The holiday season is meant to be a festive, joyful time of year. However, if you’re cooking during the holidays, you may experience more stress than serenity.
Below are some simple holiday recipes that allow you to embrace the festive season without too much fuss in your kitchen. By “simple,” we don’t necessarily mean the number of ingredients but rather the amount of time and effort (or lack thereof) you’ll need to invest before enjoying these wonderful dishes around the table. Prepare to indulge in the joy of cooking with dishes that are as simple to make as they are delightful to serve.
You know about chicken alfredo, but have you tried butternut alfredo? In this simple yet scrumptious dish, the flavors of butternut squash, parmesan cheese, and Pacific Foods Free Range Chicken Broth come together in a decadent sauce.
Not only is this a one-pot dish, it’s practically no-prep – all you have to do is dice the chicken! Seriously, you don’t even have to boil water for the noodles. Rather than cutting, roasting, and pureeing butternut squash, this recipe leans on the sweet and nutty flavor of Pacific Foods Organic Creamy Butternut Squash Soup.
Once you’ve diced your chicken, add all of your ingredients to an oven-safe dish, saving the parmesan for the end.
See the full recipe: One Pot Butternut Alfredo with Chicken & Peas
This holiday dish is a classic that’s hearty, festive, easy to prepare and requires minimal cleanup. The presentation is impressive, with the golden roast chicken and Pacific Foods Organic Low Sodium Chicken Broth taking center stage, surrounded by colorful vegetables.
Place a whole seasoned chicken atop a bed of chopped seasonal vegetables in a roasting pan. Drizzle everything with a mixture of olive oil and herbs, such as rosemary and thyme. Roast in a preheated oven until the chicken is golden and the vegetables are tender. It’s a simple yet flavorful one-pan meal.
See the full recipe: 8-Ingredient One Pan Roast Chicken with Seasonal Vegetables
Easy skillet shepherd’s pie is a hearty one-pan meal with a savory mixture of ground meat, Pacific Foods Organic Beef Bone Broth, peas, carrots and rich gravy. The mixture is topped with a layer of fluffy mashed potatoes. You can choose between lamb or beef for a traditional cottage pie variation.
For a flavorful, easy skillet shepherd’s pie, cook the meat, onions and garlic together. Then, stir in the gravy.
Use leftover mashed potatoes or whip up a batch with plenty of butter. Spread the potatoes evenly over the meat mixture to seal in the juices. Broil the pie until the topping is golden and crisp. Sprinkled cheese completes this holiday recipe and gives the pie some added flavor.
See the full recipe: Easy Skillet Shepherd’s Pie
Transform leftovers into a simple holiday recipe with remarkable rosemary turkey soup over stuffing. It contains tender chunks of leftover turkey simmered with fresh rosemary, vegetables and a rich broth. You can serve the soup over a bed of warm, herb-seasoned stuffing to create a satisfying texture contrast.
To prepare the soup, start by simmering your leftover turkey bones with herbs and vegetables. Shred the remaining turkey meat and add it to the broth, along with carrots, celery and onions. Allow the bread to soak up the delicious soup for the ultimate comfort dish.
See the full recipe: Remarkable Rosemary Turkey Soup over Stuffing
For a succulent one-pot dish, try an Instant Pot® roast with Pacific Foods Organic Beef Bone Broth. The beef roast is pressure-cooked until tender in a rich, savory broth made from beef bones. This method infuses the meat with rich flavors and yields a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The bone broth also creates a base you can turn into a delicious gravy to accompany the meat.
To lock in the flavor, use the sauté function on the pot and sear the beef before pressure cooking. Use high-quality beef bone broth for a richer taste. Make sure the roast is fully submerged for even cooking. After cooking, let the pressure release naturally to keep the meat tender.
See the full recipe: Instant Pot® Roast with Beef Bone Broth
This simple, vegetarian recipe will have your mouth watering with only four total ingredients. It really doesn’t get any easier than that!
There is no prep involved in this recipe –let our Pacific Foods Organic Creamy Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup carry that weight! To cook, simply combine our Red Pepper & Tomato Soup with Pacific Foods Organic Low Sodium Vegetable Broth , uncooked pasta, and crushed red pepper and bake for 30 minutes before checking in (we know you want to)! To elevate this recipe, don’t forget to add fresh basil atop your delicious creation.
See the full recipe: One Pan Roasted Red Pepper Penna Pasta Bake
Potatoes fondantes is a popular French dish. You simply boil the potatoes until tender, gently smash them and roast or pan-fry them in butter and herbs. The insides remain fluffy and soft, creating a delightful contrast in texture. You can season them with garlic, thyme or rosemary.
Choose small, evenly sized potatoes for uniform cooking and a good balance of crispy edges and soft centers. After boiling and smashing them, roast the potatoes with a generous amount of melted butter, Pacific Foods Organic Chicken Stock, herbs and garlic. Ensure that your pan is hot before adding the potatoes for the perfect sear. Avoid overcrowding the pan to allow each potato to crisp up nicely.
See the full recipe: Smashed Potatoes (Potatoes Fondantes)
Indian-spiced lentil and quinoa stuffing is a twist on traditional stuffing. It features lentils and quinoa seasoned with aromatic Indian spices like cumin, coriander and turmeric.
This dish incorporates a mix of sautéed vegetables, such as onions and carrots, adding texture and depth. It’s a flavorful side dish that can complement a variety of main courses, offering a surprising alternative to classic stuffing.
For a deeper taste profile, first toast the spices and quinoa in the pan before adding the liquid such as Pacific Foods Organic Unsalted Chicken Stock. Be sure to cook the lentils until they’re tender but not mushy. Adding cilantro or parsley at the end of cooking brings a burst of freshness.
See the full recipe: Indian-Spiced Lentil and Quinoa Stuffing
Mashed potatoes are always a creamy, comforting side dish. They’re made by slow-cooking peeled and chopped potatoes in a crockpot until tender, with ingredients like butter, Pacific Foods Organic Turkey Broth, milk and seasoning.
Once cooked, the potatoes are mashed directly in the crockpot until smooth and fluffy, allowing the flavors to meld together. This method frees up stovetop space and is excellent for serving a crowd, keeping the potatoes warm for hours without additional effort.
If you’re worried about keeping the potatoes moist, you can butter the slow cooker and drizzle a small amount of cream at the bottom. Keep warm on low for up to four hours. Repeat, if necessary.
See the full recipe: Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Non-dairy gingerbread Bundt cake with coconut glaze is a moist spiced cake. It’s filled with the warm flavors of ginger, cinnamon and molasses and baked into a distinctive ring shape. It includes no dairy products. Instead, you’ll use substitutes like our Organic Coconut Original Beverage and oil to keep it vegan-friendly. The cake is topped with a sweet coconut milk glaze, adding a tropical twist to the traditional holiday dessert.
When preparing your cake, keep all ingredients at room temperature for better mixing. Grease your Bundt pan to prevent sticking. For the coconut glaze, use full-fat canned coconut milk for a rich, smooth consistency. Heat it gently before drizzling over the cake.
See the full recipe: Non-Dairy Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Coconut Glaze
Chocolate hazelnut French toast is a sweet and indulgent breakfast dish sure to get everyone out of bed in the morning. Slices of bread are dipped in a mixture of eggs, our Organic Oat Original Beverage and vanilla, then pan-fried until golden brown. The toast is then layered or stuffed with a rich chocolate hazelnut spread. It’s often garnished with powdered sugar, whipped cream or fresh fruit for extra sweetness and texture.
To keep the egg and toast mixture from falling apart, use thick slices of day-old brioche or challah bread. Spread a generous amount of chocolate hazelnut spread between two slices of the soaked bread before cooking. It gives you the gooey center everyone loves to bite into. Cook on medium-low heat in a buttered pan to ensure the toast is evenly browned.
See the full recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut French Toast
The contrasting flavors of cool peppermint and chocolate create a festive treat, while the layers offer an attractive visual appeal. Parfaits are also easy to serve, making them ideal for holiday parties.
For best results, use high-quality chocolate and our Organic Unsweetened Almond Original Beverage. Try to make your pudding from scratch for a rich, creamy base. Chill your parfait glasses before layering the ingredients to keep the dessert cool and help maintain distinct layers. Crush fresh peppermint candies on top for a burst of flavor and a crunchy texture contrast.
See the full recipe: Peppermint Chocolate Pudding Parfaits
Get simple holiday recipes just in time for the holidays with Pacific Foods. Check out our family-friendly, nourishing, plant-based and gluten-free recipes. Don’t forget to add our broths, soups and other products to your latest festive offering. Go online or visit your nearest grocery store to pick up your favorite delights.