi

Chicken Marbella Ottolenghi is a baked chicken dish that takes about 90 minutes including resting time. It features chicken, olives, capers, prunes, garlic, and vinegar. The taste is sweet, tangy, and savory with juicy meat throughout. It feels familiar yet distinctive on a holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Marbella Ottolenghi

Homemade Matzo Ball Soup

Homemade Matzo Ball Soup is a stovetop soup that takes about 60 minutes to prepare. It includes matzo meal, eggs, broth, onions, and herbs. The flavor is savory and comforting with soft, pillowy matzo balls. It often sets a warm tone at the start of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Matzo Ball Soup

Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)

Chicken Colombian Tamales are a wrapped main dish that takes about 2 hours to prepare. They are made with cornmeal dough, seasoned chicken, vegetables, and spices wrapped in banana leaves. The flavor is savory, comforting, and gently spiced with a soft interior. They serve well as a filling holiday centerpiece.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Colombian Tamales (Tamales Colombiano)

Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon is a grilled main that takes about 25 minutes to cook. It features salmon fillets, oil, salt, and open-flame grilling. The taste is smoky, rich, and clean without heavy seasoning. It brings contrast to oven-heavy holiday menus.
Get the Recipe: Nordic Fire-Grilled Salmon

Jerusalem Kugel

Jerusalem Kugel is a baked noodle dish that takes about 90 minutes to make. It combines egg noodles, sugar, oil, eggs, and black pepper. The flavor is sweet with a noticeable peppery bite and crisp edges. It adds contrast and tradition to a holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Jerusalem Kugel

Gluten-Free Honey Cake

Gluten-Free Honey Cake is a baked dessert that takes about 75 minutes to complete. It uses honey, eggs, oil, gluten-free flour, and warm spices. The cake tastes gently sweet with a moist crumb and subtle spice. It keeps well and serves easily to a group.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Honey Cake

Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses

Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses is a baked dessert that takes about 90 minutes from start to finish. It features ground almonds, fresh apples, honey, eggs, and warm spices arranged into a decorative top. The cake tastes lightly sweet with a moist crumb and subtle nutty flavor. It slices cleanly and feels appropriate for a centerpiece dessert.
Get the Recipe: Almond Apple Cake with Apple Roses