Side Dishes That’ll Have Your Mother-in-law Asking for the Recipe

These comfort holiday side dishes are perfect for adding heartwarming flavors to your festive gatherings. Everyone will be asking for the recipe!

A holiday feast isn’t complete without some delicious sides. Yes, that’s probably controversial. But in our opinion, a golden-brown turkey just isn’t complete without the trimmings. This post pays homage to those hardworking sides, featuring recipes for some truly exceptional holiday side dishes.

Favorite stuffing (+ macaroni & cheese) recipes

Embrace the flavors of the season with this Sausage and Herb Stuffing. The sweet tang of cranberries complements the savory flavors of a traditional stuffing — butter, sage sausage, celery, onions. You can enjoy this holiday side dish solo, as stuffing for the bird, or both.

Alternatively, you might spice things up with Jalapeño Cornbread Stuffing with Pork Sausage. The recipe calls for sweet cornbread stuffing and Jalapeno peppers, giving it a southern flare. We’re confident you’ll love this fun twist on the holiday staple.

If you call the South home or simply feel like leaning into a regional theme, add baked macaroni and cheese to your holiday menu. We’re partial to this Ultimate Macaroni & Cheese recipe that incorporates nutty butternut squash and salty pancetta. It’s a great side for the holidays and can be a meal unto itself.

Not-so-ordinary potatoes

Streusel-topped sweet potatoes — what’s not to love?!? With a creamy base of delicately spiced sweet potatoes and a delicious streusel topping with a pecan crunch, this Sweet potato Casserole with Streuself topping might just become your signature dish for holiday gatherings.

Another holiday staple is a good cheesy potato dish. We’re partial to this three-cheese mashed potatoes casserole. It’s packed with flavor and cheesy goodness. Plus, it’s incredibly simple to make. Now that’s a win-win.

This Loaded Mashed Potato Dinner Roll recipe takes a little more time, but the results are worth it. The cheesy mashed potatoes at the center of each soft and fluffy roll are an unexpected and delightful surprise. Expect a lot of recipe requests when you bake these savory dinner rolls!

Veggie bakes for the holidays

One of the most delicious ways to get some green on your plate is with this Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole. The mashed potatoes are loaded with broccoli florets and cheddar cheese and topped with crisp bacon and green onions. Seconds will be had.

Another must-try is this Warm Autumn Salad, a colorful and flavorful addition to any holiday spread. Brussel sprouts, diced potatoes with onions, carrots and yellow bell peppers form the base. Drizzle the mix in warm cranberry jelly and top it all off with a sprinkling of feta cheese. It’s the perfect salad for the cooler months of the year and a unique addition to any gathering.

Don’t sweat the holidays

As you head into the holiday season and its many gatherings, it always helps to have a few recipes you know will be a hit on hand. These check that box.

Another reason to love these holiday recipes? Many of them come together fast and with very little mess. We all need a few of those easy and delicious recipes during the busy holiday season.

Find more festive recipes for the holidays on our recipes page.