Top 20+ lazy dinner recipes for the night before Christmas

These recipes are easy, but they're also cozy, festive, and special.

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, the family wanted to know, "What's for dinner?" If you're saving up your energy for Christmas Day, throw together one of these twenty meals that include quick and easy soups, slow cooker meals, and super simple casseroles. There are even festive and unique grilled cheese sandwiches that may just become a new Christmas Eve tradition! You won't spend much time cooking, but you'll still be able to gather at the table and share a meal before the big day.

01 of 20

Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

"My family really liked this recipe. It was so simple and easy but yet so tasty! I loved the chicken gravy flavor. My son loved it and wanted seconds which is amazing because he's picky sometimes. I'm making this again and we will have it with some veggies and rice this time. Great easy dish! Thanks for sharing it!" —AquaBagel3250

02 of 20

Easy Chicken Marsala

Ready in only 30 minutes, this easy chicken marsala recipe is as simple as it is decadent and delicious.

"This is a wonderful recipe! It's almost exactly like the Chicken Marsala at my favorite restaurant. I make this when I want a delicious, elegant meal and serve it with wild rice and a nice bottle of wine," says Kaye Lynn. "The cream is the key in this recipe, I can't imagine a chicken marsala recipe without cream in the sauce. I love to make this for guests, it gets raves and I look like a gourmet cook!"

03 of 20

Mississippi Pot Roast

"We love it," says one Allrecipes community member. "I have made it several times and it's the most tender and flavorful roast I believe I have ever had!"

04 of 20

Chicken Cobbler

"After reading other reviews, I put the soup mixture atop the vegetables and put the biscuit mixture on top. The recipe turned out great. After completely cooling, the dish firmed up quite a bit, and reminded me of a chicken pot pie." —OrangeMeal8641

05 of 20

Cheesy White Bean and Tomato Bake

"I added onions also and I added cooked navy beans instead of white beans and add some shredded veggies to it as well." —Dallas mosque48

06 of 20

Easy Tuna Patties

"Good simple recipe! I used panko and added minced jalapeno." —Robert

07 of 20

Don't Want to Cook Monday Chicken

"My husband loved this! The only changes I made were to use horseradish mustard- then doubled the amount called for, and used a fire roasted vegetable blend for the bottom layer." —jenny

08 of 20

4-Ingredient Pesto Tortellini Bake

"Super easy and delicious. My daughter loved it. I added a bit of grated Parmesan cheese on top and broiled it for the last couple minutes." —JessicaL

09 of 20

Italian Sausage Soup with Tortellini

"I’ve been making this recipe for years. Anyone who’s tasted it raves on how much they like it," says reviewer Debi. "It’s perfect as is and I don’t change a thing."

10 of 20

Kielbasa with Peppers and Potatoes

"This is a simple and absolutely delicious dish.The only change I make is adding a roughly chopped sweet onion." —freebie

11 of 20

Best Tuna Casserole

"My mother made tuna casserole for my siblings and myself back in the sixties, I missed it, searched and found this recipe," says reviewer country. "I make it exactly as described here at least 3 times a month, it is like a letter from home."

12 of 20

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

"OMG this is EASY and DELICIOUS! Everyone said it was a definite do- over. The herbs make the dish really come together," says Carla Craycraft. "It is genius to use crescent roll swirls as the topper - attractive and fun to make. The leftovers were equally as tasty the next day."

13 of 20

Easy Meatball Casserole

"Definitely use the instant rice. I used long grain because I had it and it definitely takes longer than 30 minutes. But the flavor was good and it was very easy and quick." —gardenmama

14 of 20

Meatball Gnocchi Sheet Pan Dinner

"All of my family, including my 3 year old grandson loved this !!" —Anna1962

15 of 20

Lazy Hazy Beef Chili

"My favorite go-to chili recipe. Easy enough to do on a weeknight and perfect leftovers for lunches!" —PerkyMelon5047

16 of 20

Easy Vegan Sheet Pan Roasted Cauliflower, Tomatoes, and Garbanzo Beans

"This was great, nice healthy choice. Added some shakes of balsamic vinegar when tossing together." —Rob

17 of 20

Six Can Chicken Tortilla Soup

"This recipe is so tasty! I dumped all of the ingredients in my slow cooker and cooked it for 5 hours, half of the time on high and the last half of the time on low setting. I had a cooked chicken breast that I used instead of the canned chicken." —Sandi Novinger

18 of 20

Easy Parmesan Crusted Chicken

"This is the best recipe I have found. It’s easy and delicious. You can prepare this for two or if your having guest just double the recipe The clean up is great with the parchment paper lined the baking sheet" —KindEgg5769

19 of 20

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Why not go totally informal and whip up tangy, hearty slow cooker buffalo chicken? Serve it on a hoagie roll with a salad or any side dish of your choice.

"Good and easy to make. Used Sweet Baby Rays Wing Sauce and it was amazing." —awecas

20 of 20

Beef and Cabbage (Lazy Golumpki)

"This recipe was very easy and delicious!! I followed the recipe as is except I used ground turkey instead of ground beef. Just as good! I made it one day ahead." —Nanny bear