50+ Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes That Might Make You Forget About Turkey Altogether

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

When it comes to Thanksgiving, we're used to over-indulging, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Our spread often includes a selection of at least five different sides, from potatoes to mac and cheese to delectable vegetable casseroles. And whether it's roasted, smoked, or fried, the crowning glory of the Thanksgiving feast is, of course, the turkey. But when you're feeding a crowd, there are guaranteed to be some guests with dietary restrictions. If you'll be hosting friends or family with vegetarian diets this Thanksgiving, it's crucial to provide a selection of options to satisfy their Thanksgiving cravings and expectations.

We've collected over 65 recipes that prove that a vegetarian Thanksgiving doesn't have to be boring or unindulgent. Even with a vegetarian menu, your favorite dishes can still feature all the butter— it's a staple in our Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole and our Old-School Green Bean Casserole. For those looking to lighten things up, we also have healthier twists on Thanksgiving classics, like our Skillet Cauliflower Mac and Cheese or Chopped Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs. But don't worry—these healthier, veggie-based dishes are still utterly decadent. With these vegetarian Thanksgiving dishes, you'll likely forget about the turkey altogether.

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Mashed Potatoes and Rutabaga with Collards

Mashed Potatoes and Rutabaga with Collards
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: Mashed Potatoes and Rutabaga with Collards

This recipe brings three vegetables together to create one creamy side dish. Plus, it couldn't be any easier to eat your greens than when they are swirled in buttery mashed potatoes.

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Tabitha Brown's Vegan Mac and Cheese

Tabitha Brown's Vegan Mac and Cheese
Greg DuPree, Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Tabitha Brown's Vegan Mac and Cheese

North Carolina native Tabitha Brown has proven that mac and cheese can be both comforting and vegan. While there's no dairy in this recipe, the dish is still as creamy and gooey as ever.

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Spiced Cranberry Mold

Spiced Cranberry Mold
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spiced Cranberry Mold

One of the best things about this recipe is you can make it ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to a week, eliminating one to-do item on Thanksgiving Day.

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Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini

Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Spicy Sweet Potato Crostini

Instead of bread, we used sweet potatoes as the base in this crostini recipe. This impressive looking appetizer only takes 20 minutes of hands-on cooking time and less than 10 ingredients.

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Instant Pot Creamy Root Vegetable Soup

Instant Pot Creamy Root Vegetable Soup
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Instant Pot Creamy Root Vegetable Soup

We love that this soup comes together entirely in your Instant Pot. It's also very adaptable, so if you can't find one root veggie, just add in more of another.

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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

Recipe: Best-Ever Macaroni and Cheese

This may be the first dish that the kids flock to, but (rest assured) the adults will all be scooping out portions of this creamy, cheesy mac too.

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Sweet Potato Stacks

Sweet Potato Stacks
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: Sweet Potato Stacks

You'll be surprised to learn how few ingredients are needed to pull together these impressive sweet potato stacks. This adult version of sweet potato casserole still strikes that balance of sweet and savory, but without the marshmallows.

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Buttery Yeast Rolls

Buttery Yeast Rolls, Twisted Rolls with Everything-Bagel Seasoning, and Knot Rolls with Herb Butter
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Buttery Yeast Rolls

If you've shied away from homemade rolls but are ready to give it a go, this easy recipe is a good one to start with. The hardest part is dragging out your stand mixer.

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Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

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

Recipe: Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Roasting veggies at a high temperature and long cook time give them a sweet finish that will be enjoyed by every member of the family.

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Butternut Squash Lasagna

Butternut Squash Lasagna
Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Butternut Squash Lasagna

Butternut squash and fresh sage give this meatless main loads of seasonal flavor.

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Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce

Just five minutes of cook time are needed when you use a multicooker to make homemade cranberry sauce.

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Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

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

If you can't find canned butternut squash puree, this recipe can also be made with canned pumpkin. Both will give this mac and cheese it's pretty orange-hue.

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Crispy Potato Galette

Crispy Potato Galette
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: Crispy Potato Galette

Even though you may be tempted, don't hold cut potatoes in water before baking. This will remove the starch that's needed to hold the galette together.

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Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Mushroom-Stuffed Phyllo Cups

These mini pastry shells with a mushroom filling are a great appetizer to serve your guests as soon as they walk in the door.

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Stuffed Acorn Squash with Farro

Stuffed Acorn Squash with Farro
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: Stuffed Acorn Squash with Farro

This side dish is so hearty and flavorful, you'll forget all about the other dishes on the table. Our test kitchen recommends roasting the squash cut side down for the best caramelized color.

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Harvest Salad

Harvest Salad
Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch

Recipe: Harvest Salad

All of fall's best produce comes together to create one hearty, seasonal salad. The variety of tastes and textures make this salad anything but boring.

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Melting Sweet Potatoes

Melting Sweet Potatoes
Atonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Melting Sweet Potatoes

Forget about the marshmallow-topped casserole of your childhood, this sweet potato dish with toasted walnuts is full of flavor.

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Mashed Potato Casserole

Mashed Potato Casserole
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey

Recipe: Mashed Potato Casserole

Want to get ahead of your holiday cooking schedule? This updated take on mashed potatoes can be made up to two 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

Recipe: Classic Cranberry Salad

Ditch the wobbly cranberry sauce for something with a bit more texture. This Cranberry Salad is still true to the classic fruity flavors, but it's studded with pecans for added crunch.

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Savory Corn Pudding

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

Recipe: Savory Corn Pudding

Onion, thyme, and salted butter help you lean on the savory side in this classic holiday dish.

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Classic Candied Yams

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

Recipe: Classic Candied Yams

Just like Grandma used to make. Candied Yams may be traditional, but we don't plan on leaving them out of the spread any time soon.

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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

Recipe: Old-School Green Bean Casserole

Ditch the canned cream-of-mushroom soup and opt for fresh mushrooms in your Green Bean Casserole.

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Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

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

Recipe: Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole

If you're looking to impress this Thanksgiving, this elegant Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole is a sure-fire way to win over the in-laws.

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Cranberry Brie Bites

Cranberry Brie Bites
Southern Living

Recipe: Cranberry Brie Bites

These cheesy bites just take 20 minutes from start to finish. You can prepare them minutes before your guests arrive with no problem.

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Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots

Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots

Honey lends a touch of sweetness to these holiday-spiced carrots. For an impressive presentation and pop of color on the table, use rainbow carrots.

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Sweet Potato Soufflé

Sweet Potato Soufflé
Micah Leal

Recipe: Sweet Potato Soufflé

Looking for something sweet that's still hardy enough to make it on the non-dessert menu? This classic soufflé is sure to delight.

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Cranberry Fluff Salad

Cranberry Fluff Salad
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Recipe: Cranberry Fluff Salad

Liven up your Thanksgiving spread with this colorful, retro salad that's sure to go fast.

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Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole

Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole
Atonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole

Russet and Yukon Gold potatoes combine with butter, cream, and cheese in the fluffiest potato casserole we've ever tasted.

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Herbed Wild Rice Dressing

Cornbread Dressing with Kale and Bacon
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Herbed Wild Rice Dressing

Tired of bland cornbread dressing? Mix things up with this colorful Herbed Wild Rice Dressing, complete with red onion, apple, and fresh sage.

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Yeast Rolls

Thanksgiving Yeast Rolls
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Yeast Rolls

A good yeast roll is a Thanksgiving meal staple, and these swirled breads surely won't disappoint.

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Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Recipe: Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

Meld spicy, tangy, sweet, and creamy all into one bite with this new holiday classic.

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Broccoli-Cheese Casserole

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

Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Imagine your favorite broccoli-Cheddar soup, distilled into a melty casserole. This weeknight hero will be a welcome addition to the Thanksgiving spread.

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Skillet Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Skillet Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Skillet Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Wait, there's cauliflower hidden in this gooey mac and cheese? Your guests will never be able to tell the difference.

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Oven-Baked Sweet Potatoes

Oven-Baked Sweet Potatoes
Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Torie Cox; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Recipe: Oven-Baked Sweet Potatoes

Your holiday main may be complex, but that doesn't mean you can't balance things out with something simple. Elevate these easy baked potatoes with a few toppings, and you've added one more dish to the spread without breaking a sweat.

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Ben Mims' Perfect Cornbread

Ben Mim's Perfect Cornbread Recipe
Brian Woodcock

Recipe: Ben Mims' Perfect Cornbread

If "perfect" is in the name, we'll certainly have high hopes for a recipe. Luckily, this cornbread lives up to—and exceeds—our expectations.

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Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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

Recipe: Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Let the full flavors of your sweet potatoes shine in this quick dish that will leave your oven free for the main event.

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Acorn Squash Soup

Acorn Squash Soup
Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Victor Protasio, Prop Stylist Claire Spollen

Recipe: Acorn Squash Soup

Want to take it up a notch? Top it off with fried scallions, chopped toasted hazelnuts, a dash of hot sauce, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

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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

Recipe: Roasted Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese

Take a risk and sprinkle some vegetables into your Thanksgiving mac—we doubt anyone will complain about this crispy, roasted broccoli.

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Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

It'll be hard for Grandma to part with that marshmallow topping, but this savory pecan crumble will immediately win over the crowd.

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Mashed Potato Cakes

Mashed Potato Cakes
Caitlin Bensel; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Recipe: Mashed Potato Cakes

The key to perfect potato cakes? Patience. You've got to let them brown nicely on one side before flipping them.

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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

Recipe: Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks

Decadently creamy on the inside and topped with a crown of crispy leeks, this Green Bean Casserole has achieved a blissful balance of textures and flavors.

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Butternut Squash Gratin

Butternut Squash Gratin
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Butternut Squash Gratin

Who needs turkey? Butternut squash is packed full of vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber, making it a healthy and substantial option for vegetarians.

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Parmesan-Herb Angel Biscuits

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

Recipe: Parmesan-Herb Angel Biscuits

Ramp up the flavors of Mama's favorite homemade biscuits with Parmesan and fresh herbs.

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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

Recipe: Classic Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

These mashed potatoes are done the only way we know how: swirled with plenty of buttermilk, crème fraiche, and butter.

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Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Classic Sweet Potato Casserole
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Classic Sweet Potato Casserole

Cornflakes, marshmallows, and pecans crown this family-favorite sweet potato casserole.

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Herbed Potato Stacks

Herbed Potato Stacks Recipe
Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Herbed Potato Stacks

With only 10 minutes of active time, these elegant potato stacks—seasoned with fresh thyme and rosemary—are easier to execute than you may expect.

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Balsamic Green Beans with Pearl Onions

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

Recipe: Balsamic Green Beans with Pearl Onions

Balsamic brings an acidic tang to these snappy green beans, brought together by the slightly-sweet bite of the pearl onions.

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Sautéed Mustard Greens with Garlic and Lemon

Sautéed Mustard Greens with Garlic and Lemon
Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Sautéed Mustard Greens with Garlic and Lemon

A simple vegetable sautée is never out of place on our Thanksgiving table, and these mustard greens couldn't be easier to prepare.

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Sweet Potato Cobbler

Sweet Potato Cobbler
Antonis Achilleos, Food Styling: Gordon Sawyer and Tina Stamos, Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell

Recipe: Sweet Potato Cobbler

Topped with fresh biscuits, this creative Sweet Potato Cobbler combines sweet and savory in the loveliest ways.

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Creamed Spinach

Creamed Spinach
Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Creamed Spinach

Woven with thick whipping cream, Parmesan cheese, and studs of toasted pine nuts, this is not the mushy creamed spinach of your childhood.

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Asparagus Gratin

Asparagus Gratin
Photography and Styling: Karen Rankin

Recipe: Asparagus Gratin

A creamy, cheesy sauce gives fresh asparagus an upgrade making it worthy of being placed on your holiday spread.

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Sumac Carrots with Feta Mousse and Crispy Panko

Coby Ming and Damaris Phillips' Sumac Carrots with Feta Mousse and Crispy Panko
Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Recipe: Sumac Carrots with Feta Mousse and Crispy Panko

Feta mousse and crispy panko dress up carrots for the special occasion.

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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

Recipe: Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens

Traditionally, Southern collard greens are made with pork, but we've come up with a vegetarian recipe that packs in as much flavor as the original. Slow-cooked with fire roasted tomatoes and paprika, these greens still have that smoky bold flavor without the meat.

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Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad

Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad
Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: William Smith

Recipe: Beet, Fennel, and Apple Salad

This fresher take on Thanksgiving beets combines the earthy root with crisp apple and sweet fennel for a refreshing palate cleanser between all of the mashed potatoes and mac and cheese.

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Oven-Roasted Asparagus

Oven-Roasted Asparagus
Southern Living

Recipe: Oven-Roasted Asparagus

This low-effort side uses only a few ingredients to dress up roasted asparagus. Don't skip finishing the dish with a sprinkling of almonds; they add a touch of delicious crunch.

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Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Southern Living

Recipe: Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Mix up the mashed potatoes this year by folding in some goat cheese. We call for plain, but have fun using flavored goat cheese for an extra boast of flavor alongside a little tang.

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Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole

Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole
Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, and Greens Casserole

This hearty and comforting vegetable casserole is sure to satisfy even the meat lovers. The creamy cheese sauce also makes it easy to sneak veggies into the kids (and adults too).

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