I Always Rely On 47 Easy Christmas Sides For Parties
Holiday parties can turn chaotic fast, but a lineup of 47 easy Christmas sides keeps everyone calm and full. These dishes never argue with the main course, they just quietly make everything better. Guests might forget the turkey, but not what’s beside it. There’s something about a table loaded with simple, crowd-pleasing sides.

Easy Caprese Salad

Plates get more colorful every time someone brings out Easy Caprese Salad for a party crowd. Slices line up so neatly friends can’t resist grabbing more. The mix keeps dinner from feeling too heavy. Guests actually look forward to this one when planning ahead.
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Salad
French Onion Casserole

Layers of soft bread and caramelized onions baked together in French Onion Casserole make loads of people happy at once. Hot pans lure everyone in with savory smells. Every bite brings plenty of crispy topping. One tray is never enough for bigger groups.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole
Caprese Candy Cane

Everybody’s spirits lift when the table shows off the striped pattern of Caprese Candy Cane at a holiday meal. It looks so fun set up that people reach for it even if they aren’t salad fans. The shape brings lots of smiles and snaps for phones. Seconds happen faster than you’d expect.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Candy Cane
Beet Salad

Big bowls of bright color mean that Beet Salad always finds a place at the side spread. People get curious and stack their plates for the crunch. Even those who don’t pick beets always try a bite. Next time you see it, scoop some up and try for yourself.
Get the Recipe: Beet Salad
Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Sliced thick, the charred edges on Roasted Whole Cauliflower catch plenty of compliments at any gathering. It works as a main or a side, so people change up plates just to fit more. There’s always someone asking what’s inside. Chances are leftovers don’t last an hour.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Whole Cauliflower
Cabbage Casserole

Warm and creamy, stacks of Cabbage Casserole serve up a surprise that gets talked about long after. New fans come out of nowhere after trying the first scoop. It pairs well with nearly every other side. Don’t be shocked when you need a bigger pan.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Casserole
Scalloped Potatoes

Everyone lines up early to get crispy corners from Scalloped Potatoes before they run out. First-timers always ask how you get it so brown on top. The cheesiness sets off lots of happy sounds around the table. Missing this tray means missing out for sure.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes
Sautéed Kale

Green piles mean every plate gets Sautéed Kale, which somehow pulls in even the pickiest eaters. Texture and simple flavor keep it popular. People come back for seconds when they want to break from heavy dishes. New veggie fans always wake up after the party.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Kale
Dinner Rolls

Fluffy rounds of Dinner Rolls are passed around faster than anything else from the bread basket. Everyone knows to grab extras for soaking up soup and gravy. Minutes after dinner begins trays start looking empty. You only wish you baked another batch.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Rolls
Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Sweet and savory bites pair up great in Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad at snack tables or with bigger meals. Crowds keep asking what makes it so crunchy and good. It seems to work with sandwiches or just scooped plain. Seconds go down easily, don’t plan for leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
Easy Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe

Shiny, colorful strips get scooped up so quickly when Easy Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe finds its way to the party. The sweetness draws out smiles every time. It’s a dish that goes with just about everything. People talk about it long after dinner ends.
Get the Recipe: Easy Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe
Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Creaminess and golden topping make Brussels Sprouts Casserole a hit on the veggie table at any party. Even those not excited for sprouts give it another try. Compliments keep coming with every bite. Plates clean out much quicker than you expect.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Casserole
Funeral Potatoes

Everyone reaches for scoops of Funeral Potatoes with cheesy layers straight from the oven. The golden crust gets all the attention as people chat over dinner. It’s one of those party sides that disappears before you even take your first bite. Make extras if you want a taste too.
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes
Garlic Knots

Bowls of soft Garlic Knots vanish quickly when the oven door opens and the smell hits everyone. They work well with pasta or as a top snack. The buttery flavor makes people sneak seconds. Don’t be surprised if the basket’s empty before dinner’s done.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots
Honeycrisp Salad

Crisp and juicy bites in Honeycrisp Salad make sides stand out when things get heavy at a holiday table. It’s got a refreshing crunch people ask about after every party. Guests rave about how well it mixes with other dishes. Nobody skips this salad once they try it.
Get the Recipe: Honeycrisp Salad
Baked Potato

Simple, hot, and waiting for toppings, Baked Potato sits strong on every plate at group meals. People build their own versions and compare choices as they eat. It pairs well with just about every main dish. There’s always a little line for this side.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato
Christmas Casserole

Hearty layers get party guests piling plates high when someone sets out Christmas Casserole in the middle of the spread. New flavors come out in every bite. People swap stories about past dinners as they eat. Seconds are basically a tradition here.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Casserole
Cauliflower Steaks

Thick slices of charred Cauliflower Steaks always pull in a crowd curious for something different. Guests slice them up for sharing or grab a whole piece. Sauces go quick with these nearby. It’s one of the best veggie swaps you could ask for.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks
Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Colorful Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing moves around tables with plates refilling fast. People keep coming back thanks to the creamy mix. It fits well next to heavier mains. The bowl empties long before dessert rolls out.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing
Stuffing Balls

Bite-sized rounds like Stuffing Balls give partygoers something easy for snacking or stacking with dinner. People keep coming back to grab more. Maybe you’ll see them disappear before the main is even served. Guests always ask for the recipe too.
Get the Recipe: Stuffing Balls
Seven Layer Salad

Color stacked in bowls means Seven Layer Salad brings fun to any party table, with greens, creamy dressing, and lots for sharing. Friends dig deep for favorite layers. It’s a bright break from heavier dishes. Leftover stories turn into new requests for this one.
Get the Recipe: Seven Layer Salad
Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Creamy and rich, trays of Mississippi Mud Potatoes get emptied even faster than the main dish at big holiday events. Crispy topping turns into a favorite part. Seconds go way quicker than you’d think. People want it at every future gathering.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Potatoes
Broccoli Casserole

Heated pans with bubbling cheese get friends to reach for second scoops of Broccoli Casserole before anything else. Crunchy topping stands out among the sides. It wins over those who swear they wouldn’t eat broccoli. Somehow, there’s never a leftover piece.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Soft pillows go down easy when Sweet Potato Gnocchi lands on the party buffet with all the sauces nearby. Everyone tries at least two. Mix it with mains or take it solo, either way gets praise. Make extra for next-day snacks after holiday parties wrap up.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi
Cornbread Stuffing

Forks mix through dense slices of Cornbread Stuffing which somehow nails every comfort craving. People compare this to classic versions while asking for seconds. The crumbly texture makes it easy to pile onto plates. No bites remain once the last person clears their seat.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing
Celery Salad

Crisp crunch draws plenty of looks at tables with Celery Salad stacked up for easy snacking or side dishes. It brings a break from rich or creamy picks. More guests discover new favorites here. Bowls clean out without any fuss.
Get the Recipe: Celery Salad
Creamed Spinach

Smooth and rich forkfuls mean the pan of Creamed Spinach stays on repeat when guests want filling sides. It works with nearly every main course people bring. Refills happen more than once as plates get passed around. Compliments never stop coming in.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach
Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Glazed and sizzling, Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze start big conversations once trays are handed out at holiday meals. Even picky eaters line up to try some. The sweet tang stands out from other greens. There’s usually nothing left by the end.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Roasted Broccoli

Crispy, green pieces stack on plates as soon as Roasted Broccoli makes the rounds for group dinners or parties. Guests nod approval with every bite. It fits with nearly anything picked from the main spread. No one finds leftovers when serving finishes.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Broccoli
Sweet Potato Wedges

Thick-cut sides like Sweet Potato Wedges go missing fast as sauces roll out for dipping at parties. The color always pops in pictures people share after. Favorites get matched with spicy or creamy dips. Stack them high, they’ll be gone quick.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Wedges
Focaccia Bread

Soft chewy slabs get torn up quickly when Focaccia Bread shows up beside big party plates. Dipping sauce helps this bread fly away fast. People talk about the crust as much as the main dishes. Leftovers rarely go unnoticed overnight.
Get the Recipe: Focaccia Bread
Waldorf Salad

Chopped fresh fruit and nuts stacked in Waldorf Salad make a splash at bigger gatherings, drawing out second helpings. It’s sweet but works with plenty other dishes. Guests compare bowls and toppings. It’s one of the easiest sides to match with anything.
Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad
Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

Colorful chunks from Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables get a lot of happy forks from guests looking for light options or extra crunch. People scoop up their favorites and pile plates high. No two bites are the same. This platter vanishes fast from buffet tables.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables
Twice Baked Potatoes

Cheesy, stuffed halves from Twice Baked Potatoes keep hands coming back long after the party starts. Guests talk about the creamy filling every time. Toppings make them stand out in the side spread. Making extra means more happy faces all night.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

Fluffy toppings and smooth sweet filling bring rave reviews for Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows every year. People return for seconds before the main course is gone. The mix is perfect for balancing out rich flavors. Some fans claim it as dessert too.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows
Antipasto Salad

Bowls with colorful bites always empty out quickly when Antipasto Salad shows up next to heavier picks at any gathering. Each scoop finds a new favorite. Guests pile up plates with extras. Party planners hope everyone brings this one back next year.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad
Cinnamon Applesauce

Little bowls of cool Cinnamon Applesauce get passed around for pre-dinner snacks or refreshing sides. It goes down easy with heavy meals. Guests match it with meats or eat it solo. Quick refills are a sure thing once people get a taste.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Applesauce
Hashbrown Casserole

Crunch and creamy mix means Hashbrown Casserole disappear almost instantly when mealtime starts up. Second helpings are automatic every time. Breakfast crowds love it as much as dinner folks. If you want leftovers, cook more than you think you need.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole
Butternut Squash Risotto

Smooth scoops off a heap of Butternut Squash Risotto make dinner feel special with every party plate filled. Fingers point to this side as something new at holiday tables. It holds up against mains or tastes great on its own. Looks alone spark curious eaters.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Risotto
Turkey Gravy

Bowls fill up with Turkey Gravy as guests struggle to choose which food gets covered first. Seconds are needed for every side. Warm and smooth, one pour is never enough. Make sure there’s plenty so no one has to scrape the bowl.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Gravy
Bread Stuffing

Dense and rich, servings of Bread Stuffing add classic comfort for every party guest filling up their plate. Matching gravy to this side is a skill people try to master. The side always gets second helpings. Make space on the table, everyone’s looking for it.
Get the Recipe: Bread Stuffing
Potato Casserole

Creamy center and golden top mean Potato Casserole belongs on every holiday side table. Guests dig out the crispy bits with big smiles. Seconds turn into thirds before dessert appears. You’ll hear lots of “bring that back” from happy eaters.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole
7 Layer Salad

Forks dig in for bold color in every 7 Layer Salad at bigger holiday events. Friends check out each bite to spot their favorite layer. It works with most mains or stands alone as a fresh way to break up heavy plates. No bowl ever stays full for long.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad
Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Layers of savory goodness pile up in servings of Chicken and Stuffing Casserole for family and friends around party spreads. It pulls double duty as comfort and crowd pleaser. Seconds are usually automatic. People ask for it again every time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Stuffing Casserole
Mashed Potatoes

Smooth white scoops in pans of Mashed Potatoes pile up with every guest eager for that classic comfort. Rich gravy covers every bite before dinner plates clear. Partners, friends, and family all fill up quick. Double the batch when planning a bigger meal.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Thick and creamy, bubbly Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole cut through as the veggie dish everyone shouts about each year. Cheese makes every scoop easy to share. It stands up to any main dish, meat or not. The last bit never makes it to leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole
Hasselback Potatoes

Slices fan out on Hasselback Potatoes bringing plenty of “how’d you do that” questions as guests fill their plates. Crisp edges in every bite are hard to resist. It matches up with every main shared. Cameras come out before forks each holiday party.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Potatoes
About the Author

Hey there! I’m Mandy
Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.
She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.
She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.
