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    Home » Recipe Index » 30 Minute Meals

    30 Minute Christmas Dinner for One

    October 27, 2024 Updated November 4, 2024 By Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD 30 Minute Meals, Cooking for One, Holiday Recipe

    Jump to Recipe
    slice of ham, potatoes, and brussels sprouts on plate

    Need a special, quick Christmas dinner for one? Look no farther than this easy ham and vegetables dinner that you can make on a sheet pan. Add mashed potatoes and you're ready to go in about 30 minutes!

    slice of ham, potatoes, and brussels sprouts on plate

    [This recipe for Christmas Dinner for One was originally posted in December 2021. It has been updated with cooking instructions, storage tips and substitutions, FAQ, related recipes and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

    Table of contents

    • Ways to Make a Solo Christmas Special
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Other Great Sides for your Dinner
    • Great desserts for your Dinner
    • Storage/Reheating Tips
    • Substitutions/Tips
    • FAQ
    • What to do with leftover ingredients

    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.

    Make this dinner as is, or use the other Christmas dinner ideas for one.

    Ways to Make a Solo Christmas Special

    There are many reasons anyone's celebrating a solo Christmas, the same goes for other major holidays. If you're feeling down, lonely, or complicated, I'm sending you care and compassion during this time.

    Regardless of the reasons you're spending this holiday solo, you deserve a bit (or more!) of compassion and maybe a moment+ of joy. Here are a few ideas to make the most out of this solo time:

    • Get yourself a special gift early. And wrap it early. It may feel a bit more special if you start to forget what's in it.
    • Play your favorite holiday movie(s) or show(s)
    • Enjoy some holiday music. There's so many songs out there, in lots of genres, you're bound to find some tunes you like.
    • Continue a favorite tradition. Baking, decorating, snowman building, singing, movie watching, and so many other traditions can be followed.
    • Attend a Christmas or holiday event. Whether it's a religious service, sing-along, market, potluck, movie, etc. Do this on Christmas or another day in the month.
    • Enjoy winter or Christmas scents. Get a fresh tree, bake some gingerbread cookies, grab a favorite scented candle, get some soap or lotion, etc. Pine is my winter scent. It floods my mind with lovely memories.
    • Do something you enjoy. Go for a nice walk or run, read a book, cook something, be outside, do a craft, play a game, watch something, there are lots of options here.
    • Walk down memory lane. Go through scrapbooks, photos, videos, other momentos of favorite holiday memories.
    • Connect with a loved one. We need community. The actual day of a holiday can be really busy for lots of people, so you may not be able to talk to a loved one, but a quick text is nice. Talk to them, if you can.
    • Volunteer

    I'd recommend planning this out, if you know you're going to spend Christmas day solo or have a solo Christmas dinner. That way, you don't have to decide in the moment.

    I also want to remind you that you also don't have to find joy out of your solo holiday. Moments of joy are lovely, and sometimes life and circumstances are really tough and don't leave room for happiness.

    That's ok, you don't owe yourself or others happiness. It's ok to sit with the discomfort, loneliness, longing, or whatever you need. You also deserve to not be miserable, so whatever spot between misery and joy you want to be is good.

    Ingredients

    Scroll down to the Christmas Dinner for One recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.

    ham and other ingredients on table
    • Ham steak: You may be able to find a small ham steak, or large slice of ham at the store. If you don't like leftovers, this is a great option for your Christmas Dinner for One. Get the size that makes the most sense for you.
    • Potato: I love a good yukon gold potato for mashed potatoes, but a bakers potato (russet) works well too. Sweet potatoes are nice mashed too. You can make extra for leftovers if you want.
    • Vegetables: You can use any vegetables here, but I got brussels sprouts. They cook about as long as you'll need for the ham, and they're really good with maple syrup. But use what you like/have on hand.
    • Butter: essential in mashed potatoes.
    • Milk: This will make your potatoes creamy. You can seamlessly swap milk for cream too for extra extra creamy potatoes. I generally go for milk because that's a staple in my fridge.
    • Maple Syrup: It makes for a great DIY seasoning for your ham and goes great on the vegetables. Versatile and super fall/winter tasting!
    • Oil: Toss vegetables in oil to crisp them up
    • Rosemary: Dried or fresh rosemary add lovely flavor to the ham and vegetables in your Christmas dinner for one. You can chop them up small to blend in or leave them whole and slide them aside. They'll infuse flavor.

    Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

    cubed potatoes in a pot

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

    2. 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

    3. 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.

    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.

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

    cut brussels sprouts on cutting board

    5. 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

    6. 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

    7. 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.

    8. 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 your Christmas dinner for one immediately.

    Other Great Sides for your Dinner

    • Holiday Kale Salad with Pomegranates
    • Roasted Pear and Orange Salad
    • Sheet Pan Broccoli for One
    • Apple Cucumber Salad
    • Copycat Chick Fil A Kale Salad Recipe
    • Roasted Broccoli and Mushrooms
    • Frozen Roasted Green Beans for One
    • Swap the simple mashed potatoes for "Roasted" Garlic Mashed Potatoes

    Great desserts for your Dinner

    Here are a couple single serving (and one small batch) recipes for you. Single serving recipes can be great, they also can be not so great. Check out this VIDEO I made about single serving desserts. I feel complicated about them.

    • Single Serving Chocolate Pudding
    • Single Serving Oatmeal Cookie
    • Single Serving Chocolate Chip Cookie
    • No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars (small batch)
    • Biscoff Milkshake for One
    • Single Serving Apple Crisp
    • Single Serve Brownie

    Storage/Reheating Tips

    If you made or have leftovers from this Christmas dinner for one, store leftovers in airtight container(s), in the fridge, for about a week.

    The vegetables and uncooked ham can be frozen for later.

    To reheat, cover and microwave until hot.

    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.
    • Swap milk for any type of cream if you have it. It'll add creaminess to your potatoes.
    • 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.
    • You can broil the ham for a minute or a few to add a crust. Remove it from the baking pad though, it will blister (been there, done that)
    • Lovely rolls are always a great addition to a holiday meal.
    • Other great add-ins: extra herbs to the vegetables and ham, cheese to potatoes or vegetables, nuts, etc.

    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.

    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 an easy option if you're cooking for one this Christmas.

    How do I make Christmas dinner easy?

    Make dinner on a sheet pan for the easiest dinner. You can make the recipe listed below on a sheet pan + pot for mashed potatoes. For even easier Christmas dinner for 1, cut potatoes into ½ pieces and roast on the pan.

    ham and sides on plate

    What to do with leftover ingredients

    When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer 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, Instant Pot Potatoes and Carrots, or Roasted Beets and Potatoes.

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

    square image of ham and veggies on the side

    30 Minute 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.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    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.

    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.
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @NourishNutriCo or tag #NourishNutriCo!

    Want time saving tips to make recipes like this Christmas Dinner for One delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Cooking for One Time Saving Tips.

    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 who has been cooking for one for over 10 years. 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.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tayler says

      August 03, 2023 at 12:16 pm

      5 stars
      A lot of times it’s just me and my husband for Christmas dinner, so this is exactly what I needed! Saving for December!

      Reply
    2. Luci Petlack says

      August 03, 2023 at 12:13 pm

      5 stars
      This looks amazing! Adding this to the list of meals to make during the holidays.

      Reply
    3. dana says

      August 03, 2023 at 12:12 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    4. Mandy says

      August 03, 2023 at 11:57 am

      5 stars
      Wow! This look very yummy! I love how it is so straightforward, no fuss and easy!

      Reply
      • Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says

        August 04, 2023 at 3:33 pm

        exactly!

        Reply
    5. Ali says

      August 03, 2023 at 11:06 am

      5 stars
      This is such a great idea! I often have to work on Christmas and this recipe will be great for taking dinner with me!

      Reply
    5 from 5 votes

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