Turns out, you don’t just need a turkey to make Thanksgiving feel special. With 27 easy dinner ideas, the holiday can still taste like tradition, just minus the poultry. This roundup makes sure everyone at the table gets something they love, with plenty of options for second helpings. Your relatives might start asking for these new favorites next year.

A white plate with loaded sweet potato casserole topped with sour cream, bacon, cheese, and green onions, set on a brown charger plate with a fork and cooking utensils in the background. — Chef Jenn’s Fully Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Broccoli Rice Casserole with Fresh Broccoli

Serving up a mix of comfort and tradition, Broccoli Rice Casserole with Fresh Broccoli provides a hearty option for those searching for classics without poultry. It blends familiar ingredients to create a filling side that feels just as meaningful as any centerpiece. With fresh broccoli highlighting the flavors, every spoonful brings a sense of family custom to the table.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole with Fresh Broccoli

Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb

Whole cooked leg of lamb on a board with a knife. — Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Offering another holiday centerpiece, Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb can transform any family meal into a memorable occasion. The gentle smoke enhances the tenderness of the lamb, giving depth to each serving without overpowering it. Those who typically lean toward more traditional meats will be pleased by its robust and welcoming profile.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Leg of Lamb

31 of Chef Jenn's FAVE Casseroles!

Recipes for Comfort-Filled Family Meals

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Butternut Squash Mash with Parmesan

There’s a simple pleasure in enjoying Butternut Squash Mash with Parmesan, especially during a gathering that celebrates family favorites beyond bird-focused meals. Creaminess from the mash pairs effortlessly with the nutty Parmesan, leaving a rich flavor in every bite. The texture brings variety to any plate and rounds out a memorable menu.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Mash with Parmesan

Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup

Two bowls of cream of butternut squash and sweet potato soup on a wooden table. — Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

There’s something about Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup that makes any special meal feel even more inviting. Luscious, creamy, and perfectly seasoned, this soup balances sweetness with a smooth, velvety texture. This bowl of warmth proves you don’t need traditional poultry to enjoy a classic favorite.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup

Southern Ground Beef & Baked Bean Casserole

Blending together tasty beef and sweet beans, Southern Ground Beef & Baked Bean Casserole brings nostalgia and comfort to the dinner table. It’s an inviting dish that stands in for turkey while still feeling like a true classic. This casserole offers both richness and a slight touch of sweetness, ensuring every spoonful is inviting.
Get the Recipe: Southern Ground Beef & Baked Bean Casserole

Roast Pork with Apples

A plate of Pork Roast with Apples on a table. — Roast Pork with Apples. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When searching for a centerpiece other than turkey, Roast Pork with Apples is a wonderful alternative that echoes the feeling of family gatherings. Tender pork pairs with naturally sweet apples to produce balanced flavors guests will remember. Each slice is juicy and comforting, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages.
Get the Recipe: Roast Pork with Apples

Carrots au Gratin

When you’re looking to round out your meal with comforting favorites, Carrots au Gratin is a standout. Creamy layers and melted cheese blanket naturally sweet carrots, making each bite a homestyle treat worth revisiting. Families appreciate how this recipe remains fulfilling without needing the main dish to be turkey.
Get the Recipe: Carrots au Gratin

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Green beans with pork on a black plate. — Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Families who treasure timeless recipes can count on Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans for dependable comfort. Cooked gently until tender, these green beans soak up robust flavors from carefully chosen seasonings. They finish as a homestyle side that feels right at home with other classics, whether turkey is served or not.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Dutch Oven Carnitas

Carnitas in a round black dish. — Dutch Oven Carnitas. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When pork is the star, Dutch Oven Carnitas provides a juicy, well-seasoned bite that calls people back for seconds. Slow cooking ensures the meat is fork-tender, with just the right amount of tasty richness. This dish fits seamlessly alongside other classics, especially when families prefer alternatives to the usual bird. Served in tacos, on buns, or alone, it’s destined to become a new favorite.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Oven Carnitas

Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

There’s a reason why buttery and creamy potatoes remain a ritual at gatherings, and Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese is no exception. Adding cream cheese contributes smoothness and just a hint of richer flavor. This dish works well alongside any main course, not just poultry, and everyone enjoys dolloping extra gravy on top.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Smoked New York Strip Roast

Those searching for a bold, pleasurable main course will find this Smoked New York Strip Roast fits the bill comfortably. Lengthy smoking brings out the cut’s delicious essence, while a simple seasoning blend keeps each slice flavorful. This dish adds a memorable touch, perfect for anyone wanting something special without turkey.
Get the Recipe: Smoked New York Strip Roast

Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

If you’ve ever wished for a southern-inspired side dish, Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots offers just that, finished with a buttery, comforting glaze. The gentle sweetness of carrots shines through, making it a reliable favorite that guests return to year after year. Simplicity meets homestyle flavor, ensuring this recipe is welcome at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

A baked casserole topped with chopped green onions and bacon pieces, with one square being served from the dish using a spatula. — Twice-Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Comfort food takes a starring role with Twice-Baked Potato Casserole, which features perfectly seasoned potatoes baked with cheese and toppings. This dish brings everything people love about classic potato sides, delivering plentiful flavor and texture. Slices can be enjoyed on their own or alongside any main course, especially in a spread that leaves out turkey.
Get the Recipe: Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Smoked Beef Tenderloin

There is a certain prestige that comes with serving Smoked Beef Tenderloin at the center of a shared meal. Gentle smoking infuses the beef with unique notes while maintaining its prized tenderness. Each slice captures the essence of a special occasion, standing tall next to classic sides. This main course works perfectly for anyone looking for something equally impressive as turkey.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Beef Tenderloin

Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping

A slice of sweet potato casserole topped with pecan crumble on a white plate with a spoon, surrounded by pecans and sunflowers. — Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Nothing brings comfort like traditional sides, and Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping delivers with its tender base and crunchy finish. The casserole features just the right sweetness, with buttery pecans lending extra appeal. Guests of all ages enjoy returning for extra helpings, making it a true family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping

Cream of Onion Soup

Two bowls of cream onion soup on a wooden table. — Cream of Onion Soup. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Those who like memorable starters will find Cream of Onion Soup wins with its smooth, textured consistency and rich, mellow taste. The classic onions are prepared until tender, then blended to form a comforting base that complements almost any menu. This soup works particularly well for guests who appreciate gentle, layered flavors.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Onion Soup

Garlic & Rosemary Braised Potatoes

Braised potatoes in a pan after cooking. — Garlic & Rosemary Braised Potatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When a side is needed to round out a meal, Garlic & Rosemary Braised Potatoes offers warmth and herby highlights. Slow braising infuses each piece with subtle flavors, making them a hit among guests who enjoy homestyle fare. Placed next to richer entrées, this potato dish holds its own as a long-time favorite.
Get the Recipe: Garlic & Rosemary Braised Potatoes

3-Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Simplicity takes center stage in 3-Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole, which relies on just a few ingredients to achieve big results. The creamy, bubbling dish brings together the best of homestyle cooking without fuss. It’s especially convenient and appealing for anyone seeking fast, reliable side dishes for their holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Broccoli Cheese Casserole

Smoked Ribeye Roast

Sliced smoked ribeye beef on a cutting board. — Smoked Ribeye Roast. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Main meals don’t need to follow convention, and serving Smoked Ribeye Roast proves how rewarding a different centerpiece can be. Layers of flavor develop during the smoking process, creating a tender, juicy result that satisfies every guest. Whether it’s paired with classic sides or enjoyed alone, this roast leaves a lasting impression.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Ribeye Roast

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

A white bowl filled with seasoned roasted sweet potato cubes, garnished with chopped herbs, with a metal serving spoon on the side and a printed napkin partially visible. — Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When choosing a simple yet memorable side, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes are a solid pick for a no-bird meal. Quick cooking in the air fryer leaves each cube with a perfectly crisp exterior and soft, sweet center. Guests appreciate the straightforward flavors and how easily it fits in next to other classic favorites. It’s a fuss-free way to serve a staple with a modern method.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Sauerkraut in a serving dish with a spoon. — Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When hearty sides are required, Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon delivers depth and contrast through every bite. The crispness of bacon and the sweetness of apple balance the tang of sauerkraut. It pairs easily alongside both modern and classic main dishes, earning appreciation from guests who love big flavors.
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Embracing both convenience and comfort, Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin finds a place at any celebration table. The smooth texture and balanced flavor come together quickly, making it easy for hosts to impress guests. Each serving feels familiar and soothing, fitting right in with the theme of celebrating favorites in new ways.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Classic Corn Pudding Casserole

A square slice of corn pudding casserole with eggs, red bell pepper, and chives sits on a white plate with a serving spoon underneath. — Classic Corn Pudding Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Bringing an old-fashioned touch to your spread, Classic Corn Pudding Casserole fits into gatherings with ease. The texture strikes a perfect balance between pudding and bread, highlighting familiar flavors without overwhelming them. Everyone enjoys scooping up a generous portion, remembering why some recipes never go out of style.
Get the Recipe: Classic Corn Pudding Casserole

Mississippi Mud Potatoes

When searching for a side that stands tall among classics, Mississippi Mud Potatoes answers the call with hearty layers of potatoes, cheese, and bacon. The result is rich and deeply flavored, encouraging everyone to return for more. It’s an easy fit for any meal focused on time-honored favorites rather than traditional turkey.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Smoked Mac & Cheese

Families looking to bring a familiar side up a notch can turn to Smoked Mac & Cheese for big flavors and cozy comfort. The gentle smoke pairs with bubbling cheese to create a memorable addition to holiday meals. Whether plated next to roasted meats or enjoyed by vegetarians, this dish is nearly impossible to resist.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Mac & Cheese

Smoked Spaghetti Squash

A baked spaghetti squash half filled with cooked strands, garnished with chopped parsley, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. — Smoked Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Using an unexpected method, Smoked Spaghetti Squash transforms a familiar vegetable into a dish filled with subtle flavor. The smoking process lends depth, letting squash strands soak up every nuance. Served as a side or a lighter main, it captures the essence of comforting foods without needing to rely on poultry.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Spaghetti Squash

Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole

Passing down recipes keeps family traditions alive, and Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole is proof of how much comfort a classic can bring. Whipped potatoes are baked with a special touch that’s hard to find elsewhere, making each forkful a walk down memory lane. It sits perfectly as the foundation of a memorable meal, needing no poultry to shine.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Mashed Potato Casserole