Bh&Gs Best Christmas Recipes: Holiday Side Dishes

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the joy of cooking and sharing delicious meals with loved ones. At Better Homes and Gardens, we're excited to share our best Christmas recipes with you, starting with some mouth-watering holiday side dishes that are sure to become new family favorites.

From classic comfort foods to innovative twists on traditional favorites, we've gathered a collection of side dishes that are perfect for the holiday season. Whether you're hosting a festive feast for a large crowd or a cozy dinner for a small group, these recipes are sure to impress.

So, let's get started! Here are some of our best Christmas recipes for holiday side dishes that are sure to become new favorites.

Classic Holiday Side Dishes

When it comes to holiday side dishes, some classics never go out of style. Here are a few of our favorite traditional recipes that are sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.

Green Bean Casserole

This classic green bean casserole recipe is a staple of holiday meals everywhere. Made with fresh green beans, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy fried onions, it's a dish that's sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup French-fried onions

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, sauté the green beans and onion in butter until tender. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, black pepper, and salt. Pour the soup mixture over the green beans and stir until coated. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish and top with French-fried onions. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes are a holiday staple, and this casserole recipe is a delicious way to enjoy them. Made with mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, and marshmallows, it's a sweet and savory dish that's sure to be a hit.

• 2 large sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, granulated sugar, heavy cream, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix until well combined. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish and top with marshmallows. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the marshmallows are golden brown.

Innovative Holiday Side Dishes

Looking for some new ideas to add to your holiday menu? Here are a few innovative side dishes that are sure to impress your guests.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic Glaze

This recipe is a delicious twist on traditional roasted Brussels sprouts. Made with crispy bacon, sweet balsamic glaze, and tangy cranberries, it's a dish that's sure to become a new favorite.

• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 6 slices of bacon, chopped
• 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cranberries
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, toss the Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the sprouts out in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and caramelized. While the sprouts are roasting, cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside. Add the balsamic glaze to the skillet and cook until thickened. Toss the roasted Brussels sprouts with the balsamic glaze, crispy bacon, and chopped cranberries.

Maple-Glazed Carrots with Pistachios and Rosemary

This recipe is a delicious and healthy side dish that's perfect for the holiday season. Made with sweet maple syrup, crunchy pistachios, and fragrant rosemary, it's a dish that's sure to impress.

• 1 pound carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh pistachios
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, toss the carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the carrots out in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender and caramelized. While the carrots are roasting, mix the maple syrup and chopped pistachios in a small bowl. After the carrots have roasted for 20 minutes, brush the maple syrup mixture over the top of the carrots and sprinkle with rosemary. Return the carrots to the oven and roast for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the glaze is caramelized.

Make-Ahead Holiday Side Dishes

Looking for some make-ahead side dishes to simplify your holiday cooking? Here are a few recipes that can be made ahead of time and reheated when you're ready.

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

This recipe is a classic make-ahead side dish that's perfect for the holiday season. Made with Yukon gold potatoes, butter, and cream, it's a dish that's sure to please.

• 3-4 large Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Boil the chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Add the butter, heavy cream, salt, and pepper, and mash the potatoes with a potato masher or a fork until smooth. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a baking dish and refrigerate or freeze until ready to reheat.

Make-Ahead Green Bean Casserole

This recipe is a twist on the classic green bean casserole recipe. Made with fresh green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions, it's a dish that's sure to please.

• 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 cup cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup French-fried onions

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, sauté the green beans and onion in butter until tender. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, black pepper, and salt. Pour the soup mixture over the green beans and stir until coated. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish and top with French-fried onions. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.

We hope these recipes and tips help you create a delicious and memorable holiday meal. From our family to yours, happy holidays!

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