Simple Holiday Sides

Updated November 08, 2007

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Credit: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

Get your holiday meal on the table in no time flat with these quick-and-easy side dish recipes.

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Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables Recipe

A mix of colorful root vegetables may be your star side. Peeled, prechopped butternut squash saves time, but pieces tend to be irregular and small--we prefer peeling and cubing it yourself.

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Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Pine Nuts

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Pine Nuts

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Skillet Green Bean Casserole

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Skillet Green Bean Casserole Recipe

We've shortened (and lightened) this holiday classic by bringing everything together in one pan and using the stovetop and broiler rather than baking. To save yourself even more time, you can substitute panko in place of homemade breadcrumbs.

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Classic Herb Stuffing

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Classic Herb Stuffing Recipe

A straightforward holiday stuffing calls for great bread; we love the nutty, toasty dimension of a bakery whole-grain loaf. Sauté the onion, celery, and carrot mixture until tender but not browned. The added moisture from the veg will help soften the bread and make for a more cohesive stuffing.

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Cloverleaf Rolls

Credit: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Paige Hicks

Cloverleaf Rolls Recipe

From the Kitchen of…Cheryl Slocum, Senior Food Editor

"The smell of freshly risen dough always takes me back to my mom's rolls."

If the yeast doesn't bubble, it may have expired; start over to avoid wasting time and ingredients.

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Creamed Winter Greens

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Catherine Crowell Steele; Prop Styling: Thom Driver

Creamed Winter Greens Recipe

Two beloved dark leafy greens, spinach and lacinato kale, combine to bring deep, earthy flavor to this updated take on classic creamed spinach.

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Broccoli with Lemon Crumbs

Credit: Jim Franco

Broccoli with Lemon Crumbs Recipe

Make life a little easier during the hectic holiday season by preparing tasty sides that are ready in a flash.And the microwave is not off limits. For a zesty dish your guests are sure to love, top microwaved broccoli with lemon-flavored homemade breadcrumbs. To simplify meal preparation even further, make the breadcrumbs up to 2 days ahead and store at room temperature.

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Asparagus with Crispy Pancetta

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Asparagus with Crispy Pancetta Recipe

Dress up plain asparagus by sprinkling with pancetta, often referred to as Canadian bacon, and seasoning with pepper and lemon juice for a fresh taste.

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Baked Fennel Parmigiana

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Baked Fennel Parmigiana Recipe

Fennel is a crunchy, sweet vegetable of the parsley family and a good source of fiber and Vitamin C. After baking, top with marinara sauce and cheese. Your guests will think they’ve walked into a fancy Italian restaurant!

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Browned Butter and Lemon Brussels Sprouts

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Browned Butter and Lemon Brussels Sprouts Recipe

Brussels sprouts are packed with fiber, Vitamin C and K, and other valuable nutrients. Served with creamy butter and tangy lemon juice, this nutritious side dish will melt in your mouth.

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Butternut Squash with Orange

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Butternut Squash with Orange Recipe

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Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Dasha Wright Ewing

Mashed Potatoes Recipe

With only 5 ingredients, these creamy mashed potatoes are perfect as an easy side dish for both holiday menus and weeknight meals.

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Carrot-Cilantro Bulgur

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Carrot-Cilantro Bulgur Recipe

Bulgur is a form of whole wheat often used in European and Indian cuisine. Made with shredded carrot and chopped cilantro, this nutritious dish is high in fiber and protein and low in saturated fat.

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Carrots with Lemon and Thyme

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Carrots with Lemon and Thyme Recipe

Cooked carrots are an often overlooked choice for a vegetable side. A little lemon, salt, pepper, and thyme are all you need for this nutritious dish.

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Cavatappi with Arugula and Cannellini Beans

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Cavatappi with Arugula and Cannellini Beans Recipe

Dress up a simple pasta side dish with beans, arugula, and lemon juice. You can substitute the cavatappi for 2 cups penne, macaroni, or other hot cooked pasta.

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Garlic-Parmesan Rice

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Garlic-Parmesan Rice Recipe

This dish is made with basmati, a long grain Indian rice, but you can substitute it for jasmine or any long grain white rice if necessary.

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Glazed Carrots with Pecans

Credit: James Baigrie; Styling: Randy Mon

Glazed Carrots with Pecans Recipe

Make the most of the natural sweetness of carrots by cooking them in a skillet with brown sugar and minced fresh ginger, and add just the right crunch with toasted pecan halves.

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Goat Cheese and Basil Polenta

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Goat Cheese and Basil Polenta Recipe

This delicious polenta dish has a texture similar to grits or mashed potatoes. The goat cheese gives it a slightly tart and extra creamy taste.

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Sweet-and-Sour Green Beans

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Sweet-and-Sour Green Beans Recipe

Instead of green bean casserole, go with a simpler dish featuring beans flavored with bacon, onion, sugar, and cider vinegar.

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Green Beans with Walnuts

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Green Beans with Walnuts Recipe

Simple green beans are a crowd-pleasing side that’s easy on the pocketbook. The toasted walnuts provide an extra dose of heart-healthy omega-3s.

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Lemon-Orange Orzo

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Lemon-Orange Orzo Recipe

Try this healthy, whole-wheat orzo dish. Parsley and grated lemon and orange rind give it a fresh, zesty flavor.

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Sweet-Potato Gratin

Credit: Ray Kachatorian

Sweet-Potato Gratin Recipe

Layer sliced sweet potato in a baking dish and bake in a mixture of whipping cream and Parmesan cheese for a luxurious variation of a sweet potato casserole.

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Lemon-Rosemary Barley

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Lemon-Rosemary Barley Recipe

Barley is a nutrient-packed whole grain high in iron and fiber and low in fat. One serving of this nutritious side dish, and you’ll be well on your way to meeting your recommended intake of fiber for the day.

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Louisiana Red Beans

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Louisiana Red Beans Recipe

Straight from Louisiana, this Cajun classic is a perfect compliment to serve over top a bowl of white rice.

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Mushroom Grits

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Mushroom Grits Recipe

Dress up a bowl of creamy, classic grits with mushrooms, garlic, and parsley. Serve with any lean meat entrée for a simple and healthy meal.

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Cranberry-Almond Wild Rice

Cranberry-Almond Wild Rice Recipe

Dress up quick-cooking brown rice with the addition of a package of long grain and wild rice, dried cranberries and toasted almonds. Because you are using packaged rice, the entire recipe takes only about 25 minutes from start to finish.

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Noodles with Carrot and Onion

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Noodles with Carrot and Onion Recipe

Udon is a thick Japanese noodle made of wheat flour. Serve with onion, garlic, and shredded carrot for a quick and easy side to chicken teriyaki or another Japanese-inspired entrée.

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Broccoli and Penne with Asiago

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Broccoli and Penne with Asiago Recipe

This simple pasta is a go-to side if you're looking to add some quick carbs to a meal. Add a slice of butter to make it an extra creamy and kid friendly dish.

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Fresh Cranberry-Orange Relish

Credit: Ellen Silverman; Styling: Toni Brogan

Fresh Cranberry-Orange Relish Recipe

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without the cranberry relish, and this easy one will help streamline your holiday meal preparation because you can make it up to 3 days ahead.

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Whipped Maple Sweet Potatoes

Whipped Maple Sweet Potatoes Recipe

For a quick and easy alternative to sweet potato casserole, stir maple syrup and butter into mashed sweet potatoes and top with toasted pecans.

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Pasta with Sugar Snap Peas and Ricotta Cheese

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Pasta with Sugar Snap Peas and Ricotta Cheese Recipe

If you haven’t experienced the deliciousness of sugar snap peas, you’re in for a treat. With the addition of ricotta cheese and fresh chives, this simple pasta dish becomes a sensational side in less than 10 minutes.

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Quinoa with Broccoli and Bacon

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Quinoa with Broccoli and Bacon Recipe

Dress up a plain quinoa dish with bacon bits and sautéed broccoli for a fresh and colorful side.

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Pepper Jelly-Glazed Carrots

Pepper Jelly-Glazed Carrots Recipe

These carrots win the prize for easiest side ever. Baby carrots, chicken broth, butter, and red pepper jelly are all you need for a hot 'n spicy dish that is ready in less than 15 minutes and takes just two steps.

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Roasted Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Romulo Yanes; Styling: Claire Spollen

Roasted Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Tired of plain mashed potatoes? Cauliflower, milk, and butter are added here to create a rich, creamy side. Serve with gravy and a succulent cut of roast beef.

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Roasted Rosemary Rutabaga Fries

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Claire Spollen

Roasted Rosemary Rutabaga Fries Recipe

Salty and delicious, you won’t even realize they're not the real thing. Best of all, one serving is a mere 116 calories—less than a third of the calories in a normal serving of potato fries!

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Simple Holiday Sides

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Sheet Pan Roasted Vegetables

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Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Pine Nuts

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Skillet Green Bean Casserole

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Classic Herb Stuffing

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Cloverleaf Rolls

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Creamed Winter Greens

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Broccoli with Lemon Crumbs

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Asparagus with Crispy Pancetta

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Baked Fennel Parmigiana

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Browned Butter and Lemon Brussels Sprouts

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Butternut Squash with Orange

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Mashed Potatoes

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Carrot-Cilantro Bulgur

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Carrots with Lemon and Thyme

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Cavatappi with Arugula and Cannellini Beans

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Garlic-Parmesan Rice

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Glazed Carrots with Pecans

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Goat Cheese and Basil Polenta

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Sweet-and-Sour Green Beans

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Green Beans with Walnuts

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Lemon-Orange Orzo

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Sweet-Potato Gratin

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Lemon-Rosemary Barley

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Louisiana Red Beans

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Mushroom Grits

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Cranberry-Almond Wild Rice

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