14 Small Roasts for the Holidays

Mini Beef Wellingtons

It's fun for everyone to have their own special parcel of beef tenderloin wrapped in flaky puff pastry. Another bonus? This recipe is freezer-friendly, which means you can bake just what you need and save the rest for another night.

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02 of 14

Herb-Stuffed Pork Roast With Mustard Gravy

stuffed pork loin in roasting pan — Johnny Miller

This pork rib roast is the perfect option if you want to serve a smaller cut of meat but still deliver the wow factor. It's stuffed with fennel seed, garlic, and parsley and served with an Italian-inspired agrodolce sauce (think sweet and sour). It's simple to pull off but still delights.

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03 of 14

Inside-Out 'Stuffed' Chicken With Mushroom Dressing

Having trouble finding a tiny turkey? We suggest opting for a fancy chicken instead. It's easy to make this beloved bird feel a bit more special when you follow a recipe like this one—you'll bake the whole chicken on top of a savory mushroom dressing.

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04 of 14

Acorn Squash With Mixed-Grain Stuffing

stuffed acorn squash mixed grain stuffing — Louise Hagger

Festive and delicious, acorn squash halves are the perfect portion size for a plant-based entree. And when the stuffing is as delicious (and healthy) as this inspired bread-free combination of wheatberries or spelt plus millet, two kinds of mushrooms, golden raisins, spices, and fresh parsley, you know it’s a winning dish. Another bonus, the squash can be made ahead and reheated for serving.

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05 of 14

Marinated Beef Tenderloin

Here’s dinner for eight, or for four with leftovers. And no roasting pan is necessary: this beef tenderloin is cooked in an oven-safe skillet. It’s marinated in a lively mixture of Worcestershire sauce, garlic, lemon, and oil, then cooks quickly under the broiler.

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06 of 14

Pork Chops With Herb Stuffing

This main dish tastes great and won't break the budget, either. Stuffing the chops with a mixture of breadcrumbs, herbs, and spices will make it feel like a special occasion treat, too.

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07 of 14

Whole Roasted Cauliflower With Green Herb Sauce

As well as being an impressive centerpiece, a whole-roasted cauliflower makes a great anchor to a vegan or vegetarian meal. Pair it with a bright herb sauce and perhaps this vegan mushroom-leek stuffing.

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08 of 14

Sage and Garlic Crusted Pork Tenderloin

If your holiday gathering is smaller this year, swap the bigger roast for something more petite. This easy pork tenderloin coated with aromatic garlic and sage fits the bill. As an added bonus, it's ready in just 40 minutes.

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09 of 14

Potato-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin

A mouth-watering roast and potato side dish all in one? Yes, this recipe is an all-around winner. To make it, wrap a small cut of beef tenderloin in par-cooked russet potatoes. The spuds crisp up nicely in the oven and make for a pretty presentation on the table; any leftover beef makes for excellent sandwiches the next day.

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10 of 14

Stuffed Turkey Breast With Apricot Jam

For an extra-easy stuffed bird, this no-truss turkey recipe can't be beat. The recipe has you tuck a deeply savory stuffing made with sausage, sage, lemon zest, and apricot jam underneath the skin.

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11 of 14

Individual Portobello Mushroom Gratins

Portobello mushroom caps become the perfect vegetarian vessel for a creamy and cheesy mushroom gratin filling.

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12 of 14

Roasted Chicken Breasts With Grape Stuffing

Roasted Chicken Breast With Grape Stuffing — Marcus Nilsson

A cozy entrée for an at-home feast, split chicken breasts are browned and then set atop a rustic stuffing made with torn ciabatta bread and grapes. They roast together in the oven, melding the flavors and turning the surface of the stuffing delightfully crisp.

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13 of 14

Apple-Braised Turkey Thighs

If the months of November and December could be summed up in a recipe, this may be the one. Turkey thighs are braised in a mixture of apple cider, cider vinegar, fresh apples, and shallots for savory depth.

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14 of 14

Chicken Roasted Over Lemons and Onions

Roasted Chicken in a Pan — Bryan Gardner

Our test kitchen’s ultimate roast chicken recipe skips the stuffing. Instead, the focus is on roasting the bird to perfection with a crispy brown skin and moist meat. The chicken is salted ahead, a key step, then roasted on a sheet pan over a bed of sliced lemons and onions, which you can enjoy along with the chicken.

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