47 Christmas Side Dishes I Count On For Family Meals

Big family meals call for more than just the roast, these 47 Christmas side dishes keep things interesting. They mix old favorites with crowd-pleasing newcomers that spark friendly debates over who gets the last spoonful. The variety keeps the energy high and the table lively. By the time everyone’s done, it’s not just the tree shining bright, it’s the people too.

Easy Caprese Salad in Minutes

Salad bowls get a fresh hit at family meals when a classic combo delivers simple bites for everyone. Scooping up Easy Caprese Salad in Minutes gives gatherings a light option and works for any mix of main dishes. These look sharp on serving trays. Plates empty before you even sit down.
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Salad in Minutes

Savory French Onion Casserole

Baked casseroles with deep flavor set up the main course with an easy crowd-pleaser at any table. Savory French Onion Casserole brings up memories from past dinners and always gets a second helping. Works for lunch the next day too. Not much sticks around in the pan.
Get the Recipe: Savory French Onion Casserole

Creamy French Dauphinoise Potatoes

Side dishes turn extra smooth and creamy when you layer up servings for hungry guests. Creamy French Dauphinoise Potatoes means folks want more right after seconds and leftovers go perfectly with lunch boxes. This matches any protein on the plate. You’ll run out fast.
Get the Recipe: Creamy French Dauphinoise Potatoes

Fresh Beet Salad

Plates pop with color when crisp salad comes out as a starter or a side with bigger family feasts. Spoonfuls of Fresh Beet Salad brighten up any meal and keep things simple for lighter bites. Works with sandwiches or roast meat. The bowl empties without much effort.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Beet Salad

Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes

Crispy sides keep snack trays busy and offer a good change from regular baked potatoes at crowded tables. Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes means passing plates fills up quick with crunchy bites. These work great as finger food for big events. You’ll need extra for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Golden Crispy Potato Croquettes

Hearty Cabbage Casserole

Big pans loaded with flavor make it easy for group meals where everyone wants something filling. Forks dip into Hearty Cabbage Casserole and groups agree this side goes well with roasted or grilled main dishes. Leftovers freeze up nice. Not much makes it to lunch.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Cabbage Casserole

Festive Caprese Candy Cane

Trays stand out when salad gets a twist with stacked layers for extra fun during family mealtime. Festive Caprese Candy Cane sparks conversations and fits next to almost anything on the menu. Good for large groups. Plates leave clean every round.
Get the Recipe: Festive Caprese Candy Cane

Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

Bowls overflow with mixed veggies and always bring a lot of color to the table for big gatherings. Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables fills plates for every taste and lets people go lighter with their sides. These match up with everything. Leftovers rarely last past dinner.
Get the Recipe: Golden Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Snack pans get busy quick at dinner when creamy layers fill every bite and plates stack up for more. Dishing out Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes brings family together quicker and pairs easily with meats or other sides. These travel well for potlucks. Sheets vanish before dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Golden Roasted Vegan Cauliflower Steaks

Hosts skip the meat without making side trays boring so plates get filled up with something hearty. Golden Roasted Vegan Cauliflower Steaks always get noticed for their bold look and good texture. They work as a full plate or just a side. Most servings are gone on the first pass.
Get the Recipe: Golden Roasted Vegan Cauliflower Steaks

Broccoli Casserole the Whole Family Loves

Classics come in handy at big family gatherings where people reach for comfort food that always wins. Pulling out Broccoli Casserole the Whole Family Loves means seconds and thirds land on plates before you can refill. Matches with roasted meals. Trays clean out quickly.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole the Whole Family Loves

Buttery Mashed Potatoes

Sides with soft texture and a creamy finish top any meal for family gatherings, big or small. Buttery Mashed Potatoes never gets old and pans empty before main dishes hit the table. These pair with everything. Leftovers do not last till next morning.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Mashed Potatoes

Tender Roasted Broccoli

Side trays get crunch without much fuss when crispy bites bring flavor to any plate that moves through the kitchen. Passing Tender Roasted Broccoli helps with lighter plates and sets up quick refills for second rounds. Good for packed lunches. Not much stays behind after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Tender Roasted Broccoli

Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Crispy edges mix with creamy layers when family trays fill up for busy meals and holiday get-togethers. Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Casserole starts up more chatter and makes second servings a sure thing. These go with any roast. Plates come back empty.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Colorful 7 Layer Salad

Layered bowls get passed around quickly during big meals for snacks and easy sharing at the table. Colorful 7 Layer Salad means more conversation and extra helpings in just minutes. This matches all mains. Bowls get cleaned out fast.
Get the Recipe: Colorful 7 Layer Salad

Tender Sautéed Kale

Green bites work for those wanting something lighter, making side trays perfect for busy groups at family dinners. Forks move fast for Tender Sautéed Kale and plates stack high before the main meal is over. These pair great with grains. No leftovers hang out for late snacks.
Get the Recipe: Tender Sautéed Kale

Savory Bread Stuffing

Dishes show up packed with flavor for holiday spreads or regular family meals where everyone wants more. Savory Bread Stuffing on plates leads to second rounds and steals the spotlight from the main dish sometimes. Boxes up well for lunch. Trays last for just a few hours at best.
Get the Recipe: Savory Bread Stuffing

Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Bowls fill with color and crunch and always do well for groups who want something lighter with their mains. Serving Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing works for picnics too and leftovers pack well for lunch. Quick refills are common. It’s rare to see a scrap after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Crisp edges bring trays to the table for sides that fit every kind of meal and snack time with family. Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges gets easy cheers and plates fill up faster than most roast dishes. These travel well. Most servings are gone on the first pass.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Sweet Potato Wedges

Cozy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Pans filled with layers offer full plates at busy meals and double for lunch leftovers the next day. Cozy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole makes guests stay longer and talk more during second helpings. Matches with roasted veggies easily. The tray goes empty quick.
Get the Recipe: Cozy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Easy Honey Glazed Carrots

Snack bowls brighten up with sweet sides perfect for a change from regular mashed potatoes or greens. Passing Easy Honey Glazed Carrots around makes dinner chat lively and helps plates get cleaned fast. These fit in packed lunches easily. Every serving gets grabbed up for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Easy Honey Glazed Carrots

Festive Christmas Casserole

Big pans with layers win at family events where comfort food brings people together at the table. Festive Christmas Casserole fills more plates than expected and guests ask if you’ll make it again next year. These suit almost anything on a buffet. Not much sticks round for breakfast.
Get the Recipe: Festive Christmas Casserole

Layered Seven Layer Salad

Color pops in bowls for side dishes and holiday spreads where every scoop brings layered flavor. Layered Seven Layer Salad means plates fill fast and leftovers work for picnics or lunch boxes. Stacks up well with cold cuts. Bowls show empty soon.
Get the Recipe: Layered Seven Layer Salad

Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

Big trays with crispy edges offer good comfort for family dinners with seconds sure to follow. Dishing out Cheesy Funeral Potatoes causes a run on the side dish table and leftovers always disappear overnight. These work at potlucks. Most servings clear before dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Funeral Potatoes

Crispy Stuffing Balls

Snack trays make it quick and easy for sides when busy meals keep hands moving for more food. Crispy Stuffing Balls packs plates tight and sets up a good change from plain stuffing or bread. These fit in lunch boxes too. Not much lasts once guests start picking.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Stuffing Balls

Tender Cauliflower Steaks

Plates keep things light for family meals by stacking up thick veggie slices perfect for pairing with any main. Tender Cauliflower Steaks starts more chatter and crowd gets a new go-to when going meatless. Works as the main too. Trays are never full by the end.
Get the Recipe: Tender Cauliflower Steaks

Rich Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Creamy bars bring comfort to the side dish spread whenever dinner gets busy at home. Slicing up Rich Mississippi Mud Potatoes means almost everyone grabs two pieces and the pan sits empty by the end of the meal. These match well with most meats. No crumb left for snack time.
Get the Recipe: Rich Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Savory Cornbread Stuffing

Bowls stack up nicely at group dinners and offer a good change from basic bread with sharper flavors. Savory Cornbread Stuffing helps plates keep moving and fills up hungry friends until main dishes land. These are solid for leftovers. Not much sits around for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Savory Cornbread Stuffing

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Plates go for creamy bars stacked with crisp top layers at holiday meals or big family gatherings. Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole gets extra attention and leftovers box up well for late night snacks. These match cold cuts perfectly. Not much hangs out in the pan.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

Rich Turkey Gravy

Jars and bowls get poured over every side and never fail to boost comfort food at family spreads. Passing Rich Turkey Gravy means plates get stacked higher and everyone wants more sauce poured on their meal. Matches mashed potatoes or bread. The jar goes empty quick.
Get the Recipe: Rich Turkey Gravy

Soft Garlic Knots

Baskets stacked with soft bites make it easy for each person to grab a roll between mains and sides. Soft Garlic Knots keeps plates moving and extra rolls pack up perfect for lunch boxes later. These go well with soups too. Not much sits around for extras.
Get the Recipe: Soft Garlic Knots

Crisp Honeycrisp Salad

Fresh salad with a little crunch brings something new to side tables and fits most main dishes at dinner. Crisp Honeycrisp Salad gets second helpings and leftovers work for sandwiches or snacks. Good for quick meals. Bowls turn empty soon enough.
Get the Recipe: Crisp Honeycrisp Salad

Fan-Out Crispy Hasselback Potatoes

Cool patterns on every side make plates look sharp and give something extra to conversations at dinner. Scooping up Fan-Out Crispy Hasselback Potatoes starts off dinner right and plates tend to go for thirds. These hit every table with main dishes. No trays stick around after serving.
Get the Recipe: Fan-Out Crispy Hasselback Potatoes

Crusty Focaccia Bread

Bread baskets pack up quick with thick slices that work for soaking up gravies or pairing with side salads. Crusty Focaccia Bread means hands stay busy and leftovers get snapped up for late night munchies. These match up well with spreads. Not much is left after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Crusty Focaccia Bread

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

Pans with sweet potato get picked clean during busy meals and always bring up a good snack for seconds. Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows gets plates stacked high and leftovers work well for next-day treats. Works for holiday spreads. Never lasts in the fridge overnight.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

Colorful Antipasto Salad

Bowls offer up a mix of bites at family meals and keep plates busy with chunks and crunch for all ages. Grabbing Colorful Antipasto Salad means conversations hike up and snack trays clear out before mains reach the table. Pairs up with any side. Easy leftovers for lunchboxes.
Get the Recipe: Colorful Antipasto Salad

Perfect Baked Potato

Sides get more interesting when fluffy slices show up loaded at the table for big family spreads. Perfect Baked Potato always means plates fill up with toppings or just butter. These keep well for lunch. Trays never make it through dinner.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Baked Potato

Waldorf Salad Your Mom Used to Make

Bowls get passed around quickly when classic mix stands out as an easy favorite at family gatherings. Waldorf Salad Your Mom Used to Make means snack tables last longer and leftovers fit breakfast trays. Good match with sandwiches. Trays clean up before the meal ends.
Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad Your Mom Used to Make

Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce

Spoons move fast for bowls with a sweet finish that add comfort to main course plates. Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce helps sauces and meats pair well and snack time gets easier for all guests. Extra servings pack up for picnics. Most bowls empty fast.
Get the Recipe: Smooth Cinnamon Applesauce

Crunchy Celery Salad

Extra crunch in a classic salad makes side dishes stand out and bring more bite to every plate. Crunchy Celery Salad lets guests skip heavier snacks and helps pack up leftovers for late night munchies. Good for quick bites. Bowls empty quick.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Celery Salad

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Crispy top layers mix with smooth bites at the table and plates keep coming back for seconds. Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole fills out dinner trays and pairs great with main meats. These box up for lunch. Family eats up the batch before dessert.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Slices with baked edges stack up quick for side trays and pack plenty of flavor into every bite. Handing out Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes means big servings fill lunch boxes and plates keep moving around the table. Good for potluck leftovers. Not much stays on the tray after serving.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Twice Baked Potatoes

Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Bowls set up with creamy bites keep family meals lively and snack time turns into full plates at the table. Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad makes for easy packed lunches and group meals with plenty of refills. Matches with cold sides. Bowls don’t last for long.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Side trays look sharp when bites offer plenty of flavor with extra crunch for hungry guests. Lifting servings of Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze adds something special to the table and pairs up easily with roasts. These suit lunch time. Plates never hold extras after the meal.
Get the Recipe: Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Rich Creamed Spinach

Sides show up smooth and rich for any meal, perfect for adding greens to busy family spreads. Rich Creamed Spinach keeps plates moving and matches main dishes or lunch leftovers. These do well for breakfast too. Leftovers almost never last.
Get the Recipe: Rich Creamed Spinach

Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto

Bites with soft texture fill family meals with flavor and keep snack trays moving at dinner time. Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto makes plates look extra full and works for packed lunchboxes. Matches any protein on the spread. Most servings are finished before you sit down.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Risotto

Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Bowls with pillowy texture take over the snack table and plates pile up high during busy family dinners. Passing out Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi sparks new conversations and leftovers suit packed lunches well. These pair up with simple sauces. Not much survives for late night snacks.
Get the Recipe: Tender Sweet Potato Gnocchi