Easy Holiday Side Dishes

No turkey feast or Christmas dinner is complete without a wide array of scrumptious easy side dishes. After all, it’s all about the side dishes, as they say. Agreed??? If you do, I’ve taken the liberty here to round up the best holiday side dishes to grace your dinner table. I could actually make a longer list than this, but below are our top favorite side dishes that are on repeat and they always WOW our guests. Let’s dig in!

• Scalloped Potatoes – Cheesy, creamy, filling and family-approved potato casserole that is a must on every holiday dining table. The potatoes in this side dish are simmered first in a flavorful cream mixture then baked to perfection with cheeses on top. If you want the one with ham, you can check this other version here – Scalloped Potatoes and Ham.

• Baked Acorn Squash – want a wholesome and easy side dish on your holiday table? This Baked Acorn Squash is a great addition to your menu. A fuss-free healthy side dish that comes in both savory and sweet versions so you can choose one or make both! How does that sound?

• Corn Pudding – If you’re looking for an easy to whip up side dish that requires just a handful of pantry staple ingredients, then this Corn Pudding here fits the bill. Creamy, buttery, sweet, custardy dish that is as easy as dump, mix, and bake! A Southern classic that could also be served for breakfast and during snack time! Want a flavorful twist to this? Try this Jalapeños Corn Casserole, too. 

• Cranberry Sauce – Oh I just love this sauce! Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without this pretty deep red sauce with a burst of sweet-tart flavor and a touch of orange, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Got some leftover sauce? You can top it on desserts like pies or cheesecakes or with your breakfast favorites like waffles, pancakes and breakfast oats, too!

• Cornbread Dressing – Moist, well-seasoned and comforting Southern classic side dish! It’s made from cubed bread and cornbread, butter, sausage, eggs and a handful of other easy-to-find ingredients. And yes, it is also called “stuffing” in some parts of the country. So whether you serve it stuffed inside the turkey or on the side, you won’t regret having this!

• Homemade Gravy – Your favorite Thanksgiving roast bird won’t be as complete as it should be without this smooth, thick and very flavorful homemade gravy sauce. Although there are various ways to make a homemade gravy, my favorite of them all is the old-fashioned gravy made from turkey pan drippings from freshly roasted turkey, stock and flour. Deep flavorful savory goodness that elevates every dish on the table!

• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes – Aaahhh. These oldie mashed potatoes isn’t just perfect for regular days, but also for the holidays. Creamy, fluffy and full of savory delicious roasted garlic flavor. It literally melts in your mouth! A perfect side dish for any protein meal. Do you want an earthy flavor to your mashed potatoes? You’ll enjoy this skin-on Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes!

• Pineapple Casserole – For some of you, you might’ve not heard of this dish but this Pineapple Casserole is actually a classic sweet and savory Southern dish often served as a dessert, too. Made with pineapple chunks, cheese, sugar, butter and Ritz crackers, this surprisingly odd yet tasty easy casserole side dish will definitely leave a good impression on your family and guests. And it only uses just a handful of pantry staple ingredients!

• Cheesy Potatoes au Gratin – If you love Scalloped Potatoes, then you’ll also love its cousin Potatoes au Gratin. This potato recipe is made with thinly sliced potatoes layered, topped and baked in a rich, silky smooth creamy cheesy white sauce. A perfect side dish to serve during the holidays next to ham, pork tenderloin, or turkey. Definitely one of the best holiday side dishes of all time!

• Sweet Potato Casserole – Side dish or dessert? Dessert or side dish? No matter which side you are on, this sweet and creamy sweet potato casserole is a must-eat for the holidays. You can either top it with crunchy buttery pecan brown sugar or toasted gooey mini marshmallows. But if you’re undecided, you may do both! And that creamy smooth texture, sweetness, added with the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg is a feast on your palate. It’s indeed a holiday staple!

• Baked Mac and Cheese – This Southern Baked Mac and Cheese recipe here broke the internet during last year’s Thanksgiving Day. Super creamy, cheesy, soulful mac and cheese with added Creole seasoning for that distinct flavor depth. I’m telling you, adding Creole into this dish certainly makes all the difference! It’s got a note of heat and smokiness into it. Want another version? Try this Lobster Mac and Cheese.

• Easy Dinner Rolls – Rolls shouldn’t be that hard to prepare, especially during the busy holidays. Good news is, you can easily achieve a soft and fluffy dinner roll without impatiently rolling out or kneading the dough like a classic dinner roll. This version of dinner rolls only needs a single quick rise and it still yield soft, fluffy, and tender rolls. Just the way you like it! And they actually taste amazing even the next day!

• Green Bean Casserole – Made from scratch with tender-crisp green beans and fresh mushrooms, this Green Bean Casserole is a foolproof dish that anyone can whip up in no time. The combination of the seasonings in this classic holiday side dish wakes up the recipe and adds a background note of heat. As for the crispy onions toppings, they are the ideal textural greeting for this casserole. Sooo good, you might even forget the rest of the dishes on the dinner table!

• Creamed Corn – Even the picky eaters will be over the moon with this recipe. It’s a quick and easy comforting side dish made with fresh corn simmered in a butter, milk, cream mixture and a note of garlicky and warm flavor. Don’t have fresh sweet corns? No problem! You can make this with frozen or canned corn. Undeniably delicious!

• Creamed Spinach – If you haven’t tried this recipe, then this year’s holiday season is the best time of the year to make one. Tender wilted spinach draped in a smooth white sauce infused with garlic, onions, creole seasoning, nutmeg and melted cheeses. At least, we get to have a dose of something leafy and green during the holidays. A great easy holiday side dish for your favorite roasted chicken, steak and turkey! And it only takes 15 minutes of cooking time.

If you also want a selection of wonderful meat dishes on your holiday table, you can check my round up of Meat Dinner Recipes HERE.

Did I miss your favorite holiday side dish? Feel free to drop them in the comment section. I would love to read them all. Happy holidays, everyone!