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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Recipe: Ham Biscuits

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

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?

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad

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

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.

Recipe: Christmas Tree Spinach-Dip Breadsticks

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

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.

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

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

Recipe: Italian Casserole

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

Recipe: Turkey, Apple, and Brie Sandwich

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

Recipe: Biscuits-and-Gravy Skillet

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

Recipe: Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad

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

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.

Recipe: Winter Vegetables and Gnocchi

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

Recipe: Beef Stew

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

Recipe: Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches

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

Recipe: Croissant Breakfast Casserole

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

Recipe: French Onion Puff Pastry Bites

These fluffy bites are filled with dreamy caramelized onions.

Recipe: Macaroni Pie

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

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

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

Recipe: Clementine-and-Collard Greens Salad

Winter produce shines in this refreshing and light dish.

Recipe: Mini Mushroom-and-Goat Cheese Pot Pies

These bite-sized pot pies are packed with flavor. 

Recipe: Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

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

Recipe: Peppered Beef Soup

This hearty soup will warm you up on chilly holidays.

Recipe: Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

Rosemary adds festive flavor to this potato dish.

Recipe: Christmas Salad

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

Recipe: Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread

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

Recipe: Orange-Basil Baked Brie

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

Recipe: Black Pepper-Goat Cheese Log

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

Recipe: Citrus Salad with Spiced Honey

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