Christmas ham and turkey may be the centerpieces of a holiday spread, but let’s be frank: Dinner is all about the Christmas side dishes this year (looking at you, mac and cheese). Think about it — a tiny portion of your plate is dedicated to the ham (or turkey), while the rest is piled high with potatoes and casseroles. Obviously, that means that serious thought must go into choosing your cozy Christmas dinner sides. Good news: we’ve done all the work for you. Pour yourself a cocktail, and bookmark the following Christmas side dishes and recipes that will work wonderfully with your holiday menu.
Cheesy Gnocchi
Think of this like mac and cheese’s cousin. It’s cheesy, it’s warm, and it’ll still give you those same comfort food feelings. (via Brit + Co)
Romanesco Christmas Trees With Parmesan Snow
This six-ingredient dish takes advantage of Romanesco’s tree-like shape, which looks adorable when dusted with cheesy “snow.” This is a Christmas side dish that’ll get even the pickiest eater to eat their broccoli. (via Brit + Co)
Vegan Butter Board
If you’re like us and you have a big spread to much on all Christmas long, then brunch food is a totally acceptable side dish. We’ll be adding plenty of berries and maple syrup. (via Brit + Co)
Cheesy Sweet Potato Gratin
With Thanksgiving long gone, forgo a marshmallow topping in favor of savory sage, Gruyère cheese, and heavy cream on sliced, baked-until-bubbly sweet potatoes. You can save the marshmallows for your cocoa. (via Brit + Co)
Rachael Ray’s Cheesy Crushed Potatoes
The best side dishes are the cheesy, carby ones. These crushed potatoes are super easy to make — all you have to do is smash them down with the bottom of a glass and load ’em up with cheese. Done and done. (via Brit + Co)
Easy Stuffed Mushrooms
These bites can be served hot or cold, and can be totally customized to fit your preferences. Nix the meat and cheese to make them vegan or take out the olives for less salt. (via Brit + Co)
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
There would be anarchy if there weren’t traditional mashed potatoes at the Christmas dinner table. They’ll turn out just right by using a simple recipe that everyone will love. (via Cooking Classy)
Easy Creamed Corn
Any dish with “easy” in the name is essential for a smooth and perfect Christmas dinner. Prep everything ahead of time, and pop the corn in the oven at the last minute to ensure it stays piping hot. (via Damn Delicious)
Hedgehog Roasted Rosemary Potatoes
You’ve heard of Hasselback potatoes, but these hedgehog roasted potatoes might have them beat for being both a tasty and adorable Christmas side dish recipe. They’re tender inside but full of crispy bits and have plenty of nooks and crannies to fill with butter and gravy. (via Sprinkles and Sprouts)
Garlic Roasted Mushrooms
If there’s a dish to convert someone into a mushroom lover, this is it. The veggies act like sponges that soak up garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. What’s not to love? (via Savory Tooth)
Sausage Cranberry Brioche Stuffing
Give your stuffing some extra flair with dried cranberries and chopped pear. Pillowy brioche soaks up all that sausage goodness. (via The Suburban Soapbox)
Follow us on Pinterest or join our newsletter for more easy holiday recipes and Christmas side dishes. Also, our B+C Cooking and Baking classes are worth exploring as well!
Additional reporting by Justina Huddleston,Sara Cagle, and Chloe Williams.
This post has been updated.
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