Crisp, golden roasties, plates heaving with your favourite flavours and a stunning centrepiece with lashings of rich gravy. Christmas might look a little different this year, but we're here to help you put together the perfect festive feast. No matter how big or small the get-together, don't miss out on a classic Christmas dinner.

Advertisement

Check out our menu plan for six below, or find all our complete Christmas menus to cater for every crowd. From a cosy dinner for two, to a last-minute time-saving spread for the whole family, BBC Good Food's got you covered. Use our genius roast timer tool to make sure you get the perfect roast every time.

Set stomachs rumbling with our favourite Christmas dinner recipes, and answer all your festive queries with the help of our Christmas kitchen.

Christmas starters for six

Baked cheeses on tray with toppings and toasts

Whet everyone's appetite with a range of seasonal starters and impressive nibbles. Our eye-catching plates will have everyone coming back for more. From firm favourites like twisty cheese straws and super sausage rolls to cauliflower cheese rolls, these bites will disappear in no time.

Spend a grand total of 5 minutes prepping our baked camembert, and choose from a variety of tasty topping ideas. Put together an instant crowd-pleasing sharing starter in minutes. Prep our luxurious celeriac, hazelnut & truffle soup ahead of time, or serve up a smooth chicken liver parfait with toasted brioche.

More like this

Plate up more elegant appetisers with our Christmas starter recipes, and get more ideas for brilliant bites in our Christmas canapé collection.

Christmas dinner for six

Christmas dinner on plate

Pile your plate high with roasted veg, pigs in blankets, sauces and slices of a magnificent centrepiece. Grab a slab of a vibrant veggie tart, a chunky wellington or a terrific turkey crown. Whether you're a stickler for tradition or want to try an alternative Christmas dinner, make sure it's worthy of the season.

Christmas sides

We pay just as much attention to our Christmas side dishes as the main event.

Our parmesan-roasted potatoes make a delicious, cheesy addition to your table. Try pairing with our three-in-one brown buttered winter vegetables. Don't forget the sticky honey-roasted carrots and crunchy parsnips for good measure. Convert even the most stubborn sprout-haters with a helping of our Brussels sprouts with pancetta.

Combine two beloved classics with our pigs-in-blankets stuffing balls, and fruity red cabbage with apples for a burst of flavours and textures. Also Enjoy this extra-indulgent taleggio & tarragon cauliflower and cheese, It's the perfect side dish in a Christmas feast.

Christmas sauces

Make your must-have accompaniments from scratch with our Christmas sauce recipes. Whip up an extra-creamy bread sauce, simple cranberry sauce and easy gravy using the stock of your choice.

Christmas mains

Turkey-crown-kiev

Don't be stressed about cooking for a crowd. Our easy Christmas turkey makes tackling a magnificent main easy as pie. It also makes a delicious gravy in the tin. Not up for the full turkey experience? Try your hand at our succulent turkey crown kiev with garlic and parsley.

Up for a challenge? Give Gordon's Christmas roast goose a go – trust us, it's worth the effort. Or, scale down your dinner with a simple slow-roast chicken with homemade gravy.

You're bound to want leftovers of our cola ham with maple & mustard glaze. We can't resist a sample slice before taking it to the table. Peruse our top 10 Christmas ham recipes for sensational crackling and sticky glazes galore.

No one needs to miss out with our hearty vegetarian and vegan mains. Perfect your pastry skills with this beetroot & squash wellington with moreish kale pesto, or turn out our picture-perfect root vegetable tatin with candied nuts & blue cheese. Either way, jaws will drop.

Christmas desserts for six

Fool in pots

Decadent desserts can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Try our quick Black Forest Christmas fool for a 10-minute treat, or bake a tray of mulled wine brownies and serve with scoops of ice cream. Save time in the kitchen with our boozy no-cook Irish cream tiramisu, or satisfy everyone's sweet tooth with a square of Christmas rocky road.

If you've gone for a traditional pud and couldn't finish it all, try our favourite leftover Christmas pudding recipes.

Dive into our easy Christmas desserts collection for more cheesecakes, brownies, cakes and cookies.

Christmas cocktails and mocktails

mulled wine in glasses on tray

Make a batch of classic mulled wine filled with aromatic spices and vibrant fruity flavours. Or, go for an indulgent cupful of our creamy eggnog, made with just five key ingredients.

If you feel like cracking out your cocktail shaker and showing some festive flair, try our best ever Christmas drinks & cocktails. Try a more traditional mulled wine cocktail or classic bellini, or branch out with a St Nick's flip.

Going booze-free this Christmas? Toast the season with our creative faux fizz or a mug of non-alcoholic mulled wine. Get even more drinks ideas with our best Christmas mocktail recipes.

Want to make a crowd-pleasing cocktail guests can serve themselves? Try our top Christmas punch recipes and mix them up en masse, then sit back and relax.

Christmas leftover recipe ideas

Pan-fried camembert sandwich

Dare we say it, Christmas leftovers are just as delicious as the main event. From a classic bowl of warming turkey soup to a hearty ham, turkey & sprout pie, the possibilities are endless.

Try our best leftover ham recipes and our top 10 turkey leftover recipe ideas, or give our family dinner ideas for Christmas leftovers a go. Enjoy lazy post-Christmas lunches and easy throw-together suppers.

Christmas dinner leftovers are without doubt the undisputed king of leftovers. Put your cheese, meats and veggies to good use with our bumper Christmas sandwich recipes. These comforting, cheesy doorstop sarnies are sure to satisfy the turkey shaped hole in your Boxing Day.

Enjoyed these recipes? Try our other top Christmas meal ideas...

Our best Christmas cakes
Best ever Christmas sides
10 freezable Christmas baking recipes
Christmas Eve recipes
Leftover turkey and ham recipes

Advertisement

What's your favourite Christmas centrepiece? Leave a comment below...

Comments, questions and tips

Choose the type of message you'd like to post

Choose the type of message you'd like to post
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement