Budget-Friendly Christmas Dinner: Delicious Recipes for Under $20

The holiday season is upon us, filled with the warmth of Christmas celebrations, cherished family gatherings, and, let’s face it, the potential for increased spending. If you’re feeling the financial strain, don’t fret! This guide to a $20 Christmas Dinner demonstrates that you can create a festive and satisfying holiday meal without emptying your wallet. Prepare to enjoy a delightful spread of classic holiday dishes, all while staying within a tight budget. Be sure to Watch me bring it to life on my YouTube channel! for step-by-step instructions and helpful tips.

This budget-conscious Christmas dinner concept builds on the success of my previous series, including “Dirt Cheap Easy Family Dinner Ideas” and “My Ideal Thanksgiving Dinner MADE EASY.” These posts and accompanying YouTube videos resonated with readers and viewers seeking affordable and delicious meal solutions. Now, we’re turning our attention to Christmas! Our menu features a succulent glazed ham, creamy mashed potatoes, perfectly seasoned green beans, and other beloved holiday favorites. All of these dishes are crafted using simple, readily available, and remarkably affordable ingredients.

To ensure the lowest possible cost, I sourced the majority of the essential ingredients from Walmart, known for its budget-friendly prices in my local area. The only items I didn’t purchase were basic kitchen staples, such as cooking oil and common seasonings, which I already had in my pantry. Rest assured, the seasonings used in these recipes are commonly found in most kitchens. If you happen to be missing any, they are inexpensive and easily obtainable at any grocery store.

Whether your goal is to reduce holiday expenses or simply to create a beautiful and memorable Christmas dinner on a budget, these recipes are tailored for you. They are designed to be straightforward, satisfying, and, most importantly, incredibly budget-friendly. You don’t need to compromise on taste or tradition to save money this Christmas.

For those seeking even more inspiration for affordable meal options, I encourage you to explore one of my most popular blog posts, “Cheap Family Meals Under $10.” This resource is brimming with even more delectable recipes that will help you keep your family well-fed and content, regardless of your financial constraints. Let’s make this Christmas dinner an unforgettable experience without the burden of overspending!

My Master Grocery List (with prices in my area)

Here is the grocery list I compiled during my shopping trip to Walmart in Utah. Prices may vary based on your location, so feel free to compare prices at stores near you to find the best deals!

• Ham: $9.23
• Cake Mix: $1.37
• Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix: $0.50
• Vanilla Pudding Mix: $0.98
• Gravy Packet: $0.32
• Canned Corn: $0.50
• Frozen Green Beans: $0.98
• Whipped Topping: $1.07
• Potatoes: $1.86

↓ EASY Emergency Grocery Budget-Friendly Christmas Holiday Recipes ↓

I hope you enjoy this collection of recipes that will help you create a memorable Christmas dinner for around $20!

Seasoned Green Beans

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz bag frozen green beans
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions:

• In a large pan over medium heat, add the olive oil.
• Once the oil is heated, add the frozen green beans.
• Cook the green beans, stirring occasionally, for approximately 8 minutes.
• Stir in the minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for an additional minute to allow the flavors to meld.
• Be careful not to overcook the garlic, as it can burn easily and become bitter.

Cornbread Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 15 oz can of corn, drained
• 2 large eggs
• 8 oz sour cream
• 8.5 oz box Jiffy corn muffin mix

Instructions:

• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, drained corn, eggs, sour cream, and Jiffy corn muffin mix. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
• Lightly spray an 8×8 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Pour the prepared corn muffin mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 35 minutes, or until the center of the casserole has set and the top is golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

Red Velvet Poke Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 box red velvet cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• Oil and water, as directed on the back of the cake mix box
• 3.4 oz box vanilla pudding mix
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 8 oz package whipped topping

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the eggs, oil, and water as specified on the back of the red velvet cake mix box. Mix well until the batter is smooth.
• Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking.
• Pour the prepared red velvet cake batter into the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly. Bake according to the package instructions provided on the cake mix box.
• Once the cake is removed from the oven, allow it to cool completely before proceeding to the next step. Using the back of a spoon or a fork, poke holes all over the top of the cooled cake, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
• In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the vanilla pudding mix and milk until smooth and well combined.
• Pour the prepared pudding mixture evenly over the top of the poked cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.
• Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to allow the pudding to set and the flavors to meld together.
• Once the cake has chilled, spread the whipped topping evenly over the entire surface of the cake.

Glazed Ham

Ingredients:

• 4-8 lb bone-in ham
• 1/2 cup water

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tbsp whole cloves

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
• Spray a 9×13 inch or larger baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the ham from sticking.
• Place the ham into the prepared baking dish with the cut-side facing down.
• Using a sharp knife, score the top of the ham diagonally, making shallow cuts about 1 inch deep. These cuts will help the glaze penetrate the ham.
• Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to retain moisture during the initial baking process.
• Bake the ham for approximately 1.5 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F (60°C).
• While the ham is baking, prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, and yellow mustard. Whisk constantly until smooth and the mixture begins to simmer.
• Whisk in the water, ground nutmeg, and whole cloves. Continue to simmer for approximately 3 more minutes, whisking occasionally, until the glaze has slightly thickened.
• Once the ham has finished baking for the initial 1.5 hours, carefully remove the aluminum foil. Pour the prepared glaze evenly over the top of the ham, ensuring it coats the entire surface.
• Bake the ham uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until the glaze has caramelized and the ham is heated through.
• Remove the ham from the oven and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before slicing it off the bone and serving.

Mashed Potatoes:

• Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes
  

  Cooks in 25 minutes

  Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes are creamy, salty, savory, buttery, and luscious. Everyone will be swooning over these amazing mashed potatoes.

  2 votes 5.0
  Cuisine: American, Thanksgiving

If you’re looking for more budget-friendly meal ideas, be sure to check out my most popular post, Cheap Family Meals Under $10. It’s packed with even more delicious, affordable recipes your family will love!

Budget-friendly recipe posts and videos you might have missed!

• Blog Post: Dirt Cheap Easy Family Dinner Ideas
• Blog Post: My Ideal Thanksgiving Dinner MADE EASY
• Blog Post: Cheap Family Meals Under $10
• Video: Emergency Grocery Budget-Friendly Meal Plan
• Video: $5 Family Dinners
• Video: Eating For $1 A Day (Full Week)
• Video: 70 Meals For $25

Quick links for making dinner easy:

• Family meal plans
• Tools for the kitchen and more
• The best cookbook for family dinner recipes
• FREE budget meal plan
• Cooking videos to watch

If you try these recipes, tag us on Instagram @julia.pacheco.cooking and let me know how much you enjoyed them!

Enjoy your delicious and affordable Christmas dinner!