These Delicious Christmas Side Dishes will Tempt Everyone to the Table

Mashed potatoes are a Christmas must-have. These can be made ahead, and get an extra little kick from fresh horseradish.

Get the recipe for Horseradish–Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes.

This rich casserole side is stick-to-your-ribs tasty and it only has five ingredients (three of them cheese!)

Get the recipe for Gorgonzola Baked Polenta.

Quick-pickled onions combine with just-slightly bitter escarole, a variety of citrus, and some toasty pistachios for a strong, crunchy dish.

Get the recipe for Escarole Salad with Oranges, Pistachios, and Pickled Onions.

Though the dish couldn't be simpler to make, this pairing of roasted grapes and baked squash transforms into a delicious side dish that's much more than the sum of its parts.

Get the recipe for Roasted Grapes and Delicata Squash Rings.

It doesn't take much to make root veggies taste amazing, when they're in season. Take this event-worthy side dish. Coat a variety of evenly sliced roots in plenty of cream, butter, and cheese, then let it cook through until everything becomes tender, and you've got a side dish so good it may upstage the main course.

Get the recipe for Easy Root Vegetable Gratin.

It's just not a feast without a big basket of biscuits gracing the holiday table.

Get the recipe for Cream Cheese Herb Biscuits.

This super festive salad looks like a Christmas wreath in the bowl and tastes like a celebration.

Get the recipe for Kale Salad with Pickled Cranberries and Crispy Quinoa.

Don't forget to put this on the table, or Nana will be upset.

Get the recipe for Nana’s Famous Corn Pudding.

Some folks spice their yams up with cinnamon. Others go with allspice or even cloves. We think heaps of butter and a good glug of bourbon does the trick just fine.

Get the recipe for Bourbon Yams.

This simple—and simply delicious—anytime side should be a staple at all your holiday meals.

Get the recipe for Lima Bean and Corn Succotash.

Saltine crackers, lightly toasted, turn this salty, creamy dish into an absolute comfort food classic.

Get the recipe for Oyster Pie.

A homemade vinaigrette made with apple cider, whole-grain mustard, and red wine vinegar adds some tang to this dish.

Get the recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash with Cider Vinaigrette.

Cranberries simmered in orange juice and maple syrup sweetens up this colorful goat cheese-topped butternut squash.

Get the recipe for Roasted Squash with Goat Cheese and Poached Cranberries.

Crisping the sprouts in a skillet adds an irresistible flavor to this otherwise crunchy salad.

Get the recipe for Crispy Brussels Sprouts Salad with Citrus-Maple Vinaigrette.

No good country meal is complete without a slice of cornbread.

Get the recipe for Skillet Cornbread with Honey Butter.

These perfectly spiced, heavily buttered, evenly cut potatoes are elegant, delicious, and easy to make. What more could you want?

Get the recipe for Cast-Iron Hasselback Potatoes.

This classic salad gets a twist with pomegranate seeds and is topped with a creamy mustard-based dressing.

Get the recipe for Composed Waldorf Salad.

Use a mix of grape and cherry tomatoes to make this bright and beautiful bowl. With veggies that look this good, no one will be able to resist.

Get the recipe for Farro-and-Tomato Salad with Crispy Capers.

Shake up your array of side dishes with these scalloped oysters, which even your pickiest eaters will enjoy.

Get the recipe for Scalloped Oysters.

The one holiday rule is to never forget the sweet potato casserole. This one has a homemade marshmallow topping for an extra-special touch.

Get the recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole with Homemade Marshmallow.

Chopped apple, Pecorino cheese, and hazelnuts provide texture in this flavorful salad. It's a hearty, but healthy side—something guests will appreciate during the holiday season.

Get the recipe for Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad.

Bring some Southern cooking to your Christmas feast with this fabulous corn salad packed with bacon and honey.

Get the recipe for Corn Salad with Bacon and Honey.

Scallions and dried cranberries add some festive colors—and delicious flavor—to this pilaf.

Get the recipe for Wild Rice-and-Cider-Cranberry Pilaf.

A classic recipe like this one never goes out of style. What Christmas meal would be complete without stuffing—especially one with fresh parsley and thyme?

Get the recipe for Fresh Herb Stuffing.

You can't go wrong with fresh dinner rolls, especially these Parker House ones—which are sure to be fluffy and buttery.

Get the recipe for Parker House Rolls.

Why eat plain vegetables when you can cover them in this Gruyère sauce? The recipe calls for a dash of nutmeg for a seasonal kick.

Get the recipe for Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin.

Citrus + honey + granola = the best salad ever. Don't forget the pomegranates!

Get the recipe for Honey-Drizzled Citrus Salad with Pistachio-Poppy Seed Granola.

This classic potato recipe calls for cheese on top of cheese and then, oh yeah—some more cheese. We'll take thirds, thanks.

Get the recipe for Hasselback Potato Gratin.

Add some flair to your Brussels sprouts with this dish, which tosses toasted almonds and pickled shallots into the mix.

Get the recipe for Brussels Sprouts with Pickled Shallots and Hazelnuts.

Just imagine how beautiful the rich color of these thyme-scented sweet potatoes will look on a plate next to a slice of your Christmas ham. We can practically see (and smell) it already!

Get the recipe for Roasted Hasselback Sweet Potatoes.

Coriander, mint, and vinegar turn basic carrots into a complex side dish.

Get the recipe for Coriander-Roasted Carrots.

If you're having a smaller Christmas dinner and want it to feel more personal, make your guests these individual mini pot pies.

Get the recipe for Mini Carrot Pot Pies.

If you're hosting a more laid-back Christmas dinner, these zucchini fritters say "classy" and "casual" at the same time.

Get the recipe for Zucchini-and-Pecorino Fritters.

This light salad will leave plenty of room for the other indulgent dishes.

Get the recipe for Marinated Mushroom-and-Charred Broccolini Salad.

Pomegranate seeds and hazelnuts give this side a nice crunch.

Get the recipe for Farro-and-Acorn Squash Salad.

For extra presentation points, serve these creamy grits in Mason jars.

Get the recipe for Buttermilk and Hatch Chile Grits.

Add some flavor to these dark, leafy veggies with garlic, onion, and loads of crispy bacon.

Get the recipe for Braised Greens.

Add some flavor to these dark, leafy veggies with garlic, onion, and loads of crispy bacon.

Get the recipe for Skillet Cornbread.

Add onions, bell peppers, and a big helping of Velveeta cheese to make the ultimate side dish.

Get the recipe for Cheesy Rice.

Serve this cheese spread alongside Masa Biscuits for a flavor-packed combo.

Get the recipe for Texas-Style Pimento Cheese.

Add shades of orange, yellow, and red to your Christmas table with these light and tangy carrots.

Get the recipe for Orange Carrots with Yogurt-Parsley Dressing.

Pump up a side salad with warm, roasted vegetables.

Get the recipe for Sweet Potato-and-Cauliflower Salad.

Serving stuffing by the slice may be the smartest idea since the first Thanksgiving.

Get the recipe for Monkey Bread Stuffing.

Dijon mustard gives this dish—which can serve as a starter or a side—a kick.

Get the recipe for Caramelized-Onion Galette.

Store-bought candied or spiced pecans add crunch to this comfort food dish.

Get the recipe for Sorghum-Glazed Sweet Potatoes.

Boozy port and Grand Marnier are a match made in heaven when paired with tart vibrant cranberries. Rosemary and ginger offer an update, and the molded shape is a fun throwback touch.

Get the recipe for Rosemary-Port Cranberry Sauce.

This gratin is inspired by spinach dip. You can substitute collard, turnip, or mustard greens for the kale, but be sure to remove tough thick stems.

Get the recipe for Baked Kale Gratin.

This hearty side dish is a delicious way to add great veggies to your meal. Not to mention you that can never go wrong with bacon.

Get the recipe for Roasted Acorn Squash with Maple-Bacon Drizzle.

Fresh herbs gussy up these classic buttermilk favorites.

Get the recipe for Caraway-Dill Biscuits.

Eggs, mayo, and Cheddar cheese lend extra creaminess to this decadent dish.

Get the recipe for English Pea Salad.

This crowd-pleasing casserole combines little more than russet potatoes, Gruyère, and cream.

Get the recipe for Potato Gratin.

Sesame oil and soy sauce lend these veggies Asian flair.

Get the recipe for Skillet Green Beans.

Cream cheese is the surprise ingredient in these bite-size delights.

Get the recipe for Buttermilk Biscuits.

A hint of spicy black pepper adds a kick to these traditional dinner rolls.

Get the recipe for Cracked-Pepper Dinner Rolls.

Celery root lends unique flavor and freshness to this variation on a classic potato gratin.

Get the recipe for Potato and Celery-Root Gratin with Gouda.

This bright salad features sweet-tart grapefruit and slightly bitter chicory for a refreshing addition to your holiday table.

Get the recipe for Ruby Red Grapefruit and Chicory Salad.

The delicate sweetness of carrot is complemented by freshly grated nutmeg in these pillowy soufflés.

Get the recipe for Light and Fluffy Carrot Soufflés.

Fresh mint brings a bright note to hearty root vegetables garnished with spiced pecans.

Get the recipe for Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots.

Try mixing avocado with Brussels sprouts, like in this salad from Marvin Woods, chef and author of Home Plate Cooking. For more flavor, add red onion, cilantro, peppers, and dressing to the little cabbages.

Get the recipe for Brussels Sprouts, Red Pepper, and Avocado Salad.

Just about everyone has a favorite sweet potato recipe for Christmas diinner. Ours can be made ahead and then reheated before serving.

Get the recipe for Roasted Sweet-Potato Casserole with Praline Streusel.