The holidays are upon us, and with them come the all too familiar holiday routine of deep cleaning, decorating, readying the house for guests and, of course, menu planning. We don’t want to toot our own horn, but we do hold our own when it comes to planning the perfect holiday menu. The main entrees are usually an easy choice, and we recently shared our favorite holiday appetizers with you.
Today, we’re digging into holiday side dishes. The best holiday side dish recipes are familiar and filling, but they also evoke memories of times spent with loved ones in the past. This year we decided to give you your gift a little early, so we put together a list of the Top 12 Holiday Side Dishes for the Busy Host to help round out your holiday menu…and hold onto your title of “host with the most” without sacrificing your schedule.
Sweet Potato Casserole has graced the top of many a holiday side dish recipes list, but we’re pretty partial to this heat and serve version. Packed with that perfect, “cooked from scratch” flavor we all crave, you’ll be freed from hours in the kitchen…and no one will ever know the difference.
Tender spinach greens, expertly blended with onions, butter, cream and Italian cheeses make Creamed Spinach number two on our list of easy holiday side dishes. You can choose from one or two 30 oz dishes, but we recommend to order two! This dish is a crowd pleaser, and your guests are bound to want seconds!
Is it even a holiday without the southern comfort food king, Green Bean Casserole? We think not. But this year, save yourself some time and use our recipe instead. Creamy mushroom sauce and crispy french-fried onions take our heat and serve version to the next level. The only thing you’ll have to do is decide what you’re going to say when your guests ask how long you spent in the kitchen.
Add some color to your table with easy holiday side dishes. Bright green broccoli florets, smothered with creamy cheddar and grated Romano cheeses. The kids won’t have any problem eating their veggies with this dish, and neither will the adults!
Fresh Idaho potatoes are baked in the skin, then sliced and mixed with the perfect spice blend. Next, they are topped with bacon, cheddar cheese, sour cream and chives. Enjoy all the delicious flavor of comfort food casserole, without any of the legwork. Just heat from thawed or frozen and serve.
It isn’t Thanksgiving without the dressing, is it? Southern-style, comforting and of course, tasty, we think our Cornbread Dressing takes the cake. Southern-style cornbread is crumbled with onions, fresh celery, southern spices, buttermilk and eggs, blending to make a side dish to end all holiday side dishes.
7. Creamed Corn
You’ll need to order two trays of this stellar take on Creamed Corn. A modern twist on an old favorite, this recipe includes fresh white corn, cream, butter, rich Asiago cheese and a smidge of maple syrup for the perfect amount of sweetness. Heat, serve, and rake in the compliments.
We know steak, and we know potatoes, and when it comes to easy holiday side dishes, Potatoes Au Gratin is a strong contender. Golden rustic potatoes, blended with garlic, butter, cream, Gruyere and cheddar cheeses are layered to make this a heat and serve holiday hit.
Butternut squash and parmesan herb risotto make the perfect addition to your holiday menu. From “heat” to “eat” in 30 minutes or less, there’s no need to worry you won’t have enough time to add a new recipe to your holiday repertoire. This is one side dish that won’t put a crimp in your holiday hosting style.
10. Mac & Cheese
Creamy, four cheese macaroni is a crowd-pleaser for guests of all ages. Just bake from thawed or frozen and serve for all the smiles.
Velvety, rich and savory flan, made from sweet and shoe peg corn, heavy cream and whole eggs, is the perfect side dish for your next holiday meal. Forget making handmade rolls or slaving for hours in the kitchen. Heat and serve Sweet Corn Souffles and enjoy a new-to-you side dish certain to become a family favorite.
Loaded with cheese and delicious, fresh cut potatoes, meet casual comfort food at it’s finest. Hashbrown Casserole is the perfect side dish recipe for your holiday menu, or any day of the year. Cook from thawed or frozen and serve with your favorite Herb Roasted Whole Turkey or Bone In Spiral Sliced Ham.
Great work; you made it through our Top 12 Holiday Side Dishes for the Busy Host! Now, place your order online to ensure you receive your dishes in plenty of time for the holiday, then kick back and congratulate yourself in advance on a holiday meal well served.
There’s no need to tell everyone you didn’t really spend all that time in the kitchen. And don’t worry, we won’t tell if you don’t.
