I mentioned that I hosted my first Thanksgiving this year, with a lot of help from my mom. I won’t be hosting Christmas dinner as we’re making our rounds with the families in Michigan and will be spoiled rotten with all the good food being cooked for us. But, I did start planning a Christmas meal in my head and thinking about what sides I’d serve if I were planning dinner. I think these are some of the most versatile and easy side dishes and I will be keeping them in my back pocket for the next holiday dinner I host!
Rosemary Garlic Drop Biscuits
These are not your average dinner rolls. I love biscuits as sides probably more than rolls and these little babies are filled with cheese and slathered in a garlic butter sauce. I don’t think I need to say anything else about them! With the chopped rosemary in the dough and the butter, these go really well with an oven roasted turkey.
Creamy Garlic Shells
My favorite thing about this side dish is that it can be made in one pan. Cook the pasta and drain. Then, in the same pan you’ll make a creamy, garlicky, Parmesan sauce that you’ll want to drink with a straw. I love any cheesy pasta side with prime rib or ham!
Brown Sugar Glazed Oven Roasted Carrots
Carrots are so underrated. I don’t cook them nearly enough, but I remember loving them when I was growing up because my parents would drench them in butter and brown sugar. Now I do the same thing, but I bake mine so that the brown sugar forms a nice sweet crust on the carrot. These go with literally any holiday main course you can think of!
Homemade Green Bean Casserole
This is probably my favorite classic side dish for the holidays. My husband won’t do canned green beans and since I’m also a fan of fresh, I make this fresh green bean casserole with homemade gravy and lots of sliced mushrooms. I made a fresh and canned version for Thanksgiving and I think I’ll be doing the same for years to come!
Loaded Au Gratin Potatoes
This is a decadent side dish that could almost be served as a standalone meal. I said almost! What good are holidays if you can’t overindulge and eat so much more than you should? These are great with ham or roasted chicken. Feel free to omit the bacon if you feel that it clashes with the meat you’re serving. But let’s be honest. Does bacon clash with anything?