The 5 Christmas Recipes I’ll Actually Make This Year (Because I Don’t Like Cooking)
These are the five easy Christmas recipes I’m actually making this year, no complicated steps, no stress, and absolutely no all-day cooking. From crockpot classics to make-ahead favorites, these simple meals keep the holidays chaos-free and out of the kitchen as much as possible.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you. A few of the images were created with AI tools — because I’m a real mom on a real budget, doing my best to make it all look pretty.
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I’ll be honest, Christmas is my favorite holiday. It’s the only one I go all out for… with one caveat: I don’t love cooking. I love planning it, organizing it, and maybe even making a spreadsheet for it. But actually cooking in the kitchen all day? No, thank you.
The good news is, since I love planning, I’ve already done all the legwork for you with these easy, dump-and-go Christmas crockpot meals, all in one post. You don’t have to spend hours stirring, sautéing, or pretending to enjoy baking from scratch just to make your family feel like they’re living in a Hallmark movie.
These are the five recipes I’ll actually make this year, and I hope you do too, because they’re easy, foolproof, and taste like I put in way more effort than I did.
Why I’m Keeping Holiday Cooking Simple This Year
My answer is plain and simple, and it might not surprise you, because this is real life over here. I’m keeping it simple because the holidays are already busy enough. Between school programs, spirit days that no one prepares ahead for (even yours truly), buying gifts, planning, hiding, wrapping, and trying to keep your budget from exploding, spending hours in the kitchen just isn’t happening.
This year, I decided to simplify everything. The recipes I’m sharing below are my personal go-tos because they:
Use minimal ingredients
Can be made in a crockpot or slow cooker
Free up your oven for everything else
Still make your house smell like Christmas dinner
These are the five recipes I’ll actually make this year, and I hope you do too, because they’re easy, foolproof, and taste like I put in way more effort than I did.
You definitely don’t need five crockpots like I have, but if you’re curious (or just a little nosey) about what I actually use and recommend, I’ve rounded up all my Holiday Hosting Must-Haves in one place, check out my Benable list here.
1. Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze
Sweet, savory, and no oven space required. This slow-cooked ham with brown sugar glaze is my holiday secret weapon. It looks impressive, smells amazing, and takes about five minutes of prep.
I top mine with pineapple slices and drizzle honey and cinnamon over it near the end of cooking, trust me, it’s a crowd favorite.
2. Crockpot Mac & Cheese (No-Boil, Creamy, and Crowd-Pleasing)
This one might be my personal favorite. It’s the perfect comfort food, creamy, cheesy, and simple. Just dump everything in, set the slow cooker, and let it work its magic.
Pro tip: Add a bit of cream cheese for an extra rich version if you’re serving this as a standalone dish.
3. Creamy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
No boiling, no draining, no juggling stove burners. These mashed potatoes are buttery perfection made entirely in your crockpot.
This recipe has been a game-changer for me, especially since it keeps my stovetop free for everything else.
4. Crockpot Green Bean Casserole: The Easiest Holiday Side Dish Ever
The classic everyone expects — minus the oven shuffle. You can make this traditional green bean casserole right in your slow cooker while your turkey or ham takes center stage.
The crispy fried onions on top seal the deal for that classic texture and taste everyone loves.
5. Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs: The Easiest Holiday Appetizer
These are the ultimate holiday party lifesaver. Sweet, tangy, and surprisingly fancy for how simple they are to make. I toss mine in a mix of cranberry sauce and chili sauce for the perfect balance of flavor.
What This Helps You Solve
If you hate cooking but still want your home to feel festive (and your guests impressed), these recipes are the perfect solution.
They help you:
Spend less time in the kitchen
Free up oven space for desserts or the main course
Actually enjoy your family and guests
Still serve a full holiday meal that feels special
Cooking doesn’t have to mean chaos, it just means having the right recipes.
Shop My Kitchen Favorites
Want to see the tools and serving pieces I actually use for these recipes?
Check out my Holiday Kitchen Essentials Benable List — it includes my favorite slow cookers, utensils, serving dishes, and simple decor that makes your table look beautiful without breaking the budget.
These are all real-mom tested and approved, practical, affordable, and aesthetic.
Save This for Later
If you want to come back to these recipes when you’re planning your Christmas dinner, pin the image below to your holiday board or family favorites folder on Pinterest.
Pin this to save for later!
TL;DR:
I don’t love cooking, but I do love Christmas — so these are the five Christmas recipes I’ll actually make this year:
Crockpot Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze – the main dish that looks fancy but is basically dump-and-go.
Crockpot Mac & Cheese – no-boil, creamy, and kid-approved.
Creamy Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes – no boiling, no draining, just mash and serve.
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole – classic holiday side without using the oven.
Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs – the easiest appetizer that makes you look way more put together than you feel.
If you want a stress-free Christmas dinner, pick a ham, two sides, and the meatballs, and let your crockpots do the work while you actually enjoy the day.
Wrapping It Up
If holiday cooking makes you want to hide in the pantry with a cookie and a Diet Coke, you’re not alone. These five Christmas recipes are my way of making the day feel special without being chained to the kitchen. With a few crockpots, simple ingredients, and a little planning, you can serve a cozy, comforting meal and still actually sit down and enjoy it.
Save this post for later, send it to the friend who always oversigns herself up for side dishes, and remember, done is better than perfect, especially at Christmas. If it’s easy, cozy, and crockpot-approved, it has a spot on my holiday menu.
About Sarah Hanford
Hi, I’m Sarah, a real mom who doesn’t love cooking, but does love planning, systems, and finding the easiest way to make home feel cozy. On SarahHanford.com I share stress-free recipes, holiday planning tools, and realistic routines to help busy moms simplify the chaos. If you like crockpots, checklists, and keeping it honest, you’re in the right place.
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