15 Dinner Recipes to Make for the Holidays

Enjoy everything this holiday season has to offer, including great food, with these time-saving DIY holiday recipes approved by South Beach Diet. We’re bringing you our favorite holiday-inspired dishes so you can quickly cook impressive meals with healthy ingredients to keep you on track with your weight loss goals. Just be sure to make extra for your family, friends and guests because these dinners are as equally mouthwatering as they are healthy.

Check out 15 festive holiday dinner recipes you need to add to your menu:

1. Garlic and Soy Grilled Pork Chops >

Pork is a tried-and-true seasonal favorite. And now, with this easy DIY holiday recipe approved by South Beach Diet, you can have a healthy serving of pork chops, just like mom used to make! Indulge in tender pork perfectly seasoned with garlic, soy sauce and all the right herbs to give your dinner a big flavor. Pair this dish with your favorite broiled or baked veggies like asparagus, peppers or green beans for a wholesome meal perfect for a holiday dinner.

2. “Soufflé” Stuffed Chicken >

This new take on chicken is sure to make any dinner exciting on the South Beach Diet. Easily prepare this stuffed chicken recipe with all of the right flavors including black pepper, mustard, lemon and olive oil for a light, yet filling meal the whole family can love. Stuff your expertly cooked chicken into a pre-made soufflé for a crispy and awe-inspiring dish that’s also ideal for impressing your holiday guests.

3. Zesty Crab Cakes with Creamy Pepper Sauce >

Get festive with this zesty display of effortlessly flavored crab cakes, paired with a homemade pepper sauce for a DIY holiday kick! Not only is the prep for these tasty crab cakes easy, but the cook time is just around five minutes, so you can whip up a restaurant-worthy dish without too much effort. Make enough for your family because everyone will want to try these flavor-filled crab cakes.

Pro tip: Although you can use canned crab meat, we suggest splurging on fresh lump crab meat for a far superior taste.

4. Beef with Mushrooms and Asparagus >

Imagine a lovely rustic table setting to complement this tender steak that is topped with wood-scented rosemary and invigorating lemon for an appealing DIY holiday dinner. Fill your family’s stomachs with a protein-rich meat dish served with asparagus, and all cooked in one pan to make for an easy prep. Enjoy bite after bite of this classic steak and mushroom combination and impress your guests at your holiday get-together.

5. Loin Lamb Chops with Mint Pesto >

Create your own mint pesto sauce for a pop of color in this fresh take on lamb chops that will go over great on your holiday menu. With a six minute cook time and easy prep, this light lamb recipe is lean, yet full of hearty protein and delicious ingredients designed to make you forget that you’re even watching your weight. These lamb chops should be paired with steamed spinach, brussels sprouts or broccoli for a delightfully green dish to complement your holiday decor.

6. Steak au Poivre >

Indulge in a decadent serving of meat to warm up those chilly winter nights with nice cuts of tenderloin cooked to perfection in this Steak au Poivre recipe. This peppery, French delicacy is easier to prepare than it is to pronounce, and luckily for you, it’s comprised of lean meat and protein to make it an impeccable choice for keeping your weight intact. Try these tempting cuts of beautifully cooked steak, seasoned with garlic and onion and served with tri-colored peppers for a savory dinner you can eat guilt-free.

7. Meatballs with Tomato and Zucchini Medley >

Meatballs are always better when they’re homemade, both in flavor and nutrition. An excellent choice for your holiday menu, these meatballs might look like a cheat meal but are actually light, nutritious and tasty. You only need one bowl to prepare these Italian delights by mixing fresh ground beef, parmesan cheese and seasonings. Your veggies can be cooked in the same pan when the meatballs are done to ensure you spend more time at the table with your family than you do in the kitchen.

Pro tip: Substitute your beef for turkey if you really want to take this healthy meal to the next level.

8. Whole Wheat Vegetable Lasagna >

Appreciate a classic Italian comfort food made the right way with healthy whole wheat noodles, so you can enjoy this filling dinner during the holidays while maintaining that tiny waistline! Packed with nutritious zucchini and a trio of cheeses, this lasagna makeover is mostly made of ingredients you have around the house, so you can quickly throw it together—much to the delight of your friends and family.

9. Halibut with Tapenade in Parchment >

With just six ingredients, this light and lean fish dinner is sure to be your go-to dish in between gift shopping and family parties. Create personal servings of halibut cooked in individual foil and soaked in juices for a tender, yet crispy flavor. Topped with olive tapenade and tomatoes, this festive fish dinner is definitely going to be a favorite at your holiday get-togethers.

Pro tip: You can substitute halibut with another lean fish, like flounder or salmon, and serve it beside roasted veggies for a more nutrient-rich meal.

10. Baked Portobello Caps with Melted Goat Cheese >

Change the way you cook with mushrooms this season with this interesting take on a personal pizza. Envision a juicy portobello as your ‘pizza crust,’ smothered in a pre-made red sauce (for a quicker prep time) and topped with melted goat cheese. A sprig of basil adorns this fun and festive holiday dinner that’s great for keeping you on track with your weight loss goals!

11. Oven Fried Chicken with Almonds >

There’s nothing better to warm up to this holiday season than downing some good fried chicken with family. Thankfully, this recipe calls for baking rather than frying the chicken in fatty oils. You’ll still get a satisfying crunch when you bite into these tender pieces of chicken cooked with a crispy almond and breadcrumb coating for a healthy dinner that’s filled with flavor.

12. Shrimp Scampi with Whole Wheat Pasta >

Pasta is an easy fix when you need to feed a lot of people during the holidays without a lot of time to spare. Indulge in this pasta dish made with whole wheat noodles, garlic and creamy scampi sauce for a decadent, yet healthy holiday option everyone can gather around to enjoy. A plentiful serving of protein-packed shrimp makes this pasta dinner a real winner when it comes to weight control and wafting aromas!

Pro tip: For an even healthier DIY holiday meal, substitute pasta with spinach and enjoy the same bold flavors, with an even healthier twist.

13. Coconut Chicken >

Try something a little more out of your comfort zone this season with a traditional Indonesian-inspired dish known as Opor Ayam, which calls for tender chicken breasts braised in coconut milk. Ideal for your DIY holiday menu, this chicken dinner is seasoned with aromatic flavors including turmeric, cumin, ginger and cilantro to spice up your normal holiday menu.

14. Mustard-Crusted Steak >

Red-meat lovers rejoice in this hearty steak dish, which is broiled to perfection in under ten minutes to cut down on your cook time (and your waistline) during the busy holidays. Enjoy medium rare steak covered in a scrumptious mustard, Worcestershire and garlic mixture to give tender trims of boneless top-round an insane flavor your whole family will swoon over.

Pro tip: Let your steak rest for five minutes after cooking and slice thinly for a professional and tasty serving that is sure to impress any guest.

15. Five-Spice Salmon >

Eating fish around the holidays is traditional in many cultures, but it’s also a good way to maintain your waistline during the over-indulgent holiday season. This fresh take on salmon is lean, tasty and made to enjoy. The five flavor superstars here are fennel, cloves, cinnamon, star anise and Szechuan peppercorn, which all form a super-spice union to give your fish filets an out-of-this-world, festive flavor. Served on spinach beds, this savory, aromatic and sweet dish might be just what you need to take this season’s meals to the next level!