See our budget winter recipes for more low-cost seasonal meals. Save time and energy with our collection of no-bake Christmas desserts, then learn how to host on a budget with our budget entertaining recipes.
Starters
Spicy roasted parsnip soup
If you’re already planning to have the oven on in the days leading up to Christmas, pop in some parsnips and be rewarded with delicious, silky soup.
More like this
For more budget-friendly soup ideas, check out this plant-based leek & potato soup, as well as this meat-free celeriac soup.
Air fryer clementine & chilli halloumi skewers
Get the most out of your air fryer with these halloumi skewer canapés. Flavoured with festive clementines, these salty morsels are ideal at Christmas served with your choice of dips.
See more of our air fryer Christmas recipes.
Cheesy confit garlic bread
A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, made with slow-cooked garlic for a more mellow flavour.
Cucumber prawn cocktail cups
Try this speedy twist on a classic starter for a simple and low-cost festive starter. Ideal at Christmas time, they‘re served on lettuce leaves and topped with crispy shallots.
Baked ham hock pots
Make brilliant use of storecupboard ingredients and your spices with these easy, no-fuss baked ham hock pots.
Mains
Turkey, bacon & chorizo bombe
Get your turkey, pigs in blankets and stuffing fix all in one with this stunning turkey, bacon & chorizo bombe. Cooking turkey breasts is much cheaper and easier than roasting a whole turkey, and the sausagemeat and bacon wrap helps keep it moist and full of flavour.
Mushroom bourguignon pithivier
Serve our moreish mushroom bourguignon pithivier as a vegan main course. Use chestnut and portobello mushrooms or another selection of cheaper mushrooms.
Quick-roast Christmas chicken & sticky veg
Enjoy an energy- and cost-efficient festive lunch – we’ve used a few tricks to cut down on the oven cooking time, but the result is still a succulent chicken. This is part of Barney Desmazery’s Cook Smart Christmas menu.
For more ideas, take a look at our budget Christmas centrepieces.
Air fryer roast dinner
Forgo the oven entirely and make the main roast elements in an air-fryer. Use a microwave to heat the gravy rather than on the hob.
Alternatively, streamline the usually long process of making Christmas dinner with our recipe for slow-cooker turkey.
Veggie loaf
This veggie loaf is a smart and thrifty option for a vegetarian main, combining lentils with chestnut mushrooms, brown rice and walnuts. Top with cranberry sauce for a festive touch.
Sides
Make homemade Christmas pigs in blankets easily by using an energy-efficient air-fryer. If you have herbs to hand, add flavourings such as sage leaves.
Roasted roots
Throw your potatoes, carrots, celeriac and parsnips into one tin and roast with goose fat for an irresistible traybake. It’ll free up some much needed space in your oven, too.
Alternatively, you could cook canned potatoes in an air fryer to make these alternative air-fryer roasties.
Microwave cauliflower cheese
Cook the British classic, cauliflower cheese, easily in the microwave. With prep and cook time in under half an hour, it’s a worthwhile side.
If you like the look of this, check out this recipe for slow-cooker potato gratin. Slow-cooking offers lovely depth of flavour while saving effort and energy costs.
Charred sprouts with Marmite butter
Here’s a dish that’s sure to get your guests talking: charred sprouts with Marmite butter. It’s cheaper to make than traditional chestnut and bacon sprouts, and you only need a small amount of Marmite to add a super-savoury umami flavour.
Alternatively, make this side with the help of a microwave with our microwave brussels sprouts.
Microwave caraway & pomegranate red cabbage
No Christmas dinner is complete without a side of red cabbage. Pomegranate juice and caraway seeds add festive flavour.
No-waste gravy
Make our no-waste gravy using overripe tomatoes, mushrooms, herb stalks, leek tops and celery leaves to give it added flavour.
Desserts
Chocolate robins’ nests
Chill these cornflake chocolate nests in the fridge, then top with icing snow – a lovely activity to do with kids.
Christmas crumble
Mix apples with frozen red fruits, cinnamon and mixed spice for a Christmas-flavoured family favourite.
Easy Christmas pudding ice cream
Cool down after your festive lunch with an ice cream treat that includes all the flavours of a classic Christmas pud.
Air-fryer mince pies
End your festive menu on a high with these mince pies, saving you time energy and effort with the help of an air fryer.
Microwave Christmas mug cake
Save yourself time and money with these charming microwave Christmas mug cakes, best served with brandy butter or custard.
Do you have any money-saving tips for Christmas dinner? Leave a comment below.
Next level Christmas dinner
Easiest ever Christmas dinner
Classic Christmas menu
Vegetarian Christmas menu
Vegan Christmas menu
Quick Christmas menu
2-hour Christmas menu
Christmas menu for a crowd
All our Christmas menus