Holidays & Occasions Christmas Christmas Recipes 28 Christmas Recipes Perfect For Two These small-serving recipes will make your Christmas dinner hassle-free. By Abby Fribush Abby Fribush Abby Fribush is the Editorial Fellow at Southern Living and joined the team in 2023. She is a writer and editor with almost 5 years of experience in lifestyle content for local and international magazines. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 17, 2024 Close Photo: Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners The holidays are associated with family, and this can take on a variety of meanings for different people. For some, a family gathering means a full house with a large feast set in the dining room, and for others, it means sharing a cozy meal with just one or two loved ones. If your Christmas gathering is on the smaller side this year, you don't need to use recipes that will stick you with too many leftovers. Whether you're looking for a main course, side dish, or dessert, this list will provide you with smaller-portioned recipes that are perfect for spending the holidays with your loved one. 01 of 28 Spiced-Rubbed Turkey Tenderloin With Gravy Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Turkey tenderloins are a great option for a smaller gathering, and this recipe incorporates delicious notes of wintery spices and Dijon mustard to make for a simple yet flavorful main course. Get the Recipe 02 of 28 Pan-Seared Strip Steaks Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely We're letting you in on a little secret to the best pan-seared steaks ever: mayonnaise. Trust us, this recipe is impressive enough to serve for Christmas dinner. Get The Recipe 03 of 28 Roasted Brussels Sprouts Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox While Brussels sprouts are somewhat controversial, this recipe will be loved by any skeptics. All you need are five ingredients and 35 minutes to make a simple and delicious side dish. Get the Recipe 04 of 28 Butterscotch-Bourbon Lava Cakes Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell These butterscotch-bourbon lava cakes are quite literally bursting with flavor. The sweetness of the butterscotch mixed with the boldness of the bourbon creates a match made in heaven this holiday. Get the Recipe 05 of 28 Mamau's Cheese Straws Robbie Caponetto; Prop Styling: Mary Beth Wetzel; Food Styling: Pam Lolley Just because you have a smaller crowd doesn't mean you shouldn't have a suitable appetizer! Classic cheese straws make a great option because you can store the leftovers in an airtight container and enjoy leftovers for days to come. Get The Recipe 06 of 28 One-Pan Garlic-Butter Shrimp With Orzo Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis This shrimp and orzo dinner comes together in one pan and in just 30 minutes, a no-brainer for an easy Christmas meal for two. Get The Recipe 07 of 28 Vanilla Mug Cake Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster Craving a sweet treat after dinner but don't want to make a huge portion? These vanilla mug cakes are perfect for one and require just a few household ingredients and a mug for the quickest, easiest dessert you'll make all year. Get the Recipe 08 of 28 Marry Me Chicken Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This dish had been said to be impressive enough to inspire marriage proposals, so you know it's special enough to serve for Christmas dinner. Get The Recipe 09 of 28 Braised Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Lemons Hector Manuel Sanchez A beautifully braised chicken is a perfect meal to indulge in this holiday, and this recipe includes sweet carrots and zesty lemons to make for a deliciously balanced main course. Get the Recipe 10 of 28 Garlic Parmesan Green Beans Caitlin Bensel Green beans are a classic holiday side dish, and these cheesy, garlicky beans are a perfect rich and savory bite. With just 10 minutes of active time, this recipe is easy to throw in the oven and enjoy. Get the Recipe 11 of 28 Smothered Pork Chops Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman Christmastime is about staying comfy and cozy, and smothered pork chops are a meal that brings all the comfort. This recipe features a rich mushroom gravy to add a delicious umami flavor that'll keep you satisfied this holiday. Get the Recipe 12 of 28 Triple Chocolate Brownie-Mousse Stacks Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller Instead of a whole cake or pie, opt for these adorable stacks that deliver plenty of chocolaty goodness. Get The Recipe 13 of 28 Ham and Noodle Casserole Jen Causey Get your Christmas ham fix on a smaller scale with this ham and noodle casserole. This recipe is the perfect creamy, rich dish this holiday. Get the Recipe 14 of 28 Instant Pot Potato Soup Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners If you need a creamy, savory side dish or first course this Christmas, this potato soup made in an Instant Pot will surely do the trick. With only 15 minutes of active time, you can let the Instant Pot do the work for you to make a rich, flavorful soup this season. Get the Recipe 15 of 28 Skillet Chicken Pot Pie With Puff Pastry Brittany Conerly; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman This delicious pot pie is an irresistibly warm and crisp dish; packed with vegetables and hearty flavor that will warm you up inside and out. Get the Recipe 16 of 28 Ravioli Lasagna Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox If you're looking for a simple main dish with easy cleanup, this cheesy pasta recipe is one to consider. It's hearty and pretty enough for Christmas dinner, but comes together in just 30 minutes. Get the Recipe 17 of 28 Orange-Rosemary Roast Chicken Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Get those gorgeous wintery flavors of orange and rosemary with this simple sheet pan chicken roast. Get the Recipe 18 of 28 Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin Filets Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Pork tenderloins are a great option for a smaller meal, and this recipe wraps them in bacon for a hearty, meaty main meal that will leave you perfectly satisfied. Get the Recipe 19 of 28 Skillet-Roasted Carrots Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Rishon Hanners; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley This might be the easiest side dish you make all year. With just 10 minutes of active time, these caramelized carrots offer a sweet bite to your holiday dinner. Get the Recipe 20 of 28 Aperol-Bourbon Fizz Becky Luigart Stayner If you're in the mood for a festive cocktail, this Aperol-Bourbon fizz is a fresh and citrusy delight with just 5 ingredients (including club soda!). Get the Recipe 21 of 28 Ham-and-Vegetable Cobbler Iain Bagwell This cobbler with ham and vegetables is simple but impactful. Get the traditional ham element at your dinner table this year without having to buy a whole one with this delicious recipe. Get the Recipe 22 of 28 Roasted Turkey Breast Rob Culpepper; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle Small but mighty, the typical oven-roasted turkey breast feeds a downsized crowd and can be flavored any way you prefer. Get the Recipe 23 of 28 Molten Red Velvet Cakes Recipe HECTOR MANUEL SANCHEZ These gorgeous red molten red velvet cakes are the perfect festive end to Christmas dinner. All the classic flavors of a red velvet cake come together in these single-serve treats that take less than 20 minutes to bake. Get the Recipe 24 of 28 Shepherd's Pie With Sweet Potato Mash Southern Living Shepherd's pies are an ultimate comfort food on a cold night, and this recipe uses a sweet potato mash on top to add a Christmassy feel. Get the Recipe 25 of 28 Turkey Pot Pie Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless If it doesn't make sense to buy a whole turkey, this delicious turkey pot pie uses just 3 cups of cooked turkey for a filling meal that will store wonderfully in the fridge for tomorrow. Get the Recipe 26 of 28 Chocolate Lava Cakes Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood Calling all chocolate lovers — this one's for you! These chocolate lava cakes are a warm, fudgy dessert that will be the perfect ending to a holiday meal. Get the Recipe 27 of 28 Cast-Iron Cowboy Steak Hector Sanchez A steak dinner is truly the perfect meal for two, and this cast-iron cowboy steak will leave you satisfied without leaving too many leftovers. With just six ingredients needed, this delicious recipe is simple and packed with flavor. Get the Recipe 28 of 28 Chicken Scallopini Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners This one-skillet chicken scallopini recipe will go beautifully with any sides you have on your holiday lineup. In just 30 minutes, you'll have a simple, decadent dish ready to serve this holiday. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit