Best Lazy Holiday Side Dish Recipes

1Caramelized Brussels Sprouts caramelized brussels sprouts on a sheet pan PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON2Mashed Cauliflower mashed cauliflower topped with sesame seeds and scallions PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNE

This cauliflower mash recipe is the perfect low-carb substitute to mashed potatoes. The secret to making steamed cauliflower smooth and creamy? CREAM CHEESE! (We’re big fans, if you hadn’t noticed 😉.)

Get the Mashed Cauliflower recipe.

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3Cranberry Bacon Green Beans roasted green beans with bacon, shallots, and pieces of feta PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE4Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots carrots roasted with garlic and parmesan PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This recipe made us wonder, Why don’t we roast carrots more often? When they roast, their flavor concentrates and sweetens. Pair that with copious amounts of umami-packed Parmesan and just a touch of lemon, and you’ve got a super-irresistible side.

Get the Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots recipe.

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5Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad apple cranberry brussel sprout salad in a white bowl PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Brussels sprouts just scream holiday time. If you’re looking for a new way to serve this vegetable, you have to try thinly slicing them and making a flavor-packed winter salad. This salad has all of our favorite seasonal flavors: apples, cider vinegar, cranberries, nuts and sharp cheese. It’s the perfect side dish for all your holiday get-togethers, especially the fancier dinners.

Get the Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad recipe.

6Boursin Mac & Cheese mac and cheese with boursin PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

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7One-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.

8Green Beans AlmondinePHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Sautéed with shallots and garlic, tossed with buttery, toasted almonds, and finished with lemon, these French green beans are quick enough to serve for a weeknight dinner while also being fancy enough for holiday meals and dinner parties.

Get the Green Beans Almondine recipe.

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9Lemon-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.

10Fennel Salad With Apples & Radishes fennel salad with apples radishes PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

When you’re looking for a side dish that tastes extremely fresh even in the depth of winter, look no further than fennel salad. It’s crunchy, slightly sweet, and perfectly light and refreshing, especially if you serve it alongside heavier cold weather comfort foods (like ham or prime rib!).

Get the Fennel Salad With Apples & Radishes recipe.

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11Spinach Salad spinach in a bowl topped with sliced apples, sliced almonds, red onions, and crumbled feta PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

We use crisp apple, sliced red onion, briny feta, and toasted almonds in this salad for the perfectly balanced bowl. To go the extra mile, we definitely recommend toasting your own almonds. Not only does it give them a better texture, but it amplifies the flavor ten-fold.

Get the Spinach Salad recipe.

12Garlic-Parm Gnocchi garlic parm gnocchi with red pepper flakes and basil PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

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13Creamed SpinachPHOTO: EMILY HLLAVAC GREEN

Creamed spinach is a simple side dish that is also the perfect way to use up any dying spinach. The creaminess will make you forget you’re eating spinach and turn anyone into a fan of leafy greens.

Get the Creamed Spinach recipe.

14Roasted Cauliflower closeup of roasted cauliflower ANDREW BUI

Cauliflower is one of our favorites to roast because, flavor-wise, it’s very much a blank canvas. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or add a touch of color and zesty flavor with Old Bay seasoning like we did here. Experiment with your favorite spice blend!

Get the Roasted Cauliflower recipe.

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15Roasted Green Beans fresh green beans tossed with olive oil and shallots, then roasted until tender and lightly blistered PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

For a vegetable side to reach the regular weeknight rotation, it has to be delicious and a no-brainer—just like these shallot-y roasted green beans. Simply toss fresh beans in olive oil and season with some salt and pepper before roasting on high heat, then finish under the broiler.

Get the Roasted Green Beans recipe.

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