Recreate your favorite Christmas movies with recipes inspired by famous holiday flicks. From the Grinch's roast beast to Clark Griswold's eggnog, we've got you covered.
20 Recipes Inspired by Your Favorite Christmas Movies
Updated on Jan. 31, 2024
1/20
Roast Beast Inspired by How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Total Time
2 hours 50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
At the end of this holiday special, the Grinch himself carves the roast beast. We think this roast beef recipe is a worthy substitute for the Whoville favorite.
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked beef with gravy: 210 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 435mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
Find Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Amazon
Also, check out these yummy cake recipes if you’re looking for Christmas cake ideas.
2/20
Chocolate Biscuits Inspired by Love Actually
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
The Prime Minister loves his chocolate biscuits in this holiday rom-com. Whip up a batch of your own dipped English shortbread cookies and grab a cup of tea. And be sure to check out some of our other favorite shortbread cookies, too!
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 137 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 47mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
Want to try more recipes inspired by TV shows? Here, learn how to make Ted Lasso’s biscuit.
3/20
Spaghetti and Meatballs Inspired by Elf
Total Time
5 hours 50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Who can forget the iconic scene where Buddy the Elf serves up spaghetti loaded with candies, maple syrup and Pop Tarts? We give Buddy props for his originality, but we like this dish with meatballs and not gum balls. If you’re looking for more recipes inspired by movies, don’t forget to check out this Christmas fettuccine.
Nutrition Facts:
About 3 meatballs with 3/4 cup sauce: 250 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 1116mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 20g protein.
4/20
Eggnog Inspired by National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
We think that Clark Griswold would appreciate a cup or two of this tasty homemade ‘nog. Swirled with nutmeg and vanilla, you have to try this classic.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 411 calories, 25g fat (14g saturated fat), 247mg cholesterol, 251mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 0 fiber), 13g protein.
5/20
Macaroni and Cheese Inspired by Home Alone
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In one of our favorite ’90s Christmas flicks, Kevin McAllister (played by Macaulay Culkin), asks God to “bless this highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner.” This version is definitely a step up from the microwavable option, but we think Kevin would approve of this recipe (and our other faves, too).
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 762 calories, 43g fat (25g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 1138mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 32g protein.
6/20
Pepperoni Pizza Inspired by Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 pizzas (9 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
Both Home Alone films are Christmas classics. And like Kevin in the sequel, who can resist a hot pepperoni pizza? Only made better if you get to enjoy it in the back of a limo.
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces: 460 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 1096mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.
7/20
Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is our daughter's favorite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won't get from a cocoa packet. —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 249 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 0 fiber), 9g protein.
8/20
Glazed Gingerbread Cookies Inspired by Jingle All the Way
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Arnold Schwarzenegger taps into his action-star roots to find the most-wanted toy for his son in time for Christmas. While he’s on an adventure, his wife Liz whips up Christmas cookies that are “out of this world.” We think these treats might be what everyone in the film was raving about.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 111 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 91mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
9/20
Zesty Meatloaf Inspired by A Christmas Story
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Randy might have hated meatloaf, but we’re sure he never had a tasty version like this. Our homemade meatloaf recipe will have all the little piggies asking for more.
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 207 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 640mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch.
10/20
Plum Poppy Seed Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe uses plums and poppy seeds for the most traditional Polish version of this dessert, but you can also use nectarines or even apricots. One tip: Do not push the plums into the batter. Just let them sit on top. They will sink in a bit as they bake. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, WI
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 284 calories, 17g fat (2g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 163mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
11/20
Meringue Snowballs Inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The moment Jack Skellington arrives in Christmas Town, he takes a big bite of fresh snow. These meringue snowballs are definitely tastier!
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup sauce with 1 snowball: 216 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 88mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein.
12/20
Caramel Apple Pecan Pie Inspired by It's a Wonderful Life
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This feel-good flick gets us into the Christmas spirit year after year. And every year, we admire Harry Bailey’s talent for carrying pies. While we can’t say for sure what he’s balancing on top of his head, we think this pecan-studded pie looks pretty tasty (and just right for Christmas dessert).
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 639 calories, 39g fat (17g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 331mg sodium, 73g carbohydrate (43g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein.
13/20
Plum Pudding Inspired by The Muppet Christmas Carol
Total Time
2 hours 30 min
Servings
12 servings (1-1/2 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
The Muppets took inspiration from the classic British Christmas tale for this holiday favorite. We took some inspiration from the Brits as well with this plum pudding, just like Mrs. Cratchit (or Miss Piggy) would make.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece with 2 tablespoons sauce: 550 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 292mg sodium, 98g carbohydrate (80g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein.
14/20
Creamy Caramel Mocha Inspired by The Holiday
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Who doesn’t love a good holiday rom-com? In this Christmas movie, Kate Winslet and Jack Black bond over fancy coffee house drinks like these. Get more coffee shop-inspired drink ideas.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup coffee with 2 tablespoons whipped cream (calculated without butterscotch topping): 220 calories, 14g fat (9g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 38mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
15/20
Beef Stir Fry Inspired by Scrooged
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In this rendition of “A Christmas Carol,” Frank (the ’80s version of Scrooge), grabs a Chinese dinner with his sweetheart Claire. We’d imagine they’d love to dig into a tasty stir fry like this one—or maybe one of these dishes.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 265 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 863mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 fat.
16/20
Roasted Tomato Soup
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Just before the first frost of the season, we gather up all of the tomatoes from my mom’s garden to create this flavor-packed soup. Although it sounds like a lot of garlic, when it’s roasted, the garlic becomes mellow and almost sweet. We serve this soup with toasted bread spread with pesto. —Kaitlyn Lerdahl, Madison, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 276 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 421mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein.
17/20
Turkey, Thyme and Mushroom Risotto Inspired by The Last Holiday
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In this film, Queen Latifah’s character treats herself to an elaborate dinner for one including stuffed quail, lamb shanks, cassoulet and a tempting mushroom risotto like this one.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 337 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 651mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
18/20
Roast Goose Inspired by Christmas in Connecticut
Total Time
3 hours
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In this 1945 Christmas flick, food writer (and phony domestic expert) Elizabeth Lane has to pull off the perfect holiday dinner starring, you guessed it, a perfectly roast goose.
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounce-weight: 725 calories, 47g fat (15g saturated fat), 196mg cholesterol, 394mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 55g protein.
19/20
Ham and Cheese Cuban Inspired by White Christmas
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sitting in the resort dining room, Bing Crosby tells Rosemary Clooney that when he eats a ham and cheese sandwich, he’s likely to dream of a beautiful blonde (like Clooney herself!). While this grilled Cuban sandwich is a bit of a departure from the classic ham and cheese, it’s still darn delicious.
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 545 calories, 27g fat (12g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 1526mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein.
20/20
Christmas Candy Train Inspired by The Polar Express
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
All aboard! This sweet train is the perfect nod to this heartwarming movie. Plus, kiddos will love helping create this Christmas confection for your holiday movie night.
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 train car: 205 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 158mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
Don’t forget to curl up with a cup of Tom Hanks coffee to honor the beloved conductor of the film, with all of the coffee proceeds going to charity. Or, for the adults in the room, enjoy this Tom Hanks’ cocktail.
