20 Tasty Christmas Dinner Side Dishes (Easy on the Budget)
These cheap Christmas dinner side dishes prove that you can serve up comfort, flavor, and a beautiful holiday spread even if you’re on a budget. They bring all the festive flavor without the hefty price tag. (Proof that holiday magic is delicious at any price.)
From cozy classics to creative twists, these recipes will fill your your family’s plates with joy.
Note: Make the dishes even cheaper by checking out grocery sales beforehand. It’s a popular time of year for butter, baking ingredients, and root vegetables to be marked down.
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Potato & Root Veggie Dishes Everyone Will Love
What makes these cheaper: Potatoes and root vegetables are hardy, easy to find, and have a long shelf life. The dishes are also often favorites at the Christmas dinner table.
1. Scalloped Potatoes
From Love and Lemons, this recipe features tender potatoes baked in a creamy sauce with fresh thyme, onions, and cheddar cheese. It’s hearty and flavorful!
2. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Just potatoes, garlic, and diary. This dish is rich, crowd-pleasing, and versatile for anyone who has food allergies. (I substitute broth for my hubby who has lactose issues.)
Here’s a recipe that’s sure to impress >>
3. Herb Roasted Potatoes
Herb roasted potatoes come out rustic and crispy. And all you need are potatoes, herbs, and oil. Start with this recipe.
4. Roasted Carrots With Honey Herb Butter
Check out this easy recipe from the Pioneer Woman.
5. Mashed Sweet Potatoes
From Flavor the Moments, I’ll be trying this in my Instant Pot pronto!
6. Roasted Root Vegetables
From Love and Lemons, this roasted root vegetables recipe is so delicious that you’ll want seconds! Fresh herbs and a fragrant sage oil pack the veggies with rich, earthy flavor.
Related: Adorable & Cheap Christmas Kids Snacks
Cheap Christmas Sides That Feel Fancy
What makes these cheaper: While these Christmas dinner sides look fancy, they’re simple to put together and easy on the budget.
7. Sauteed Green Beans with Toasted Almonds
This cheap Christmas dinner side dish has minimal ingredients but is full of texture. Toast the almonds beforehand and you’ll have a side that guests gush over.
8. Balsamic Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
These extra crispy roasted balsamic maple brussels sprouts from Healthful Blonde are the perfect healthy side dish to any meal. They’re insanely delicious and ready in 35 minutes!
9. Winter Salad
From Homemade Interest, this winter salad makes use of delicious seasonal foods. It’s full of winter fruits and nuts like pecans, pears, and cranberries, and topped with a homemade vinaigrette.
10. Gluten Free Stuffed Mushrooms
Healthy, and relatievely cheap for being so fancy. The most expensive ingredient will be the walnuts, and you can alter how much you use.
Get the recipe from Food Plus Words >>
11. Fall Roasted Sweet Potato Beet Salad
From Sunglow Kitchen, this Sweet Potato Beet Salad is full of color, flavor, and texture. Feta cheese, crunchy walnuts, and caramelized onions take it to the next level, and the honey balsamic dressing brings it all together.
Related:
Bread Based Christmas Side Dishes
What makes this cheaper: Bread ingredients are inexpensive and you can make items at scale. Double your recipe and enjoy it for multiple events.
12. Buttery Garlic Breadsticks
Breadsticks are surprisingly simple to make, with only a handful of affordable ingredients. Guests will gobble them up without realizing that you didn’t spend a fortune! Start with this recipe.
13. Buttermilk Biscuits
This deceptively simple buttermilk biscuit recipe is flaky, but not dry. Chewy, but not tough. And crisp in just the right spots.
14. Traditional Dinner Rolls
The Christmas table wouldn’t be complete without a fluffy side of rolls. And you only need 7 ingredients to make these crazy popular rolls from Sally’s Baking.
Corn Christmas Side Dishes
What makes these cheaper: Corn is one of the least expensive crops produced in the United States. And it’s delicious in more than your Taco Tuesday meals!
15. Corn Casserole
Next, corn casserole is easy and beloved. Here’s a popular recipe from Paula Deen via the Cozy Cook.
16. Creamed Corn
This homemade cream corn recipe needs just a few staple ingredients that you likely have on hand. It’s also a creamy, rich, and delicious one-pot side dish that is quick to make.
Classic Comfort Casseroles
What makes them cheaper: The main ingredients in these Christmas sides are cheap, while the more expensive ingredients are used as toppings or garnishes.
17. Green Bean Casserole
Canned green beans, cream of mushroom, and fried onions. This casserole is a classic for a reason. But did you also know that it’s crazy cheap to make? Here’s the full recipe.
18. Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole
This Broccoli Rice Casserole recipe is made from scratch with no condensed soup. Use fresh broccoli and cook it until tender crisp. Then add fluffy rice. It comes together to create a family favorite side dish!
19. Mac & Cheese Bake
Budget-friendly pasta + cheese sauce = comfort gold. The Gruyere cheese is the most expensive ingredient for this ultra delicious baked mac and cheese dish. But you could also substitute with a less expensive cheese.
20. Hashbrown Casserole
This classic hashbrown casserole never fails to deliver. Learn how to make hashbrown casserole, and you’ll discover a Christmas side dish your family will ask for again and again.
What’s Next?
Don’t miss the best ways to use your turkey leftovers.
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Don’t forget to pin these cheap Christmas side dish ideas to Pinterest for later!
