50 Christmas Sides You Can Make in 40 Minutes or Less
Between opening presents, catching up with cousins and arguing with aunts, there’s enough to think about on Christmas. The last thing you should be doing during the holidays is spending the whole day at the stove. Instead, whip up a few of these quick and easy Christmas sides: They’re all ready in 40 minutes or less.
RELATED: The Definitive Ranking of All the Classic Christmas Foods
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
1. Baked Gorgonzola Bites
Cheesy beyond belief.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
2. Salami, Artichoke and Ricotta Pasta Salad
Who says pasta salad is only for the summertime? (Not us.)
Erin McDowell
3. Spicy Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Tossed in honey-Sriracha sauce, then roasted until caramelized.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
4. Winter Citrus and Pomegranate Salad
Seriously refreshing (and gorgeous).
Erin McDowell
5. One-Pot Mac and Cheese
If it’s cheese you want, it’s cheese you’re gonna get.
Yellow Bliss Road
6. 5-Minute Parmesan Ranch Broccoli
Barely more work than just serving the broccoli raw.
Damn Delicious
7. Cheesy Garlic Zucchini Rice
So creamy and delicious, and only one pot necessary.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
8. Sweet Potato Hummus
Serve with crackers and fresh veggies for dipping.
How Sweet Eats
9. Skillet Toasted Green Beans
Let's make sure the kids get a little green on their plates between all the sugar cookies and candy canes.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
10. Cacio e Pepe Cauliflower
Whatever you do, don’t skimp on the pepper.
Gimme Some Oven
11. Garlicky Baked Shrimp
Sure beats cocktail shrimp and store-bought cocktail sauce.
Damn Delicious
12. Fried Mac and Cheese Balls
You need only five ingredients to make these delightful little bites.
Erin McDowell
13. 20-Minute Mashed Potatoes
Yup, it doesn't get much easier than these.
Minimalist Baker
14. Abundance Kale Salad with Savory Tahini Dressing
Just so you can say you ate something healthy in 2020.
RELATED: 16 Homemade Salad Dressings That Will Actually Make You Want to Eat Salad
Yellow Bliss Road
15. Cheesy Garlic Bread
Yes, yes, a million times yes.
Food Faith Fitness
16. Sweet Potato Salad with Avocado Pesto
Bacon lovers: This one's for you.
Erin McDowell
17. Whole Roasted Carrots
A second helping? Don’t mind if we do.
Damn Delicious
18. Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
Fried to crispy perfection.
RELATED: 23 Ways You Should Really Be Eating Brussels Sprouts
Damn Delicious
19. Garlic Parmesan Knots
Best enjoyed straight out of the oven.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
20. Oven-Roasted Beets and Potatoes
Pair with something braised and beefy.
the defined dish
21. Paleo Fried Green Tomatoes
BRB, drinking the remoulade dip straight from the bowl.
RELATED: News Flash: The Fancy Tomatoes You’re Buying Might Be Fake
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
22. Gnocchi with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe
There's no such thing as too many carbs on Christmas.
Half Baked Harvest
23. Easy Grilled Parmesan Polenta Chips
Marginally healthier than the alternative. Every bit as delicious.
Cookie and Kate
24. Lemony Roasted Asparagus
Honestly, we’d settle for lemony anything.
I am a food blog
25. Smoked Gouda Potato Pancakes
Don’t forget the sour cream.
Spend With Pennies
26. Parmesan Oven Roasted Tomatoes
Deceptively simple to make, and even easier to eat.
The minimalist baker
27. Quinoa and Vegetable Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Your vegetarian cousin will thank you.
Erin McDowell
28. Deviled Eggs 3 Ways
Roasted garlic, Sriracha or capers—which one will you pick?
Erin McDowell
29. Easy Creamed Spinach
A vegan take on a timeless classic.
PHOTO: LIZ ANDREW/STYLING: ERIN MCDOWELL
30. Swiss Chard au Gratin
Smothered in a creamy white sauce and topped with buttery breadcrumbs and decadent cheese.
Photo: Michael Marquand/Styling: Nisha Vora
31. Instant Pot Spicy Thai Butternut Squash Soup
The toughest part of the recipe is chopping the squash—the rest is total cake.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
32. Brussels Sprouts Latkes
Offer your guests a tasty surprise by putting a reimagined Hanukkah classic on the table.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
33. Prosciutto and Fig Salad Board
Not only does the cutting board look pretty, it also grants you easy access to all the toppings (unlike your favorite salad bowl).
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
34. 5-Ingredient Red-Wine Cranberry Sauce
It calls for a whole cup of dry red wine. Need we say more?
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
35. Cauliflower Rice
Because the last thing anyone wants to do on Christmas is wait for water to boil.
Leslie Grow/Keto in an Instant
36. Keto Instant Pot Sausage-Kale Soup
Swap sausage for kielbasa or kale for Swiss chard. The pressure cooker is your oyster.
Half Baked Harvest
37. Lemony Fried Brussels Sprouts
Did we mention they're buried in goat cheese and Parmesan?
Emily Dorio/The Saltwater Table
38. Charred Cauliflower with Crunchy Garlic Chile Oil
Crunchy, smoky, sweet and slightly spicy. Chalk it up to holiday magic.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
39. Cacio e Pepe Brussels Sprouts
You truly can't go wrong with butter, cheese and a ton of black pepper, huh?
Jeanine Donofrio/Love & Lemons Every Day
40. Broccoli Rabe and Burrata with Lemon
Admit it: We had you at burrata.
Damn Delicious
41. Butternut Squash Fritters
We'll be topping ours with sour cream *and* apple sauce, thank you very much.
The Almond Eater
42. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Bacon rolled in dark brown sugar and baked until sticky and crispy is the stuff of dreams. (Well, ours, at least.)
Gimme Some Oven
43. "Everything" Roasted Asparagus
No, we're *not* sick of everything bagel seasoning. Sorry not sorry.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
44. Brussels Sprouts Skillet with Crispy Pancetta-Garlic Bread Crumbs
Don't wait forever for the sprouts to crisp up in the oven. The garlic bread topping in this stovetop recipe provides all the crunch you crave.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
45. Savory Monkey Bread
It's as simple as slicing a store-bought loaf and stuffing the cuts with pesto and mozzarella.
Minimalist Baker
46. Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Trust us, you won't miss the dairy one bit.
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Eden Grinshpan
47. Harissa and Honey-Roasted Carrots
We've never met a yogurt moat we didn't like.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
48. Make-Ahead Vegetarian Gravy
Don't make the mashed potatoes brave your relatives alone.
LAUREN V. ALLEN/CHèVRE
49. Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Chèvre Ranch
Proof that goat cheese can do way more than cheese boards and salads.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
50. Baked Sweet Potato Fries
We have a feeling these will be a hit at the kids' table.
Additional reporting by Alexandra Hough