The Best Christmas Side Dishes

🥔 The Best Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/the-best-mashed-potatoes-with-cream-cheese/

Rich, creamy, and perfectly smooth, these amazing mashed potatoes are made extra fluffy with cream cheese!

The combination of sour cream, heavy cream, and cream cheese means you have creamy mashed potatoes that pair beautifully with any main course. This recipe is a delicious way to elevate traditional mashed potatoes and will quickly become a new family favorite at your family’s holiday dinner or any special occasion.

🧀 Crockpot Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Potato Casserole)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/crockpot-funeral-potatoes-cheesy-potato-casserole/

Free up some oven space and make these potatoes!! Cheesy and cruncy, these slow-cooker “funeral potatoes” are the ultimate crowd favorite for holidays or potlucks.

This is a personal favorite for my family. You combine frozen potatoes with rich flavor from multiple cheeses and sour cream, to make a potato dish everyone will love. And the slow-cooker method means one fewer dish competing for space in your oven on a busy day of cooking.

⚡Easy Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/easy-instant-pot-au-gratin-potatoes/

Tender, cheesy potatoes layered with heavy cream and cooked to perfection! These potatoes are ready in a fraction of the time thanks to the Instant Pot!

This great way to prepare au gratin potatoes features layers of parmesan cheese and creates those crisp edges everyone loves without tying up your oven for hours. The extra flavor comes from a simple herb seasoning and the richness of multiple cheese varieties.

🥔Instant Pot Potato Salad

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/instant-pot-potato-salad/

Creamy, classic potato salad made quick and easy with the Instant Pot. My version features sour cream for tanginess and can be brought to room temperature before serving if you prefer that (we do!)

. It’s one of those easy vegetable side dishes that works beautifully with any holiday feast.

🥔 No Onion (Best Baked Potato Salad)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/no-onion-best-baked-potato-salad/

This “baked potato” style potato salad skips the onions and relish but keeps all the flavor! Perfect for guests who prefer milder flavors and don’t like onions, this potato dish combines all the good stuff for potato salad and also suits your picky eaters! 

🥦Broccoli & Rice Casserole

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/easy-broccoli-rice-cheese-casserole-recipe/

This easy Broccoli Casserole is a classic comfort food side dish made with tender broccoli, fluffy rice, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Simple ingredients like cream of mushroom soup, butter, onion, and melted cheese come together quickly, making this a perfect make-ahead casserole for holidays, potlucks, or busy weeknight dinners.

Baked until hot and bubbly, this cheesy broccoli rice casserole pairs perfectly with chicken, ham, or turkey and is always a family favorite.

🧀 Broccoli Cheese Cornbread

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/broccoli-cheese-cornbread/

Cheesy and loaded with broccoli, this southern-style cornbread pairs perfectly with soups, chili, or holiday dinners. Adding cheddar cheese enhances flavor, while broccoli adds color and texture. Bake this in a cast-iron skillet for extra crispy edges. This is one of our favorite breads and sides.

🧀 Cheesy Green Bean Casserole (Keto)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/cheesy-green-bean-casserole-keto/

This low-carb twist on the classic green bean casserole is creamy, cheesy, and totally crave-worthy – no canned soup required! For those watching their carbs, this keto-friendly version delivers all the comfort of the classic recipes and fresh green beans without the guilt. And the bacon and parmesan cheese on top are like icing on a cake!

🥓 Old-Fashioned Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/old-fashioned-green-beans-bacon-brown-sugar/

Sweet, salty, and full of flavor – these southern-style green beans are simmered with crispy bacon and brown sugar for the ultimate comfort side. This delicious dish combines the smokiness of bacon with the caramelized sweetness of brown sugar, creating a hearty side dish that appeals to all ages.

Don’t be surprised if these beans end up taking center stage at your Christmas get-together!

🥬 Instant Pot Southern Green Beans Recipe

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/instant-pot-southern-green-beans-recipe/

Tender green beans infused with bacon flavor – this Instant Pot version delivers that slow-cooked Southern taste in record time. When your oven is full, and you need to get multiple dishes on the table, this Instant Pot method is a great way to prepare classic green bean casserole flavors with simple seasoning and minimal fuss.

Cream Cheese Corn Casserole

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/cream-cheese-corn-easy-casserole-recipe/

Corn plus cream cheese comes together in a quick, crowd-pleasing corn casserole that’s ideal for holidays, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.

But for Christmas, this easy recipe transforms simple ingredients into a rich, creamy side that pairs perfectly with roast turkey. The cream cheese creates a luscious texture that makes this one of the best Christmas sides at any holiday feast.

🍚 Instant Pot Zatarain’s Dirty Rice

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/instant-pot-zatarains-dirty-rice/

Spicy, flavorful, and oh-so-easy – this classic Cajun side comes together in minutes with Zatarain’s mix and the Instant Pot. I realize this is probably more of a southern/Cajun tradition, but if you want to mix things up, add this to the menu! This hearty side dish adds extra flavor and a bit of heat to your holiday table. 

🌽 Corn & Macaroni Casserole

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/corn-mac-casserole/

The ultimate comfort casserole – creamy mac and cheese meets sweet corn for a side dish that everyone will love. This new recipe combines two beloved comfort foods into one irresistible dish that’s perfect for a potluck or a family dinner.

🥓 Bacon Tomato Ranch Pasta Salad

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/bacon-tomato-ranch-pasta-salad/

Loaded with crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and creamy ranch dressing, this easy pasta salad is summer perfection in every bite! While it might seem unconventional for a holiday table, this crowd-pleaser brings fresh, bright flavors to balance the richer dishes.

🥬 5-Ingredient BLT Salad (Breadless)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/5-ingredient-blt-salad-breadless/

All the flavor of a BLT without the white bread! Crisp lettuce, smoky bacon, and juicy tomatoes tossed in a quick, creamy dressing create a fresh salad that takes just minutes to prepare. This is perfect when you need a last-minute addition to your holiday table.

🥒 German Cucumber Salad

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/german-cucumber-salad/

Light, tangy, and refreshing, this traditional German salad with vinegar and dill is the perfect lighter side dish. The tangy dressing with lemon zest provides a bright counterpoint to heavier dishes, making it a great way to add variety to your Christmas menu.

🥦 Crunchy Oriental Broccoli Salad with Homemade Sweet & Sour Dressing

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/crunchy-oriental-broccoli-salad-with-homemade-sweet-sour-dressing/

Crispy broccoli, toasted ramen, and a tangy homemade dressing make this salad a crunchy, flavorful crowd-pleaser. The homemade sweet & sour dressing brings extra flavor without being too heavy. This is one of those healthy Christmas side dishes that still feels indulgent.

🍇 Creamy Grape Salad

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/creamy-grape-salad/

Sweet, creamy, and topped with brown sugar and pecans – this southern grape salad is simple, delicious, and always a hit. The combination of cream cheese, sour cream, and brown sugar creates a dessert-like side that’s perfect for those who love sweet flavors on their holiday table. It might not feel traditional, but this is one of our favorite side dishes for Christmas!

🍓Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/spinach-strawberry-artichoke-salad-a-perfect-summer-salad/

Bright, vibrant, and bursting with flavor, this Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing adds a refreshing touch to your Christmas table and holiday sides. Fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, tangy feta, and sweet candied pecans come together in minutes for a side that perfectly balances all those rich holiday dishes. It’s light, colorful, and guaranteed to impress your guests!

🫛 Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/instant-pot-black-eyed-peas/

A hearty southern favorite made fast! These black-eyed peas are perfectly seasoned and ready in under an hour with no soaking. Season them with olive oil, crispy bacon, and simple seasoning for a traditional southern side that brings good luck when served on New Year’s but works beautifully for Christmas dinner too.

🥚 Classic Deviled Eggs (Best Recipe)

Recipe here: https://rosebakes.com/classic-deviled-eggs-best-recipe/

A timeless favorite and holiday classic side dish – these creamy, perfectly seasoned deviled eggs are a must-make for holidays, picnics, and potlucks. Bring the eggs to room temperature before preparing them, and use sour cream in the filling for extra creaminess. Fill up a large platter and watch this classic recipe disappear from the holiday table.