Skip to Content

82 Christmas Side Dishes To Make This Year's Holiday Dinner Your Best Yet

Let the feast begin!

By
crispy domino potatoes in rows topped with thyme and flaky salt with a fork lifting one
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If the Christmas ham is in the oven, the wreath is up and the lights are strung, and you've got a cup of eggnog in hand, you might think you're all set for Christmas dinner. Not so fast—what about the side dishes? That's like a tree without decorations! Luckily, we've got plenty of spotlight-stealing Christmas side dishes that just might upstage that holiday prime rib or ham. With seasonal greats like these on the table, you might even find it pretty hard to save room for all those Christmas cookies. 😉

After the party appetizers and holiday cocktails have been served, the true feasting begins. We like to make sure our kitchen (and not just the stockings) are stuffed with winter's best produce. Everyone is always happy to see a festive spread of our roasted fennel with delicata squash & apples, our pear salad, or our caramelized Brussels, or our winter panzanella. When in doubt, the cheese in our cheesy bacon butternut squash, our Brussels sprouts casserole, or our Tennessee onions will convert the staunchest of veg-haters. Really more of a potato household? We've got all the best comforting dishes made with them here, everything from classics like scalloped potatoes or potatoes au gratin, to creative spins like our melting potatoes our our fondue mashed potatoes.

Not sure what to serve with ham, roast beef, or your favorite meatless alternative? Check out all of our best side dishes for ham, prime rib sides, side dishes for fish, as well as all our best vegetarian Christmas dinner recipes that the meat-eaters in your group will find themselves loving too.

For all our best tried-and-true Christmas tips, check out our classic Christmas dinner recipes, Christmas potluck ideas, and all the best Christmas appetizers to go with your favorite holiday cocktails. And if you've got some budding home chefs and foodies in your life, we've got all the best kitchen gifts for everyone on your list.

1

Croissant Stuffing

croissant stuffing
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Would Grandma really be all that upset if you tried a new stuffing this holiday? Her cornbread stuffing is undoubtedly delicious and nostalgic, but what if we switched it up a bit this year and tried something new? Enter: flaky, savory-sweet croissant stuffing.

Get the Croissant Stuffing recipe.

2

Tennessee Onions

onions sliced in half topped with cheese
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

We're not crying, you’re crying. Sure, our eyes might be stinging from peeling and slicing this many onions, but we're also claiming these tears as happy tears, because a simple, versatile dish with this much cheese can only be happy, right? Right.

Get the Tennessee Onions recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Fondue Mashed Potatoes

fondue mashed potatoes
PHOTO; ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLIST; MAKINZE GORE

If you’ve ever dreamed up a cheese fondue combined with mashed potatoes, this would be it. Fondue mashed potatoes, or pommes aligot, are super-creamy, silky mashed potatoes that have a starchy, cheesy pull that you’ve gotta see to believe.

Get the Fondue Mashed Potatoes recipe.

4

Saffron Rice

saffron rice
Lucy schaeffer

Saffron rice is quite possibly the most beautiful side dish to grace any dinner table. Colored with the reddish threads from saffron flower stigmas and paired with bright red pomegranate seeds, this rice has a subtle yet fragrant aroma that'll enhance the flavor of the meat you serve alongside it.

Get the Saffron Rice recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Cranberry Bacon Green Beans

roasted green beans with bacon, shallots, and pieces of feta
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

It takes just a little effort to take eating your vegetables from a “have to” to a “want to,” and this green beans recipe is a perfect example. Some crispy bacon, sweet cranberries, and creamy goat cheese enhance green beans into a holiday that your family will be cheering for.

Get the Cranberry Bacon Green Beans recipe.

6

Crispy Domino Potatoes

crispy domino potatoes in rows topped with thyme and flaky salt with a fork
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If a pan of scalloped potatoes and a bag of chips got together, these domino potatoes would be their love child. Crisp and buttery on the edges, but soft and creamy in the center, these potatoes will reset the bar for everything you thought a potato could be.

Get the Crispy Domino Potatoes recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Brussels Sprout Salad

shaved brussels sprouts with pomegranates, shaved parmesan, and chopped toasted almonds in a white bowl
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

When we want to incorporate this veggie into our holiday dinners, we turn to this fresh, seasonal salad. With toasted almonds, shaved Parmesan, and pomegranate seeds, this is the holiday side that will convert even the biggest Brussels sprout haters.

Get the Brussels Sprout Salad recipe.

8

Cranberry Stuffing

stuffing in a casserole dish with cranberries
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

You don't need meat to make a stuffing everyone will love. This vegetarian option is filled with everyone's favorite flavors—apples! cranberries! sage! thyme!—if anyone complains about meatless stuffing, just send them home without any Christmas cookies. 😉

Get the Cranberry Stuffing recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Cacio E Pepe Brussels Sprouts

cacio e pepe brussels sprouts
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Here we give Brussels a simple cacio e pepe-inspired upgrade that gives us the vibes of the more adult version of cheese over broccoli. A generous amount of cracked black pepper is also key for these easy Brussels sprouts that are the perfect side for any holiday or dinner table.

Get the Cacio E Pepe Brussels Sprouts recipe.

10

Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples

roasted fennel with delicata squash, apples, shallots, hazelnuts, pomegranate seeds, and parsley
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

You may have seen crisp, anise-y fennel bulbs dotting the famers' market stands, nuzzling up alongside sweet delicata squash and tart apples. The three find their way into this healthy side dish that's perfect for elegant dinner party menus, simple weeknight meals, or paired with richer, holiday spreads.

Get the Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Potato Gratin Bundles

thinly sliced red potatoes layered with herby cream cheese, parmesan, and gruyere and baked in a parchment pouch
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI ; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Potatoes au gratin is a classic, but it's long overdue for an upgrade. Enter: bundles! Thin-skinned red potatoes get sliced, layered in parchment, smothered in a creamy, cheesy, garlicky sauce, then baked until steaming and tender. Best part? Less mess!

Get the Potato Gratin Bundles recipe.

12

Winter Rainbow Panzanella Salad

winter panzanella salad with beets squash grapefruit and blue cheese
PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This winter rainbow panzanella salad is packed with in-season veggies, crisp and crunchy sourdough croutons, and coated in a tangy grapefruit vinaigrette, making it the perfect way to brighten a gray Thanksgiving day.

Get the Winter Rainbow Panzanella Salad recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Onion Soup Mix Roasted Potatoes

roasted potatoes coated in onion soup mix
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

As if roasting potatoes in the oven wasn’t simple enough, we’ve made seasoning even simpler by using a flavor-packed packet of onion soup mix. Seriously, potatoes don’t get any better or easier than this.

Get the Onion Soup Mix Roasted Potatoes recipe.

14

One-Pot Creamy Vegan Greens

greens and onions in a creamy sauce in a pan
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Been hitting the eggnog a little too hard, and craving something lighter to help counteract it? This is dish is fully dairy-free, without sacrificing any decadence. This recipe uses canned coconut milk, nutritional yeast, and umeboshi paste to amp up the creamy texture in this vegan take on creamed spinach.

Get the One-Pot Creamy Vegan Greens recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Balsamic Glazed Carrots

roasted carrots topped with a balsamic glaze
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Roasted carrots are a classic easy side dish that we turn to time and time again, whether we're serving up a holiday dinner or a quick weeknight meal. One of our favorite ways to serve them? Topping them with a balsamic glaze that makes them feel extra special (without a ton of work).

Get the Balsamic Glazed Carrots recipe.

16

Pesto Pizza Stuffed Star Bread

pesto pizza stuffed star bread
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Using homemade pizza dough and pesto is great, but if you go the store-bought route, this star bread takes very little effort. A few twists, and you have a green-speckled star to dazzle as the center of your holiday spread.

Get the Pesto Pizza Stuffed Star Bread recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Cheesy Scalloped Potato & Ham Stacks

layers of russet potatoes soaked in fresh thyme, seasoned half and half, and parmesan layered thinly sliced ham and topped each with melty cheddar cheese
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

Fans of our viral potato au gratin stacks, gather 'round! These cheesy scalloped potato and ham stacks are bound to be your next go-to side dish. They're just like the OG, but to make them their own thing, we added thinly sliced ham and topped each stack with melty cheddar cheese.

Get the Cheesy Scalloped Potato & Ham Stacks recipe.

18

Million-Dollar Mac & Cheese

spoon lifting mac and cheese topped with crispy breadcrumbs from a cast iron pan
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

What do you get when you take mac & cheese on a shopping spree to the fanciest cheese shop you know and shower it with gold leaf? Million-dollar mac. Showcasing a trifecta of bougie (and delicious) cheeses and a crispy crunchy panko topping, this irresistible comfort food in a casserole will take center stage on any table it hits.

Get the Million-Dollar Mac & Cheese recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Lemon-Herb Rice Pilaf

lemon herb rice pilaf topped with almonds, feta, and parsley
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

This rice pilaf recipe has enough going on to be the main event, but can also be the supporting role for roasted meats and fish. A crunch from the almonds, a freshness from the herbs and lemon, and a sharp, briny punch of feta all combine for the perfect bite.

Get the Lemon-Herb Rice Pilaf recipe.

20

Creamed Brussels Sprouts

cheesy, bubbling creamed brussels sprouts in a white oval casserole dish
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

We'll take Brussels any which way, but we especially love giving them an extra decadent treatment—with plenty of butter, cream, and cheese. This method upgrades even the most humble vegetables while still allowing them to be the star of the show—even skeptics will be asking for seconds.

Get the Creamed Brussels Sprouts recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below