Discover 4 of the very best recipes for Christmas side dishes that are guaranteed to make your festive meals, with family or friends, a huge success!
These recipes are healthy, nutritious and incredibly delicious. You’ll be wanting Christmas to come more often, for an excuse to enjoy these again and again.
So why wait? These menu showstoppers are perfect for anytime of the year and are sure to be enjoyed by everyone invited to attend the feast.
So what are they?
The 4 Best Recipes For Christmas Side Dishes.
These truly are divine!
Portobello Mushroom And Lentil Stuffed Acorn Squash. Christmas Side Dishes.
This delightful acorn squash dish provides a wonderfully nutty and deliciously different dish.
The addition of crispy pancetta or bacon, the rich Portobello mushrooms, Sweet Dates, and herbal aromas of sage bring immense flavor.
No more soggy squash dishes! This will transform the way you view squash! A wonderful dish with deep flavor, and sure to be enjoyed by all!
Portobello Stuffed Acorn Squash
Calories 453kcal
Ingredients
3 acorn squash- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 4 oz. pancetta
- 1 ½ lb. portobello mushrooms
- ½ yellow onion (medium )
- 1 cup green lentils
- 1.5 tbsp sage (fresh )
- ¼ cup red wine (dry)
- â…“ cup dates
- ¼ cup walnuts
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- sea salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
Method
- Position your oven rack to the center of the oven and preheat to 400°F.
- Spray a large baking dish with non stick cooking spray. Cut the 3 acorn squash in half. Scoop out any seeds or fibrous matter and place them cut side up in the baking dish. Brush the cut edges with 1 tbsp olive oil. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
- Place baking dish on a center rack in your pre-heated oven and roast for 40 minutes, or until the squash is fork tender.
- In the meantime, heat the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced 4 cloves garlic and 4 oz. pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly browned, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Add chopped 1 ½ lb. portobello mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to brown, approximately 4-5 minutes. Add sliced ½ yellow onion and continue cooking, stirring once or twice, for another 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the 1 cup green lentils, fresh 1.5 tbsp sage, and ¼ cup red wine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the 1/3 cup dates and toasted ¼ cup walnuts. Season with sea salt and black pepper, to taste. Set aside.
- When ready, remove cooked squash from oven. Let the squash cool slightly before filling each half with the Portobello mushroom mixture. Sprinkle each half with the freshly grated ¼ cup parmesan cheese.
- Return the stuffed squash to the oven for another 5-10 minutes. Ensure the mixture is heated through and the cheese has melted. Remove from oven and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving426gCalories453kcalCarbohydrates55gProtein17gFat20gSaturated Fat5gPolyunsaturated Fat5gMonounsaturated Fat9gTrans Fat0.03gCholesterol15mgSodium212mgPotassium1623mgFiber16gSugar9gVitamin A845IUVitamin C27mgVitamin D0.4µgCalcium167mgIron5mg
Notes
Acorn squash seeds can be seasoned and toasted, just like pumpkin seeds. Reserve the seeds while preparing this recipe to enjoy as a healthy snack later.
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Mention @HealthyNatured or tag #healthynatured!Creamy Mashed Sweet Potato With Walnuts and Thyme. Christmas Side Dishes.
These rich and creamy mashed sweet potatoes just have to feature in our best recipes for Christmas side dishes. In fact they would feature as one of the best recipes for just about any holiday meal.
They are so quick and easy to make, you’ll want to enjoy them throughout the year. And why not! Healthy, Nutritious and Delicious!
Creamy Sweet Potato Mash With Fresh Thyme
Calories 257kcal
Ingredients
For The Sweet Potato,
- 4 sweet potatoes
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- 3 tbsp milk
- 2 tbsp thyme
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp all-spice
- sea salt
- black pepper
Method
- Place the peeled sweet potatoes in a very large pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil and then gently simmer the water until the potatoes are fork tender, approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
- Once the potatoes are cooked, drain thoroughly and return the potato to the pot. Add the butter, cream cheese, and milk, to the sweet potatoes. Mash with an immersion blender or a hand-held masher. For a thinner consistency, add more milk, if desired.
- Once the potatoes are lump free and creamy, stir in thyme leaves, cinnamon, and all-spice until well blended. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve immediately.
OPTIONAL GARNISH
- To make whipped cream cheese topping, blend 4 oz. softened cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of milk and a dash of cinnamon with an immersion blender or hand-held mixer until light and fluffy.
- Top the sweet potato mash with a desert spoon of the whipped cream cheese and some toasted walnuts, if desired. Enjoy! Definitely not for those watching their weight. A true Christmas treat!
Nutrition
Serving122gCalories257kcalCarbohydrates33gProtein4gFat13gSaturated Fat8gPolyunsaturated Fat1gMonounsaturated Fat3gTrans Fat0.2gCholesterol35mgSodium191mgPotassium571mgFiber5gSugar7gVitamin A21933IUVitamin C8mgVitamin D0.1µgCalcium96mgIron1mg
Notes
The whipped cream cheese and walnut garnish is optional and has not been included in the nutrition calculation.
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Mention @HealthyNatured or tag #healthynatured!Cranberry and Pear Sauce With Ginger and Rosemary. Christmas Side Dishes.
This gorgeous and delicious cranberry pear sauce is sure to be a hit this holiday season!
It is super quick and easy to make and has no refined sugar. Instead, it gets its sweetness naturally, from the ripe pears and a dash of real maple syrup.
Once you try this recipe, you’ll never look at store bought cranberry sauce the same. We guarantee!
Cranberry Pear Sauce with Rosemary and Ginger
Calories 91kcal
Ingredients
- 12 oz. cranberries (fresh)
- 2 pears (ripe, peeled and diced)
- 2 tsp ginger root (peeled and grated)
- 3 tbsp rosemary leaves (fresh, finely diced)
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ¾ cup water
- sea salt (to taste)
Equipment
Method
- Add the 12 oz. cranberries, 2 pears, 2 tsp ginger root, 3 tbsp rosemary leaves, 3 tbsp maple syrup, and ¾ cup water to a medium saucepan. Cook over medium to high heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture starts to boil and the cranberries burst open, approximately 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for another 5-10 minutes. While the mixture is cooking, use a wooden spoon to mash the cranberries and pears. Season with a pinch of sea salt and stir to combine well. Remove the sauce from the heat and allow to cool for 15 to 20 minutes.
- After the sauce has cooled check the consistency. Add a little water if the sauce is too thick. Cook again for 5 minutes if too thin. Taste and add more maple syrup for a sweeter sauce, if desired.
- Serve warm, or you can chill and have it cold. It is delicious either way!
Nutrition
Serving1gCalories91kcalCarbohydrates23gProtein1gFat0.3gSaturated Fat0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat0.1gMonounsaturated Fat0.1gSodium5mgPotassium149mgFiber4gSugar14gVitamin A80IUVitamin C11mgCalcium35mgIron1mg
Notes
For a smoother sauce, blend one half of the cranberry mixture in a food processor or blender until smooth. Stir puree back into the remaining sauce before serving.
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Mention @HealthyNatured or tag #healthynatured!Warm Garlic And Parmesan Shrimp With Roasted Garlic Dip. Christmas Side Dishes.
This warm garlic and parmesan shrimp is packed with wonderful flavors, but the absolute star of the dish is the versatile roasted garlic dip.
Garlic And Parmesan Shrimp Served With Roasted Garlic Dip.
Calories 232kcal
Ingredients
For The Dip
- 1 large garlic head
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil;
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup Greek Yogurt
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp ground cumin
Optional for Dip
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- sea salt
- black pepper
For The Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil;
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 3 Tbsp parmesan cheese
- sea salt
- black pepper
- 1½ lbs. jumbo shrimp
- 1½ Tbsp lemon juice
- â…“ cup parsley
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
To Prepare The Dip
- To make the roasted garlic dip, slice a thin sliver from the head of garlic, at the end where the stalk was. Cut just enough so the cloves are exposed. Drizzle the cloves with olive oil. Place the whole bulb on a small piece of aluminum foil and wrap tightly. Place in the preheated oven and roast for 40 minutes, or until the garlic is tender. Remove from oven and set aside and allow it to cool slightly. While the garlic is cooling, prepare the garlic shrimp seasoning.
To Prepare The Garlic Parmesan Shrimp
- Combine the Olive Oil, minced Garlic, Dijon Mustard, ground Cumin, and grated Parmesan Cheese in a large bowl. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to combine.
- Transfer the seasoned shrimp to the prepared baking sheet and place in preheated oven to roast for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the shrimp just begin to firm and turn pink. Do not overcook.
- While the shrimp is roasting, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves into a blender or food processor. Add the Sour Cream, Greek Yogurt, Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest, Ground Cumin, and Cayenne Pepper, if using, and blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and transfer to a small serving bowl.
- Remove the shrimp from the oven and sprinkle with lemon juice and fresh parsley. When just cool enough to handle, toss to combine. Serve immediately with the creamy roasted garlic dip. Delicious!
Nutrition
Calories232kcalCarbohydrates5gProtein19gFat15gSaturated Fat4gPolyunsaturated Fat1gMonounsaturated Fat8gTrans Fat0.01gCholesterol157mgSodium716mgPotassium236mgFiber0.4gSugar2gVitamin A709IUVitamin C9mgVitamin D0.1µgCalcium148mgIron1mg
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Mention @HealthyNatured or tag #healthynatured!So there we have it! The 4 best recipes for Christmas Side Dishes! Please do let me know if you make these dishes and please share your thoughts with us. Happy Christmas!
