A Cozy Christmas Eve: My Perfect Menu 🎄
- Kristin Speer-Damitz
- Dec 17, 2024
- 5 min read
Confession: I’m a little behind on planning this year’s Christmas Eve menu. If you’re in the same boat, don’t worry—you’re not alone! But hey, there’s still time to pull together something special, and I’m here to share what I’m whipping up this year. Whether you’re an early planner or a last-minute master, I hope my menu gives you some inspiration.
Keeping It Simple and Festive
Christmas Eve in our house is all about casual, delicious finger foods. We skip the heavy sit-down dinner and instead opt for a spread of our favorite appetizers, which is perfect for grazing while spending time together. The highlight of the evening? My Braised Marinara Meatballs—rich, tender, and simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce. They're hearty enough to feel indulgent but still pair beautifully with all the lighter bites.
And of course, my mom always steals the show with her epic charcuterie spread. Think fancy cheeses, olives, pickles, and her homemade ranch for dipping. It’s a tradition I look forward to every year!
The Joy of Cooking on Christmas
There’s something magical about cooking with family during the holidays. The warmth of a cozy home, a fire crackling in the background, and Christmas music filling the air—it’s a scene straight out of a holiday dream. In our house, Christmas Eve isn’t just about the food; it’s about the memories we create together. We laugh, we chat, and we all pitch in, turning cooking into an experience we genuinely look forward to.
Once dinner is served, the fun is just beginning. The smell of our favorite dishes lingers as we gather around the table or settle in by the fire for a night of playing games and enjoying each other’s company. This year, we’re keeping the menu simple but satisfying, designed for maximum enjoyment and minimal stress. I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you! Here’s what we’re serving:
Christmas Eve Menu
Braised Marinara Meatballs: Rich and comforting, these meatballs are the star of the night. Serve them with crusty bread or just forks—they’ll disappear quickly either way.
Queso Dip: A creamy, cheesy dip that’s perfect for tortilla chips or even veggies. Because who doesn’t love queso? We call this "Mud" rather than Queso. ☺️
Honey Mustard Lil’ Smokies: A sweet and tangy twist on classic cocktail sausages—always a hit with kids and adults alike.
My Famous Sliders: Mini sandwiches with big flavor. These sliders are easy to make and even easier to devour.
Mom’s Charcuterie Spread: A beautiful board loaded with cheeses, meats, crackers, and all the little extras that make it special. Bonus points for her homemade ranch dressing!
Let’s Celebrate Together!
I love that Christmas Eve is a time to focus on good food, family, and festive vibes without the stress. My mom and I love adding our own creative touches to the menu while keeping everything low-key and fun. And yes, there will be cocktails and desserts, because no holiday celebration is complete without them!
I hope this gives you some inspiration for your own Christmas Eve menu. Whether you’re hosting a big crowd or keeping it intimate with your family, the key is to serve food you love and enjoy the process.
I’d love to hear what’s on your holiday menu this year—share your ideas in the comments! Wishing you a cozy and delicious Christmas Eve filled with laughter, love, and lots of good food. ❤️
The Recipes:
Ingredients:
24 Hawaiian rolls
About 2LBS of meat from the deli (I use DiLusso!!)
12-24 slices of cheese (I use Havarti)
Mayo
Mustard
Poppyseed Sauce
1 tbsp. poppyseeds
1&1/2 tbsp. yellow mustard
1 stick butter {half cup}, melted
1 tbsp. minced onion
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Slice your Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally for faster assembly.
Place meat and a slice of cheese on each roll. Top with mayo and mustard (not much). Then place the top of the roll on all the sandwiches.
In a small bowl, whisk together poppy seeds, mustard, melted butter, minced onion, and Worcestershire sauce.
Arrange the sliders on a baking dish close together. Pour/spoon the tops generously with the poppyseed sauce. Let them sit for about 10 minutes, so the butter can slightly set.
Cover the sliders with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 LB ground beef
1 LB ground pork
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Tomato Sauce
2 tablespoons oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 14 oz can petite diced tomatoes
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Make the Meatball Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, eggs, minced garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, and black pepper, and mix well. Then add ground beef and ground pork.
Gently mix the ingredients with clean hands until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the meatballs dense.
2. Shape the Meatballs
Roll the mixture into small ball-sized meatballs, about 1 ½ inches in diameter. This recipe yields approximately 28-30-ish meatballs.
3. Brown the Meatballs
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a braiser (deep pan) or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Cook the meatballs in batches, ensuring they don’t touch. Brown each side for 2-3 minutes until golden.
Transfer the browned meatballs to a plate and set them aside.
4. Prepare the Tomato Sauce
In the same pan or Dutch oven, add more oil if needed and sauté the diced onion until softened about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring to prevent burning.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to develop a richer flavor.
Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, and sugar. Stir well to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Simmer the Meatballs
Return the browned meatballs to the skillet, nestling them into the tomato sauce.
Cover the skillet and simmer over low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. Let the flavors meld as the meatballs cook through.
6. Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle the finished dish with fresh parsley, basil, and a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve the meatballs with your choice of crusty bread, pasta, or on buns, and savor the festive flavors of this Christmas Eve classic!
Recipe: Airfryer Honey Mustard Sausages
Ingredients:
1 package (12-14 oz) lil smokie sausages
1 tablespoon honey or Dijon mustard
1/4 Cup Syrup
Instructions:
Place the sausages in a parchment or whatever liner you have that designed for air fryers.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together mustard, syrup, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
Pour the mustard-honey-maple mixture over the sausages and toss to coat evenly.
Insert the liner with the sausages into the air fryer basket.
Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, turning the sausages halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Once cooked, serve warm and enjoy!
The Recipe: Queso
Ingredients:
16 ounces processed cheese (Velveeta®), cut into cubes
1 cup whole milk
1 (15 ounce) can no-bean chili
1/2 teaspoon bottled lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions:
Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cheese and milk, stirring frequently, until the mixture is smooth and creamy, about 4 minutes.
Stir in the chili, lime juice, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and cayenne. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fully heated and well combined, about 5 minutes.
Serve warm with tortilla chips and salsa on the side. Enjoy!
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