From Crown Roast of Pork to Stuffed Boneless Turkey Breast, our favorite Christmas entrées are a great choice for easy entertaining.

Photo collage: Crown roast of pork, roast turkey, roast capon, carved prime rib roast.

The holiday season is a wonderful time to entertain family and friends, and Christmas dinner is by far our favorite meal to make. But can you cook a gourmet meal and still enjoy the season? Absolutely! Read on for some tips.

Tips for planning Christmas dinner

A little planning goes a long way when it comes to preparing Christmas dinner and we’ve got some tips to help you.

Choose your entrée and side dishes

Begin planning your menu by confirming your guest list so you can choose a main dish.

If you are having a small gathering of up to six people, a capon or turkey breast may be a better choice than a large turkey. Three or four side dishes should be adequate for a group of this size.

With larger gatherings, a central meat dish with five or six side dishes will keep your guests full and your menu manageable.

Regardless of your party size, if you’re serving appetizers before the main meal, choose simple recipes that can be prepared days ahead and easily assembled the day of.

Make detailed lists

Start by making a list of your recipes, then carefully review the ingredients and check your pantry and fridge for items you may already have.

Don’t forget to include any specialized serving dishes or prep tools you might need as these items may require an extra shopping trip.

This printable checklist from My Frugal Home might be helpful in your planning.

Organize your time in the kitchen

Analyze your recipes for preparation and cook times and check for make-ahead instructions. Spacing out your time in the kitchen will not only help you stay organized, but it will also leave you extra time to enjoy your guests.

If possible, consider freezing make-ahead items and thawing them the day before. Many desserts, side dishes, breads, and rolls are freezer friendly.

While planning your holiday meal, check out our collection of time-tested Christmas entrées. You can find an assortment of our favorites perfect for a gathering of any size.

From our beautiful Crown Roast of Pork to our easy-to-carve Stuffed Boneless Turkey Breast, one of these classic Christmas main dishes is sure to become a new holiday favorite for your family, too.

Our Favorite Christmas Entrées

Garlic-Herb Crusted Crown Roast of Pork

This crown roast of pork is flavored with garlic and fresh herbs. Tender, juicy and full of flavor, it makes a beautiful presentation for a holiday meal.

Herb Roasted Turkey

This easy roast turkey recipe uses a coating of mayonnaise and chopped fresh herbs to add flavor, brown more evenly and keep the meat moist and juicy.

Garlic-Herb Crusted Boneless Pork Sirloin Roast

This tender and juicy boneless pork roast is coated in a delicious rub made with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs.

Roast Turkey Breast with Citrus-Herb Butter

This roast turkey breast recipe uses a blend of butter, fresh citrus zest and herbs to infuse the meat with flavor and keep it tender, moist and juicy.

Standing Rib Roast (Prime Rib)

Prime rib (aka standing rib roast) makes an easy, no-fuss entree for a special occasion dinner, and a reliable meat thermometer is all you need to ensure success.

Stuffed Boneless Turkey Breast

Rolled and stuffed with an apple-cranberry stuffing and drizzled with a cider-sage sauce, this boneless turkey breast recipe is a terrific alternative to a whole roast turkey.

Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom-Port Sauce

This beef tenderloin roast is coated with a simple blend of salt, pepper, and garlic and served with a chunk sauce made with mushrooms and port wine.

Spiral-Sliced Ham with Cider-Bourbon Glaze

Glazed with apple cider, brown sugar, and bourbon, this Southern-style, spiral-sliced ham is a delicious, easy main dish to serve for company.

Buttermilk and Honey Brined Turkey

Our kitchen-tested buttermilk turkey brine produces a juicy, flavorful bird and, with a few adjustments, can be used on both fresh and frozen turkeys.

Roast Duck with Orange-Rosemary Sauce

Served with a simple Orange-Rosemary Sauce, this slow-roasted duck is flavorful, moist and an impressive yet easy entrée to serve for family and friends.

Roast Capon

Larger than a roasting chicken, but smaller than a turkey, a capon is a perfect choice for a small holiday gathering or dinner party.

Cornish Game Hens with Bourbon Glaze

An excellent choice for a small holiday gathering or casual dinner party, these roasted Cornish game hens are flavored with a sweet-smoky glaze made with bourbon and honey.