Thanksgiving Dinner wouldn’t be complete without all the side dishes. The turkey entree may be the star of the show, but for us, we look forward to piling up our plates with a variety of side dishes. We are including classics such as roasted vegetables, creamy casseroles, and comfort dishes like mac and cheese.
Tomato Mac and Cheese
If you love grilled cheese and tomato soup, this recipe transforms those same delicious flavors into a comforting mac and cheese dish.
Italian Sausage and Butternut Squash Stuffing
This delicious stuffing is made with green apples and butternut squash. It has all the flavors of traditional Thanksgiving dressing but is gluten-free and dairy-free. It is toasty, sweet, and savory all at the same time.
Italian Sausage & Butternut Squash Stuffing
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- sheet pan
- saute pan
- spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb italian style turkey sausage
- 1/4 cup red onions (diced)
- 2 tbsp green onions (chopped)
- 2 tbsp garlic (minced)
- 1 each butternut squash (peeled, cut into 1/2 inch cubes, about 6 cups)
- 2 each green apples (cored and diced)
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400F
- Place the veggies and apples on a sheet pan
- Sprinkle the seasonings and minced garlic on top. Coat everything with olive oil
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes
- Meanwhile, add more oil to a saute pan on medium high heat and add the ground turkey
- Break it up into small pieces and continue to stir it around the pan until it is fully cooked and golden brown (about 7 to 9 minutes). Make sure it cooks to an internal temperature of 165 F
- Once the veggies and apples finish roasting in the oven, combine the sausage with the veggies in a serving dish
Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Bake
This hot and bubbly brussels sprouts casserole is packed with a creamy cheese sauce and makes for a simple Thanksgiving side dish.
Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Bake
Equipment
- saute pan
- spatula
- baking dish
Ingredients
- 20 oz brussels sprouts (shaved)
- 2 each small shallots (minced)
- 2 tbsp garlic (minced)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp white cheddar
- 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 375F. Add oil to a saute pan on medium heat and saute the shallots and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes. Next add the garlic and stir for about 10 seconds.
- Add the shredded brussels sprouts and season with salt and pepper. Continue to stir until tender, about 5 to 6 minutes
- Then, pour in the heavy cream and top with both cheese. Mix it all together
- Transfer the brussels sprouts mixture into a greased baking dish
- Bake in the oven for about 12-15 minutes until the cheese is hot and bubbly
Oven Baked Creamed Corn Casserole
This creamed corn casserole includes ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Mix it all together, place it in a baking dish, and let it finish cooking in the oven.
Oven Baked Creamed Corn
Equipment
- baking dish
- oven
Ingredients
- 5 cups frozen corn
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 tbsp green onions (chopped)
- 2 tbsp garlic (minced)
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400F
- In a mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and mix it all around until the cream cheese and mayonnaise fully coats the corn kernels
- Grease a baking dish with oil and pour the corn mixture into the dish. Bake for about 12-15 minutes until hot, bubbly, and golden brown
Roasted Green Beans with Bacon and Mandarin Oranges
If you’re looking for a quick and easy roasted veggie dish, then you’ve got to try these roasted green beans. And we know what you’re thinking, oranges and green beans? Yes, it definitely works. The citrus burst of flavor pairs well with the saltiness of the bacon, sweetness of honey, and toastiness of the roasted green beans. And it takes less than 20 minutes to whip up this recipe!
Roasted Green Beans with Bacon and Mandarin Oranges
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- sheet pan
- oven
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Fresh Green Beans (washed & trimmed)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 5 slices bacon (uncooked, and chopped)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 cup mandarin oranges (drained)
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 425F
- Place the green beans on a sheet pan and drizzle it with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss it around making sure it is fully coated with the oil
- Top it off with the chopped bacon pieces
- Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, then remove it from the oven and flip the green beans ,and bake for another 10 minutes until the green beans are tender and the bacon is crispy
- After it has finished baking, top it off with mandarain orange bits, and drizzle with honey
Oven Roasted Acorn Squash Slices
Brushed with olive oil and seasoned with simple seasoning, this roasted acorn squash recipe is a simple, cozy thanksgiving fare at its finest. Cutting the squash is really the only “work” this recipe calls for because it’s already tasty on its own and it really doesn’t need any other extra ingredients. Minimal effort, maximum yumminess.
Oven Roasted Acorn Squash Slices
Equipment
- knife
- cutting board
- sheet pan
Ingredients
- 2 each acorn squash
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F
- Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then, cut them into 3/4 inch slices
- Place them on a sheet pan and drizzle them with olive oil, sprinkle with the seasonings and toss them around until the squash is evenly coated
- Roast in the oven for 25 minutes until golden brown and tender
Crispy Smashed Potatoes
These yummy smashed potato bites are easy to make and will be loved by all during your Thanksgiving feast. The potatoes are super crispy on the outside, but absolutely fluffy on the outside.
Smashed Potatoes
Equipment
- boiling pot
- masher
- sheet pan
Ingredients
- 12 each small red baby potatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a large soup pot and fill the pot with water until the potatoes are fully submerged under water. Add 1 tbsp of salt and turn the heat up to high until the water starts boiling
- After the water boils, bring the water to medium and cook for about 20 minutes until they are tender and they are easily pierced with a fork
- Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to 425F and grease a sheet pan with olive oil. Spread the oil until it completely covers the pan
- When the potates finish cooking, drain them and let them cool for a few minutes. Safely transfer them to a baking sheet
- Spread the potatoes apart and use either a potato masher or the bottom of a cup to gently smash each potato to a thickness of 1/2 inches
- Evenly drizzle olive oil over the mashed potatoes and sprinkle the seasonings on top
- Bake the ptoatoes for about 25 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy
If you are looking for entrees to pair up with these thanksgiving side dishes, check out our quick and easy Stress-Free Thanksgiving Dinner Entree Recipes.
Tomato Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions