Big family meals need plenty of familiar choices, from savory sides to desserts worth saving room for. This collection brings together casseroles, biscuits, salads, mac and cheese, and Southern sweets in a range of styles for a crowded table. Mix a few favorites into a holiday spread or bring one along when relatives gather.
Green Salad
When richer dishes fill the table, Green Salad brings a fresh, crisp pause and comes together in about 10 minutes. Its sherry vinegar dressing gets a gentle sweetness from maple syrup and a little tang from Dijon mustard. The recipe serves two, so it works as a small side or can be scaled up when cousins gather around a larger spread.
Get the Recipe: Green Salad
Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Smooth, custardy slices give Southern Sweet Potato Pie a place among the classic desserts that relatives look forward to. Roasting the sweet potatoes helps create a silky filling with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and dark brown sugar. The recipe takes about an hour and serves eight. Bake it ahead for a holiday meal, then bring it out after the casseroles and savory sides have made their rounds.
Get the Recipe: Southern Sweet Potato Pie
Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese
When oven space runs short, Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese stays warm for serving and suits a crowd. Uncooked macaroni cooks right in the pot with cheddar, mozzarella, whole milk, and evaporated milk, so there is no separate boiling step. It takes about three hours and serves eight. Set out a big spoon and let everyone scoop a helping alongside the rest of dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese
Corn Casserole
With a soft center and melted cheddar top, Corn Casserole brings a familiar, hearty side to the family table. Creamed corn and whole kernel corn pair with sour cream, butter, and corn muffin mix for a one-bowl bake. It takes about an hour and serves eight. Bring it out with turkey, ham, or other holiday favorites when a single small dish would not be enough.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole
Turkey Gravy
Silky and herb-scented, Turkey Gravy gives a holiday plate a smooth finish without relying on pan drippings. The stock-based sauce thickens with a butter roux, while onion, garlic, thyme, and rosemary build savory depth. It takes about 35 minutes and makes roughly two cups. Set the gravy beside turkey, mashed potatoes, or stuffing so everyone can add a little more to their plate.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Gravy
Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Smoky, caramelized edges give Brussels Sprouts with Bacon a savory place among the sides. The sprouts roast with olive oil and garlic powder, then get a finish of bacon and balsamic vinegar that balances their caramelized flavor. The recipe serves four and takes about 35 minutes. Pair it with richer casseroles or a roast for a vegetable dish with plenty of character.
Get the Recipe: Brussels Sprouts with Bacon
Banana Pudding
No oven is needed for Banana Pudding, a cool, creamy dessert to serve after a generous meal. Vanilla wafers and fresh banana slices sit under a rich pudding made with sweetened condensed milk, then whipped cream finishes the top. There is no oven time, and the recipe takes about 25 minutes to assemble before chilling. It serves 12, giving plenty of cousins a chance to get a bowl.
Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding
Broccoli Casserole
Golden crumbs and a creamy bite make Broccoli Casserole a familiar vegetable side with a little crunch. Fresh broccoli is steamed, then combined with cheddar and a creamy base before baking until the top turns golden. The recipe takes about 55 minutes and serves six. Bring it to a potluck or family dinner when you want a vegetable dish that can hold its own beside the main course.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Deviled Eggs
Neatly swirled filling and a cranberry-pecan finish give Deviled Eggs a holiday-ready look on the appetizer tray. Sour cream, cream cheese, and mayonnaise make the yolks rich, while lemon juice, thyme, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg add a gently spiced flavor. They take about 22 minutes and serve eight. Place the platter out before dinner so guests can snack while the rest of the spread comes together.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs
Pineapple Casserole
Sweet-and-salty flavor gives Pineapple Casserole its distinctive place among Southern sides, with a buttery, golden cracker topping. Pineapple chunks and tidbits meet sharp cheddar, sugar, and reserved juice, then crushed Ritz crackers add a crisp top. The recipe takes about 45 minutes and serves six. Offer it beside savory holiday dishes for a sweet-and-salty bite that brings something different to the table.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Casserole
Four Cheese Mac n Cheese
Comfort at the table starts with Four Cheese Mac n Cheese, where cheddar, Gouda, mozzarella, and Parmesan melt into a silky sauce. The pasta is cooked separately, then folded into the sauce and baked for a comforting side with a full, savory flavor. It takes about 45 minutes and serves six. Bring it to a family gathering when one macaroni dish might not satisfy every cheese lover at the table.
Get the Recipe: Four Cheese Mac n Cheese
Squash Casserole
Golden crumbs over a soft center give Squash Casserole a pleasing contrast, with roasted squash and onion beneath. Sharp cheddar, sour cream, mayonnaise, thyme, and a touch of cayenne round out the filling. It takes about an hour and serves eight. This casserole fits a Southern-style spread beside roast turkey or other family favorites, and the generous baking dish makes it easy to share.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole
Buttermilk Biscuits
Flaky tops and tender centers make Buttermilk Biscuits welcome beside nearly any part of a Southern meal. Cold buttermilk and butter help create the soft interior, while a hot oven gives the tops a golden finish. The recipe takes about 35 minutes and makes 12 biscuits. Set them in a basket beside the gravy, or pass them around while everyone fills their plates.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits
Green Bean Casserole with Parmesan Fried Onion Topping
Crisp Parmesan onions crown Green Bean Casserole with Parmesan Fried Onion Topping a savory finish over its creamy green beans. Fresh beans are blanched before joining mushroom soup, sautéed onion, Dijon, thyme, and cream. The recipe serves eight and takes about an hour. Bring the casserole to a holiday table when a familiar side with extra crunch will help feed a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole with Parmesan Fried Onion Topping
Red Velvet Cake
Its deep red layers and tangy frosting make Red Velvet Cake a colorful finish for a family celebration. The tender cake carries a subtle cocoa flavor, while cream cheese frosting adds a sweet, slightly tangy layer between and over the cakes. It takes about an hour and serves 12. Slice it after dinner or save a few pieces for relatives who want dessert later.
Get the Recipe: Red Velvet Cake
Mac and Cheese
Golden crumbs set Mac and Cheese apart from a quick boxed side. Cheddar and Parmesan melt into a creamy sauce that coats elbow pasta, with garlic and mustard adding a savory note. The recipe takes about 20 minutes and serves four. It is a straightforward option for a smaller gathering or an extra side dish when the family table needs one more familiar favorite.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese
Chess Pie
Custard sets into a smooth center beneath a lightly browned top in Chess Pie, a simple Southern dessert with a lovely sliceable texture. Butter, eggs, sugar, and a little cornmeal form the filling, while lemon juice or buttermilk brings a subtle tang. The recipe takes about an hour and serves eight. Let the pie cool before slicing, then pass pieces around after a rich, savory meal.
Get the Recipe: Chess Pie
Cornbread Stuffing
Herb-scented and lightly crisp at the edges, Cornbread Stuffing brings a familiar, savory flavor to the holiday table. Cubed cornbread is joined by onion, celery, garlic, sage, and rosemary, then baked until the edges turn lightly crisp. It takes about an hour and serves 12, making it a generous dish for a crowd. Prepare it ahead to make the final meal assembly easier.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing
Sweet Potato Casserole
Holiday plates leave room for Sweet Potato Casserole, a festive side with a smooth center, brown sugar pecan streusel, and toasted marshmallows. Each scoop combines a smooth, buttery filling with a crisp, nutty top and soft toasted finish. The recipe takes about an hour and serves eight. Set it beside the savory casseroles and let guests decide whether to save room for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole