A beautiful glazed ham just screams “special occasion”. Our idea of a main event, though, is all the incredibly easy side dishes that will really make the meal one to remember. These sides can round out your dinner menu and make sure that your holiday ham is paired with delicious potatoes, vegetables, homemade breads, and more. Here are 50 great recipes for side dishes that go with ham. They will surely help you make a great Sunday meal.
We love a creamy side dish to help cut the salty, slight sweetness of ham. The creamiest of all is, of course, potatoes! We love traditional mashed or scalloped potatoes, but we’ve also included some creative potato recipes, like our roasted fingerling potatoes (cornstarch is the key to their great crispness), melting potatoes, or garlic smashed potatoes. Really want to impress your dinner guests? Try a new way to serve potatoes, like our mashed potato casserole.
And yes, we have plans for your leftover ham as well. Check out our other favorite side dishes for year-round too.
Great cruciferous slaws are the best way to welcome warm weather. This tangy, crunchy broccoli slaw will make you the hit of your next spring party. It has shredded cabbage and carrots, along with raw broccoli, toasted walnuts, and sweet craisins. The maple and lemon dressing coats everything. It’s as easy as it is zesty, crisp, and delicious. Get the.
Ham and mac and cheese are classic comfort food favorites that pair perfectly together. But to round out the meal, you’ll want to add a vegetable side dish. The right veggie complements the saltiness of the ham and the creaminess of the mac It also adds nutrition and color to your plate.
When choosing what vegetable goes well with ham and macaroni and cheese, look for crisp, fresh options that provide contrasting flavors and textures. Here are 9 delicious vegetable side dishes to consider serving.
1. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts roast up nicely in the oven, becoming tender on the inside with crispy, golden brown edges Toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic before roasting For added flavor, you can mix in chopped bacon or pancetta, lemon zest, Parmesan cheese or chopped hazelnuts. The nutty, lightly charred Brussels sprouts pair perfectly next to salty ham and rich mac and cheese.
2. Steamed Broccoli
Simple steamed or blanched broccoli florets make a healthy and delicious side. The bright green vegetable with a bit of crunch contrasts the soft textures of the mac and ham. To bump up the flavor toss the steamed broccoli with a drizzle of olive oil crushed red pepper flakes, lemon juice and shredded Parmesan cheese.
3. Roasted Green Beans
For another green veggie option, try roasted green beans. Toss whole green beans with olive oil, salt, pepper and minced garlic. Roast in a 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes until lightly browned and crispy-tender. The hearty beans stand up well to the ham and macaroni. Sprinkle with sliced almonds or grated Parmesan for extra flavor.
4. Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach is a creamy, savory side dish that pairs perfectly with the flavors of ham and mac. Cook fresh spinach, then toss with a sauce of butter, cream cheese, heavy cream and Parmesan. The rich, cheesy spinach complements the ham and mac’s textures. Use baby spinach for smooth, tender bites.
5. Roasted Carrots
Roasted carrots caramelize beautifully in the oven. Coat carrot sticks or coins in olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme or rosemary. Roast at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until browned and fork-tender. Their natural sweetness offsets the saltiness of the ham. For more texture, add toasted pine nuts on top.
6. Sautéed Zucchini
Quick-cooking zucchini rounds offer brightness and a lighter texture to balance the heavier dishes. Sauté thin slices of zucchini in olive oil over medium heat. Season with salt, pepper, minced garlic and a squeeze of lemon juice. Sprinkle with Parmesan for richness. The zucchini’s versatility pairs it with just about any flavors.
7. Corn on the Cob
What’s more classic than corn on the cob alongside a hearty meal? Grill or boil corn until tender and serve with butter, salt and pepper. Or give it Mexican flair with a sprinkle of chili powder, lime juice and Cotija cheese. The sweet kernels complement the saltiness of the ham and cheese.
8. Honey Glazed Carrots
For another root veggie, honey glazed carrots lend natural sweetness. Boil or roast peeled carrots until softened. Then toss with butter, honey, salt and pepper. Optionally, sprinkle with brown sugar or crushed pineapple for extra flavor. The carrots’ subtle sweetness balances the ham and mac’s richness.
9. Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower florets turn golden when roasted. Toss them with olive oil, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Roast at 425°F for 25 minutes, flipping once. Then shower with fresh parsley. With its crispy texture and spices, roasted cauliflower stands out next to the ham and macaroni.
Serving & Seasoning Tips
- Roast vegetables well to bring out their natural sweetness
- Boost flavor with lemon, herbs, spices, garlic, cheese, nuts or other mix-ins
- Avoid heavy cream-based sides as they may compete with mac and cheese
- Offer a refreshing salad, like a kale Caesar, to cut the richness
- Let guests add their own toppings like hot sauce or breadcrumbs
- Include a vegetarian main, like roasted vegetables, for variety
Pairing Different Types of Vegetables
Having options accommodates different preferences:
- Crunchy – Brussels sprouts, green beans, cauliflower, carrots
- Soft – Creamed spinach, roasted zucchini
- Colorful – Carrots, cauliflower, green beans
- Classic – Corn on the cob, steamed broccoli
- Spiced – Roasted cauliflower or carrots with cumin
- Savory – Creamed spinach with Parmesan
- Tangy – Lemony roasted broccoli or sautéed zucchini
- Sweet – Honey glazed carrots, roasted beets
With a mix, you can please all palates. Balance richer dishes like mac and cheese with fresher options like a crisp salad.
More Side Dish Ideas
While vegetables make ideal pairings, you can get creative with other sides too:
- Skillet cornbread – Provides texture contrast and soaks up sauces
- Dinner rolls – Light, buttery accompaniment to soak up flavors
- Potato salad – A Southern classic pairing for ham
- Pasta salad – Penne or bow ties lend fun textures
- Coleslaw – Crunchy, vinegar-based slaw cuts the richness
- Fruit salad – Grapes, berries, and citrus refresh the palate
Making It a Meal
Round out your ham, mac and cheese, and veggie sides dinner with:
- A fresh green salad with vinaigrette dressing
- Iced tea, lemonade, or fruit punch to drink
- Easy dessert like cookies, fruit crisps or pies
The balanced meal offers something for everyone. Kids and picky eaters can load up on mains they are sure to enjoy. Then add smaller portions of vegetables and lighter dishes to help nourish. With these flavorful sides, your next ham and macaroni dinner will be satisfying and delicious.
Steamed Carrots With Hot Honey Butter
You’ll toss a pound of steamed carrots in a honey-butter glaze that has a hint of heat to make this tasty side dish. You won’t cook the carrots and glaze together in the pan; instead, you’ll cook them separately. This will keep the vegetables from getting too soft.
Get the Steamed Carrots With Hot Honey Butter recipe.
Potatoes au gratin is a classic, but its long overdue for an upgrade. As we thought about how to improve a dish that is so common, it became clear that everything looks cuter when it’s in a bundle. This is especially true for the cheesy, creamy potatoes. Red potatoes with thin skins are sliced, put on parchment paper, and covered in a creamy, cheesy, garlicky sauce. They are then baked until they are steaming and soft. Get the Potato Gratin Bundles recipe. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
Southern cooking can sometimes appear intimidating or too involved, but this recipe is anything but. You only need a few hours, some common foods, smoked turkey, and your collard greens (the star of the show) to make a simple side dish that goes great with ham. Get the Southern Collard Greens recipe.
Pimiento Cheese Corn Muffins
The flavor squad is here to provide standard corn muffins with a mega boost. The result is pimiento cheese corn muffins, which take their cues from the classic Southern cheese dip. When you mix shredded cheddar, diced pimiento peppers, garlic powder, and a lot of cayenne, you get a tasty treat.
Get the Pimiento Cheese Corn Muffins recipe.Advertisement – Continue Reading Below