17 Stress-Free Meals in a Snap for the Busy Holiday Season

Holiday meals are all about bringing people together, and these recipes help you do just that with ease. From casual gatherings to big celebrations, they’re all about keeping things simple while making sure everyone leaves happy. No need to overthink it—just great food that hits the spot every time.

Tomato Basil Soup

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

Tomato Basil Soup has a creamy texture, tangy tomatoes, rich parmesan, and fresh basil. It's a comforting classic you'll want to make again and again.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Soup

Rainbow Salad

A vibrant salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, carrots, corn, olives, and mozzarella balls, drizzled with dressing. Surrounding the salad are additional arugula, bell peppers, and a striped napkin. — Rainbow Salad. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Rainbow Veggie Salad is bursting with color and packed with fresh, garden-grown veggies. It’s a visual and tasty treat, perfect as a side with soup or enjoyed on its own.
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Salad

Turkey and Stuffing Rolls

Plate of food with sliced turkey, gravy, stuffing, and glazed carrots. — Turkey and Stuffing Roll Ups. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Everyone loves comfort food, and this Turkey Stuffing Roll Ups has all the great holiday flavors in a simple casserole. This is easy to make with deli-sliced turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and gravy.
Get the Recipe: Turkey and Stuffing Rolls

Meatball Pasta Bake

A plate with baked fusilli pasta mixed with meatballs and melted cheese, garnished with parsley, accompanied by a side salad of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. — Meatball Pasta Bake Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

If you’re after a simple recipe, you’ll love this easy meatball casserole! Just toss all the ingredients into one pan, stir, and bake. It’s meaty, cheesy, and absolutely delicious!
Get the Recipe: Meatball Pasta Bake

Creamy Mexican Corn and Bean Soup

Two bowls of soup with a spoon and a plate of limes. — Mexican Corn and Bean Soup. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Creamy Mexican Corn and Bean Soup is a hearty mix of corn, beans, melty cheese, and a spicy kick. It’s a warming, nutritious meal perfect for those chilly nights. This one’s definitely on the list of our favorite creamy soups.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mexican Corn and Bean Soup

Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

A casserole with cheese and a fork. — Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Try this irresistible Creamy and Cheesy Hashbrown Hamburger Casserole, full of comforting flavors and designed to be an effortless yet satisfying meal for hectic evenings or lazy Sundays when comfort food is all that matters.
Get the Recipe: Hamburger Hashbrown Casserole

Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops

A white plate with crock pot pork chops and mushrooms and sauce on it. — Crock Pot Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Wow, your family with these Crock Pot Pork Chops and Gravy! The best part? Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. Just throw everything in and let it work its magic. By dinnertime, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal with no effort at all.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chips

BBQ Chicken Sliders

A plate of pulled chicken sliders topped with coleslaw served on soft rolls. — Honey BBQ Chicken Sliders. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Ditch the fancy dinners—these Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sliders are your new BFF! Imagine juicy, BBQ-soaked chicken piled onto sweet Hawaiian rolls topped with crunchy coleslaw—all thanks to your trusty crockpot.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders

Hole Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken

A whole roasted chicken seasoned with herbs sits in a skillet, garnished with fresh thyme. Lemon slices are visible in the background. — Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Want to jazz up your weeknight dinner? Try this Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken! It's a zero-fuss meal that packs a zesty punch. Just a few minutes of prep, then let the oven do the heavy lifting. Pop it in a skillet, and in about an hour, you've got juicy chicken that will feed the family.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pepper Roasted Chicken

Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

Two cheeseburgers with lettuce, tomato, and red onion slices on a wooden board, with toasted top buns and a side of French fries. — Skillet Cheeseburgers. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Get out of the daily grind and make this recipe! Fire up the skillet for a burger upgrade with these Cast-Iron Skillet Burgers. Juicy patties sizzling to perfection, topped with melty cheese and all the classic fixings—forget the drive-thru and enjoy these mouthwatering burgers right at home.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Skillet Burgers

Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder

A bowl of potato soup with cheese and biscuits on a table. — Slow Cooker Ham and Potato Soup. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder is a bowl of creamy comfort, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Let your crockpot do the work, delivering a steamy soup full of flavor and minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ham & Potato Chowder

Baked Lemon Butter Fish

Grilled fish fillets seasoned with herbs and spices, served with green beans and a lemon wedge on a white plate. — Baked Lemon Butter Fish. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

This Baked Lemon Butter Fish is tender and bathed in a zesty lemon butter sauce. It’s simple yet full of flavor. A cozy citrus dish that’s sure to impress!
Get the Recipe: Baked Lemon Butter Fish

Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers

Four stuffed bell peppers topped with melted cheese and chopped green onions in a white dish, resting on a wooden cutting board with a napkin and cutlery nearby. — Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

It only takes 25 minutes to make these comforting and nutritious stuffed peppers in an Instant Pot! Bell peppers are stuffed with ground turkey, veggies, spices, and cheese, then pressure-cooked until tender. So delicious and perfect for quick weeknight meals!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers

Chinese Black Pepper Chicken

A bowl of stir-fried chicken with sliced bell peppers and onions on white rice, with chopsticks resting on the bowl's edge. — Black Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Discover the secret to a delicious black pepper chicken. This easy recipe will have you making a classic Chinese dish in no time.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Black Pepper Chicken

Curry Chicken with Onion

A bowl of creamy yellow curry topped with cilantro and a lime wedge, with rice and a jar of spices in the background. — Curry Chicken with Onion. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

This recipe is all about the curry! Juicy chicken and caramelized onions are cooked in a spicy curry sauce that will leave your taste buds singing. Perfect for a cozy night in or impressing guests at your next dinner party.
Get the Recipe: Curry Chicken with Onion

Pasta al Forno

A white casserole with a baked pasta recipe. — Pasta al Forno. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This meaty, cheesy pasta al forno makes a delicious midweek dinner for everyone. It's super-easy to prepare and the flavors are fantastic.
Get the Recipe: Pasta al Forno

Italian Meatloaf

A meatloaf with a red sauce in a casserole dish. — Italian Meatloaf. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

If you're looking for a meatball flavor in a meatloaf format, this Italian meatloaf is ideal. It's meaty and cheesy and paired with marinara.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatloaf