Looking for an easy but showstopper of a Christmas dinner? Look no further than this sheet-pan Christmas dinner of beef tenderloin, smashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus. It’s easy, delicious, and perfect for a small-scale holiday gathering.
Are you looking for a showstopper of a Christmas dinner with easy clean-up and delicious flavor?
Well, let me introduce you to your new favorite holiday meal – sheet pan Christmas dinner!
Not only is this meal light on the clean-up but it gives you classic favorites like beef tenderloin, roasted asparagus, and garlicky smashed yellow potatoes.
This sheet pan meal is everything you want out of a holiday meal but scaled down for a family of 4 or 2 very hungry adults!
Trust me, holiday cooking doesn’t have to involve spending all day cooking in the kitchen.
This recipe gives you all the flavor of a long-cooked meal with the ease of doing it all on one sheet pan!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for sheet pan Christmas dinner:
- Beef Tenderloin
- A trimmed and tied beef tenderloin has the fat and silver skin removed and is tied into a uniform log. If you don’t see one, you can always ask your butcher to trim and tie it for you!
- I love the combination of thyme and rosemary with beef but if you don’t have both, feel free to use one or the other. I think fresh herbs make this dish so try to use fresh if you can find it!
- Olive oil helps the beef roast without burning in the oven. Feel free to use your favorite neutral cooking oil.
- Salt and pepper enhance the flavor of the beef. I highly recommend kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Butter adds delicious flavor to the beef but it also helps caramelize the tenderloin in the oven.
- Baby Yellow Potatoes
- I’m using steam-in-bag potatoes because they’re easy and quick to cook. If you can’t find them, you can also boil baby gold or fingerling potatoes until fork tender.
- Olive oil helps the potatoes roast without burning in the oven. Feel free to use your favorite neutral cooking oil.
- Salt and pepper enhance the flavor of the vegetables. I highly recommend kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Butter adds delicious flavor to the vegetables and helps them caramelize in the oven.
- Asparagus
- Asparagus is a delicious vegetable for Christmas, but you could also use broccolini or Brussels sprouts.
- Olive oil helps asparagus roast without burning in the oven. Feel free to use your favorite neutral cooking oil.
- Salt and pepper enhance the flavor of the vegetables. I highly recommend kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Butter adds delicious flavor to the vegetables and helps them caramelize in the oven.
- Garlic butter
- Grated garlic is incorporated into the butter more evenly than minced garlic. You can use one teaspoon of garlic powder if you don’t have grated.
What is beef tenderloin?
Beef tenderloin is a tender cut of meat that comes from the loin of the beef.
The meat is VERY tender but does not include a lot of fat like what you would see in a ribeye.
Because of this, tenderloin can get overcooked easily and is best-eaten medium-rare.
Where can I find beef tenderloin?
You can find beef tenderloin in the meat section of most grocery stores.
Stores like Whole Foods have it on a regular basis, but other grocery stores may only carry it around the holidays.
What is a trimmed and tied beef tenderloin?
A trimmed and tied beef tenderloin has the fat and silver skin removed and is tied into a uniform log.
If you don’t see one, you can always ask your butcher to trim and tie it for you!
You’re looking for one in the 2-3 pound range for this recipe.
What is steam in the bag potatoes?
Steam-in-the-bag potatoes are commonly found in most US grocery stores, where you find baby and fingerling potatoes.
These potatoes are sold in bags that can be steamed right in the microwave!
This helps cut down on prep time and makes clean-up even easier.
If you cannot find steam in the bag of potatoes (or don’t own a microwave), you can buy small baby yellow potatoes, boil them until fork-tender, and then follow the directions as written.
Can I use a different vegetable?
If you don’t love roasted asparagus you can easily use whatever green vegetable you happen to love. I think Brussels sprouts, broccolini, or even green beans would make a great addition.
Depending on the vegetable you swap out, you may need to adjust your cooking time.
How do I store any leftovers?
All the leftovers can be stored in air-tight containers in the refrigerator and should be used within 3 days.
Love this sheet pan Christmas dinner?
Why not try a few of my other delicious holiday sheet pan meals?
- Craving a meal with Cornish hens? Try my Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner.
- Love lamb chops? Try my Sheet Pan Easter Dinner.
- Want a holiday meal that showcases turkey breast? Try my Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner.
Sheet Pan Christmas Dinner
Equipment
Ingredients
For beef tenderloin:
- 2-3 pound beef tenderloin trimmed and tied
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For smashed potatoes:
- 1 pound steam-in-bag potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For roasted asparagus:
- 1 pound asparagus woody ends trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For garlic butter:
- 6 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon grated garlic
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme minced
Instructions
For beef tenderloin:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
- Pat the beef tenderloin dry with a paper towel. Drizzle over the olive oil and sprinkle over the salt and pepper. Make sure to coat the beef evenly on all sides.
- Add the smashed potatoes to the pan (below).
For smashed potatoes:
- Prepare the steam-in-bag potatoes according to the package directions. Then, let them cool until you can handle them.
- Smash the steamed potatoes just until they open – you want them to pop, but still hold together.
- Add the potatoes to the sheet pan with the beef and drizzle them with olive oil and salt. Roast for 15 minutes.
For roasted asparagus:
- Toss the asparagus, olive oil, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add the asparagus to the sheet pan and roast for an additional 10 minutes.
For final roast:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, grated garlic, rosemary, and thyme.
- Drizzle the garlic butter over the beef, potatoes, and asparagus. Flip the potatoes and asparagus. Roast for an additional 10 minutes or until the beef registers 115 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the beef to a plate and cover it with foil until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F. While the beef rests, continue roasting the vegetables for an additional 8-10 minutes.
- Slice the beef into ½ inch pieces and serve warm.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.
Nutrition
Julie
Sunday 9th of January 2022
Looks so good! What is oven temp? Thank you!
Gina
Friday 3rd of December 2021
Perfect special holiday dinner for a small crowd!
Jenn
Friday 3rd of December 2021
Such a fantastic main course for a holiday dinner! Thanks for the recipe!