Note: We updated this article to provide you with the latest and most helpful tips!
There’s something magical about the holidays that makes everyone happy and excited. On top of the home decorations and gift-giving, what many look forward to are the tasty dishes and recipes that we only make on special occasions. Here are some easy holiday meal ideas that your loved ones will definitely anticipate.
Before we hop on to the list, here are some things that you must understand when using an oven:
- Not all ovens are the same. Before making a holiday recipe, we highly recommend understanding the settings and processes involved when using your kitchen’s oven.
- Some oven types come with different oven racks. Always choose a rack that fits your cooking requirements.
- Before beginning the baking or cooking process, preheat your oven. This is to get the right amount of heat to achieve the best brown and crisp for your recipe.
- Hot air rises, especially in standard ovens. If you are aiming for the slow-cook function, place your food in the bottom part of the oven.
- Use transparent or light-coloured bakeware to evenly distribute the heat.
Must-Try Oven Holiday Meals
Home-Baked Pasta
Make your family's pasta recipe extra special by baking it in your oven. Add some cheese and bread crumbs to give it a tasty golden twist.
Baked Macaroni
Prepare big batches of baked macaroni within minutes with a reliable kitchen oven. You can present this dish the way you want it to be, as a part of the main dinner or as a snack when gathering in your living room. The well-loved baked macaroni is something that both kids and adults will look forward to.
Ingredients:
- 250g macaroni
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
- Bread crumbs for topping (optional)
Instructions:
- Cook the Macaroni
Boil the macaroni according to the package instructions. Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water for extra flavor. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously to create a smooth paste, known as a roux. Cook for a minute to remove the raw taste of the flour. Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Continue cooking until the mixture thickens.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings
Reduce the heat to low, and add the shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and mustard powder if you're using it. Adjust the seasonings to your taste.
- Combine Sauce and Macaroni
Mix the cooked macaroni into the cheese sauce until all the pasta is well coated.
- Bake
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a baking dish. If you like, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for a crunchy crust. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the edges are bubbling.
- Serve!
Allow the baked macaroni to cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps the dish set slightly.
Roasted Pork Belly
Brown, tasty, saucy, and juicy—a roasted pork recipe is something that will definitely make you look like a pro oven user. This is an easy and perfect dish for family gatherings. Try it with a spicy, but not too spicy, sauce.
Baked Chicken
How about a whole baked chicken for the holidays? Complete your festive dining table with a scrumptious chicken baked in your oven to perfection. Marinate your chicken with your favourite spices, roast it, and complete it with your choice of sauce.
Homemade Pizza
Create a perfect homemade pizza recipe in a precise pizza oven. This is definitely easy to make and can be shared by the whole family. You can also achieve the next recipe with the same versatile pizza oven.
Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin
Make your holiday dining table more glorious with some luxurious bacon-wrapped pork loin. While this looks complicated, the oven recipe is surprisingly easy. With your modern oven, you don't have to spend hours to enjoy the festive recipe.
Seafood
Seafood lovers will definitely love to indulge in some beautifully baked seafood dishes. These are delicious and lighter choices than the typical meat dishes that we indulge in.
Roast Beef
Your oven can significantly make your roast beef recipe easier. Oven-cook your beef the way you want it done and drizzle with your favourite sauce for a delicious and memorable main dish that your family will love.
Broccoli
Steamed broccoli for the holidays? This healthy food is definitely not boring if you add some toasted garlic and hazelnuts to the mix. You can pair this with your roast beef, baked chicken, roasted pork belly, and many other recipes that you want to balance.
Baked Potato Wedges
This one is very simple and tasty. Bake your lovely cut potatoes in an oven to get the right crispness and flavour. Like the broccoli, oven-baked potato wedges work perfectly with many main dishes.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Give the kids (and kids at heart) some delicious baked goodies to enjoy after the main course. Cookies with big chocolate chunks are easy to prepare, you can even choose your own mould to personalise your dessert. Why settle for store-bought goodies when you can use your best-loved oven?
Fruit Cake
Add some colour to your festive meal line up with a fun and yummy fruit cake. Complete a hearty meal with this delicious and picture-perfect dessert.
Takeaway
The best baking oven in Singapore makes everyday cooking easier and special occasions more memorable. Nowadays, home chefs can easily achieve what used to be complicated recipes in a more innovative oven in less time. This cuts food preparation and cooking time while achieving the same scrumptious results.
Whether you are a seasoned home chef or simply looking for new things to prepare for your loved ones, we hope that these simple holiday meal ideas encourage you to explore your love for cooking.
Looking for a new oven for the holidays? We've got you covered! Check out our wide variety of ovens in Singapore for the best prices at Megafurniture.