24 Recipes You Grew Up Seeing at Holiday Get-Togethers

Holiday gatherings always have a way of bringing back memories, especially the foods that seemed to appear at every table. These recipes capture those nostalgic flavors, the ones that felt like tradition on every plate. From sweet treats to savory classics, each dish carries a story worth sharing. They’re the kind of recipes that make you pause, smile, and remember the laughter around the table. Perfect for creating new memories while honoring the ones that shaped your holidays.

Classic Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw

A bowl of creamy coleslaw with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, and herbs sits on a gray cloth napkin next to vintage silver utensils—perfect as one of your favorite dinner side dishes. — Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw for Thanksgiving. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Bring a splash of color to your holiday table with this creamy, tangy red cabbage slaw—easy to make ahead!
Get the Recipe: Creamy Red Cabbage Slaw for Thanksgiving

Balsamic Roasted Asparagus & Mushrooms

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

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Sweet, tangy, and roasted to perfection—this asparagus and mushroom side will become a holiday favorite.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Roasted Asparagus & Mushrooms

Homestyle Broccoli Rice Casserole

A broccoli rice casserole in a skillet. — Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich, cheesy, and homemade—skip the canned soup and serve this broccoli rice casserole at your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Soup

Cheddar Pea Salad for Holiday Tables

A bowl of pea salad with a serving spoon. — Cheddar Pea Salad for Holiday Tables. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This creamy cheddar pea salad is a nostalgic holiday side with just the right hint of spice—perfect for family gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Cheddar Pea Salad for Holiday Tables

Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

A spoon taking out a serving of cauliflower casserole. — Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich cheese and smoked paprika make this creamy cauliflower casserole a comforting holiday side dish your family will adore.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Quick Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

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

Microwave these cheesy mashed potatoes for a fast, comforting side—perfect when Thanksgiving prep gets busy.
Get the Recipe: Quick Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Make-Ahead Yukon Gold Mash

Butter on top of a bowl of mashed potatoes. — Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy Yukon Gold mashed potatoes with mascarpone make holiday prep stress-free and unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

Easy Crockpot Mac & Cheese

A bowl of crock pot mac n cheese in a bowl next to a spoon. — Crockpot Mac & Cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This 6-ingredient crockpot mac & cheese is creamy, cheesy, and a guaranteed hit at your holiday feast.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mac & Cheese

Slow Cooker Tender Asparagus

Slow Cooker Asparagus. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Fresh asparagus cooks perfectly in the slow cooker—an effortless, tender side for your holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Asparagus

Bold Cauliflower Side You Loved as a Kid

Roasted cauliflower with brown butter in a serving bowl. — A bold cauliflower side with browned butter perfect for your feast. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Roasted Cauliflower is even better with some browned butter. Add a little spicy and some pumpkin seeds for a great side dish.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Roasted Cauliflower With Browned Butter

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole Everyone Remembers

A spoon full of hashbrown casserole. — Cheesy potatoes with a crunchy topping, perfect for Thanksgiving. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

An old fashioned casserole with cheesy potatoes and a crunchy cornflake topping. Frozen hashbrowns make this cheesy hashbrown potatoes recipe a breeze to make.
Get the Recipe: Hash Brown Casserole With Corn Flakes

Golden Au Gratin Potatoes from Family Tables

Potatoes au gratin in a baking dish with a serving spoon. — Creamy, golden potatoes with crispy edges for your holiday table. 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

Homemade Green Bean Casserole You Remember

A serving spoon in a green bean casserole made from scratch, — Fresh green beans baked in a creamy sauce, no 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

Sweet Roasted Cabbage From Holiday Memories

Cabbage roasted in the oven with cherries on a platter. — Sweet and savory roasted cabbage, a light Thanksgiving side. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Slice up a couple of cabbage wedges and season them for a perfect roast cabbage recipe, a light side dish for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage In The Oven With Dried Cherries

Golden Pimento Potatoes from Holiday Tables

A spatula full of crispy skillet potatoes. — Golden breakfast-style potatoes with creamy pimento cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These EASY 3-ingredient breakfast potatoes with pimento cheese are golden brown and crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Breakfast Potatoes With Pimento Cheese

Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes Your Family Loved

A close-up of homemade scalloped potatoes with a golden, bubbly cheese and cream topping, sprinkled with black pepper. A serving spoon rests in the dish, and a small bowl of grated cheese is visible in the background. — Rich scalloped potatoes baked with gruyere cheese. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This side dish casserole for cheesy scalloped potatoes is made with thinly sliced Yukon gold potatoes and fresh garlic, milk and cream, plus gruyere cheese.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere

Butternut Squash Casserole From Childhood Holidays

A serving spoon in a baking dish of butternut squash casserole. — Creamy squash casserole with wild rice for holiday tables. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Butternut squash casserole is a comfort food dish that includes flavorful wild rice and a crunchy parmesan topping baked together in a creamy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Casserole With Wild Rice

Crisp Green Beans & Mushrooms From Family Meals

Crisp green beans and earthy mushrooms make a simple side. 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 B

Broccoli Salad With Sweet Holiday Flavor

A bowl of broccoli salad on a serving tray. — Healthy broccoli salad with cranberries and honey yogurt. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

You’re going to love this healthy broccoli salad served with a yogurt dressing that’s sweetened with honey. An old fashioned salad you’ll love.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing

Scalloped Potatoes & Ham From Holiday Tables

A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole. — Creamy scalloped potatoes baked with ham chunks. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Scalloped potatoes and ham is a comforting casserole of potatoes and tasty chunks of ham in a creamy white sauce under a layer of gooey gruyere.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

Quick Broccoli & Cheese From Family Meals

A spoon full of cheesy broccoli casserole in a baking dish. — Bubbly broccoli casserole with cheddar, perfect holiday side. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This baked, bubbling broccoli and cheddar cheese sauce casserole is a quick and simple side dish made with fresh broccoli — and without soup or rice!
Get the Recipe: Quick Broccoli & Cheese Sauce Casserole

Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes Everyone Loved

A spoon full of twice baked mashed potatoes. — Cheesy baked mashed potatoes with green onions for the table. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

All the flavors of a twice baked potato in a casserole. Baked mashed potatoes with cheese and green onions are the perfect side dish.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Mashed Potato Casserole

Bacon Ranch Potato Salad From Holiday Tables

Southern style Ranch potato salad in a glass bowl next to green onions. — Creamy ranch potato salad with crispy bacon for Thanksgiving. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Ranch potato salad loaded with bacon, cheese and a sour cream ranch dressing is just what you need for your next potluck.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Fluffy Mashed Potato Rolls You Grew Up With

mashed potato rolls in a white towel. — Soft, airy rolls made from leftover mashed potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Heavenly Mashed Potato Rolls are my family’s favorite. Great for using up leftovers, light, fluffy and perfect every time.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Mashed Potato Rolls

Growing Up in the ’80s Meant Eating These 14 Dishes Again and Again

Three casserole dishes filled with baked cheesy casseroles—if you grew up in the 80s, you’ll recognize these dinner classics. Enjoy a close-up of sliced potatoes and a ground beef-topped casserole, all smothered in melted cheddar cheese and herbs. — Growing Up in the ’80s Meant Eating These 14 Dishes Again and Again. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Those family dinners and school lunches from the 80s weren’t just meals—they were memories served on a plate. From cozy casseroles to the quirky snacks we couldn’t stop eating, the flavors became the comfort food of an entire generation. Even now, it’s amazing how those simple dishes can stir up so much nostalgia.
Grab it here: Growing Up in the ’80s Meant Eating These 14 Dishes Again and Again

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