Quick Holiday Recipes - Cooking Light

Photo: Ellen Silverman

Our Favorite Superfast Holiday Recipes

Whether you need a quick dish to round out a holiday menu, you’re throwing together a last-minute holiday party, or you need a quick meal for a casual evening at home, delicious flavor and appealing presentation doesn’t have to go out the window just because you’re pressed for time. All the dishes in this holiday collection can be ready in 20 minutes or less, so you have more time for a little holiday cheer.

First up, Mocha Chocolate Sauce with Pound Cake: An easy, versatile chocolate sauce dresses up store-bought pound cake for a simple dessert offering.

View Recipe: Mocha Chocolate Sauce with Pound Cake

Photo: Randy Mayor

Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup with Chicken

This earthy, savory soup would be a great starter for a holiday meal. Or pair with hearty bread for a quick weeknight meal. It's easy to turn into a just-as-satisfying vegetarian dish: Just swap vegetable for chicken broth and tofu for chicken.

View Recipe: Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup with Chicken

Photo: Randy Mayor

Fettuccine Alfredo with Bacon

Need an idea for a quick meal to serve hungry houseguests? Look no further than the staple of all comfort food: Fettuccine Alfredo topped with a sprinkling of Applewood bacon.

View Recipe: Fettuccine Alfredo with Bacon

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Creamy Herbed Mashed Potatoes

Starting with buttery Yukon gold potatoes lessen the need for added fat, making this 10-minute dish a convenient part of a holiday menu. A little fresh chive and parsley add a subtle element, but you can add other herbs to match the flavor of the rest of your meal.

View Recipe: Creamy Herbed Mashed Potatoes

Photo: Johnny Autry

Currant-Glazed Lamb Chops with Pistachio Couscous

Slow-cooked flavor without the time, these lamb chops pack the flavor. Pistachio Couscous is the ideal accompaniment.

View Recipe: Currant-Glazed Lamb Chops with Pistachio Couscous

Photo: Shelly Strazis

Prosciutto and Smoked Gouda Panini

This three-ingredient recipe is the ultimate last-minute party dish. It'll make a light meal for 10 or hors d'oeuvres for 15 to 20 in just a few minutes. You can also cut the recipe down to make a great quick lunch for just a few―you need a little over half an ounce each of prosciutto and cheese per sandwich.

View Recipe: Prosciutto and Smoked Gouda Panini

Photo: John Autry

Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples

Sweet spices coat the tenderloin, while apples get a savory treatment. Serve with a spinach salad for a meal fit for company.

View Recipe: Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Sautéed Apples

Photo: Lee Harrelson

Southwestern Pork Soup

A bowl of warm soup is the welcome ending to any busy day, and no better time than the holidays to make this 10-minute wonder. This version pairs pork and beans with the zesty flavors of cumin, jalapeño, and cilantro, but you can add other meats or vegetables and different spices to create a totally unique soup.

View Recipe: Southwestern Pork Soup

Photo: Randy Mayor

Brussels Sprouts with Crisp Prosciutto

The key to great Brussels sprouts is to cook them a very short time or a very long time―you want to either maintain their fresh crispness or slowly caramelize their natural sugars. This recipe takes the short route, cooking the whole dish in just nine minutes, making it the ideal quick addition to any holiday menu.

View Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Crisp Prosciutto

Photo: Randy Mayor

Orange and Red Onion Salad with Red Pepper

Sometimes simple is the best approach. Seasonal citrus and red onion are dressed with olive oil for a side dish that can add a punch of freshness to a rich meal.

View Recipe: Orange and Red Onion Salad with Red Pepper

Photo: John Autry

Microwave Smashed Potatoes

If you’ve maxed out your oven and cooktop, let your microwave do the heavy lifting for smashed potatoes. Try one of our three variations—Southwest, Roasted Garlic, or Bacon and Cheddar.

View Recipe: Microwave Smashed Potatoes

Photo: Beau Gustafson

Kale with Garlic and Peppers

Protein- and iron-rich kale is a welcome addition to a holiday table. This dish takes just 15 minutes and doesn't need much effort once it gets started, so you can tend to the main course while it cooks.

View Recipe: Kale with Garlic and Peppers

Photo: John Autry

Green Beans with Toasted Garlic

We know your guests might be looking for the traditional green bean casserole, but they’ll be converted when they taste this flavor-packed dish. Choose one of our three variations—Sesame-Soy, Citrus-Nut, or Peppery Bacon—to fit your menu.

View Recipe: Green Beans with Toasted Garlic

Photo: Jason Horn

Fontal Polenta with Mushroom Sauté

This vegetarian dish is luxurious enough for holiday entertaining, and quick enough for weeknight ease. Preparing the polenta in individual gratin dishes makes people feel special.

View Recipe: Fontal Polenta with Mushroom Sauté

Photo: Randy Mayor

Chocolate Bruschetta

Top familiar toasted baguette slices with something nontraditional―bittersweet chocolate and orange zest, with just a touch of salt to intensify the flavors. This will fit into any hors d'oeuvres spread.

View Recipe: Chocolate Bruschetta

Photo: Joseph De Leo

Black-Eyed Pea and Tomato Salsa

Get lucky on New Year’s Day with this spicy homemade salsa. Pair with regular and blue tortillas for a fun presentation.

View Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea and Tomato Salsa

Photo: Beau Gustafson

Artichoke and Fennel Caponata

The dip is best with something nice and crunchy; slice baguette very thin and toast well, or use fancy crackers. You can make it ahead of time and pull out for last-minute holiday guests.

View Recipe: Artichoke and Fennel Caponata

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Oysters with Pink Peppercorn Mignonette

Even appetizers fancy enough for a black-tie New Year's Eve party can be made superfast. Raw oysters are delicious enough on their own, but this light dressing elevates them into the stratosphere.

View Recipe: Oysters with Pink Peppercorn Mignonette

Photo: John Autry

Honey-Glazed Almonds

Spiced nuts are usually baked; this stovetop version speeds up the process. The smoky-spicy snack will store well in an airtight container for several days—the perfect thing to have on hand for an impromptu holiday open house.

View Recipe: Honey-Glazed Almonds

Photo: John Autry

Bananas Foster Parfaits

We have versions of this recipe to please both grown-up and pint-sized holiday guests. When making this recipe for adults, substitute an equal amount of gold rum for the apple juice. We guarantee it will be a hit.

View Recipe: Bananas Foster Parfaits