The holidays are usually a season of abundance. For most of us, the 2020 stretch from Thanksgiving through New Year’s is going to be significantly pared down.
Instead of a turkey dinner for 40 or a Christmas Eve bash with all the second cousins, many folks will be gathering around a much smaller table this year.
Still, that doesn’t mean we can’t give thanks with (and for) those closest to us — and enjoy some delicious food while we’re at it.
For some folks, cooking less may even come as a bit of a relief. No dozen pounds of potatoes to peel or bulky bird to defrost.
Plus, with fewer people to please, you may even decide to get more creative, experimenting with foods and flavors you might not usually try.
If you’re having a smaller holiday gathering, we’ve got you covered. These 20 small-batch recipes for apps, entrees, sides, and desserts serve up to six.
Pomegranate guacamole
Sure, you’ve had guacamole, but have you tried it with pomegranate arils? Their pops of juicy tartness are the flavor boost you never knew your guac was missing.
Serves 4. Get the recipe here.
Smoked salmon pinwheels
Red (OK, pink) from smoked salmon and green from spinach-flavored tortillas infuse these little nibbles with the colors of Christmas. Their 10-minute prep makes them a no-brainer for easy entertaining.
Serves 4. Get the recipe here.
Cheesy stuffed mushrooms
For a little something healthy to nosh on before dinner, try these cheesy stuffed creminis. At just 66 calories per ’shroom, they won’t spoil anyone’s dinner.
Serves 6. Get the recipe here.
Roasted sweet potato hummus
You can add pizzazz to hummus by making it with just about any vegetable. Why not go with a holiday classic, like sweet potatoes? The orange veggies make this popular Mediterranean spread even creamier (and more colorful). Grab a bag of pita chips and get dipping.
Serves 6. Get the recipe here.
Cranberry margarita
For a holiday toast that’s every bit as pretty as it is refreshing, play bartender with these cranberry margaritas. Cheers to a better year ahead!
Serves 1. Get the recipe here.
Mulled wine
Is there anything quite as comforting as a mug of spiced mulled wine? Pour a bottle of cabernet or merlot in a slow cooker with whole cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon sticks. A few hours later, you’ll be ready to toast with an aromatic drink.
Serves 6. Get the recipe here.
Nonalcoholic homemade eggnog
Not every holiday beverage has to have alcohol. When you or someone in your family is avoiding alcohol, opt for this creamy virgin eggnog.
Serves 4 to 5. Get the recipe here.
Cornish hen with homemade classic stuffing
Cornish hens are a type of chicken. At only about 1 to 1 1/4 pounds each, this pint-sized poultry makes the perfect bird for an intimate feast for two.
Serves 2. Get the recipe here.
Ham steak with honey mustard glaze
Rather than go “whole hog” baking an entire ham, get the same flavor for far less work. These ham steaks with a sweet, mustardy glaze need just 8 minutes on the grill.
Serves 4. Get the recipe here.
Roasted turkey breast with garlic and herbs
Like a whole ham, cooking a whole turkey is a major undertaking. If you’re not serving a crowd, make your life easier by cooking just the breast. You may decide to do this every year!
Serves 6. Get the recipe here.
Mushroom seitan roast
How about some fiber and plant-based protein at the center of the holiday feast? Vegans and vegetarians can get in on the small-batch goodness with a mushroom seitan roast that mimics meatloaf.
Serves 6. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot mashed potatoes
Hooray for the Instant Pot! This little workhorse of an appliance gets mashed potatoes on your holiday table in just 30 minutes.
Serves 2. Get the recipe here.
Small-batch roasted Brussels sprouts with Parmesan
Although they’re rich in nutrients, Brussels sprouts often get a bad rap for a bitter taste. But even the sprouts haters might enjoy them roasted until crisp and sprinkled with savory Parmesan cheese.
Serves 2. Get the recipe here.
Fall harvest salad
A colorful chopped salad makes for an eye-catching side. This recipe calls for pecans, apples, celery, and dried cranberries, but you can mix and match your own favorite add-ins to complement your main dish.
Serves 2. Get the recipe here.
Mini sweet corn casseroles
Individual servings in ramekins mean everyone gets a sweet corn casserole all to themselves. With a gooey center and a drizzle of honey, these are almost like a savory pudding.
Serves 6. Get the recipe here.
Honey orange cranberry sauce
Skip canned cranberry sauce in favor of a tasty DIY version with a hint of orange. This recipe, which makes just 1 cup, is high in vitamin C from fresh cranberries and uses honey instead of the high fructose corn syrup you may get in a can.
Serves about 4. Get the recipe here.
Small pumpkin cake
Pumpkin pie is an undeniable holiday staple, but its 8-inch diameter can be a lot. For a more diminutive dessert, try this pumpkin cake, baked in a 6-inch pan and topped with decadent cream cheese frosting.
Serves 4 to 6. Get the recipe here.
Small-batch chocolate peppermint bark cookies
Peppermint and chocolate are a match made in holiday heaven — especially in cookie form. This easy recipe whips up just 6 to 8 cookies. It’s sure to be a (small) crowd-pleaser.
Serves 4. Get the recipe here.
Caramel apple tartlets
Baked in a muffin tin, these tartlets are loaded with apples and finished with an easy homemade caramel sauce. Vanilla ice cream topping optional but necessary.
Serves 6. Get the recipe here.
Sugar plums
What are sugar plums, anyway? Typically, they’re a balled-up mixture of fruits, nuts, and sweetener — the perfect dessert for those who can’t tolerate gluten, dairy, or eggs. A few pulses in the food processor bring ingredients together in a snap. Visions of these unique treats will definitely be dancing in your head.
Serves 3 to 4. Get the recipe here.
Just because your extended family may be far doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the flavors of the holidays with practical portions.
Although these holiday recipes may be small, they still offer big taste.
Sarah Garone, NDTR, is a nutritionist, freelance health writer, and food blogger. She lives with her husband and three children in Mesa, Arizona. Find her sharing down-to-earth health and nutrition info and (mostly) healthy recipes at A Love Letter to Food.