• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Butter & Baggage logo
  • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Breads & Biscuits
    • Breakfast
      • Muffins
    • Casseroles
    • Desserts
      • Bars
      • Brownies
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Fruit Desserts
      • Pies, Cobblers & Crisps
    • Main Dishes
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Seafood
    • Pasta
      • Mac and Cheese
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Dips
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Chilis
  • Shop
  • My Favorites
  • Kitchen Hacks
  • About
    • Editorial Policies
    • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Search
  • Recipe Index
  • Kitchen Hacks
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Editorial Policies
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » MSN Slideshows

    29 Christmas Dinner Sides That’ll Steal the Spotlight From the Main Dish

    Published: Dec 24, 2024 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    When it comes to Christmas dinner sides, they’re often the unexpected stars of the meal, stealing the show from even the fanciest roast. These aren’t just filler dishes—they’re the ones everyone keeps reaching for, the ones that spark conversations and second helpings. Whether you’re planning a feast for a crowd or an intimate gathering, the right sides can tie the whole meal together and make it feel truly festive. Let’s talk about crowd-pleasers that bring big flavors, simple ingredients, and just the right balance to your holiday table.

    Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

    A serving spoon in a green bean casserole made from scratch,
    Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    Follow these steps at home to make this creamy casserole with fresh green beans. No canned mushroom soup here! A homemade cream sauce is used.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

    Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears

    Balsamic vinegar being poured over roasted sweet potatoes.
    Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    Not as sweet as sweet potato casserole, Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Pears is a healthy addition to your Thanksgiving or Holiday meal.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears

    Loaded Mashed Potatoes In The Microwave

    A serving spoon in a bowl of microwaved mashed potatoes.
    Loaded Mashed Potatoes In The Microwave. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Loaded mashed potatoes are a quick and easy weeknight side dish that’s made in the microwave for those nights when you’re too busy to cook.
    Get the Recipe: Loaded Mashed Potatoes In The Microwave

    No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

    A glass bowl of roasted potato salad
    No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This warm Roasted Potato Salad is not only great for your next potluck or cook out, but it’s perfect for a simple dinner.
    Get the Recipe: No Mayo Roasted Potato Salad With Bacon

    Savory Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon

    A spoon full of butternut squash casserole.
    Savory Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This comforting savoury butternut squash bake (or casserole) combines choppedbacon and sliced mushrooms with a buttery crumble topping.
    Get the Recipe: Savory Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon

    Crispy Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere

    A spoon full of au gratin potatoes with cheese.
    Crispy Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Crispy Au Gratin Potatoes are thinly sliced potatoes stacked on their side for the creamiest potatoes with crispy edges in every bite.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere

    Roasted Butternut Squash With Cranberries And Feta

    A close-up of roasted butternut squash, apples, and cranberries topped with crumbled goat cheese on a black plate, perfect as one of your Thanksgiving sides. A red plaid napkin is partially visible in the background.
    Roasted Butternut Squash With Cranberries And Feta. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Roasted butternut squash with fresh cranberries and feta is a healthy side dish recipe that’s so easy to make. Oven roasted squash and cranberries drizzled with honey combine for the perfect addition to a weeknight dinner or holiday meal.
    Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash With Cranberries And Feta

    Baked Macaroni & Cheese With Cottage Cheese

    A serving of mac and cheese being removed from a casserole dish.
    Baked Macaroni & Cheese With Cottage Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    With cottage cheese blended into its sauce, this baked one-pot mac and cheese recipe is ultra-creamy. A delicious twist on classic mac & cheese.
    Get the Recipe: Baked Macaroni & Cheese With Cottage Cheese

    Wild Rice With Roasted Grapes

    Wild Rice With Roasted Grapes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Wild Rice with Roasted Grapes transforms a plain side dish to a fabulous one that even picky eaters will like. Roasting the grapes in balsamic vinegar and then adding toasted pecans gives you a healthy and amazing addition that works with almost any main dish. Great to take for a potluck or serve for guests.
    Get the Recipe: Wild Rice With Roasted Grapes

    Savory Green Beans With Bacon

    A close-up of cooked green beans mixed with pieces of bacon and sliced onions, served on a decorative blue and white plate—perfect for adding to your holiday side dishes spread.
    Savory Green Beans With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Green Beans with Bacon and Onions will transform a simple side dish into a FABULOUS one. Great for when you want to jazz up your vegetables.
    Get the Recipe: Savory Green Beans With Bacon

    Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe

    A platter of roasted carrots.
    Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Oven Roasted Carrots are a healthy side to add to any meal. You won’t find them bland with this vinaigrette addition to the vegetables.
    Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe

    Best Roasted Potatoes

    Best Roasted Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    If you love your potatoes crispy, then you’re going to love Oven Roasted Potatoes. You get the crispiest roasted potatoes!
    Get the Recipe: Best Roasted Potatoes

    Roasted Balsamic Asparagus And Mushrooms

    A platter of asparagus with mushrooms next to a container of balsamic vinegar
    Roasted Balsamic Asparagus And Mushrooms. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Balsamic roasted asparagus and mushrooms is a great way to enjoy fresh produce. Roasting brings out so much flavor and it’s quick and EASY.
    Get the Recipe: Roasted Balsamic Asparagus And Mushrooms

    Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

    A platter of green bean and potato salad.
    Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Full of fresh summer flavors, this cold green bean salad recipe adds in tender new potatoes for a refreshing take on a classic summer meal.
    Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

    Fondant Potatoes

    Fondant Potatoes. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    Fondant Potatoes are deliciously crispy on top, chewy on bottom & pillowy soft inside. They’re super fancy looking, but really easy to make.
    Get the Recipe: Fondant Potatoes

    Cauliflower Au Gratin

    Cauliflower Au Gratin. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    Creamy, flavorful Cauliflower Au Gratin uses only a few simple ingredients and is an easy side dish perfect for Thanksgiving or any other day!
    Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Au Gratin

    Easy Fresh Green Beans And Mushrooms

    Easy Fresh Green Beans And Mushrooms. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Learn how to prepare fresh green beans and mushrooms that are crisp, not soggy, with these easy-to-follow steps and tips.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Fresh Green Beans And Mushrooms

    Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe

    A plate of four baked potatoes, each split open and filled with fluffy, seasoned white potato filling. They are garnished with chopped herbs and a sprinkling of ground seasoning. The plate is placed on a yellow cloth.
    Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This air fryer baked potatoes recipe creates the perfect baked potato with salty crispy skin and light fluffy insides every time.
    Get the Recipe: Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe

    Roasted Portobello Mushrooms

    Roasted Portobello Mushrooms. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    Make baked portobello mushroom cap recipe for a quick side dish. Roast portobello mushrooms in just 20 minutes!
    Get the Recipe: Roasted Portobello Mushrooms

    Maple Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad

    Maple Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    Savor the warmth of this Maple Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad, with crispy brussels sprouts, apples, cranberries, and toasted almonds!
    Get the Recipe: Maple Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad

    Caramelized Pearl Onions

    Caramelized Pearl Onions. Photo credit: Savor the Best.

    Step up your side game with these caramelized pearl onions, jazzed up with bacon, brown sugar, and a cheeky splash of bourbon. Perfect as a side or appetizer—because regular onions are just too basic. Peeling tips included. Get it done in 22 minutes flat.
    Get the Recipe: Caramelized Pearl Onions

    Delicata Squash With Parmesan Gremolata

    Delicata Squash With Parmesan Gremolata. Photo credit: Savor the Best.

    Oven baked delicata squash topped with brown butter and a savory parmesan and almond gremolata. It makes an easy gourmet side dish.
    Get the Recipe: Delicata Squash With Parmesan Gremolata

    Crock Pot Creamed Corn Recipe

    Crock Pot Creamed Corn Recipe. Photo credit: Southern Plate.

    This crock pot creamed corn recipe has the same rich old-fashioned flavor, but is so easy to make in the slow cooker with just 5 ingredients.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Creamed Corn Recipe

    Oven-Baked Mac and Cheese

    Oven-Baked Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Southern Plate.

    This easy oven-baked mac and cheese casserole recipe is a Southern Plate favorite. You need just 5 ingredients to make this delicious dish!
    Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Mac and Cheese

    Scalloped Potatoes and Ham in the Crock Pot

    Scalloped Potatoes and Ham in the Crock Pot. Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    This Scalloped Potatoes and Ham in the Crock Pot is a cheesy, easy main dish that is perfect for breakfast or dinner!
    Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes and Ham in the Crock Pot

    Fiesta Wedge Salad

    Fiesta Wedge Salad. Photo credit: Practically Homemade.

    The classic wedge salad has been given a Mexican twist with a homemade taco salad dressing and delicious fiesta ingredients.
    Get the Recipe: Fiesta Wedge Salad

    Easy Sautéed Zucchini And Mushrooms Recipe

    Easy Sautéed Zucchini And Mushrooms Recipe. Photo credit: Pip and Ebby.

    Easy-peasy delicious veggies! These vegetables saute up fast and make a healthy snack or perfect side to any dinner option. Perfect for those farmers market veggies. Mushrooms and zucchini taste so good together!
    Get the Recipe: Easy Sautéed Zucchini And Mushrooms Recipe

    Wild Rice With Celery And Onions

    Wild Rice With Celery And Onions. Photo credit: Pip and Ebby.

    Wild Rice with Celery and Onions is a simple and flavorful side dish that highlights the nutty richness of wild rice. Tender celery and sweet onions are sautéed to perfection, then combined with the cooked wild rice for a dish that’s hearty, wholesome, and versatile.
    Get the Recipe: Wild Rice With Celery And Onions

    Crispy Cheesy Cauliflower Steaks Recipe

    Crispy Cheesy Cauliflower Steaks Recipe. Photo credit: Talking Meals.

    These super easy to make Roasted Crispy Cheesy Cauliflower Steaks have crispy edges, a soft center, and ooey gooey cheese on top.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Cheesy Cauliflower Steaks Recipe

    Explore Recipes

    MSN Slideshows
    « 21 Nostalgic Christmas Potato Dishes That Taste Like Home
    35 Easy Christmas Cakes for a Very Merry Season »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

    More about me →

    Subscribe

    Spring Sides

    • A wooden spoon with a serving of macaroni salad.
      Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese
    • A plate of green bean salad with potatoes next to salmon.
      Green Beans and New Potato Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
    • A basket of yeast dinner rolls.
      Old-Fashioned Yeast Rolls with a Modern, Foolproof Method
    • Cornbread corn pudding with a serving spoon in a casserole dish.
      Custardy Cornbread Pudding Casserole

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Our All-Star Recipes

    • A round baking dish of mac and cheese with a serving spoon.
      Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
    • A skillet of charred corn with a wooden spoon.
      Skillet Charred Corn with Bacon and Cream
    • A serving spoon of ground beef potato casserole.
      Hamburger Potato Casserole Without Canned Soup
    • A serving spoon of baked beans with hamburger.
      Southern Baked Beans with Ground Beef
    • A baked chicken tamale pie.
      Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust
    • Square biscuits in a bowl with coffee cups.
      Square Buttermilk Biscuits (Tall & Flaky)

    COPYRIGHT © 2026 BUTTER & BAGGAGE | PRIVACY POLICY | WEB STORIES
    BRANDING & CUSTOMIZATION BY GRACE + VINE STUDIOS

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required