Are you big on traditions? Do you always try to do the same thing every holiday - so much so that your family can predict what they are going to eat before you even set the table? While this can bring comfort to some, it can also bring boredom and lack of variety to others. Holding on to tradition can be a good thing, yes. But, so can letting go and living through new experiences. The excitement can be downright invigorating. And, let’s be real - we can all use some vigor right about now, wouldn’t you say? If you are ready to add some variety into your life, try switching up your Christmas dinner to something less traditional. You never know - in doing so, you may just find a new tradition! To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of non-traditional Christmas dinners to try. 1. Pot Roast with Root Vegetables Christmas is all about comfort and nostalgia, right? So why not make the greatest comfort food of all? Pot roast just screams home, warmth, and wholeness. It seems like the perfect dish for a Christmas dinner. Do you want to know what the best part is? You can pop this pot roast and all the veggies into the oven and let it cook all day. Open your presents, spend time with your family - without having to worry about handling everything in the kitchen - or missing out on the memories. Once your roast is done, you’ve got dinner for the family. Pair it with a loaf or two of homemade bread and voila! 2. Orange Glazed Ham with Pepper Jelly You’ve heard of honey-baked ham. That sweet variety is a bit different from this delicious recipe, but you will find orange glazed ham to be uniquely satisfying. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and spice. The fact that it is so easy to make also helps a ton - especially when you are the one doing all the cooking. You create a glaze with orange zest, fresh-squeeze orange juice, peppery jelly, and a dash of vinegar. It glazes so well in the oven and creates a delight for the taste buds. 3. Vegetable Lasagna Whether you are Italian or not, you can turn your Christmas holiday into a pasta frenzy. Think cheesy dishes of tomato sauce and pasta with garlic bread alongside. Add a salad and some homemade balsamic dressing and you’ve got a really good - easy - meal. Vegetable lasagna is slightly different from traditional lasagna in that it involves veggies rather than meat. You can absolutely create the regular meat-filled dish, but this version cuts the calories, adds the nutrition, and tastes amazing. This recipe calls for broccoli and spinach, but you can really use any vegetables you like. With all the cheese - many won’t even realize they are eating veggies! 4. Cheesy Sausage and Pepper Pasta Bake What if the vegetable lasagna sounded good - as long as it was a bit different? Sticking with the pasta, this dish is a one-pot meal that is simple to make and tastes phenomenal. With Italian sausage, diced tomatoes, red pepper flakes, cheddar cheese, gruyere cheese, parmesan cheese, and more - your taste buds will thank you later. Create this cheesy sausage and pepper pasta bake with chickpea or lentil pasta and you add even more fiber and protein. It’s simple, delicious, and sure to be a family favorite. 5. Honey Balsamic Pork Loin You feelin’ it already - just by the name? Trust us that it tastes as good as it sounds. Crispy sweet edges and juicy center, this honey balsamic pork loin is a crowd-pleaser. The funny thing is that it looks so elegant, but it is so simple to make. You add flavors like brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, garlic, dijon mustard, and so on to get this rich-tasting roast. Like the others, pop it in the oven on low and spend time with your family. Though, this one is going to require some sides. 6. Roasted, Stuffed Butternut Squash Have you ever had roasted butternut squash? It’s just the perfect mix of savory and sweet yet buttery and creamy texture. It tastes so good - and pairs so well with so many things. You can slice it in half, scoop out the seeds (which you can roast later - yum!), and then fill it up with whatever you want. This recipe gives you a couple of different ideas, but usually, any mixture of veggies, nuts, and beans (or lentils) is a great choice. 7. Tofu Turkey Roast Veganism and plant-based eating are becoming more and more mainstream. If you find yourself interested in trying an animal-friendly version of a Christmas roast, there are many recipes online to help you find what you are looking for. This particular tofu turkey roast is made with a tofu crust and is stuffed with flavors like spinach, sauteed mushrooms, and lentils. It is much more flavorful than you’d imagine and it is loaded with everything good for you. You could very well go and buy a Tofurky roast and bake it, but this is simple, all homemade, and just something to feel good about. If you aren’t too sure how many people will be open to a vegan roast, consider having options. It can’t hurt to at least introduce your family to new things, right? The Christmas countdown is on - and it will be here before you know it. So, now is the time to decide what you are going to cook and start gathering the ingredients. Have you ever been to the grocery store a day or two a major holiday like this one? Yeah, that’s no fun at all. Remember, sometimes stepping outside the box can actually be a breath of fresh air that you - and your loved ones - didn’t even realize was needed. Try something new with one of these non-traditional Christmas dinners this year.
