Time for some real talk. Holiday mains get a lot of “oohs and ahs” come supper time, but the sides are where Christmas dinner gets its personality. This is the part of the table where butter, cheese, cream, and casseroles show up like they were personally invited.
Cozy Christmas sides are all about comfort: golden potatoes, bubbling casseroles, creamy greens, and bread that somehow disappears faster than it cools. These are the dishes that get passed down, fought over, and snuck onto plates for “just one more bite.”
FAQs
Many holiday sides like casseroles, cranberry sauce, cornbread dressing, and mashed potatoes can be prepped or fully made a day or two ahead. Most of them reheat beautifully, which takes a lot of pressure off on the big day.
Use slow cookers, warming trays, and low oven settings to keep dishes hot without drying them out. Covering dishes with foil and giving them a quick stir before serving helps keep everything moist and delicious.
For a full Southern-style spread, three to five sides work great, but there’s no such thing as “too many” when it comes to holiday comfort food. It’s really about balance. Aim for something creamy, something crispy, something fresh, and something saucy.
Cozy Potato Sides
Roasted Potatoes
Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, these roasted potatoes deliver big, classic comfort. High heat and simple seasoning, including plenty of herby rosemary, create golden edges and rich, savory flavor in every bite.
The mouthwatering aroma will fill the kitchen and turn any occasion into a holiday. Tender potatoes encrusted in crispy skins flavored with garlic and rosemary is a party for your taste buds. Simple but elegant.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy, buttery, and loaded with roasted garlic, these mashed potatoes are silky and deeply flavorful. With a few simple techniques, you’ll get perfectly creamy, fluffy potatoes that feel like they belong in a restaurant, right on your holiday table.
Roast Garlic Mashed Potatoes – Creamy, fluffy and Flavor-packed, super easy to make and full of savory, delicious roasted garlic flavor! A perfect side dish for any protein meal and a must have side dish for the holidays.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Velvety mashed sweet potatoes topped with a crunchy, buttery layer make this side a holiday staple. The contrast between creamy filling and crisp topping is what makes it so crave-worthy. Plus, it looks as good as it tastes.
Creamy, mashed sweet potatoes topped with crunchy toasted pecans deliver comfort food at its finest. Add marshmallows for extra addictive gooiness.
Hasselback Potatoes
Thinly sliced and baked until crisp and tender, these potatoes look fancy but eat like comfort food. The slices soak up butter and seasoning, giving you crispy edges and soft centers in every bite.
Hasselback Potatoes – stunning golden brown sliced potatoes with crispy edges and tender buttery inside. An elegant potato dish for all occasion yet super easy to prepare. You’d also be surprised how delicious it is!
Veggie-Packed Christmas Sides
Green Bean Casserole
Tender green beans baked in creamy sauce and topped with crispy onions create the perfect creamy-crunchy combo. It delivers that nostalgic holiday flavor everyone secretly looks forward to. Smothered green beans make a delicious alternative.
A classic holiday side dish staple. Made from scratch with homemade cream of mushroom soup and tender-crisp green beans topped with more crispy fried onions. Watch it fly off the table!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These crispy, golden-brown Brussels sprouts are tossed in a flavorful mix of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and a hint of Creole seasoning. Quick, easy, and utterly addictive, this healthy side will have everyone sneaking extra servings at the holiday table.
Balsamic Baked Brussel Sprouts – golden brown, crispy and tasty Brussel Sprouts tossed in olive, creole and balsamic vinegar mixture. Quick and easy side dish or snacks that will become your new healthy addiction – taste great than French Fries!
Creamed Spinach
Rich, silky, and loaded with buttery goodness, creamed spinach turns humble greens into a luxurious side. Its ultra-creamy texture and savory flavor make it feel extra special on the holiday table.
Leafy greens smothered in a creamy white sauce infused with garlic, onions, Creole seasoning, nutmeg, and melted cheese have never been easier. It's an easy holiday side dish for your favorite roasted turkey, grilled steaks, or even baked fish.
Honey Glazed Carrots (and Parsnips)
Sweet, tender carrots coated in a glossy honey glaze bring warmth and brightness to your plate. Adding parsnips gives a subtle earthy sweetness that makes this dish feel extra festive.
Honey Roast Carrots – incredibly easy, quick, delicious and nutritious whole carrots bathed in honey, garlic and seasonings. A fuss-free side dish that is also elegant enough to serve for company!
Parmesan Crusted Asparagus
Tender asparagus spears topped with a savory, cheesy crust bake up crisp and flavorful. The salty Parmesan and toasty topping give it a bold, addictive finish.
These Parmesan Crusted Baked Asparagus brings a nice flavorful twist to an already yummy vegetable. They're tender, cheesy, garlicky wholesome side dish that is a great accompaniment to any meal. Got any leftover? Serve it as a healthy snack or as add-ons to your salad and stir-fry. Now that's hard to beat!
Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
Smoky bacon and tender green beans make this side equal parts savory and satisfying. The bacon’s rich flavor seeps into the beans, making every bite feel indulgent.
Enjoy soft and tender green beans wrapped in crispy caramelized bacon, then tossed in a garlic tomato sauce with the perfect blend of Cajun flavors. An easy side dish yet fancy enough to serve on special occasions. And an ideal addition to your easy meal prep ideas, too. Absolutely healthy and entertaining!
Apple Pecan Salad
Crisp apples, crunchy pecans, and fresh greens bring a sweet, nutty crunch to the table. A tangy dressing ties everything together for a refreshing, well-balanced bite. It’s a salad made for a festive occasion.
This fall salad is always a hit come cooler weather. But it's so good you'll want it around all year long. With fresh greens, crisp apple slices, candied pecans, blue cheese crumbles, and the most amazing homemade balsamic vinaigrette, how could you not?
Bread, Casseroles & Saucy Favorites
Cornbread
Golden, slightly crumbly, and buttery, cornbread brings warm, comforting flavor to any holiday spread. Crisp edges and a soft center make it perfect for soaking up gravy or cranberry sauce.
Enjoy buttery goodness with a perfect crumb and crispy edges. The right balance of sweet and tang makes an excellent accompaniment to any main dish, soups, and stews. Adapt the recipe for a snack or even a dessert!
Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy, and baked until bubbly, this mac and cheese delivers pure comfort in every forkful. A blend of cheeses and a golden top make it feel extra rich and holiday-ready.
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese is super creamy, cheesy, soulful baked mac and cheese filled with great Southern flavors topped with crispy bread crumb. You will never break open a box again!
Homemade Gravy
Rich, savory, and silky-smooth, this gravy instantly makes everything on your plate taste better. It stands out for its deep, slow-simmered flavor and comforting, velvety texture. A must for creamy mashed potatoes.
Cranberry Sauce
Sweet, tart, and bright, cranberry sauce cuts through rich dishes with a pop of fresh flavor. The balance of tangy berries and sugar gives it a bold, festive bite.
Cornbread Dressing
Moist, savory, and packed with herbs, cornbread dressing delivers that classic holiday flavor everyone expects. The mix of tender crumbs and rich seasoning makes it feel like pure tradition.
A classic Southern holiday dish made from cubed bread and cornbread, butter, sausage, eggs, and a handful of easy-to-find ingredients. Moist, well-seasoned, and truly comforting side dish!
Bread Rolls
Soft, fluffy, and brushed with butter, these sweet dinner rolls are impossible to resist. Their pillowy texture and warm, yeasty flavor make them perfect for soaking up sauces or building leftover sandwiches.
By Imma