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  5. 37 Christmas Lunch Ideas That Won't Ruin Your Appetite for Dinner

37 Christmas Lunch Ideas That Won't Ruin Your Appetite for Dinner

Mary Shannon Hodes, Associate Digital Editor at Southern Living
By Mary Shannon Wells Updated August 11, 2021
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Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Christmas morning is such a whirlwind. Between opening presents from Santa, attending church services, and preparing for the big Christmas dinner, it's easy to overlook one thing: lunch. Your family still needs to eat lunch on Christmas Day, especially if all they've had is candy from their stockings. We know: You want to save room for the gorgeous Christmas feast you're going to eat that night. But the last thing Mama needs is a bunch of hangry family members showing up for dinner. To holdĀ the family over and keep you sane, we pulled together some of our favorite ideas for Christmas lunch. These festive recipes are either super quick or make-ahead to help you out after a hectic morning and before the day's main culinary event at dinner. With these Christmas lunch recipes, you won't miss a second of the holiday with your family.

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Ham and Noodle Casserole

Ham and Noodle Casserole
Credit: Jen Causey

Recipe: Ham and Noodle Casserole

Have this classic casserole waiting in your freezer for Christmas lunch so you won't skip a beat in your dinner prep.

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Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches

Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches

Our savory twist on the classic Czech pastry is the perfect lunch bite with a simple green or fruit salad.

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Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread

Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread Video Still
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread

Make Christmas lunch a festive snack that everyone can pick on before the main dinner event with this cheeky pull-apart bread recipe.

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Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Shrimp and Grits Casserole
Credit: Antonis Achilleo; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Whether your crew wakes up in time for breakfast, brunch, or late lunch, this shrimp and grits casserole will satisfy them.

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Ham Biscuits

Buttermilk Biscuits with Ham
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Ham Biscuits

Ham biscuits are a timeless, any-time-of-day party food.

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Homemade Baked Lasagna

Homemade Baked Lasagna
Credit: Shaunia Mckenzie / EyeEm/Getty Images

Recipe: Homemade Baked Lasagna

Lasagna is a popular dish to serve around the holidays, and what better time to bring out an easy lasagna than at Christmas lunch?

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Roasted Beet-and-Citrus Salad with Honey-Orange Vinaigrette

Roasted Beet-and-Citrus Salad with Honey-Orange Vinaigrette
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman

Recipe: Roasted Beet-and-Citrus Salad with Honey-Orange Vinaigrette

Light, fresh, and beautiful enough for your Christmas lunch Instagram.

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Christmas Morning Strata

Christmas Morning Strata
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Christmas Morning Strata

When in doubt, a hearty breakfast casserole with a handful of ingredients is a surefire way to have a happy crowd.

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Chicken Biscuit Sandwiches

Chicken Biscuit Sandwiches
Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Chicken Biscuit Sandwiches

Prep these easy slow-cooker sandwiches the day before so you can throw them together for lunch and not miss a second of Christmas Day with your family.

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Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup with Bacon

Slow-Cooker Winter Vegetable Soup with Bacon
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup with Bacon

A cup of warm soup is comforting for a cold Christmas Day but won't fill the family up too much before dinner.

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Fresh Fruit Salad

Fresh Fruit Salad
Credit: Jen Causey

Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad

This is our go-to fruit salad recipe, but for a festive spin, use only green and red fruit.

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Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad

Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad
Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad

Have the cheese puffs ready in the freezer to put together this presentable but easy old-school luncheon recipe.

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Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks

Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks
Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Christmas Tree Spinach-Dip Breadsticks

Start Christmas lunch with a festive twist on classic spinach dip.

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Salmon Bagel Sandwiches

Salmon Bagel Sandwiches
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

Recipe: Salmon Bagel Sandwiches

This isn't your average lox bagel. Made with savory slow-cooked salmon and a fresh herbed cream cheese, your family will love these pretty bagel sandwiches.

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Apple, Celery, and Romaine Salad with Pancetta and Blue Cheese

Apple, Celery, and Romaine Salad with Pancetta and Blue Cheese
Credit: Alison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling

Recipe: Apple, Celery, and Romaine Salad Recipe with Pancetta and Blue Cheese

Every holiday meal could use a pretty seasonal salad to start.

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Italian Casserole

Italian Casserole
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Italian Casserole

This cozy casserole is the ideal make-ahead dish to have on-hand throughout the holidays.

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Turkey, Apple, and Brie Sandwich

Turkey, Apple, and Brie Sandwich
Credit: Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Turkey, Apple, and Brie Sandwich

These quick, flavorful sandwiches are easy to put together while you work on dinner dishes.

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Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet

Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet

We'd enjoy this comforting one-dish meal any time of day.

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Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad

Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad
Credit: Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad

This winter salad showcases the best and brightest of the season.Ā 

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Chicken Salad Swiss Cheese Puffs

Chicken Salad Swiss Cheese Puffs
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Chicken Salad Swiss Cheese Puffs

It's not a list of lunch recipes without at least one twist on old-school chicken salad, and these mini puffs are festive enough for a holiday.

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Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi

Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi

This quick, seasonal pasta recipe is on the table in 30 minutes and will satisfy everyone at the table.

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Beef Stew

Beef Stew
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Beef Stew

Make a big batch of beef stew the day before and enjoy it for lunch on Christmas Day.

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Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches

Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches

This Southern favorite open-faced sandwich is a crowd-pleaser for even the crankiest Christmas crowd.

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Croissant Breakfast Casserole

Croissant Breakfast Casserole
Credit: Victor Protasio

Recipe: Croissant Breakfast Casserole

This is our Test Kitchen's new favorite way to make brunch ahead for a crowd.

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French Onion Puff Pastry Bites

French Onion Puff Pastry Bites
Credit: Alison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling

Recipe: French Onion Puff Pastry Bites

These fluffy bites are filled with dreamy caramelized onions.

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Macaroni Pie

Macaroni Pie
Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Macaroni Pie

Macaroni and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser. This delicious pie version is easy to whip together.

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Farro Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Dried Cherries

Farro Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Dried Cherries
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Farro Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Dried Cherries

Grain salads are a perfect light lunch option ahead of a big dinner.

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Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad

Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad
Credit: Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad

Winter produce shines in this refreshing and light dish.

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Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies

Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies
Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Recipe: Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies

These bite-sized pot pies are packed with flavor.Ā 

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Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Meatballs never disappoint. Instead of serving with spaghetti, try these sliders for a lunch spread.

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Peppered Beef Soup

Peppered Beef Soup
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peppered Beef Soup

This hearty soup will warm you up on chilly holidays.

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Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust, christmas recipes
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

Rosemary adds festive flavor to this potato dish.

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Christmas Salad

Christmas Salad
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Christmas Salad

This colorful salad will add plenty of Christmas cheer to the lunch spread.

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Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread

Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread

This beautiful flatbread starts with store-bought pizza dough, but the fresh toppings keep it light.

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Orange-Basil Baked Brie

Orange-Basil Baked Brie
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Orange-Basil Baked Brie

Seasonal baked brie is invited to every holiday gathering at our house.

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Black Pepper-Goat Cheese Log

Black Pepper-Goat Cheese Log
Credit: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Black Pepper-Goat Cheese Log

Set out a timeless cheese log and everyone can snack until dinner time.

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Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey

Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey

Use whatever citrus fruit you grab at the grocery store in this colorful, fresh salad.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 37 Ham and Noodle Casserole
    2 of 37 Spicy Sausage-and-Cheddar Kolaches
    3 of 37 Christmas Tree Pull-Apart Bread
    4 of 37 Shrimp and Grits Casserole
    5 of 37 Ham Biscuits
    6 of 37 Homemade Baked Lasagna
    7 of 37 Roasted Beet-and-Citrus Salad with Honey-Orange Vinaigrette
    8 of 37 Christmas Morning Strata
    9 of 37 Chicken Biscuit Sandwiches
    10 of 37 Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup with Bacon
    11 of 37 Fresh Fruit Salad
    12 of 37 Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad
    13 of 37 Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks
    14 of 37 Salmon Bagel Sandwiches
    15 of 37 Apple, Celery, and Romaine Salad with Pancetta and Blue Cheese
    16 of 37 Italian Casserole
    17 of 37 Turkey, Apple, and Brie Sandwich
    18 of 37 Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet
    19 of 37 Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad
    20 of 37 Chicken Salad Swiss Cheese Puffs
    21 of 37 Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi
    22 of 37 Beef Stew
    23 of 37 Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches
    24 of 37 Croissant Breakfast Casserole
    25 of 37 French Onion Puff Pastry Bites
    26 of 37 Macaroni Pie
    27 of 37 Farro Salad with Toasted Pecans, Feta, and Dried Cherries
    28 of 37 Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad
    29 of 37 Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies
    30 of 37 Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
    31 of 37 Peppered Beef Soup
    32 of 37 Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust
    33 of 37 Christmas Salad
    34 of 37 Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread
    35 of 37 Orange-Basil Baked Brie
    36 of 37 Black Pepper-Goat Cheese Log
    37 of 37 Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey

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    37 Christmas Lunch Ideas That Won't Ruin Your Appetite for Dinner
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