Looking for the perfect dish to contribute to a holiday party? Pick one of these 50 recipes—ranging from classics like sweet potato casserole to colorful fall salads to show-stopping pies. All are smart, make-ahead dishes, easily transportable, and sure to please the crowd.
Fresh and dried fruits steep in hazelnut liqueur for three days to make the filling for this holiday pie. Suet, a traditional mincemeat ingredient, adds moisture and richness, but vegetable shortening works just as well.
Roasted Onion and Chestnut Compote »
A cool and tangy crème fraîche dressing adorns roasted beets for a simple, colorful side dish. We like to use a combination of red and golden beets for presentation. [See the recipe for Roasted Beets with Orange Crème Fraîche »
When making these buttery little biscuits, opt for a true American cheese—fourth-generation Wisconsin cheesemaker Sid Cook, of Carr Valley Cheese, advised us to use a three-year-old extra-sharp cheddar. Get the recipe for American Cheddar Cheese Biscuits »
Browned butter accentuates the flavor of earthy walnuts and a sour cream topping offsets the richness of the filling for a balanced, delectable dessert.
A sauce of unabashedly flavorful ingredients including evaporated milk and, yes, Velveeta cheese, makes for a spectacularly rich take on creamed spinach. Get the recipe for Spinach Madeleine »
Coleslaw gets a makeover as a filling and hearty casserole that test kitchen assistant Sarah Ruth Maier grew up eating at family functions. Get the recipe for Van Valkenberg Hot Slaw »
Kugel—the creamy egg noodle casserole that’s a staple of Jewish holiday cooking&dmash;gets a Midwestern topping of cornflakes in this Thanksgiving side dish.
Don’t limit traditional pie spices—clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg—to the dessert table. In this cheesy, rich gratin, the spices take a savory note alongside kale, sweet potatoes, and sharp white cheddar.
Inspired by the briny flavors of veal piccata, this elegant side dish is simplicity itself: blanched green beans tossed in a vinaigrette of capers, bright lemon, and a beautiful olive oil. Get the recipe for Green Beans with Lemons and Capers »
These fluffy, brioche-like rolls are traditionally served on Jewish holidays, but they’re perfect for any occasion. This recipe first appeared in our October 2011 issue along with Katie Robbins’s story Season of Rejoicing.Get the recipe Challot (Challah Knots) »
In this simple, elegant salad, the spicy flavor of thinly sliced raw kale is offset by creamy Pecorino cheese, bright lemon, and sweet-tart dried currants.
This sweet, tart fruit pie is a beautiful showcase for the flavors of fall and winter. It’s great on a holiday table, and is at its best when served alongside a plate of cheese: the rich quince flavor balances beautifully with a wedge of funky, crumbly blue beside it on the plate.
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cranberries and Candied Pecans
Chunks of Spaghetti squash reveal a beautifully yielding texture and a savory, subtle flavor that’s perfectly offset by a rich walnut-miso glaze. Prepare the squash ahead of time, and then pop them under the broiler for 3 minutes when you get to your host’s kitchen. Get the recipe for Broiled Spaghetti Squash with Walnut-Miso Glaze »
Uniquely shaped yeast breads are sold as a market specialty in the south of France.
Grizzly Bear Pie
Served at Brooklyn restaurant Vinegar Hill House, grizzly bear pie is a wry twist on the usual walnut pie: its deliciously sweet filling is based on honey, and a light sprinkle of flaked sea salt lends a touch of depth. ** See the recipe for Grizzly Bear Pie »**
These fluffy biscuits are honey-sweetened with an herbal fragrance from rosemary and thyme.
Maple Sugar Pie
When making maple sugar pie, fold any extra dough over the side of the pan for an extra-thick crust. Serve a warm slice with a heaping of whipped cream. ** See the recipe for Maple Sugar Pie »**
