27 Fast and Easy Holiday Recipes
June 21, 2017
Original article and page source found here.
Cooking during the holidays can be challenging. When you’re juggling personal obligations, different eating habits, and maintaining your sanity, the last thing you want to think about is what you’re going to make for the holiday meal! Luckily, there’s no need to stress anymore. I’ve scoured the internet for some of my favorite fast and easy holiday recipes. These delicious dishes are all crowd-pleasers that your family will love.
Note about recipes: I recommend using grass-fed dairy and goat milk, replace table salt with sea salt or kosher salt, replace canola and vegetable oil with coconut oil or ghee.
27 Fast & Easy Holiday Recipes
HOLIDAY RECIPES: Light & Easy Side Dishes
1. Autumn Fruit Salad With Cinnamon Greek Yogurt Dressing
This light holiday side is a snap to make and you’ll feel great serving it to guests. Crisp apples, firm pears, and juicy grapes are tossed in a homemade yogurt-based dressing. The result is a zesty salad with some of fall’s best fruits.
Photo: Autumn Fruit Salad With Cinnamon Greek Yogurt Dressing / Kitchen Treaty
2. Green Beans and Caramelized Shallots
Fresh, roasted green beans are topped with sweet caramelized shallots in this easy recipe. You won’t believe how much flavor just four ingredients will impart on this side. Make extra — there won’t be leftovers!
Photo: Green Beans and Caramelized Shallots / Rikki Snyder Photography
3. Quinoa With Caramelized Butternut Squash and Roasted Brussels Sprouts
When protein-packed quinoa is combined with caramelized butternut squash and golden-brown Brussels sprouts, the result is this nutritious side dish. It’s healthy, comes together quickly, and tastes amazing — what more do you need? Skip the brown sugar and opt for coconut sugar or maple syrup instead.
Photo: Quinoa With Caramelized Butternut Squash and Roasted Brussels Sprouts / Iowa Girl Eats
4. Garlic Asparagus
Load up on greens at the dinner table with this elegant, easy recipe. This garlicky asparagus requires just three ingredients and minutes to prepare.
Photo: Garlic Asparagus / Dr. Axe
5. Spinach, Arugula, Almond, and Pomegranate Salad
It’s time to add pomegranates into your life. Rich in antioxidants, this fruit deserves a place at your holiday table, and this super simple recipe is the perfect way to do it. With only a handful of ingredients, this is a recipe that tastes just as good as it looks!
Photo: Spinach, Arugula, Almond, and Pomegranate Salad / Life’s Ambrosia
6. Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Salad
If you’re not a squash convert, this easy salad might turn you into one. Nutty wild rice and an easy maple syrup dressing are combined with fresh herbs and roasted squash for a beautifully colored, delicious dish.
Photo: Wild Rice and Butternut Squash Salad / Heartbeet Kitchen
HOLIDAY RECIPES: Hearty Side Dishes
7. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
A good-for-you mac and cheese recipe? This cauliflower-based version skips the noodles and focuses on wholesome ingredients like goat milk cottage cheese and cheddar. The result is a cheesy baked dish of deliciousness. Trust me — no one will miss the pasta!
Photo: Cauliflower Mac and Cheese / Dr. Axe
8. Kale, Mushroom, and Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
This healthy recipe gives new meaning to “loaded potato.” Roasted sweet potatoes are stuffed with vitamin-rich kale, mushrooms, and chickpeas and drizzled with a homemade lemon-honey tahini dressing that’s lip-smacking good. These make an excellent side dish or a light main dish.
Photo: Kale, Mushroom, and Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes / Dishing Up the Dirt
9. Gluten-Free Baked Meatballs
These gluten-free meatballs make a wonderful starter or side. They’re packed with flavor and bake in just 12 minutes. Serve as-is or with your family’s favorite dipping sauce — your kids will love these!
Photo: Gluten-Free Baked Meatballs / Dr. Axe
10. Mashed Faux-tatoes
Who needs mashed potatoes when cauliflower tastes just as good? This easy side has all the flavors you love about mashed potatoes, but it’s full of fiber and nutrients. Add a little garlic or your favorite herbs — it’s easy to customize!
11. Paleo Green Bean Casserole
There are no canned soups or processed ingredients in this healthy take on the classic Thanksgiving dish! Instead, you get a casserole loaded with fresh green beans and mushrooms, crispy oven-roasted onions, and a whole lot of tastiness. Opt for beef or turkey bacon (or omit entirely to keep this vegetarian).
Photo: Paleo Green Bean Casserole / Fed + Fit
12. Baked Cauliflower Casserole
This cauliflower casserole is the perfect addition to your holiday table. It’s easy to make and, while coconut milk gives it a creamy, decadent texture, it’s good for you, too! Make sure to use grass-fed beef or turkey bacon instead of the pork variety!
Photo: Baked Cauliflower Casserole / Paleo Porn
13. Paleo Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing
There’s no bread in this yummy stuffing but you won’t miss it at all. Chicken or turkey sausage stands in perfectly for pork and, with raisins, apples, and cranberries all making guest appearances, this stuffing just might become a new favorite.
Photo: Paleo Sausage, Apple, and Cranberry Stuffing / Paleo Newbie
14. Roasted Fall Vegetables
Your favorite veggies turn into a tasty side dish when in this super simple healthy recipe. Sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, and parsnips (and any other root vegetable you love!) are tossed in a salty-sweet seasoning and roasted. If you have veggie haters, this dish will change their minds.
Photo: Roasted Fall Vegetables/ Dashing Dish
15. Pumpkin Walnut Pie
This savory pie is similar to a quiche, but it’s full of nutritious ingredients. Speed up preparation time by using your favorite pre-made crust. This one’s a keeper!
16. Sweet Potato Casserole
This Paleo-friendly sweet potato casserole has the flavors you’re craving with clean ingredients. Eat this casserole guilt-free at your holiday!
Photo: Sweet Potato Casserole / Deliciously Organic
17. Sweet Potato Hash in Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash
A sweet potato hash served inside a squash? That’s right! This grain-free stuffing gets packed into a perfectly roasted squash. The result is a hash that tastes great whether you follow a Paleo diet or not!