Healthy Holiday and Christmas Cookbook

You don't need meaty mains to create a satisfying meal brimming with seasonal flavor. Everyone can love these unique, meatless holiday dishes. Feast on our collection of colorful vegetarian tarts, citrus-flecked salads, creamy casseroles, and roasted vegetables. With these meatless entrées and sides, your guests won't miss the traditional turkey and accompaniments. Plus, you'll boost your intake of potassium, fiber, folate, and vitamins A, E, and C as well as other vitamins and minerals.

Many classic holiday sides are naturally gluten-free. Green beans, roasted Brussels sprouts, citrusy salads—all of these holiday sides are safe for gluten-free eaters. Others like stuffing, macaroni and cheese, and pilafs need special recipes to avoid sources of gluten for eaters who are sensitive or avoiding the wheat protein altogether. With these tips and tricks, you can turn our traditional holiday recipes into a delicious gluten-free holiday menu. Read labels carefully; gluten hides in unexpected places.

Find a decadent menu fit for the holidays without any lactose or dairy.

It can be especially difficult to follow a vegan diet during the holidays when even vegetable dishes are often made with butter, milk, or eggs. But you don't have to compromise your diet or lifestyle to eat healthy this season. We have a little something for everyone with the irresistible flavors of fall. Vegan or not, the whole family is sure to love this healthy, hearty holiday menu that just happens to be free of any animal products.

The holidays promise some of the happiest, coziest family breakfasts of the year. Make it hassle-free as well with sweet and savory dishes you can make in advance. From gooey cinnamon rolls and a cheesy breakfast strata to creamy casseroles and a light spinach quiche, we've cooked up dishes that will delight your senses and your family. These easy, make-ahead casseroles and breakfast rolls are a great joy to the cook and deliver comfort to the table. Come Christmas morning—or any holiday morning—all you need to do is warm them in the oven. That leaves you to hang in your warm jammies and tear open presents while home-cooked aromas—warm cinnamon and sweet apples, smoky bacon and spicy sausage—fill your home.

Enjoy Christmas morning with these make-ahead holiday brunch recipes that are perfect for a large group or family breakfast. From egg casseroles to sweet eggnog coffee cake, let these festive flavors fill your house with the scents of the season. Most of these recipes can be made the night before; you'll just need to bake them in the morning. A few can be made days or even weeks in advance and frozen or stored in air-tight containers until Christmas morning. With these make-ahead Christmas brunch recipes, you'll be able to relax with family and sip on your coffee stress-free while watching the paper and bows fly.

Once all the excitement of the best morning of the year is over and all the presents are opened, there's only one thing left to do: eat a hearty breakfast with your friends and family. Whether you head the savory route and go for a breakfast hash or poached, or you decide to go sweet and aim your sights at a chocolate waffle or cinnamon apple French toast, you really can't go wrong on Christmas morning. These family style breakfasts are kid-approved, and won't have you slaving away in your kitchen on such a relaxing, festive morning.

Whether sweet to savory, baking is synonymous with the holidays. From rosemary-asiago rolls to fresh gingerbread squares, our recipes will carry you through the season for every festive occasion. Many of these recipes make the perfect edible gifts that your friends and family will love, too. We love adding whole-wheat flour to our sugar cookies for an added nutty flavor, and we sneak beets into our red velvet batter for a deep ruby color and even deeper flavor. Whether you are beginning Christmas morning with cinnamon rolls or ending a dinner party with homemade peppermint cookies, these healthy Christmas baking recipes will be the hit of the season. For more healthy holiday treats, check out these Christmas cookie recipes.

'Tis the season to indulge, but don't let the abundance of holiday treats get you down. You can control your sugar intake and enjoy a few festive sweets with these homemade low-sugar goodies. We avoid sugar alternatives by using creative—and often cleaner—ingredients such as honey, maple sugar, dates, and unsweetened cocoa powder to lend just the right amount of sweetness. These Christmas candies are also perfect for gifts and holiday parties, so stop craving and start baking.

Whether you celebrate the festival of lights with a big crowd or just your family, these Hanukkah recipes will help you enjoy the holiday deliciously. Menus include kosher meat and dairy options, small plates for entertaining, and weeknight fast meals as the holiday stretches well into the workweek. Mix and match from these menus, or try any of our favorite Hanukkah recipes. Need a latke fix? We’ve rounded up both classic and nontraditional versions for each night because it wouldn't be a complete Hanukkah spread without plenty of these warm, crispy potato pancakes. Make this Hanukkah the best one yet, and plan out how you'll go about these eight fun days of celebration.