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    Home » Recipe Index » 30 Minute Meals

    Christmas Dinner for One

    December 5, 2021 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD 30 Minute Meals, Cooking for One, Holiday Recipe

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    slice of ham, potatoes, and brussels sprouts on plate

    Need a special Christmas dinner for one, that's ready to eat in 30 minutes? Look no farther than an easy ham and brussels sprouts dinner that you can make on a sheet pan. Cook some mashed potatoes while the ham and veggies are cooking!

    ham and sides on plate

    Table of contents

    • How will this plate make your life easier?

    How will this plate make your life easier?

    If you celebrate Christmas and are spending it away from friends and family, take 30 minutes, and a couple dishes to make this special Christmas for one dinner. It's really easy, requires just a few ingredients, and is bursting with holiday flavor.

    If you're looking for a couple tasty side dishes, try this Holiday Kale Salad with Pomegranates, swap the simple mashed potatoes for "Roasted" Garlic Mashed Potatoes, or this delicious Roasted Pear and Orange Salad.

    What makes this Christmas dinner so good?

    ham and other ingredients on table

    How do I make Christmas dinner for myself?

    cubed potatoes in a pot

    Start your Christmas dinner for one by preheating the oven to 375 degrees F.

    Then boil your potatoes for the mashed potatoes. They will cook while you prepare the ham and brussels sprouts. Check after about 10-15 minutes, once potatoes are fork tender, drain water and set aside.

    ham steak in silicone bag

    While your potatoes are boiling, place your ham steak in an oven safe sandwich sized silicone bag, like a Stasher bag, pour 1 teaspoon maple syrup, ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, and a pinch of salt in the bag.

    Close the seal, leaving about 1 inch open, and place on a half size baking sheet (the normal big ones lots of households have).

    If you don't have a silicone bag, use tin foil. Place ham in center of foil, pour syrup, rosemary, and salt over ham. Pinch seams together to create a packet.

    cut brussels sprouts on cutting board

    Cut bottoms off of brussels sprouts, then cut into quarters. Remove outer layers and rinse well. Transfer to a mixing bowl, add remaining syrup, rosemary, and a large pinch of salt. Mix together and pour onto baking sheet, next to bag.

    roasted brussels sprouts and ham on baking sheet

    Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the brussels sprouts in your Christmas dinner for one are crispy on the edges and tender inside.

    cubed potatoes and milk in a pot

    While ham and brussels sprouts are baking, return to potatoes. Once they're fork tender, and drained. Return to pot, add ¼ cup milk, 1 Tablespoon butter, and about ¼ teaspoon salt. Mash with a potato masher or use an electric hand mixer to mash.

    Cover mashed potatoes until serving.

    Serve mashed potatoes, ham and brussels sprouts. Drizzle leftover syrup over ham to serve. Enjoy immediately.

    Substitutions/Tips

    • If you'd like an even easier Christmas dinner for one, throw those cubed potatoes in with the brussels sprouts and roast them.
    • Boil potatoes in a medium/large pot, so the water doesn't boil over.
    • Substitute brussels sprouts for zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, or another vegetable.
    • Add shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese and roasted garlic to mashed potatoes for added flavor.

    FAQ

    What to make for Christmas dinner for one?

    The best way to approach Christmas dinner for yourself is to make it super easy and super delicious. Choose foods that cook together and ones that cook quickly. That's why I like this ham steak, roasted brussels sprouts, and mashed potatoes.

    What are the best foods to eat for Christmas?

    Popular foods in the US for Christmas are ham or prime rib, mashed potatoes, salad, green beans or brussels sprouts, rolls, and dessert. A ham steak is a great option if you're cooking for one this Christmas. It's small and cooks quickly.

    slice of ham, potatoes, and brussels sprouts on plate

    What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    • Ham: Ham and Swiss Sliders, swap into Gnocchi Carbonara or Lemony Carbonara.
    • Brussels Sprouts: Roasted Maple Mustard Salmon, Potatoes and Brussels Au Gratin, or add to this Vegetarian Harvest Bowl.
    • Potatoes: Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Small Batch Potato Salad with Vinaigrette.

    Did you make this Christmas Dinner for One? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it/they turned out!

    slice of ham, potatoes, and brussels sprouts on plate
    Print Pin

    Christmas Dinner for One

    Need a special Christmas dinner for one? Look no farther than an easy ham and brussels sprouts dinner that you can make on a sheet pan. Cook some mashed potatoes while the ham and veggies are cooking for a quick 30 minute dinner.
    Course dinner, main, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN

    Equipment

    • cutting board
    • knife
    • medium mixing bowl
    • Silicone bag or tin foil
    • tongs
    • Medium Pot
    • Potato masher or electric mixer
    • Measuring Spoons
    • baking sheet
    • Baking Mat or Parchment Paper

    Ingredients

    Ham and Brussels Sprouts

    • 3.5 ounce ham steak
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup divided
    • 1 ½ teaspoon dried rosemary leaves divided
    • handful brussels sprouts about 5-6 medium brussels sprouts
    • large pinch salt

    Mashed Potatoes

    • 1 medium yukon gold potato
    • water
    • ¼ cup milk or buttermilk
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Start by preparing mashed potatoes by chopping into small pieces, then transfer to a medium pot. Cover with water. Once boiling, cover and cook until a fork easily pierces a potato piece. About 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place baking mat or parchment paper on a half sheet size baking sheet.
    • Add ham steak, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, ½ teaspoon dried rosemary, and a pinch of salt to an oven safe silicone bag, like a Stasher bag. Close bag, leaving about 1 inch slit open to release steam.
      (if using tin foil, place ham in center of foil, pour syrup and other ingredients over it, pinch seams).
    • Slice ends off of brussels sprouts, cut into quarters. Remove outside leaves. Rinse well, transfer to a medium sized mixing bowl.
    • Add 2 teaspoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon rosemary, and a large pinch of salt to brussels sprouts, mix with tongs until all brussels are covered. Pour onto pan into 1 layer.
    • Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until brussels sprouts are crispy and cooked.
    • While ham and brussels sprouts are cooking, return to potatoes. Drain water once potatoes are tender. Add ¼ cup milk, 1 Tablespoon butter, and ¼ teaspoon salt to potatoes. Mash with a potato masher or a hand mixer. Cover and set aside until brussels sprouts are done cooking.
    • Transfer mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, and ham to a plate, drizzle remaining maple syrup over ham. Enjoy.

    Video

    CHRISTMAS DINNER FOR ONE

    Notes

    • For an easier dinner, cut up potatoes and roast them with vegetables instead of making them into mashed potatoes.
    • Boil potatoes in a medium/large pot, so the water doesn't boil over.
    • You may cut a larger ham steak and use remaining steak for other recipes. See section with recipes to use up ingredients, right above recipe card.
    • Substitute brussels sprouts with zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, or another vegetable.

    Want to get more single serving recipes like this Christmas dinner for one delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

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    About Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

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    Rebecca, MS, RDN
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    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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