90 Thanksgiving Side Dishes That'll Steal The Show

You know you can't go wrong with any of these delicious recipes.

Old-School Green Bean Casserole
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Thanksgiving is a highly anticipated food-centered holiday. Everyone knows that the turkey isn't the real star of the Thanksgiving table—it's the side dishes.

This year, start a new family tradition and try our crowd-pleasing Thanksgiving side dish recipes. These tailored side dishes will perfectly complement the main dish. Take your pick from these traditional and modern takes on Southern Thanksgiving sides, including mashed potatoes, dressing, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, roasted vegetables, casseroles, and more. Many of these Thanksgiving side dishes can even be made ahead or prepared in a slow cooker. We've transformed classic dishes like Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Leeks and added vegetarian-friendly options like Cabbage Casserole. There's something for everyone in this extraordinary collection of Thanksgiving side dish recipes.

When it comes to Thanksgiving, the more side dishes, the better, and you can't go wrong with any of these delicious recipes.

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Ben Mims' Perfect Cornbread

Ben Mim's Perfect Cornbread Recipe
Brian Woodcock

Browning the butter is the secret to the perfect cornbread cooked in a cast iron skillet. This dish is savory but can easily pair with a Whiskey Caramel sauce for those with a sweet tooth.

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Old-School Squash Casserole

Old-School Squash Casserole
Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

When in doubt, make this comforting dish for Thanksgiving dinner. It's a classic for a good reason.

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Pecans, and Cornflakes

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows, Pecans, and Cornflakes
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

We elevated this classic Thanksgiving staple by adding cornflakes, pecans, and marshmallows. It's the perfect fall side dish—trust us.

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Macaroni Pudding

Macaroni Pudding
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Erin Merhar

This easy side dish fulfills our cheesiest dreams. We describe it as a "richer, creamier" version of our traditional mac and cheese.

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Southern-Style Collard Greens

Southern-Style Collard Greens
Photo: Jim Franco

These Southern-style greens may take a few hours to simmer, but the wait will be well worth it. Time and the addition of bacon make for a bold, smoky flavor.

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Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin

Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

This vibrant casserole is jam-packed with veggies from pumpkin to butternut squash. Bake these winter vegetables in a rich, cheesy sauce until tender.

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Sweet Potato Rolls

Sweet Potato Rolls
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Rolls are always a hit on any spread, and these buttery and warm rolls are simply irresistible. Prepare these rolls in advance with enough time for them to rise. They are warm, light, and fluffy.

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Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes

Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Try this deliciously layered potato dish when you're tired of mashed potatoes. The ingredient list is short, and this dish doesn't require much hands-on time.

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Easy Cauliflower Casserole

Easy Cauliflower Casserole
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

This healthy casserole is so creamy and cheesy that you'll confuse it with baked mac and cheese. After baking, add fresh parsley and panko breadcrumbs for the perfect toppings.

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Spicy Cornbread Dressing with Chorizo

Spicy Cornbread Dressing with Chorizo
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This spicy cornbread will surely bring heat to your Thanksgiving table. Jalapenos, chorizo, and cilantro mix for a flavorful, savory rendition of traditional cornbread.

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Buttermilk Spoon Bread

Buttermilk Spoon Bread
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Although technically not bread, this dish is a mixture of cornbread and cornmeal soufflé. Beat the egg whites and yolks separately to add height to the pudding-like side. Customize it to your preferences by adding corn kernels, ham, sausage, herbs, or cheese.

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Old-School Green Bean Casserole

Old-School Green Bean Casserole
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Skip the can this year and make your own mushroom cream sauce. You will taste the difference. Make this casserole ahead of time and wait to bake, and add the toppings when you are ready to serve.

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Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks
Linda Puglies; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We swapped out canned fried onions for crispy fried leaks for a more elegant casserole topper. The leeks fry quickly, so watch them while cooking so they do not burn.

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Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping

Oven-Roasted Root Vegetables with Spicy Pecan Topping
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Oven-roasted vegetables are easy to make and a significant change from the traditional veggie casserole. Root vegetables pair well with a candied, crunchy, and slightly spicy pecan topping.

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Aunt Grace's Famous Cornbread Dressing

Aunt Grace's Famous Cornbread Dressing
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

There's only one thing we love better than cornbread dressing, a make-ahead casserole. Prepare the bread, chop the vegetables the day before, and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.

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Mashed Potato Bar

Mashed Potato Bar
Alison Gootee; Styling: Suzonne Stirling

This customizable Mashed Potato Bar is perfect for picky eaters. Arrange your favorite potato toppings and let guests choose how to dress up their side dishes this holiday.

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Classic Cornbread Dressing

Classic Cornbread Dressing
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Make the cornbread in a skillet two days before making the rest of the dish. You will want it to dry out completely to get a crispy, golden crust.

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Sweet Potato Soufflé

Sweet Potato Soufflé
Micah Leal

For the fluffiest take on sweet potato casserole, this soufflé offers an airy and sweet side dish to complement all the savory dishes on the table—the buttery, brown sugar-pecan topping bakes into a delicious, solid top layer.

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Slow-Cooker Green Beans

Thanksgiving Sides: Root Vegetable Gratin
Iain Bagwell

Bacon, chopped onion, and thyme transform these Slow-Cooker Green Beans. Free up stove-top space and enjoy the infusion of fresh herbs.

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Herby Pecan-Cornbread Dressing

Herby Pecan-Cornbread Dressing
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This casserole stays true to its roots with earthy and nutty flavors. Get a jump start on your holiday preparations by making the cornbread for this recipe up to three days in advance.

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Classic Cranberry Salad

Classic Cranberry Salad
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Fresh cranberry salad is a crunchy alternative to canned. Serve this sauce over the Thanksgiving turkey, or enjoy it on its own.

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Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots

Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

It's easy to enjoy your Brussels sprouts with this savory bacon-filled dish. Smaller Brussels sprouts work better in this dish because they have a milder flavoring.

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Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Pack your mac and cheese with cheddar cubes to ensure you get creamy cheese in every bite. Using different types of cheese helps this dish to burst with rich flavors.

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Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole
Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We modified traditional sweet potato casserole by adding the texture of thinly sliced potatoes. Bake in a creamy brown sugar sauce until the potatoes are tender, but this dish has a crispy texture around the edges.

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Collard Greens with Garlic and Sippets

Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Collard greens, mixed with garlic and sourdough bread, have never looked so delicious. The leafy greens, drizzled with garlic-infused olive oil, are splashed with red wine vinegar for an acidic, lean, and refreshing dish.

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Fluffy Corn Pudding

Fluffy Corn Pudding
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Pureed corn kernels make this dish delicate and fluffy. Fresh or frozen corn works well in this recipe, depending on availability. This corn pudding is a cross between custard and a souffle.

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Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

We elevated homemade mac and cheese by adding crispy bacon and a breadcrumb crust. Large elbow macaroni is the ideal noodle for this dish. Remember that a combination of cheeses is necessary when making creamy, rich macaroni-and-cheese.

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Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

Cheesy Potato Casserole
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Adding cheese to a dish has never steered us wrong. Allowing the egg yolks and cream to reach room temperature before adding them to the potatoes will make mashing them easier. Broil until the top browns, which usually takes about three or four minutes.

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Sweet Potato Biscuits

Sweet Potato Biscuits
Micah A. Leal

Sweet potato biscuits are the perfect pairing for a Thanksgiving feast. Enjoy alongside the turkey and cranberry sauce, or serve with butter and honey. Freeze these biscuits before baking to give the butter time to firm again.

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Broccoli-Cheese Casserole

Broccoli-Cheese Casserole
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

You can't go wrong by adding this tried-and-true broccoli casserole to your spread. The whole milk and Cheddar cheese sauce, flavored with onion, garlic, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard, make this sauce thick, rich, and creamy. Add buttery crackers for a crunchy topping.

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Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Photo: Greg Dupree

Only five minutes of cook time is required to make this homemade cranberry sauce that will beat the canned version every time. Light brown sugar and a cinnamon stick add a unique, warm fall flavoring.

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Scalloped Oysters

Scalloped Oysters
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Oyster casserole has graced Southern Thanksgiving tables for decades, and this recipe lets oysters' fresh, salty flavor shine with a topping of crushed buttery crackers.

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Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
Southern Living

We always seem to need more oven space come Thanksgiving. Let us introduce you to our problem solver: the slow cooker. Cubing the sweet potatoes offer a nice bite of texture that classic versions sometimes lack.

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Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries

Candy Roaster Squash with Sorghum, Black Walnuts, and Cranberries
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This ribboned squash provides a unique texture and sweet and savory flavors. Syrupy sorghum helps carmelize the squash. Black walnuts and cranberries add an irresistible texture and flavoring.

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Macaroni Pie

Macaroni Pie
Antonis Achilleos

Slice a piece of this savory, three-cheese macaroni dish. Gruyere, extra-sharp white Cheddar, and fontina are the trifecta of cheeses that make this dish tasty and silky smooth. Add in roasted broccoli for a mix-in.

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Cornmeal Angel Biscuits

Angel Biscuits
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

These cornmeal angel biscuits are the perfect nod to cornbread for Thanksgiving. Brush with extra butter and serve warm. Your guests will thank you.

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Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Since Thanksgiving is the ultimate day to turn anything into a casserole, we're showing up with this veggie-packed casserole loaded with a combination of cream cheese, sour cream, and two different kinds of cheese. Oh, and bacon, of course.

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Baked Corn Casserole

Baked Corn Casserole
Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis

This hybrid casserole marries our favorite things: cornbread and corn pudding. The addition of sour cream and Monterey jack cheese makes it ultra-creamy.

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Bacon-Brussels Sprout-Green Bean Casserole

Old-School Green Bean Casserole
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

How do you make green bean casserole extra Southern? You add bacon and Brussels sprouts. Make this dish up to three days in advance and add your toppings to bake the day of your event.

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Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks Recipe
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Spending nine hours in the slow cooker allows the tender ham hocks to develop savory, smoky flavors. Don't let the long cook time scare you—hands-on time is only about 15 minutes.

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Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Photography: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Skip the casserole this year and serve creamy, dreamy, spiced mashed sweet potatoes instead. It'll be a welcome update to any Thanksgiving menu.

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Herbed Wild Rice Dressing

Cornbread Dressing with Kale and Bacon
Iain Bagwell

Wild rice provides a rich, earthy flavor to this herbed casserole. The buttery sourdough bread cubes, combined with crispy apples and celery, are enhanced with red onion, toasted walnuts, and fresh herbs.

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Smothered Green Beans

Smothered Green Beans
Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis

Flavor green beans with a coating of tomato paste and chicken broth before letting shallots and a bacon topping come together for a salty-sweet taste everyone will love.

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Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Broccoli and cheese are a great combination. Add it to macaroni, and you have a side dish the kids can't turn down. Use cubed Cheddar cheese to ensure pockets of cheese in every bite.

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Cornbread Dressing with Sausage and Fennel

Cornbread Dressing with Kale and Bacon
Iain Bagwell

Use store-bought cornbread to make this tasty and textured side dish. Drizzle with maple syrup before serving for a sweet and savory combination.

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Savory Corn Pudding

Savory Corn Pudding
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Give your creamy, not-too-sweet side dish extra flavor with chopped onion and fresh thyme. This corn pudding's rich, soft texture makes it seem almost like a dessert.

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Corn Pudding Casserole

Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We combined fontina and Swiss cheese to make this savory corn casserole. Fresh chives and thyme add brightness and extra seasoning to this dish.

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Classic Candied Yams

Classic Candied Yams
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If you're looking to give sweet potato casserole a break this Thanksgiving, we love these Classic Candied Yams. Although, we wouldn't be against having both on the sideboard.

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Herbed Breadcrumb-Topped Macaroni and Cheese

Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

If you want to move mac-and-cheese from the kids' table to the sideboard, we love this buttery, herbed cornbread topping. The shell pasta helps too.

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Creamed Spinach

Creamed Spinach
Antonis Achilleos

This classic steakhouse side also pairs well with all the turkey, dressing, and casseroles served on Turkey Day. Plus, the ingredient list is short and sweet, so why not add it to your menu?

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Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Rustic Mashed Red Potatoes with Parmesan
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

These mashed potatoes are extra creamy thanks to buttermilk and crème fraîche. To ensure you remove as much moisture as possible, dry them in a Dutch oven over heat after boiling.

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Cabbage Casserole

Cabbage Casserole
Photography: Victor Protasio, Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck, Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

This vegetable casserole, made wonderfully occasion-worthy with a crispy Parmesan-breadcrumb topping, adopts our favorite elements of a baked potato gratin using cabbage and onions instead.

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Parmesan-Herb Angel Biscuits

Angel Biscuits
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Give your Thanksgiving bread some extra flavor by adding Parmesan, thyme, and rosemary. Make the dough up to one week in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake.

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Classic Bread Dressing

Cornbread Dressing with Kale and Bacon
Iain Bagwell

This easy bread dressing recipe, made from scratch, uses high-quality sourdough bread, fresh parsley and thyme, celery, leeks, and garlic. Assemble and place the baking dish in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook.

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Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes and Smashed Baby Red Potatoes
Southern Living

Adding goat cheese brings a new level of creamy to classic mashed potatoes—substitute garlic and herb or sun-dried tomato goat cheese for even more flavoring.

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Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots

Thanksgiving Sides: Root Vegetable Gratin
Iain Bagwell

This dish is easy to make and next-level sweet. Carrots topped with a honey glaze is a simple side dish and pairs nicely with all the casseroles.

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Skillet Squash Blossom

Thanksgiving Side Dish: Skillet Squash Blossom
Iain Bagwell

Impress your guests by adding this elegant squash dish to the Thanksgiving spread. Maple syrup and crumbled bacon are the perfect toppings.

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Oven-Roasted Asparagus

closeup of roasted asparagus spears on a white platter
Kim's Cooking Now

Oven-roasted asparagus is a quick, easy, and delicious side dish. Almonds are only one way to top these vegetables. Try substituting sesame seeds or bacon as toppings.

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Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake

Creamy Kale and Pasta Bake
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Assemble this dish quickly by using pre-washed bagged kale and pre-shredded cheese. In under 30 minutes, this kale-infused mac-and-cheese will be your new favorite way to east this classic dish.

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Angel Biscuits

Angel Biscuits
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Do you want fresh biscuits on the table but want to save time on the day? You can prepare these biscuits one week in advance.

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Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites

Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Bites
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Similar to a biscuit, these sausage balls are the perfect bite-sized side. Enjoy many layers of savoriness by using extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, cinnamon, and plum jelly in these sausage balls.

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Yeast Rolls

Thanksgiving Yeast Rolls
Iain Bagwell

Homemade rolls are a welcomed addition to any Thanksgiving spread. Make these tender, buttery rolls the night before. After cooling on a wire rack, brush with the remaining butter.

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Smashed Baby Red Potatoes

Thanksgiving Side Dish: Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Southern Living

The best potatoes are crispy on the outside and tender and creamy on the inside. This cross between mashed and baked potatoes uses herbs and garlic to add plenty of flavoring.

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Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Sarah Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Melissa Gray

Enjoy the decadence of a loaded baked potato in convenient casserole form, and that's reason enough to include it on the spread. Each bite is creamy, cheesy, and bacony.

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Crusty Broiled Tomatoes

Crusty Broiled Tomatoes
Southern Living

If no matter the season, you must have tomatoes at your family gatherings, this recipe is for you. These broiled tomatoes, topped with a crispy, cheesy breadcrumb crust, are an excellent opportunity to divert from the usual casserole.

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Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole

Make-Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole
Greg Dupree; Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis

Two words we love to hear come November? Make ahead. This classic casserole will be ready to bake without giving you any worries. Store in the fridge for up to four days.

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Tee's Corn Pudding

Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Hector M Sanchez

We recommend you always have corn pudding on your Thanksgiving table. If you'd like to dress up the dish a little, it is even more impressive when topped with chopped fresh chives.

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Sea Island Crab Fried Rice

Fried Arkansas Black Apples
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

You'll find more coastal takes on holiday foods like this crab-filled fried rice side throughout the Lowcountry and Sea Islands, particularly in Gullah Geechie communities.

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Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Thanksgiving Sides: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

This Classic Sweet Potato Casserole is a reader favorite. The basic recipe is sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, milk, eggs, and a few more simple ingredients, but for many, the pleasure is the toppings. Cornflakes, marshmallows, sugar, and pecans are delicious. This classic casserole is nutty, buttery, savory, and sweet, all in the same mouthful.

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Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon
Alison Miksch

Sweet potatoes are often a part of Thanksgiving, and this recipe gives you a new twist on that classic flavor. Orange juice gives it a little sweetness, while pieces of crumbled bacon will provide you with something to savor, and rosemary will give it an aroma all its own. This sweet-and-salty side could not be easier to prep on Thanksgiving morning.

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Spicy Cranberry-Orange Relish

Spicy Cranberry Orange Relish
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

This relish will have you relishing its flavors once you taste its perfect combination of sweet, tart, and spicy. Store in an air-tight container for up to one week.

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Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese

Southern Pimiento Mac and Cheese
Hector Sanchez

Make a classic like mac-and-cheese even more Southern by adding Pimiento cheese. Try undercooking the pasta for a minute because it will continue to cook under the broiler.

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Balsamic Green Beans

Balsamic Green Beans with Pearl Onions Recipe
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith

Green beans are a simple vegetable, but we love to add textures and flavors to this everyday family favorite. We have green beans on our table every year for Thanksgiving, and this recipe shows you wonderful new ways to savor this holiday staple.

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Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Roasted root vegetables make a great Thanksgiving side, but there are many options if you prefer something other than traditional potatoes or sweet potatoes. Try these Roasted Carrots and Parsnips for a lighter alternative.

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Grits Dressing

Grits Dressing Recipe
Laurey W. Glenn

You can never have enough dressing at the Thanksgiving table. Make this "grits-bread" one to two days ahead of time and store it in a Zip-loc bag or airtight container after it has cooled.

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Squash Casserole

Squash Casserole
Aaron Kirk; Prop Styling: Sarah-Elizabeth Cleveland; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Buttery crackers top this classic casserole. Double the recipe and have it on hand for another day. The creamy, cheesy filling has a perfect crunchy topping.

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Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole

Cheesy Broccoli-and-Rice Casserole Recipe
Photo: Hector Sanchez

The old-school version of this recipe uses canned soup and often calls for frozen broccoli. This version takes a little more time, but the fresh ingredients make a big difference in taste.

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Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens

Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens Recipe Image
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

The fire-roasted tomatoes and smoked paprika add so much flavor that you won't miss the ham. A slow cooker helps the greens retain their texture in this sweet and savory dish.

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Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans

Brussels Sprout Slaw with Apples and Pecans
Greg DuPree

In about 25 minutes, this Brussels sprouts slaw combines the sweetness of Honeycrisp apples with the fresh flavorings of toasted pecans and Parmesan cheese. A mandoline will help get the thinnest Brussels sprouts needed for this recipe.

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Creamy Fried Confetti Corn

Creamy Fried Confetti Corn
Southern Living

The crispy crunch of smoky bacon cuts through the creamy richness of the dish, making it easy for this casserole to pair with just about anything. It has just a hint of sweetness thanks to the corn, the sugar, and the half-and-half. A pinch of pepper gives it just the right amount of bite.

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Green Beans with Garlic

Green Beans with Garlic
Photo: Jim Franco; Styling: Leslie Siegel

This side dish is a study in simplicity. It is fresh, fragrant, and easy to bring to any holiday table. This dish is unique because the garlic is sliced rather than chopped or minced, so the garlic slices become crisp and savory.

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Molded Cranberry Salad

Molded Cranberry Salad
Hector M Sanchez

Congealed salads are staples on Southern tables at Thanksgiving, and this Molded Cranberry Salad is a fresh, refreshing take on this holiday staple.

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Pimiento Cheese Creamed Spinach

Pimiento Cheese Creamed Spinach
Hector Sanchez

In the South, pimiento cheese and creamed spinach are both considered delicacies, so any recipe that mixes the two is a mouthwatering delight. This casserole is delicious, rich with the tastes of cream cheese and cheddar cheese, and seasoned with just a hint of fresh garlic.

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Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
Caitlin Bensel/Southern Living

Everyone anticipates that there will be a green bean casserole on the Thanksgiving table. You can go beyond the standard "recipe on the can" by making simple substitutions and additions. Start by substituting Alfredo sauce for the cream of mushroom soup. Then, dress it up with add-ins, including mushrooms, water chestnuts, Parmesan cheese, and toasted pecans.

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Wild Rice with Mushrooms

Wild Rice with Mushrooms
Iain Bagwell

Start by sautéing a sweet onion in some butter on the stovetop. Mix in some fresh mushrooms, and then add in the Marsala. Once you have this rich, fragrant, and delicious blend ready to go, you can add it to your packaged rice, and you will be amazed at the results.

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Cheese Cracker-Topped Squash Casserole

Cheese Cracker-Topped Squash Casserole Recipe
Hector Sanchez

Top your squash casserole with cheese crackers, in addition to paprika, for an extra cheesy crunch. Combine zucchini and yellow squash for this casserole.

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Crispy Sweet Potato-Green Onion Cakes

Cast-Iron Salsa Recipe
Hector Sanchez

This recipe blends the delicate flavor of sweet potatoes and green onions with the spicy zest of chopped red jalapeño peppers. Top with a dollop of sour cream and lime juice.

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Hurry-Up Homemade Crescent Rolls

Hurry-Up Homemade Crescent Rolls
Beau Gustafson; Styling: Sissy Lamberton

These are an even more buttery, flaky version of the store-bought stuff. Freeze these for up to two months ahead of your dinner.

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Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes

Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes
Photographer: Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Karen Ranking; Prop Stylist Julia Bayless

If there is only room for one potato-based dish on your Thanksgiving table, this gratin is sure to be perfect for everyone. This rich, crispy, cheesy potato dish flavored with thyme, pepper, and cloves will be your new go-to dish.

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Two-Cheese Squash Casserole

Two-Cheese Squash Casserole
Photo: Jennifer Davick

If you relish having squash casserole as a Thanksgiving table staple, this Cheddar and Parmesan Squash Casserole may become your go-to recipe. For a tasty and colorful twist, you can substitute sliced zucchini for half of the yellow squash. You'll love the hint of sweet onion and the bold, savory cheese flavors. Crumble some bread, shred some cheese, and get ready to enjoy this fantastic holiday casserole.

Now that you planned a fantastic Thanksgiving menu, it's time to assemble the dessert. Here are Delicious Desserts You Can Throw Together Thanksgiving Morning.

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