45 Christmas Eve Recipes to Help You Warm Up After Caroling (2024)

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45 Christmas Eve Recipes to Help You Warm Up After Caroling (1)Katie BandurskiUpdated: Jan. 31, 2024

    If you’re spending Christmas Eve caroling, than these warm recipes are for you. In this collection you’ll find soups, hot beverages, hearty casseroles and more to help you get warm after a night outdoors.

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    Taste of Home

    This casserole brings together two classic comfort foods: grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. There’s no need for your hands to get messy dipping bread into a bowl of hot soup! Best of all, my picky-eater husband devours every bite. —Megan Kuns, Perrysburg, Ohio

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    2/44

    Taste of Home

    Warm Spiced Cider Punch

    This is a nice warm-up punch. I like to serve it when there is a nip in the air. The aroma of the apple cider, orange juice and spices as the punch simmers in the slow cooker is wonderful. —Susan Smith, Forest, Virginia

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    3/44

    Taste of Home

    Tuna Mushroom Casserole

    I love to serve this dressed-up version of a tuna casserole. The green beans add nice texture, color and flavor. The first time I made this dish, my uncle asked for seconds even though tuna casseroles are not usually his favorite.—Jone Furlong, Santa Rosa, California

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    4/44

    Grandma's Christmas Cake

    One bite of this old-fashioned spice cake will bring back memories. Loaded with raisins and nuts, it tastes extra special drizzled with the rich buttery sauce. —Linda Stemen, Monroeville, Indiana

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    5/44

    Chicken Barley Soup

    No question—this is my favorite barley soup! It's so filling that I serve it as a hearty main dish, and I have given the recipe to many of our friends and relatives. It simply tastes too good to keep to yourself! —Diana Costello, Marion, Kansas

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    6/44

    Taste of Home

    Cheddar Chicken Potpie

    Cheese soup is one of my favorites, but it’s a bit too rich for my husband’s taste. Now I make a variation of potpie we both enjoy. If I’m in a hurry, I’ll skip the crust, add extra milk and serve it as a chowder. —Sandra Cothran, Ridgeland, South Carolina

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    Photo: Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Chili

    This hearty slow-cooker chili can cook for up to 10 hours on low in the slow cooker. It's so good to come home to its wonderful aroma after a long day away. —Sue Call, Beech Grove, Indiana

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    8/44

    Chicken Casserole

    The original old family recipe for this chicken casserole called for the sauce to be made from scratch. Through the years, I developed this version that takes less time to prepare and still tastes great. It's an attractive main dish. —Ruth Van Dyke, Traverse City, Michigan

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    9/44

    Hot Almond N Cream Drink

    Just a few sips of this drink, with its rich almond flavor, will warm you up in a hurry. I'm the food service manager for a Christian camp and it's a favorite each year at our Christmas party. —Kaye Kirsch, Bailey, Colorado

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    10/44

    Taste of Home

    Gooey Chocolate Caramel Bars

    These rich, gooey bars are my most-requested treats. They're popular at school functions, family barbecues and picnics. We like them alone or topped with a scoop of ice cream. —Betty Hagerty, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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    11/44

    Hot Pizza Dip

    You can assemble this easy appetizer in a jiffy. The pizza dip goes very fast, so you may want to make two batches. —Stacie Morse, South Otselic, New York

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    12/44

    Taste of Home

    Chili Mac Casserole

    This cheesy casserole uses several of my family's favorite ingredients, including macaroni, kidney beans, tomatoes and cheese. Just add a leafy salad for a complete meal. —Marlene Wilson, Rolla, North Dakota

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    13/44

    Taste of Home

    Hot Spinach Apple Salad

    With a light sweet-tangy dressing, the spinach doesn’t wilt and the apples retain their crunch. We serve this salad with homemade bread. —Denise Albers, Freeburg, Illinois

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    14/44

    Taste of Home

    Warm Christmas Punch

    Red Hot candies add rich color and spiciness to this festive punch, and the cranberry juice gives it a little tang. Our children always request it for December brunches. —Julie Sterchi, Campbellsville, Kentucky

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    15/44

    Taste of Home

    Garlic Tortellini Soup

    I like to top bowls of this tasty soup with a little grated Parmesan cheese, and serve it with crusty bread to round out the meal. —Donna Morgan, Hend, Tennessee

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    16/44

    Taste of Home

    Chicken and Swiss Stuffing Bake

    I love to cook but just don't have much time. This casserole is both comforting and fast, which makes it my favorite kind of recipe. I serve it with a green salad. —Jena Coffey, Sunset Hills, Missouri

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    17/44

    Taste of Home

    Crescent Turkey Casserole

    How do you make a dinner of turkey and vegetables appealing to kids? You turn it into a pie, of course! My version tastes classic but doesn’t take any time at all. —Daniela Essman, Perham, Minnesota

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    18/44

    Meatball Pizza

    I always keep meatballs and pizza crusts in the freezer to make this specialty on the spur of the moment. Add a tossed salad and you have a delicious dinner. —Mary Humeniuk-Smith, Perry Hall, Maryland

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    19/44

    Penne and Smoked Sausage

    This pasta is a must-try smoked sausage recipe. It just tastes so good when it’s hot and bubbly from the oven. The cheddar french-fried onions lend a cheesy, crunchy touch. —Margaret Wilson, Sun City, California

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    20/44

    Italian Hot Dish

    My husband had a poor perception of healthy food until he tried this beefy casserole. The combination of pasta, oregano, mushrooms and green peppers makes it a favorite healthy pasta recipe in our house. —Theresa Smith, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

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    21/44

    Taste of Home

    Seafood Casserole

    A family favorite, this rice casserole is filled with plenty of seafood and veggies. It's hearty, homey and so easy to make. —Nancy Billups, Princeton, Iowa

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    22/44

    Fudgy Layered Irish Mocha Brownies

    My husband and I are big fans of Irish cream, so I wanted to incorporate it into a brownie. I started with my mom's brownie recipe, then added frosting and ganache. These decadent treats are the result, and we really enjoy them! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

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    23/44

    Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole

    This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois

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    24/44

    TMB studio

    Pasta Fagioli Soup

    My husband enjoys my version of this dish so much that he doesn’t order it at restaurants anymore. With fresh spinach, pasta and seasoned sausage, this fast-to-fix soup is a meal on its own. —Brenda Thomas, Springfield, Missouri

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    25/44

    Vanilla Almond Hot Cocoa

    Treat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special. —Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee

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    Chicken Penne Casserole

    This is my family’s favorite every week or two and we never tire of it. I like that I can put it together and relax while it bakes. —Carmen Vanosch, Vernon, British Columbia

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    Deep-Dish Apple Pie

    This deep-dish apple pie is a winner! The crust is so flaky and the filling is sure to please everyone. —Salem Cross Inn, West Brookfield, Massachusetts

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    Potluck Macaroni and Cheese

    You'll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here's an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts

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    TMB Studio

    Eggplant Rollatini

    Want to learn how to cook eggplant? Here's where to start. These authentic eggplant roll-ups may take some time to prepare, but the end result is restaurant-quality. Your family will request this recipe time and again. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana

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    Potato Soup

    I decided to add some character to a basic potato chowder with a jar of roasted red peppers. The extra flavor gives a deliciously different twist to an otherwise ordinary soup. —Mary Shivers, Ada, Oklahoma

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    The entire family will enjoy this heartwarming, all-in-one dinner. Plus, it offers easy cleanup! —Mike Tchou, Pepper Pike, Ohio

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    Hearty Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

    This creamy, cheesy casserole is so hearty that second helpings are a must! —Lynne German, Woodland Hills, California

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    Taste of Home

    Chicken Florentine Meatballs

    Served over squash and a chunky, mushroom-tomato sauce, these tender meatballs are tops when it comes to great flavor. —Diane Nemitz, Ludington, Michigan

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    Bacon-Potato Corn Chowder

    I was raised on a farm, so a warm soup with homey ingredients, like this corn chowder with bacon, was always a treat after a chilly day outside. My hearty chowder nourishes the family. —Katie Lillo, Big Lake, Minnesota

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    Warm Rocky Road Cake

    When it's warm, this reminds me of super moist lava cake. And until I made this, I didn't think a slow-cooker cake could be so attractive. It's a real winner. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia

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    Turkey and Mushroom Potpies

    I always use the leftovers from our big holiday turkey to prepare this recipe. I think my family enjoys the potpies more than the original feast! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

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    Contest-Winning Roasted Tomato Soup

    Just before the first frost of the season, we gather up all of the tomatoes from my mom’s garden to create this flavor-packed soup. Although it sounds like a lot of garlic, when it’s roasted, the garlic becomes mellow and almost sweet. We serve this soup with toasted bread spread with pesto.—Kaitlyn Lerdahl, Madison, Wisconsin

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    I’ve paired ham with broccoli and cauliflower for years. To complete this casserole dinner, I pass around some dinner rolls. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

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    Taste of Home

    Hearty Butternut Squash Soup

    The comforting combination of squash, meat, beans and veggies makes this my go-to soup in fall. It's full of freshness. —Jaye Beeler, Grand Rapids, Michigan

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    Silver Bells

    My mom and grandma are known for their signature Christmas cookies. I decided to create my own, inspired by one of my favorite Christmas songs. Edible shimmer dust gives them their iconic shine. Look for the dust in the cake decorating section of craft or grocery stores. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado

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    Italian Sausage and Kale Soup

    The first time I made this colorful soup, our home smelled wonderful. We knew it was a keeper to see us through cold winter days. —Sarah Stombaugh, Chicago, Illinois

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    Hot Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

    Hot chocolate is my go-to winter indulgence. To go with it, I like this moist pumpkin cake dusted with cocoa for an extra chocolate boost. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

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    Hot Chipotle Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Lime

    I make spinach and artichoke dip for party guests all the time, but I wanted to give it a Mexican twist. I amped up this app with smoky chipotle chiles and tangy lime for an unexpected kick. —Joseph Sciascia, San Mateo, California

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    Chicken Florentine Casserole

    Creamy and comforting, this chicken and spinach bake is sure to be a hit at dinnertime. The toasty bread crumb topping delivers a bit of a crunch. —Dori Jackson, Gulf Breeze, Florida

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    Originally Published: December 20, 2018

    45 Christmas Eve Recipes to Help You Warm Up After Caroling (46)

    Katie Bandurski

    As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.

    45 Christmas Eve Recipes to Help You Warm Up After Caroling (2024)

    FAQs

    What is a good Christmas Eve meal? ›

    Christmas Eve recipes
    • Gratin of fresh & smoked salmon, beetroot, potatoes & dill. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
    • Cauliflower purée. A star rating of 0 out of 5. ...
    • Festive seafood sharing platter. ...
    • Air-fryer beef joint. ...
    • App onlyElote muffins. ...
    • Red velvet brownies. ...
    • Comté & rosemary shortbread. ...
    • Salted caramel crispy Rudolphs.

    What is traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve? ›

    Traditional dishes like pasties and ravioli with cabbage stuffing or dumplings with mushrooms and cabbage. Dumplings with potatoes and cottage cheese or stuffed only with mushrooms are other frequent Christmas Eve table items.

    What is a traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner? ›

    In Italy, Christmas Eve dinner is traditionally lighter with no meat and a lot of seafood, while the Italian-American meal has evolved into much more of a feast. Bring on the sword fish, tuna, salmon, octopus salad, smelts, calamari, spaghetti with clam sauce and the famous Italian classic—salted cod, known as baccalà.

    What food can you prepare on Christmas Eve? ›

    Make-ahead Christmas recipes
    • Tuscan sausage, kale & ciabatta stuffing. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
    • Sunken chocolate, olive oil & hazelnut cake. ...
    • Pheasant casserole. ...
    • Roast garlic make-ahead gravy. ...
    • Air-fryer soy & cranberry chicken wings. ...
    • Croissant bread sauce. ...
    • App onlyQuick pickled red cabbage. ...
    • Mincemeat half-baked cookies.

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