Best Make-Ahead Christmas Side Dishes (2024)

Introduction

The holidays are a time for joy, good company, and delicious meals—but they can also be stressful! Make-ahead Christmas side dishes are a lifesaver for anyone looking to serve a festive spread without spending all day in the kitchen. These dishes can be prepped days in advance, letting you enjoy the festivities with your guests rather than being stuck at the stove. They’re tasty crowd pleasers that ensure your Christmas table is both abundant and effortless.

Why Make-Ahead Side Dishes Are a Holiday Game-Changer

Make-ahead sides free up valuable oven and stovetop space on the big day, streamline your prep, and help all elements of your meal come together seamlessly. The best recipes don’t sacrifice flavor or texture and often taste even better after the ingredients meld. From creamy casseroles to vibrant vegetable medleys and hearty potato dishes, these sides bring both convenience and gourmet appeal to your Christmas dinner.

Festive Favorites: Best Make-Ahead Christmas Side Dishes

The following recipe combines classic seasonal flavors with effortless prep, ensuring you’ll serve up one of the best make-ahead Christmas side dishes of 2024. It’s savory, rich, and pairs perfectly with traditional holiday mains, from roast turkey to honey-glazed ham.

Ultimate Make-Ahead Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

This creamy, comforting casserole is topped with a crispy, golden layer of breadcrumbs, making it a household favorite year after year. It delivers all the comfort of a holiday classic with the added bonus of easy advance prep.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with every ingredient sorted by store section, perfect for smooth holiday grocery trips and stress-free meal planning.

Instructions

1. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F if baking immediately, or refrigerate the assembled casserole for up to 2 days before baking.
2. If using fresh broccoli, blanch in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then drain well. Pat dry to minimize excess moisture.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4. Add broccoli, onion, and shredded cheddar to the bowl, tossing until evenly coated.
5. Spread mixture into the prepared baking dish.
6. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs (and Parmesan, if using) with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly on top of the casserole.
7. At this stage, cover tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. When ready to bake, remove from fridge while oven preheats.
8. Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling and the top is golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is perfect for holiday meal prep and works beautifully in any weekly menu plan. Save and schedule this recipe to organize your Christmas meal timeline and generate a detailed shopping list that cross-references ingredients from all your planned dishes.

Planning Benefits:

• Calculates total ingredient amounts for all your holiday recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by grocery section (produce, dairy, pantry, etc.)
• Prevents overbuying and forgotten items
• Keeps your holiday meal prep streamlined and efficient

Pro tip: When planning multiple dishes for the holiday week, schedule your recipes to see how ingredients overlap—for example, if several sides use eggs or cheese, the list will combine totals so you get exactly what you need, saving time and money.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour (plus refrigeration time if making ahead)

Recap: Make-Ahead Magic for Your Holiday Table

The best make-ahead Christmas side dishes are those that combine festive flavors, easy prep, and can deliver on taste and texture even after resting in the fridge. Whether for large family gatherings or an intimate holiday dinner, this cheesy broccoli casserole guarantees a smooth, celebratory meal with less stress and more time to enjoy with loved ones.