Add These 3 Quick & Easy Shortcut Sides To Your Holiday Spread

The holidays are approaching fast, and there’s a good chance you’re running behind on your to-do list. Even once you’ve planned family meals to perfection, the oven may be in high demand on the day of your gathering — leaving you little time and space to whip up something delicious. But this year, you can set out a spread to remember, thanks to these delicious ideas that turn boxed mixes into impressive gourmet dishes. Read our recipes for three shortcut sides that’ll save your holiday below.

Sweet ’n’ Savory Stuffing

Dried cranberries add a hint of sweetness to this Thanksgiving favorite. To make: Sauté 1 cup each of diced celery and onions in 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat for 3–4 minutes. Stir in 1 (6 ounce) package of Stove Top Savory Herbs Stuffing Mix (Buy from Walmart, $1.98), ¼ cup of butter, 1 cup of water, and ¼ teaspoon of salt; remove from heat. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes. Stir in ¼ cup dried cranberries. Serves six.

Garlic-Parmesan Potatoes

Plenty of nutty Parmesan cheese guarantees these spuds are irresistible. To make: Bring 2 cups water, 3 tablespoons of butter, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to boil; remove from heat. Add 2 (4 ounce) packages of Idahoan Buttery Homestyle Mashed Potatoes (Buy from Idahoan, $19.99 for 12-pack), ¾ cup of milk, ⅓ cup of grated Parmesan, and 3 tablespoons of chopped chives; whisk until smooth. Serves six.

Zesty Cornbread

Add a little spice to your holiday with these jalapeño-studded bites. To make: Mix 1 (8.5 ounce) package of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix (Buy from Jiffy, $15 for 24-pack), 1 egg, ½ cup of sour cream, ½ cup of shredded cheddar, ¼ cup of milk, ¼ cup of oil, and ¼ cup of diced jalapeños. Transfer to 8″ square baking dish; bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Serves eight.

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, First for Women.