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?

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 

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Winter produce shines in this refreshing and light dish.

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.