20 classic side dishes you can also make for the holidays

We eat potatoes in all forms throughout the holiday season, but the most popular seems to be mashed. If you’re looking for a change while keeping some starch on the table, scalloped potatoes are a great and delicious option. 

Butternut squash is too tasty for words, and roasting it is an easy and quick way to whip it up around the holidays. Serve with some butter and brown sugar for a sweet and satisfying side dish. 

Tomatoes get written off as a summer vegetable - understandably so - but they can be well utilized in the winter, too. Now is the time to roast and bake them, and stuffing them is a great way to serve them over the holidays. 

Peppers are another delicious vegetable to stuff, and there’s no reason to keep this side dish out of your holiday menu. They’re simple to make and can easily be adapted to fit all sorts of preferences and dietary restrictions. 

Another dish that’s more popular in the summer, caprese salad is so delicious, and it’s great to serve over the holidays because of its vibrant colors and freshness. While most holiday foods are rich and heavy, this offers a welcome respite. 

When cooked properly, broccoli is absolutely delicious. And most people are game for anything smothered in cheese. We need to start adding cheesy broccoli to our holiday platters. 

Not everyone likes green bean casserole. It’s shocking and upsetting, but it needs to be addressed. The good news is that there are lots of other tasty green bean side dishes that can be made in the casserole’s place, like bacon green beans. 

There are plenty of people who serve corn casserole over the holidays already, but more people need to add it to their menus. It’s an easy dish to make, and it’s a nice alternative to regular corn, especially if most of your guests have other holiday get-togethers to attend. 

Any vegetable that’s been designated a summer vegetable can absolutely be served in the winter, too. That’s the beauty of modern farming. Zucchini fries are a crowd pleaser, and your crowd will be pleased to see them on their plates over the holidays. 

Ratatouille is a great way to sneak tons of vegetables into one dish. It requires quite a bit of chopping, but if you have help in the kitchen, it’s a great dish to serve over the holidays. And it does not need to look as beautiful as it does in the movie. 

Another classic side dish that definitely has a place in holiday meals, creamed corn is much better than its name lets on. And it can be served out of a can if you’ve got too much else to make from scratch. 

Generally speaking, there aren’t enough salads made over the holidays. And pasta salad isn’t really a salad, but it does include the word in its name, so it counts. Pasta salad can be made ahead of time, too, which makes it a great option for a holiday side dish. 

Most people will not complain about seeing just a tiny bit more green on their holiday plate. Roasted asparagus is flavorful and easy to make, and it’ll satisfy most of your guests. You can jazz it up with some garlic and parmesan, too, if you so desire. 

Another salad that isn’t really a salad but is definitely a salad, potato salad is tasty and festive. If you’re sick of mashed potatoes or just want a change of pace, opt for potato salad. 

Okay, risotto is time-consuming and can be difficult to make, but if you have a smaller gathering or your guests are helping with the meal, consider adding the side dish to your menu. It’ll elevate your gathering and your guests won’t leave hungry. 

Roasted cabbage is total comfort food. And that’s what you want over the holidays, isn’t it? This dish is easy to whip up and can be spiced up in a variety of ways. You’ll wonder why you didn’t make it sooner. 

A vintage recipe that needs to make a mainstream comeback, creamed potatoes and peas is so delicious. It’ll take you back to a simpler time, and it’ll quickly become a staple in your home if you’ve never made it. 

Green beans are the most famous holiday beans, but there are so many others that deserve some recognition at the end of the year, too. Why aren’t we having baked beans at all holiday gatherings? That needs to change. 

We could all use a little more succotash in our lives. It’s a side dish that’s full of beans and veggies, and it fits in well with a holiday menu. It goes great with just about any meat, too. 

Another dish that can be made ahead of time and will offer your guests a nice change of pace, coleslaw deserves a spot on more holiday menus than it is currently on. It might surprise some people, but they’ll get over the surprise quickly and move on to enjoyment.