Holiday sides can make a crowded menu feel complete, but choosing ones people will want again takes some thought. This collection ranges from familiar potatoes, rice, and macaroni to salads, breads, vegetables, and a few dishes that can stand on their own. Most are simple to portion or pass around, and several can be prepared ahead. Use the mix to balance the mains and give every guest something appealing to add to the plate.
Honey Glazed Carrots
A bright, sweet vegetable side fits comfortably beside a holiday roast, and Honey Glazed Carrots keeps the preparation simple. The recipe serves six and takes about 20 minutes, coating sliced carrots with honey, butter, brown sugar, and a little salt. Their glossy finish brings color to a plate of savory mains, and the short cook time makes them easy to add even when the oven is busy.
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Butternut Squash Risotto
For a creamy side with autumn flavor, Butternut Squash Risotto stirs tender squash into Arborio rice with onion, garlic, and vegetable broth. The recipe makes four servings and takes about 70 minutes, with grated cheese, butter, olive oil, and parsley rounding out the dish. Serve it beside roasted meat or make it a satisfying choice for guests who want a more substantial plate.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Risotto
Antipasto Skewers
A platter of small bites gives guests something colorful to reach for before dinner, and Antipasto Skewers stack mozzarella, prosciutto, salami, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and olives. The recipe makes 16 skewers in about 20 minutes, with pesto and fresh herbs for finishing. They can be assembled ahead and served chilled, which helps free up oven space for the hot sides and main dishes.
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Twice Baked Potatoes
Crisp potato shells and a creamy filling make Twice Baked Potatoes a generous addition to the holiday table. The recipe serves eight and takes about 105 minutes, using russet potatoes, butter, sour cream, mayonnaise, green onions, and cheddar. The filling can be spooned back into each shell. They can be prepared in batches and reheated before serving, so the rich, familiar side is ready without last-minute stovetop attention.
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Jalapeño Honey Cornbread Muffins
A little heat and sweetness make Jalapeño Honey Cornbread Muffins a lively match for soup, chili, or a savory roast. The recipe makes 12 muffins and takes about 32 minutes, combining cornmeal and buttermilk with honey, jalapeños, corn, and sharp cheddar. Individual portions are easy to pass around, and the muffins can go into a bread basket without needing to be sliced at the table.
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Cauliflower Steaks
A dramatic vegetable centerpiece for the side platter, Cauliflower Steaks roast with olive oil, honey, lemon, garlic, and smoked paprika. The recipe serves two and takes about 40 minutes, then adds crushed pistachios, pomegranate seeds, and parsley for texture and color. Serve the thick slices beside a roast or fish, where their bright topping brings contrast to richer holiday dishes.
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Rice Pilaf
Fluffy grains with a little crunch and sweetness make Rice Pilaf a useful partner for saucy mains. It serves six and takes about 35 minutes, cooking long-grain rice in vegetable broth with butter, onion, and garlic, then adding toasted almonds, dried cranberries, and green onions. The mix of familiar ingredients keeps it easy to serve, while the fruit and nuts make the side feel festive.
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Fried Cabbage
A warm skillet side brings savory depth to the menu, and Fried Cabbage cooks green cabbage with bacon and onion until tender. The recipe serves six and takes about 55 minutes, with black pepper and a pinch of cayenne for seasoning. It pairs naturally with roast pork, beef, or chicken and offers a hearty vegetable option for guests who want something beyond potatoes.
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Mac and Cheese
A pan of creamy pasta brings a familiar favorite to the holiday spread, and Mac and Cheese serves four in about 20 minutes. Elbow pasta gets coated in a cheddar and Parmesan sauce made with butter, milk, mustard, and garlic, then topped with breadcrumbs. Its quick stovetop preparation works well when the oven is occupied with the main dish or other casseroles.
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Wild Rice Casserole
Earthy mushrooms and chewy grains give Wild Rice Casserole a place alongside traditional holiday mains. The recipe serves six and takes about 70 minutes, combining cooked wild rice with dried and fresh mushrooms, garlic, sweet onion, mozzarella, parsley, and fried shallots. Bake it ahead and warm it through before serving for a substantial side with a savory, woodsy flavor. It also pairs well with poultry.
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Dumplings
Soft, tender dumplings can turn a bowl of soup or stew into a more complete holiday meal, and Dumplings make six servings in about 25 minutes. The dough combines flour, baking powder, salt, butter, milk, and fresh herbs, then cooks until fluffy. Serve them alongside a broth-based dish or spoon them over a saucy main so they can soak up the savory juices.
Get the Recipe: Dumplings
Naan Bread
Warm, pillowy bread helps round out a menu with rich sauces, and Naan Bread makes eight servings from a yeast dough with milk, yogurt, flour, and sugar. The recipe takes about 75 minutes, then finishes with melted butter, garlic, and herbs. Serve it in a basket with curry or soup, giving guests a soft bread to tear and share at the table.
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Eggplant Casserole
Layers of tender eggplant, marinara, mozzarella, and Parmesan make Eggplant Casserole a hearty addition to the holiday spread. It serves six and takes about 45 minutes, with fresh parsley and basil adding a bright finish. The casserole offers a satisfying option beside roast meats or as a main for guests who prefer a vegetable-forward plate, and it is easy to portion for serving.
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Sautéed Kale
A quick green side can balance a table filled with rich dishes, and Sautéed Kale brings leafy greens together with garlic, vegetable stock, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. The recipe serves four and takes about 20 minutes, with crushed red pepper as an optional kick. Its tangy, savory flavor works beside potatoes, rice, or a roast, and the stovetop method leaves oven space open.
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Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice
A simple bowl of rice gives saucy mains an easy partner, and Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice keeps the ingredient list short. The recipe serves six and takes about 16 minutes, using rinsed long-grain rice and water, with salt and oil or butter optional. Make it while other dishes finish, then serve it plain or as a neutral base for gravy and flavorful sauces.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Long Grain White Rice
Garlic Knots
Soft knots brushed with savory butter bring a bakery-style touch to the bread basket, and Garlic Knots makes eight servings. The yeast dough takes about two hours and 45 minutes including rising, then gets finished with butter, garlic, Parmesan, parsley, and sea salt. Bake them ahead and warm briefly before dinner, so guests can pull off individual portions alongside soup or the main dish.
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Kale Salad with Lemon and Parmesan
A crisp salad adds freshness to a holiday plate, and Kale Salad with Lemon and Parmesan combines chopped kale with lemon juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon, Parmesan, and toasted almonds. It serves four and takes about 10 minutes. The sturdy greens hold up well on a buffet, while the citrus dressing and crunchy nuts provide contrast to heavier casseroles, potatoes, and roasts.
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Panda Express Chow Mein
Noodles give the side table a familiar takeout-style option, and Panda Express Chow Mein tosses chow mein noodles with cabbage, celery, onion, and garlic. The recipe serves four and takes about 25 minutes, with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and chicken broth making a savory coating. Bring it out beside roast meats or vegetable mains for a change from the usual potatoes and rice.
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Leek and Potato Soup
A bowl of soup can open the meal or sit beside crusty bread as a lighter side, and Leek and Potato Soup serves eight. The recipe takes about 75 minutes, simmering leeks, onion, and potatoes with broth, herbs, and cream for a smooth, savory finish. Make it ahead and reheat before guests arrive, giving the menu a warm option that does not compete for oven space.
Get the Recipe: Leek and Potato Soup