49 Christmas Side Dishes That Make The Table Feel Full

The holiday table becomes a whole event when side dishes start showing up like uninvited guests everyone actually likes. Each one fills the spread until there’s barely space for elbows, and that’s exactly the goal. 49 Christmas side dishes make sure there’s always something to pass around, trade, or pretend you didn’t already have twice.

Caprese Candy Cane

Plates get festive when red and white shapes show up in a pattern that makes people pause for a photo. After a quick snap, folks reach for slices of Caprese Candy Cane and talk about how fun it looks next to the ham or roast. Each strip is light enough to pile up with other sides. Most agree it’s a must for sharing every year.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Candy Cane

Beet Salad

Bright bowls always feel special with splashes of color that light up the table. Scooping up Beet Salad leads to comments about the fresh mix and how it stands out from heavier plates. Guests who claim they don’t like beets usually reach for seconds. It disappears fast every time it’s served.
Get the Recipe: Beet Salad

Sautéed Kale

Greens add a healthy touch to a packed dinner and help freshen up everyone’s plate. Passing around Sautéed Kale gives people a chance to try something that’s not too heavy before moving to the next dish. Most folks are surprised at how fast it disappears. Even skeptics keep reaching for more.
Get the Recipe: Sautéed Kale

Easy Caprese Salad

Simple, pretty plates draw a crowd when new faces walk in hungry. Digging into Easy Caprese Salad brings lighter bites to balance out all the rich main dishes. There’s always a chat about how it tastes good with just about everything else. Leftovers hardly ever make it to the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Salad

Cabbage Casserole

Homey pans with layers pull crowds around for family-style serving and some seconds. Plating up Cabbage Casserole guarantees everyone has something sturdy next to their meat and gravy. It stands up well to everything else on the table. Someone always wants the recipe for their own holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage Casserole

Southern Mash

Fluffy piles keep spirits high at dinner when people want something familiar and filling. Spooning out Southern Mash means you’ll watch folks go back and add gravy or maybe just eat them plain because that’s just how good they are. Even picky eaters find room on their plate for another scoop. Every bowl gets scraped clean every time.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mash

Scalloped Potatoes

Slices stacked with cream get the crowd talking about memories from past dinners and who makes theirs the best. Grabbing a portion of Scalloped Potatoes helps folks top off their plate with something rich. No two slices are ever the same and everyone wants some of the crispy edges. You can bet there won’t be any left.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Crunch pairs up with creamy to make a bowl that brings freshness to all the heavy courses. Dishing up Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing lets folks sneak in some veggies without making a fuss. Each bite is a mix of smooth and crisp so people go for seconds. The salad bowl empties in record time.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Dinner Rolls

A basket of soft bread always finishes off a full spread and helps catch every drop of sauce. When Dinner Rolls start getting passed around people end up grabbing more than they planned just because they’re so easy to eat along with everything else. Warm rolls work great next to savory and sweet side by side.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Rolls

Dauphinoise Potatoes

Layers that melt together add something special to the list of crowd favorites on any big night. Plates fill up with Dauphinoise Potatoes since everyone wants a piece of the creamy layer and the golden top. Someone always says they want to make this at home. Friends are already dreaming of leftovers before the main course is gone.
Get the Recipe: Dauphinoise Potatoes

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Sweetness meets crunch for a combo that gets everyone talking about what makes a perfect side. Scoops of Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad look great next to meats and balance out the richness of bigger dishes. Even people who normally skip salad try a little or even a lot of this. Bowls are clean long before dinner’s over.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Centerpieces don’t always have to be meat when a big, bold veggie is at the table. Carving into Roasted Whole Cauliflower gives every plate a showy touch and turns heads even at a busy dinner. Chunks keep getting taken until all that’s left are little crumbs. Someone usually claims the last bits for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Potato Croquettes

Crispy outside plus soft inside make snack-sized sides that cause folks to reach for one after another. Serving Potato Croquettes leads to smiles as people argue over who had the best dipping sauce. Every platter runs empty before the conversation even changes. People always ask if you’ll bring them back next year.
Get the Recipe: Potato Croquettes

Seven Layer Salad

Bowls stacked with colors and crunch stand tall enough to catch eyes before the main course is even served. Scoops of Seven Layer Salad give everyone something fresh between bites of rich food. It fits in with classics or new dishes on the menu. Someone’s always hunting for the recipe card before the night is done.
Get the Recipe: Seven Layer Salad

Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

Big trays of color look even better when they’re scattered with mix-and-match bites. Grabbing Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables lets people pick their favorites or fill up on a little bit of everything. Multiple textures and flavors keep plates interesting. No leftovers means you did the side dish right.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Roasted Root Vegetables

Waldorf Salad

Fruit and crunchy bites draw people in for a second helping even if they claim dessert is too soon. Once bowls of Waldorf Salad make the rounds the talk is all about how well it pairs with richer mains and sides. It feels fresh compared to everything else on the plate. There’s never much left to pack up.
Get the Recipe: Waldorf Salad

Funeral Potatoes

Cheesy layers make plates heavier in the best way and spark talk about “old family recipes.” Grabbing Funeral Potatoes is a comfort move and seems to calm everyone down after a long morning. These always run out before other casseroles and are talked about for weeks afterward. Everyone wants the real recipe.
Get the Recipe: Funeral Potatoes

Celery Salad

Crisp, fresh sides lift up every table and make people feel a little less overstuffed. When Celery Salad arrives, forks dig in for a break between heavier bites. It cleanses the palate without making anyone miss out on flavor. This is one salad that actually gets finished.
Get the Recipe: Celery Salad

Christmas Casserole

Set a big dish in the center of the table and it becomes a main event right next to the ham or chicken. Dishing up Christmas Casserole gets everyone talking about what’s hidden inside every layer and sneaking extra bites. Family members argue over leftovers before the meal is even halfway done. It becomes a legend at holiday parties.
Get the Recipe: Christmas Casserole

Garlic Knots

Warm, twisted bread fits in every hand and nobody can resist when they come straight from the oven. Bowls of Garlic Knots pass fast and there’s always talk about who grabbed the most. People use them to soak up extra gravy and sauce so nothing goes to waste. Empty baskets are a sure thing by the end of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Knots

Twice Baked Potatoes

Potato skins packed full sit heavy on plates in a good way as people race for the cheesiest ones. Slicing into Twice Baked Potatoes leads to quiet bites followed by requests for one more. Every batch comes out a bit different, which just keeps guests guessing. At the end of the meal it’s rare to spot any leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potatoes

Honeycrisp Salad

Crisp bites of fruit mixed with a little crunch bring color to every serving. Taking a scoop of Honeycrisp Salad adds a juicy break to the heavy dishes on the table. People talk about the balance of flavors and ask for seconds before moving on to main courses. This salad bowl gets emptied quickly.
Get the Recipe: Honeycrisp Salad

Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

When plates are already crowded, mixing two classics into one dish helps make more room for everything else. Serving Chicken and Stuffing Casserole means everyone can say yes to another bite and keep eating even after the meat is gone. It gets nods from folks looking for comfort food. Leftovers do not last long.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Stuffing Casserole

Butternut Squash Risotto

Creamy grains with a touch of sweetness fill in all the gaps left by bigger main courses. Spoons dip into Butternut Squash Risotto as guests ask what makes the color and flavor pop so much. Bowls come back wiped clean every time. This one always gets a spot on the side table.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Risotto

Turkey Gravy

Dinner isn’t complete without something smooth to ladle over the meat and mashed potatoes. Pouring out Turkey Gravy gets a line of people ready to add extra to their plate or sneak a taste before sitting down. Even if it’s just right, people want more for leftovers. Nothing gets left in the boat after dinner.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Gravy

Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Creamy sides load up plates fast when folks want both veggies and some gooey pull. Slicing into Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole finds people reaching for seconds and quickly grabbing the last corner piece. It works great next to anything hot and crisp. Everyone says they want to see it again.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

Bread Stuffing

Carby goodness with a crispy crust is always on the most-wanted list for dinner. Scooping up Bread Stuffing means you’re in for a little crunch paired with the soft center. The blend of textures makes people talk about which part they like best. By the end of the meal, the dish is always empty.
Get the Recipe: Bread Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes

Fluffy sides draw hands from every direction and help soak up plenty of gravy. Filling the bowl with Mashed Potatoes makes folks nostalgic for meals growing up and happy for extra helpings. Every type of topping gets added here so plates always come back for more. You can’t have a spread without these somewhere nearby.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes

Cauliflower Steaks

Hearty veggie slices turn a bunch of heads when everyone lines up for their holiday plate. Cutting into Cauliflower Steaks brings something a bit meatier than the standard veggie tray. Each piece is thick enough to feel special but it goes fast once word spreads. Many wish there were just a few more slices.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks

Easy Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe

Sweet sides with a shiny finish turn into a favorite for people who want a gentle pop with every bite. Chowing down on Easy Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe sparks talk about whether they work better with the ham or by themselves. Kids sneak extra pieces off trays before the grownups notice. Every carrot is gone before dessert is up.
Get the Recipe: Easy Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe

Antipasto Salad

Plates get colorful with chunks of lots of flavors when this bowl comes out. Munching on Antipasto Salad gives people a chance to create their own combo each time. It works with cold cuts or just part of a spread. Every bowl gets emptied.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad

Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Greens mix with creamy for a side dish that tricks even picky eaters into loving veggies. Serving Brussels Sprouts Casserole gets a fair amount of “just try some” and winning fans as they go back for seconds. It sits well next to roast or grilled mains. Even those who never eat sprouts take a small scoop.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Cinnamon Applesauce

Sweet sides are a hit next to every hearty meal and work for breakfast or dessert the next day. Spooning out Cinnamon Applesauce mixes nostalgia and comfort with every single bite. People talk about it all night and look for leftovers. There’s a reason it becomes a new classic.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Applesauce

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Chewy bites with just a little sweetness go over big with people tired of plain pasta. Flavors blend together in Sweet Potato Gnocchi for a soft bite that gets plenty of compliments before being finished off. The bowl never makes it all the way around before it’s empty. It’s still a hit after all these years.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi

7 Layer Salad

Tall layers stand out as the first thing new guests want to try with their fork. Forks dig into 7 Layer Salad and everyone makes sure to get a little of each layer on their plate. People argue over which part is their favorite. Even if the bowl is huge it won’t last long.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad

Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Rich, cheesy sides get top marks for flavor every time the food gets tough to choose between. Spoonfuls of Mississippi Mud Potatoes have friends lining up ahead of the main dish. Every time, someone jokes about switching mains for more potatoes. That last scoop is always up for grabs.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Creamed Spinach

Saucy greens fill plates with both flavor and comfort when guests want a little break from rich classics. Grabbing a share of Creamed Spinach brings smiles as people talk about how it makes every main dish just a bit better. No one gets surprised by clean bowls here. Someone always wishes for a double batch next time.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach

Sweet Potato Wedges

Crispy outsides and soft insides help balance a heavy plate and keep people reaching for more. Passing around Sweet Potato Wedges means there’s a gentle debate about what sauce works best. They’re picked up over fries or regular potatoes all the time. Everybody is glad to try them.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Wedges

Roasted Broccoli

Simple, roasted greens add some crunch next to all the creamy casseroles and keep plates balanced. Scooping up Roasted Broccoli next to mac or meat helps lighten things up. People admit it’s better than they expected every time. Every bit gets eaten.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Broccoli

Hashbrown Casserole

Plates aren’t full until they’ve got a little something from the classic pans sitting on the table. Hashbrown Casserole combines a bunch of favorites into one scoop so nobody misses out. The top is crispy while the inside stays rich and soft. This dish always disappears first.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Baked Potato

Warm, fluffy insides with crispy skins make every meal just a bit more filling. Splitting a Baked Potato open gets people to share toppings and try out new ideas for sides. No two plates are the same. These always pair well with anything on the table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato

Broccoli Casserole

A mix of creamy and crisp comes together to win over people who say they don’t like green veggies. Slices of Broccoli Casserole make their way across the table with folks asking for recipes before dessert hits. Even if it’s not their favorite at first, everyone tries some. The next time, people want it again.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Focaccia Bread

Chewy bread soaks up sauces and pairs up with every side without slowing anybody down. Tearing off a piece of Focaccia Bread keeps hands busy as folks reach for seconds right away. It fits in with savory and sweet alike. Somebody always asks for more if there’s any left.
Get the Recipe: Focaccia Bread

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

Fluffy clouds on top bring everyone in for a little dessert with their main dish. Serving Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows leads to talk about who got the best topping and who sneaked an extra scoop. It’s a sweet bite that wins over both sides of the table. Not much stands between this dish and an empty pan.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows

Stuffing Balls

Handy bites with all the flavors of a big meal let guests snack while waiting for everything else. Grabbing a couple of Stuffing Balls saves room on the plate and keeps hands busy between forkfuls. They’re talked about as a fun twist on regular stuffing. Every batch disappears.
Get the Recipe: Stuffing Balls

Hasselback Potatoes

Sliced spuds look fancy and give every guest something crisp to go with their main dishes. People serve up Hasselback Potatoes with pride and love arguing about toppings to stack on. Every plate gets more color with these on it. No one leaves them behind.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Potatoes

Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Glaze and crunch draw crowds to simple greens that somehow steal the spotlight. Spoons grab all Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze even if folks weren’t sure they’d try them. It’s a conversation starter about veggies done right. The bowl finishes before mains do.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze

Potato Casserole

Hearty, cheesy bakes help fill out every big dinner and keep people eating long after they thought they were full. Going for another bite of Potato Casserole means somebody’s already asking you to pass it down the line. This gets requests before the meal ends and memories after. There’s no better way to finish a plate.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole

Cornbread Stuffing

A golden, crumbly side finds fans fast once it gets sliced and served. Grabbing Cornbread Stuffing for a plate works well for meats and veggies alike. Every bite brings back memories of family dinners and good times. Plates are clean before the dish is even cool.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing