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. Add mashed potatoes and you're ready to go!
Table of contents
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?
How do I make Christmas dinner for myself?
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.
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 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.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the brussels sprouts in your Christmas dinner for one are crispy on the edges and tender inside.
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
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.
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 an easy option if you're cooking for one this Christmas.
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!
Christmas Dinner for One
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.
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.
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Tayler says
A lot of times it’s just me and my husband for Christmas dinner, so this is exactly what I needed! Saving for December!
Luci Petlack says
This looks amazing! Adding this to the list of meals to make during the holidays.
dana says
This is so awesome for those who have to work or can't make it to family on Christmas eve or day and want to still enjoy a special meal!
Mandy says
Wow! This look very yummy! I love how it is so straightforward, no fuss and easy!
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
exactly!
Ali says
This is such a great idea! I often have to work on Christmas and this recipe will be great for taking dinner with me!