An Intimate Christmas: Small Batch Recipes for a Perfect Dinner for Two

Dreaming of a delightful, intimate Christmas dinner without the overwhelming prep and endless leftovers? This guide is your ultimate companion to planning a memorable Christmas Dinner for Two, featuring perfectly scaled-down recipes of all your beloved holiday dishes.

As the festive season approaches and the warmth of Thanksgiving memories lingers, it’s time to shift our culinary focus to the most enchanting holiday of the year: Christmas. While many envision bustling family gatherings, perhaps your ideal Christmas celebration this year involves a more intimate setting – just you and your special someone, a cherished roommate, or even a cozy solo feast. You might be unable to travel, or simply prefer a peaceful, personalized holiday experience. Whatever your reason, a Christmas dinner for two can be just as magical, if not more so, when planned right.

Forget the stress of cooking for a crowd or dealing with days of excessive leftovers. We understand the challenge of adapting traditional, often supersized, holiday recipes for a smaller party. That’s why we’ve meticulously curated a collection of small batch recipes designed specifically for two people, typically yielding 2-4 perfect servings. Unlike other “dinner for two” guides that might suggest cooking a 3.5-pound pot roast and merely “refrigerating the rest,” our recipes genuinely scale down ingredients. For instance, our small pork roast calls for a manageable 1 pound of meat, and our mashed potatoes for two require just a couple of potatoes, not an entire 5-pound bag!

You’ll find that many of these delicious options might seem familiar, as there’s a lovely overlap between Thanksgiving and Christmas classics. However, we’ve added a distinct Christmas twist, especially in the dessert department, embracing the delightful flavors of gingerbread, peppermint, and eggnog that define the season. This isn’t a rigid, full Christmas dinner for two menu; think of it as your personal culinary adventure book. We provide a diverse selection of dishes, allowing you to pick and choose your favorites to craft your perfect, personalized holiday meal. Let’s dive into the delectable possibilities!

Festive Christmas Drinks for Two

Setting the right mood for your intimate Christmas dinner begins before the first bite, and a special drink can make all the difference. While you might be busy in the kitchen, preparing elaborate cocktails isn’t necessary. Simply opening a bottle of your favorite wine or sparkling cider is a wonderful start. However, if you’re looking to elevate your Christmas dinner for two, consider a festive beverage that adds a touch of sparkle and flavor.

Our refreshing Cranberry Sangria is a fantastic choice, combining the richness of red wine with the tartness of cranberry and the brightness of orange – it’s both visually appealing and deliciously festive. For something equally celebratory but perhaps a bit lighter, our Pomegranate Punch offers a vibrant, bubbly experience. If you’re not keen on finishing a full bottle of wine, remember that many stores now offer convenient single-serving wine bottles, perfect for 1-2 glasses. For non-wine drinkers or those seeking a non-alcoholic option, sparkling grape or apple juice provides a festive fizz. Or, for ultimate coziness, a rich and creamy mug of Thick Hot Chocolate can warm your spirits and complement any dessert.

What to Cook for Your Christmas Main Course for Two

While Thanksgiving is synonymous with turkey, Christmas dinner often brings to mind the succulent flavors of ham and lamb. For an intimate meal, you don’t need a massive roast. We’ve thoughtfully scaled down these holiday favorites so you can enjoy the traditional tastes without the overwhelming leftovers.

A classic choice for Christmas is ham, but whole hams are notoriously large. Our honey-glazed ham steak recipe offers all the flavor in a perfectly portioned size, ensuring you’re not left with ten pounds of ham. If lamb is your preference, our elegant Lamb Chop Dinner for two is a fantastic option, complete with a rich pan sauce to elevate the experience. For those who favor poultry, consider our tender turkey tenderloin, a juicy and flavorful alternative to a whole turkey, or a beautifully stuffed Cornish hen, which offers a delightful individual serving of festive poultry. Another effortlessly delicious option is our Small Pork Roast, cooked to perfection in the oven, or, for a quicker preparation, the Instant Pot Pork Roast With Vegetables, which significantly cuts down on cooking time.

And for our vegetarian friends, or those looking for a delicious meatless option, we haven’t forgotten you! Our hearty Stuffed Butternut Squash, filled with cranberries, rice, pecans, and chickpeas, makes for a satisfying and flavorful main dish. Pair it with our savory Mushroom Gravy for a truly complete and comforting meatless Christmas dinner for two.

Essential Christmas Side Dishes for Your Intimate Feast

For many, the side dishes are the true stars of any holiday meal, and Christmas is no exception! Our scaled-down side dish recipes are designed to yield roughly four servings – perfect for two people with a desire for a little bit of everything or a couple of generous helpings. This means you can indulge in all your favorites without being overwhelmed by a mountain of food.

Potatoes are a must-have, and you can choose between our incredibly easy stove top scalloped potatoes, which frees up precious oven space, or the rich and creamy au gratin potatoes for two, loaded with garlic and Parmesan. A classic holiday green vegetable is also essential. Our green bean casserole without mushroom soup can be prepared in advance, saving you time on Christmas day. For a lighter, yet equally flavorful option, consider Green Beans with Almonds. And what’s a festive meal without bread? Our small batch dinner rolls, brushed with honey butter, truly scream “homemade comfort” and are incredibly satisfying.

Don’t forget the gravy – the essential finishing touch for many main courses! You have options here too: whip up a batch of homemade gravy without drippings if your main course doesn’t produce much, or create a rich pan gravy from drippings for an even deeper flavor profile. Each side is chosen to complement your main dish, creating a balanced and utterly delicious Christmas dinner for two.

Decadent Christmas Desserts to Sweeten Your Celebration

No Christmas dinner, no matter how small, is truly complete without a delightful dessert. December is the perfect time to indulge in seasonal flavors like peppermint, gingerbread, and eggnog. While grand cakes might be too much, our small batch desserts are designed to provide that satisfying sweet ending without excess.

The holiday season also brings with it a love for cookies. Explore our collection of Best Small Batch Christmas Cookie Recipes, then learn how to assemble the perfect Christmas Cookie Tray to share at the end of your meal, perhaps with a warm drink. For gingerbread enthusiasts, we offer several enticing options: bake a cozy Small Gingerbread Cake for a festive centerpiece, or enjoy individual portions of our Mini Gingerbread Cheesecakes. Our Small Batch Chocolate Gingerbread Cupcakes also provide a rich, spicy, and perfectly portioned treat.

If you’re still craving some autumn flavors, don’t hesitate to bake a Small Pumpkin Pie using our homemade small pie crust, or opt for a rich Small Pecan Pie. And for those moments when you might be tired of the seasonal spices, or looking for something special for Christmas morning, consider our light and fluffy Small Coffee Cake recipe or a creamy, decadent 6 Inch Cheesecake recipe. Each dessert is crafted to be a delightful end to your intimate Christmas celebration.

Maximizing Your Mini Feast: Ideas for Christmas Leftovers

Even with carefully scaled-down recipes designed for two, sometimes a mini-feast can still result in a few delicious leftovers. The beauty of these smaller portions is that any remaining food is much easier to manage and repurpose, preventing food waste and offering a delightful second meal.

Should you find yourself with extra honey-glazed ham steak, don’t let it go to waste! Transform it into a comforting Ham and Cheese Soup for a quick and savory lunch, or elevate your Christmas morning with Baked Eggs with Ham and Cheese, a perfect start to the day after the main celebration. For any leftover poultry, be it turkey tenderloin or Cornish hen, a hearty chicken pot pie for two is an excellent way to enjoy the flavors of Christmas all over again in a completely new dish. These ideas ensure that every last bite of your thoughtfully prepared Christmas dinner is savored and enjoyed.

 

Originally published December 2, 2019, updated for 2023 with even more small batch inspiration.