Holidays & Occasions Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Recipes Easy, Last-Minute Side Dishes to Bring to a Thanksgiving Potluck By Southern Living Editors Southern Living Editors Since 1966, the editors of Southern Living have been carrying out the mission of the brand: to bring enjoyment, fulfillment, and inspiration to our readers by celebrating life in the South. We inspire creativity in their homes, their kitchens, their gardens, and their personal style. We are a friend they can trust, a guide to the seasons, a helping hand during the holidays, and a relentless champion of the Southern way of life. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on July 18, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Southern Living Even if you've been looking forward to your friend's Thanksgiving potluck for weeks, the busy holiday season makes it easier than ever for time to slip away from you. All of a sudden, the neighborhood get-together is tonight, and it's time to whip up something fast. Don't fret. Just because a dish needs to be made in a jiffy doesn't mean it can't be the star of your potluck spread. From mashed potatoes loaded with everything from bacon to goat cheese to a scrumptious skillet macaroni and cheese topped with baked breadcrumbs, we've collected the perfect mix of quick and easy Thanksgiving side dish recipes to make for your Thanksgiving potluck. Instead of wondering what to bring on Thanksgiving, these easy Thanksgiving potluck ideas may leave you considering how many side dishes you might have time to whip up last-minute. We're sure your friends won't mind if you can't decide on just one dish. 01 of 20 Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Roasted Tomato Macaroni and Cheese Show off with this next-level macaroni and cheese that's topped with perfectly roasted tomatoes. The kids and adults will love it—and did we mention it takes just 20 minutes to make?! 02 of 20 Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Recipe: Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese Sheet pan meals are great because they require little clean-up! This one puts a seasonal touch on traditional mac and cheese, making it perfect for a quick and easy addition to a holiday potluck. 03 of 20 Fennel-and-Potato Gratin Jennifer Davick Recipe: Fennel-and-Potato Gratin Impressive enough for a holiday party, but simple enough for everyday supper, this cheesy potato gratin is packed with flavor. 04 of 20 Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots Recipe Iain Bagwell Recipe: Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots Recipe You won't need to coax the kids into eating their vegetables with carrots this colorful and delicious. Ready in just 35 minutes—with only 5 minutes on hands on time, we might add—this quick and tasty side dish is the perfect last minute addition to your holiday menu. 05 of 20 Heirloom Tomato Pie Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Pie Tomato pie isn't the most popular Thanksgiving side dish, which makes it a great one to bring along to a potluck. This one takes 30 active minutes to make. 06 of 20 Skillet Squash Blossom Recipe Iain Bagwell Recipe: Skillet Squash Blossom Recipe Eye-catching yet deceivingly easy, this quick and delicious side dish is almost too pretty to serve. 07 of 20 Smashed Baby Red Potatoes Iain Bagwell Recipe: Smashed Baby Red Potatoes If you're looking for a side dish that's sure to be a smash this Thanksgiving, look no further. These baby red potatoes get a double dose of flavor through our two-step cooking process and pair perfectly with turkey for the big feast. 08 of 20 Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe Southern Living Recipe: Goat Cheese Mashed Potato Recipe In two simple steps, you'll have a bowl of mash potatoes that's truly over the top. 09 of 20 Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs Recipe Hector Manuel Sanchez Recipe: Skillet Mac and Cheese with Crispy Breadcrumbs Recipe If you ask us, mac and cheese is a must-have staple in any holiday spread. This scrumptious skillet version delivers with three kinds of cheese and baked breadcrumbs on top. 10 of 20 Grits Dressing Recipe Laurey W. Glenn Recipe: Grits Dressing Recipe A classic in our recipe box, this dish from November of 1993 takes cornbread dressing over the top by using grits instead of cornmeal. 11 of 20 Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes Beth Dreiling Hontzas Recipe: Classic Parmesan Scalloped PotatoesEasily one of our most versatile sides, this creamy scalloped potatoes casserole is sure to be a crowd favorite. 12 of 20 Slow-Cooker Green Beans Recipe Iain Bagwell Recipe: Slow-Cooker Green Beans Recipe Free up some precious stove-top space with a slow cooker green bean recipe that will remind you of mama's. 13 of 20 Oven-Roasted Asparagus Southern Living Recipe: Oven-Roasted Asparagus This quick and easy recipe bakes in 10 minutes and only calls for asparagus, garlic, almonds, S&P, and olive oil. 14 of 20 Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners Recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes If you're swamped for time, consider throwing this recipe in the instant pot. It takes 50 minutes to bake, and requires you to just dump and cook. 15 of 20 Grits and Greens with Brown Butter Hot Sauce Iain Bagwell Recipe: Grits and Greens with Brown Butter Hot Sauce Combine two favorite sides—grits and greens!—into one creamy side dish that can be served at any holiday lunch or supper. 16 of 20 Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole Recipe: Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole Cheese makes everything better, and that's the case with this gooey broccoli and rice casserole. It takes 30 easy minutes of prep time and just over an hour in the oven. 17 of 20 Roasted Broccolini Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas Recipe: Roasted Broccolini Simple vegetables might not be your first-choice side, but it's a dish that guests can certainly appreciate at a potluck. After all, you need something to break up all the cheese and carbs, right?! 18 of 20 Okra Creole Recipe: Okra Creole This Southern recipe is an easy one to make with frozen or canned veggies, no cutting board or dicing required. 19 of 20 Home-Style Butterbeans William Dickey Recipe: Home-Style Butterbeans This recipe starts with frozen butterbeans that are dressed up with bacon, brown sugar, and onion. 20 of 20 Parmesan Corn Pudding Jennifer Davick Recipe: Parmesan Corn Pudding You're sure to love the abbreviated preparation and cheesy Parmesan twist on this classic corn pudding. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit