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Granny’s Apple Scalloped Potatoes
This scalloped potatoes with apples dish is delicious with breaded baked pork chops, which you could cook at the same time in another cast-iron pan. We are retired and it’s just the two of us, but you could easily double the recipe. —Shirley Rickis, The Villages, Florida 2 / 32
Warm Apple & Pistachio Spinach Salad
I’m really not a salad person, but this unusual salad is actually worthy of bringing to a dinner party or even eating by itself. It’s also super quick and easy to make. —Justine Kmiecik, Crestview, Florida 3 / 32
Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
The first time my friends tasted my new side dish, they said it was phenomenal. The longer you let it chill in the fridge, the more tender the sprouts will be. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado 4 / 32
Pressure-Cooker Lemon Red Potatoes
Butter, lemon juice, parsley and chives enhance this simple side dish. I usually prepare these potatoes when I’m having company. Since they cook in the pressure cooker, there’s plenty of room on the stove for other dishes. —Tara Branham, Austin, Texas 5 / 32
Glazed Spiced Carrots
Glazed carrots are a classic side dish for all kinds of special occasions. They're the perfect accompaniment for all kinds of main entrees. This recipe is very easy to put together, leaving your oven and stove top free for other cooking creations. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 6 / 32
Walnut Cranberry Orzo
I came up with this delightful side dish after becoming fascinated by the tiny pasta. With red pepper, cranberries, walnuts and Parmesan, it’s as colorful as it is flavorful. —Judith Comstock, Salado, Texas 7 / 32
Lemony Green Beans
You can throw together this dish in minutes using ingredients you probably already have on hand. That’s the beauty of it. —Jennifer Tarantino, Rutherford, New Jersey 8 / 32
Buttery Mashed Potatoes
These creamy, buttery mashed potatoes use simple ingredients. The tricks are to use Yukon Gold potatoes and then to warm the cream and butter before adding them to the potatoes. —Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 9 / 32
Hearty Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
This warm, hearty spinach and bacon salad offers comfort at any meal. The glossy dressing features a hint of celery seed for a special touch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 10 / 32
Crunchy Bacon Blue Cheese Red Pepper Brussels Sprouts
This is my family’s absolute favorite dish on my holiday table. What’s not to love with the mixed aroma of garlic, onions, bacon, and blue cheese floating through your home? —Jana Gooding, Carlsbad, California 11 / 32
Mashed Cauliflower
This is our choice for a side dish that’s lower in carbs than mashed potatoes but just as flavorful and satisfying. I suggest garnishing it with chopped green onions. —Tina Martini, Sparks, Nevada 12 / 32
Maple & Bacon Glazed Brussels Sprouts
For special meals, here’s a fantastic side dish that even children will love. The sweet maple syrup and smoky bacon complement the Brussels sprouts perfectly. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois 13 / 32
Vegetable and Barley Pilaf
Hearty, colorful, easy and fast were the reviews we gave this good-for-you dish. Barley has a healthy amount of soluble fiber, which aids digestion. And it can help to lower cholesterol, too! You can easily substitute other fresh veggies you have on hand. —Jesse Klausmeier, Burbank, California 14 / 32
Pretty Duchess Potatoes
Comfort-food flavor comes in attractive packages that are just the right size! This recipe is a favorite Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving menu idea. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen 15 / 32
Maple-Glazed Green Beans
After I picked my first green beans one year, I wanted to make a savory dish that was unique, quick and packed with flavor. I loved this so much I couldn’t stop eating it, so the next day I picked more beans and made this delicious side dish again. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California 16 / 32
Amber’s Sourdough Stuffing
All my kids and grandkids absolutely love this sourdough stuffing, but especially my daughter-in-law, Amber. I usually make a big batch at Thanksgiving so I will have leftovers for my husband. But this recipe is perfect for two. —Kathy Katz, Ocala, Florida 17 / 32
Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
My family and friends love the warm, inviting flavors of the luscious citrus butter, smooth cream cheese, sweet dates, fresh sage and toasted pecans that are captured in every bite of these delicious sweet potatoes. —Brenda Watts, Gaffney, South Carolina 18 / 32
Kale Quinoa Salad
Here’s a holiday side dish you can feel good about serving. Kale packs a mighty punch of vitamins, while quinoa delivers a hearty serving of protein. Best of all, the flavor of this kale quinoa salad can’t be beat! —Lisa Warren, Washington, DC 19 / 32
Texas Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These creamy potatoes get their flavor burst from garlic and caramelized onions. Their savory goodness makes any meal better. —Richard Markle, Midlothian, Texas 20 / 32
Garlic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard Sauce
Don’t be afraid to bring out the Brussels sprouts. Mellowed by roasting and tossed with mustard sauce, they may just delight even the most skeptical folks. —Becky Walch, Orland, California 21 / 32
Slow-Cooker Praline Sweet Potatoes
I had a house full of relatives and was short on cooking space. I used the basic idea of the traditional sweet potato casserole and adapted it for the slow cooker. It’s been a huge hit ever since! —Joanna Stanforth, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois 22 / 32
Fennel Salad with Citrus Dressing
My family really enjoys crunchy fennel, which pairs well with citrus vinaigrette. The salad makes a nice addition to any meal.—Denise Elder, Hanover, Ontario 23 / 32
Herb-Buttered Baby Carrots
The herb butter can be used for everything from vegetables to roast chicken, turkey, game hens—let your imagination be your guide.—Sandra Corey, Caldwell, Idaho 24 / 32
Simple Orange-Glazed Beets
In our house, we prefer our beautiful red beets served simply—with a touch of butter and a hint of orange from a marmalade glaze. —Mary Beth Jung, Hendersonville, North Carolina 25 / 32
Hasselback Butternut Squash
Squash makes the perfect holiday side dish, especially when it’s Hasselback butternut squash! The thin slits cut into each half allow the butter, maple syrup, brown sugar and ground chipotle mixture to get in every single nook and cranny. This is one side that everyone at your holiday table will be excited to gobble up! —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia 26 / 32
Celeriac & Garlic Mashed Potatoes
My family can’t get enough of this comforting fall favorite, especially at Thanksgiving. I love the addition of the celeriac. Its mild celery flavor pairs well with the garlic and potato. —Lynelle Martinson, Plover, Wisconsin 27 / 32
Sweet-Sour Red Cabbage
The first time I bought a red cabbage, I didn’t quite know what to do with it. After some experimenting, I came up with this recipe that’s now my fall comfort food. As a side, it’s compatible with a variety of meat entrees, but I especially like it with a pork roast or chops.—Karen Gorman, Gunnison, Colorado 28 / 32
Baked Butternut Squash
Take advantage of fabulous fall produce and roast this scrumptious side. Lightly seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar, this is my favorite baked butternut squash recipe—it could almost be dessert! —Heidi Vawdrey, Riverton, Utah 29 / 32
Orzo with Parmesan & Basil
Dried basil adds its rich herb flavor to this creamy and delicious skillet side dish that’s table-ready in just minutes! Thanks to Anna Chaney of Antigo, Wisconsin for sharing her recipe. 30 / 32
Sage Dressing
This moist, hearty sage stuffing is nicely seasoned with sausage and fresh mushrooms. Sometimes I use it to stuff my Thanksgiving turkey and other times I bake it separately. —Betty Kay Sitzman, Wray, Colorado 31 / 32
Acorn Squash Slices
Roasted acorn squash slices are a favorite with my family. This recipe has a sweet maple flavor from syrup and an appealing nuttiness from pecans. It’s easy, too, because you don’t have to peel the squash. —Richard Lamb, Williamsburg, Indiana 32 / 32
Red Potatoes with Beans
You can serve this homey blend of fresh green beans, potato wedges and chopped red onion hot or cold. Either way, this easy side dish makes a pleasing accompaniment to Mom’s meat loaf or almost any other meat. —Daria Burcar,Rochester, Michigan
Originally Published: November 12, 2020