Holiday Side Dishes That Will Steal the Show
By: McCormick Kitchens
September 11, 2025
Made With:
Instructions
Turkeys, hams and roasts make impressive table centerpieces during holiday dinners, but let’s be honest - everyone's more excited about the sides. Condensed soup casseroles (you know you love ‘em). Roasted roots that toe the line between vegetable and dessert. Mountains of mashed potatoes that are 97% butter. Nostalgia and epic amounts of fat are the name of the game when it comes to holiday sides, so treat your guests to dishes they'll never forget!
French's Green Bean Casserole:
If this isn’t a holiday classic, we don’t know what is. In fact, once you take a nostalgic bite of tender beans bathed in creamy mushroom sauce, you’ll wonder why you don’t make this all year round.
Cheesy Bacon Green Bean Casserole:
Want to kick the classic up a notch? This version keeps all the best parts and adds everyone’s favorite sidekick - bacon. Crunchy panko crumbs blended with the traditional crispy fried onions for a topping that’s a little extra. (And isn’t that what holiday side dishes are all about?)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes:
A holiday table isn’t complete without mashed potatoes. And while a ton of butter is all that’s needed to whip them into cloud-like perfection, there are lots of little ways to take them over the top, whether adding garlic as in this recipe or stirring in fistfuls of shredded cheddar or gruyere to make cheesy potatoes.
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes:
These decadent scalloped potatoes are a dream, but a little lighter than some versions, with chicken broth going halfsies with heavy cream. The secret to the savory sauce is the perfect blend of spices, using McCormick® Sea Salt Grinder, McCormick Black Pepper Grinder, McCormick Garlic Powder and McCormick Whole Thyme Leaves.
Candied Sweet Potato Casserole:
Here’s a tip: If you start with already baked and cubed sweet potato for this traditional marshmallow-dotted casserole, you’ll save yourself cooking time. All you’ll need to do is pass the assembled dish under the broiler to form that sticky, melty, brown sugary coating.
Corn Casserole:
This casserole pulls out all the stops, with the combination of fresh corn kernels, creamy sour cream and melted butter creating a rich, custard-like base. A subtle corn flavor from the cornmeal complements the star ingredient, and fresh green onions scattered throughout add a pop of color and a mild oniony flavor. Is your oven on overload? Bake this early and then warm it just before setting it on the table.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Butternut Squash:
While it’s tempting to concentrate on carbs, you’ll probably want something green on the table too. These deeply caramelized sprouts certainly aren't lacking in the indulgence department, especially when paired with the season’s other star produce, butternut squash, and tossed with a festive cranberry glaze. But we’re not done yet: The final touch is a sprinkle of toasted pecans, blue cheese crumbles, and, of course, bacon. (What even are Brussels sprouts without bacon?)
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Sugar Glazed Carrots:
It’s like having dessert for dinner. You’ll (almost) wonder why you bother with pie when you bite into a tender baby carrot, slow-cooked in a bath of butter, ginger and brown sugar.
Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole:
Why stick with one floret when you can have two tossed with flavorful Italian seasoning and salty parmesan cheese?
Homemade Rolls with Cinnamon Honey Butter:
Nothing quite compares to the aroma and tender crumb of freshly baked homemade rolls emerging from your oven at a holiday dinner. To make this recipe a real showstopper make sure to include the luxurious compound butter alongside the fresh rolls. This heavenly spread combines softened butter with powdered sugar, golden honey, McCormick Ground Cinnamon and a splash of McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract to create a sweet and spiced treat that melts beautifully into warm bread.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese:
The king of comfort food needs no introduction. Our grown-up version of baked mac and cheese sports a crunchy and crispy crown that just begs you to dig in and find the molten, cheddary goodness underneath. The not-so-secret ingredient? Butternut squash, which brings an earthy sweetness and a silky texture.
