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  6. 11 Make-Ahead Christmas Side Dishes for an Easier Holiday

11 Make-Ahead Christmas Side Dishes for an Easier Holiday

Jessica Ball
Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD December 13, 2019
Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD
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Simplify your life this holiday season with these make-ahead sides that are perfect for your Christmas table. From our Loaded Scalloped Potatoes to our Cauliflower Casserole, these are sure to wow while letting you take control of the prep. Make this season happy, healthy and easy.

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Loaded Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon, Cheddar & Chives

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Imagine a loaded baked potato topped with bacon, Cheddar and chives combined with the creamy goodness of scalloped potatoes, and you have the ultimate comfort food casserole. This scalloped potato recipe is made healthier than original versions by using low-fat milk in place of heavy cream, but it still tastes just as rich and creamy.

 

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Cornbread & Oyster-Mushroom Stuffing

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Mushrooms are a rich, meaty addition in this healthy cornbread stuffing recipe. Here we use oyster mushrooms, but you can use any variety you like. If you have time, bake the cornbread a day or two in advance so it has time to dry out a bit, which lets it absorb the flavors more readily. 

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Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

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If you're looking for a twist on classic scalloped potatoes, this recipe using roasted sweet potatoes and melty Gruyère has all the creaminess of the original with a new flavor twist. The sweet potatoes and lightened sauce--made with flour and low-fat milk--keep it healthier than butter- and cream-laden versions. Don't cut your sweet potatoes too thin--they'll turn mushy under the sauce. 

 

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Cauliflower Casserole with Everything Bagel Seasoning

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The cheesy-seedy crust that tops this healthy cauliflower casserole recipe evokes everything bagels. Serve for the holidays or as a hearty side dish with roast chicken.

 

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No-Sugar-Added Sweet Potato Casserole

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Instead of loading up this comfort food side with tons of brown sugar and marshmallows, we have turned to sweet spices, vanilla and inherently sweet dried fruit to enhance the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes. A topping of pecans and pepitas replaces traditional marshmallow topping to keep it healthy and add texture and color for a beautiful casserole. 

 

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Vegan Green Bean Casserole

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Now everyone can enjoy classic Thanksgiving favorites, like this dairy-free green bean casserole. We make a homemade vegan cream of mushroom soup using almond milk for the creamy base that's combined with fresh green beans. Top it off with classic french-fried onions (we have a vegan recipe for that, too!) for a side dish everyone will devour.

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Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes with Spinach

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Classic scalloped potatoes get a burst of color, heartier texture and a healthy update with the addition of chopped spinach. The greens in this side dish also create a nice contrast to the creamy, velvety potatoes.

 

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Honey-Glazed Roasted Delicata Squash

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Tangy cider vinegar, sweet honey, crunchy pine nuts and fresh mint come together to make an amazing glaze in this healthy roasted winter squash recipe. If you use delicata, the whole squash—including the gorgeous skin—is edible.

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Vegan Scalloped Potatoes

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These scalloped potatoes are surprisingly rich and creamy even though they're made with no dairy (milk, butter or cheese)--vegan comfort food at its best. We use almond milk, herbs and spices to make a flavorful sauce and finish the dish with a crunchy almond topping. This makes a satisfying side dish if you're cooking for dairy-free or vegan diets. 

 

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Vegan Cornbread Stuffing

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Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, now this classic side dish is available to everyone. We love the deep flavor of cornbread in this entirely plant-based recipe. Our secret to getting that traditional flavor without chicken broth or turkey stock is adding in poultry seasoning—despite the name, there is no poultry in it! 

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Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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This quick mashed potato recipe has just 5 ingredients and is dinner-ready in 20 minutes. Using sweet potatoes for this classic side dish adds color to your plate along with a little sweetness and a boost of Vitamin A. With classic and simple flavors, it can easily be paired with any of your favorite dishes. 

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By Jessica Ball, M.S., RD

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    1 of 11 Loaded Scalloped Potatoes with Bacon, Cheddar & Chives
    2 of 11 Cornbread & Oyster-Mushroom Stuffing
    3 of 11 Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
    4 of 11 Cauliflower Casserole with Everything Bagel Seasoning
    5 of 11 No-Sugar-Added Sweet Potato Casserole
    6 of 11 Vegan Green Bean Casserole
    7 of 11 Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes with Spinach
    8 of 11 Honey-Glazed Roasted Delicata Squash
    9 of 11 Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
    10 of 11 Vegan Cornbread Stuffing
    11 of 11 Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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    11 Make-Ahead Christmas Side Dishes for an Easier Holiday
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