1Green Bean Casserole
Will Dickey
This is the Christmas side dish that makes everyone a little emotional in the best way. It’s creamy, savory, and crowned with crunchy onions—and after a night in the fridge, the sauce thickens up and hugs every green bean like it means it, which makes the leftovers even better. The topping can always be refreshed right at the end for maximum crunch!
Get Ree’s Green Bean Casserole recipe.
2Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Ralph Smith
Cranberry sauce is one of those rare holiday dishes that practically requires being made ahead. Overnight, it sets up into a perfectly spoonable texture and the tartness settles down. And no, it’s not just for Thanksgiving!
Get Ree’s Homemade Cranberry Sauce recipe.
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3Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
C.W. Newell
Ree’s take on sweet potato casserole breaks everything into individual portions, which makes life easier and the table a little prettier. The filling turns richer after resting, while those marshmallows re-melt into soft, snowy clouds when reheated.
Get Ree’s Stuffed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
4French Onion Potatoes au Gratin
David Malosh
This is what happens when French onion soup and cheesy potatoes decide to join forces for Christmas. After sitting for a night, those oniony, savory flavors sink deeper into the layers. Reheated the next day, it tastes even richer and more delicious!
Get Ree’s French Onion Potatoes au Gratin recipe.
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5Honey-Glazed Carrots and Parsnips
Con Poulos
Carrots and parsnips feel instantly holiday-ish, and the honey glaze makes them shiny and special. By the next day, the glaze thickens and coats everything more evenly.
Get Ree’s Honey-Glazed Carrots and Parsnips recipe.
6Spinach Casserole
Caitlin Bensel
Creamy spinach is already a holiday classic, but this version leans into the casserole comfort of it all. After chilling overnight, it firms up in a way that’s actually helpful: it’s easier to scoop out perfect portions. And the garlicky, cheesy flavors taste even more finished the next day!
Get the Spinach Casserole recipe.
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7Cabbage Salad 
Antonis Achilleos
Cabbage holds its crunch like a champ, which makes it a make-ahead holiday hero. After an overnight rest, it softens just slightly—still crisp, just friendlier—and the dressing tastes more mellow and balanced. It’s the refreshing veggie you need on a Christmas plate full of rich sides!
Get the Cabbage Salad recipe.
8Mac and Cheese
Ralph Smith
This one doesn’t need a sales pitch! Mac and cheese is always a yes and almost always tastes better the next day. Overnight, the pasta absorbs just enough sauce to make the whole dish feel creamier and more cohesive. A gentle reheat will brings it right back to melty, cozy perfection!
Get Ree’s Mac and Cheese recipe.
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9Cornbread Casserole 
C.W. Newell
There are lots of different corn casseroles out there and Ree loves every last one of them—but this is the one that really wins her over. After resting overnight, it sets up into cleaner scoops while staying tender and cozy.
Get Ree’s Cornbread Casserole recipe.
10Sausage Stuffing
Danielle Daly
This stuffing is full of those holiday flavors that make the kitchen smell like celebration! Overnight, the sausage seasoning and aromatics settle in and taste even more developed. The next day, it reheats into a side that feels richer and more done, like it had some time to think about life.
Get the Sausage Stuffing recipe.
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11Creamy Mashed Potatoes
These creamy, dreamy mashed potatoes are one of Ree’s favorite make-ahead holiday sides. You can simply reheat them in the oven just before sitting down to eat!
Get Ree’s Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe.
12Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
C.W. Newell
These are the brussels sprouts for people who swear they don’t like brussels sprouts. They’re deeply browned, a little sweet, and completely snackable! Overnight, the roasty flavor settles in and tastes even better.
Get the Caramelized Brussels Sprouts recipe.
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13Slow Cooker Green Beans
Caitlin Bensel
Because these grean beans are slow-cooked, they almost braise in flavor—and that gets even better overnight. The next day, they taste more seasoned and mellow. Just reheat and serve!
Get the Slow Cooker Green Beans recipe.
14Creamed Spinach
Gordon Sawyer
You wouldn’t expect delicate spinach to do well the next day, but when it’s tossed in a creamy sauce like this one, it does wonders. Ree recommends warming it over low heat in a saucepan on the stove. Low heat is important so the cream sauce doesn’t separate!
Get Ree’s Creamed Spinach recipe.
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15Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Caitlin Bensel
Creamy mashed sweet potatoes feel right at home on a Christmas table, especially when they’re flavored with brown sugar, cinnamon, and maple syrup. After resting overnight, the texture turns even silkier!
Get the Mashed Sweet Potatoes recipe.
16Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Caitlin Bensel
This mac and cheese that works hard while you don’t! The noodles cook right in the slow cooker, soaking up all that cheesy goodness. After a night in the fridge, the sauce and pasta come together even more, so reheated leftovers are creamy, cozy, and exactly what you hope mac and cheese will be.
Get the Crock-Pot Mac and Cheese recipe.
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17Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash
David Malosh
This salad brings a welcome breath of fresh air to a table full of rich dishes. The kale holds so well, especially after resting with the dressing, while the squash, goat cheese, and cranberries only get tastier the next day!
Get Ree’s Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash recipe.
18Broccoli Rice Casserole
Gordon Sawyer
This casserole will feel like it’s been part of your Christmas dinner forever. The broccoli, rice, and cheese melt into one cozy, comforting dish, and it only improves after a night in the fridge!
Get Ree’s Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe.
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19Baked Orecchiette With Bacon Breadcrumbs
Ryan Liebe
This baked pasta is hearty enough for Christmas without tipping into main-dish territory. The orecchiette catches the sauce, the bacon breadcrumbs add crunch, and everything comes together in one dish. The best part? It reheats beautifully?
Get Ree’s Baked Orecchiette with Bacon Breadcrumbs recipe.
20Roasted Carrots with Honey Herb Butter
David Malosh
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