Thanksgiving dinner is all about the sides; the dishes everyone piles up while pretending the turkey matters. With 31 options to choose from, there’s something for everyone, from beloved classics to potential family debates. These recipes bring comfort to the table while keeping the holiday chaos in check. Let’s be real, no plate is complete without a mountain of sides.

A Corn Pudding Casserole topped with chopped chives in a metal baking dish, with a portion being lifted out on a serving spatula. — Corn Pudding Casserole. Photo credit: Retro Recipe Book.

Southern Style Pickled Shrimp

If you’re looking for something unexpected on the table, this seafood dish stands out. Bold flavors define Southern Style Pickled Shrimp with its tangy, sharp taste. It’s perfect for getting everyone excited about trying something new. This side easily becomes a conversation starter.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Pickled Shrimp

Easy White Bean Salad

A fresh White Bean Salad on a white plate featuring arugula, white beans, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, avocado, and cheese, placed on a wooden surface with two forks beside it. — Easy White Bean Salad. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Offering a twist on traditional sides, Easy White Bean Salad blends simplicity with a hint of texture that’s just right. The versatility of this dish makes it a quiet favorite on busy tables. Its minimal preparation brings welcome relief when planning big meals. It’s not too heavy, but it adds just the right amount of substance to balance the other flavors around it.
Get the Recipe: Easy White Bean Salad

31 of Chef Jenn's FAVE Casseroles!

Recipes for Comfort-Filled Family Meals

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Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

The simplicity of this side is what makes it shine during meals. With Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots, every bite offers soft and sweet comfort. It pairs well with big flavors without stealing the spotlight. Great for any gathering, it blends easily with other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots

Baked Bean Casserole

You can always count on this dish to bring bold, sweet flavor to the scene. Baked Bean Casserole is hearty, packed with essence and texture, perfect for larger meals. It’s one of those sides people look for when thinking back to Thanksgiving spreads. It holds its own on the table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Bean Casserole

Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon

A rectangular white plate with cooked red cabbage and bacon pieces, placed on a light surface next to a floral-patterned cloth. — Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

This dish adds a contrast that’s hard to ignore. Bold in taste, Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon offers a fusion of tangy flavors and rich balance. It complements heavier dishes without overpowering them. It’s easily one of those sides that surprises in the best way.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon

Smoked Cauliflower

Adding something new to the menu can change the overall dynamic of a meal. Smoked Cauliflower does just that by introducing a unique preparation style. Its smoky essence pairs surprisingly well with other classic sides. It offers variety among traditional options without feeling misplaced.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Cauliflower

Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

For those who crave balanced textures, Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts ticks every box. It’s earthy, rich, and slightly creamy, offering relief from starch-heavy options on Thanksgiving tables. Share this bright surprise for anyone wanting a break from typical dishes. Its pop of flavors surprisingly works in chaotic settings.
Get the Recipe: Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

Squash Casserole

If you’re aiming for warm flavors everyone recognizes, this vegetable dish fits naturally. Squash Casserole balances softness with light richness to hold attention. It’s easy to see why people go back for seconds. Familiar, fuss-free, and fitting; it works its magic beside heartier plates.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole

Roasted Kohlrabi with Parmesan

Looking to break the mold with your veggie offerings? Roasted Kohlrabi with Parmesan turns a less common vegetable into a crowd-favorite side. This dish combines tender bites with subtle flavors and texture. Great for those curious to explore something a bit different but easy to enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Kohlrabi with Parmesan

Easy German Potato Salad

German Potato Salad with red onions, and bacon pieces, garnished with chopped parsley are served in a white dish with a spoon. — Easy German Potato Salad. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Potatoes end debates over favorite sides, and this one has such clarity in its approach. With Easy German Potato Salad, you get a change from heavier mashed options. The tangy finish doesn’t overwhelm; instead, it complements the mix. Pair it with smoky or rich plates easily; it doesn’t compete.
Get the Recipe: Easy German Potato Salad

Honey Roasted Baby Carrots

A sweet twist on an everyday veggie offers depth in taste. Honey Roasted Baby Carrots bring tender sweetness that mingles well with bold main dishes. They’re easy to enjoy and fit effortlessly within the lineup. It’s a great choice for striking a balance between lighter and heavier bites.
Get the Recipe: Honey Roasted Baby Carrots

Broccoli Rice Casserole with No Canned Soup

Every spread needs a dish with a hearty texture and flavor balance. Broccoli Rice Casserole with No Canned Soup hits that mark without unnecessary extras while keeping it rich enough to stand out. With simple ingredients, it’s the kind of dish you want to keep close.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole with No Canned Soup

Classic Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe

A black plate with bow-tie pasta salad mixed with cherry tomatoes, diced vegetables, herbs, and a creamy dressing. — Classic Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Adding pasta salads to Thanksgiving may seem like a wildcard move, but this earns its place. Classic Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe brings hearty helpings balanced with crisp bites of bacon. The texture gives variety in moments surrounded by heavier table features. Perfect as an unexpected crowd pleaser without loud competition.
Get the Recipe: Classic Bacon Pasta Salad Recipe

Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

Feel like adding some lushness to the greens on your spread? Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone provides a rich, creamy texture that stays soft and decadent. This side offers some indulgence without being overwhelming. Perfect for pairing up with hearty dishes surrounding it.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

Grandma’s Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Every menu needs that standout potato dish. Grandma’s Twice-Baked Potato Casserole lives up to expectations with hearty layers and rich warmth. It has a nostalgic appeal that makes it a favorite for comfort food. Perfect for those wanting flavors that hold up alongside larger meals.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Polenta with Mascarpone

Polenta can be overlooked, but done well, it’s unforgettable. Polenta with Mascarpone offers soft textures with just the right amount of creaminess. It’s an understated addition that fits well beside bold or subtle flavors. A great choice when looking to mix up classic-style sides a little.
Get the Recipe: Polenta with Mascarpone

Baked Spanish Rice

Adding rice to the mix breaks up the usual lineup with ease. Baked Spanish Rice brings depth with bold flavors that feel filling but not overwhelming. This dish works perfectly for rounding out flavors across the table. It’s versatile enough to balance richer and lighter dishes.
Get the Recipe: Baked Spanish Rice

Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Soup often makes a surprising addition to larger meals. Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin feels warm without being too heavy, blending into the lineup effortlessly. This side is perfect for breaking up heavier textures without stealing the overall spotlight. Great for something unexpected.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Wild Rice Salad

Salads aren’t just add-ons; they can be memorable sides on their own. Wild Rice Salad is packed with hearty yet light combinations that feel filling in the best way. It’s refreshing within larger meals and offers a natural alternative to heavier options scattered across the table.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Salad

Smoked Brussels Sprouts

Changing the preparation of vegetables can make all the difference. Smoked Brussels Sprouts bring rich, smoky complexity to an often-simple dish. They round out a spread and offer something dynamic among classic sides. When served, this dish sparks interest with its distinct flavor profile.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Brussels Sprouts

Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

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

Sweetness and tang stir things up amid traditions. Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon brings forward bold yet balanced flavors that complement heavier dishes well but surprise in a good way. The contrast makes it a standout, loved by guests eager for something fresh during the holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Mississippi Mud Potatoes

The combination of rich and hearty ingredients here keeps guests coming back for seconds. Mississippi Mud Potatoes go beyond your usual potato dish, adding layers of flavor. Perfect for big appetites, they deliver comforting satisfaction while ensuring the meal feels full and complete.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Mud Potatoes

Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

Grilled corn on the cob pieces topped with cheese, chili powder, and cilantro, served on a black slate plate with lime wedges on the side. — Grilled Elote Corn Ribs. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Adding some smoke and char transforms simple flavors into something special. Grilled Elote Corn Ribs make corn beyond everyday basics into something memorable. It works as a standalone side or paired with anything on the spread. A new spin that feels fresh without feeling out of place entirely.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

Ukrainian Potatoes

Regional inspiration can add subtle history to tables. Ukrainian Potatoes showcase flavors often recognized but offered in a familiar and cozy preparation. Easily overlooked, these potatoes demand attention once tried. They’re a warm, traditional side worth adding to a holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Potatoes

Carrots au Gratin

Everyday vegetables can feel brand new with simple tweaks. Carrots au Gratin introduces layered richness that feels comforting without being overly indulgent. This is perfect for finding common ground among bold main dishes and lighter sides. An easy choice that works season after season.
Get the Recipe: Carrots au Gratin

Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

A classic reimagined with a rich twist adds interest to any spread. Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese offer that extra bit of indulgence while sticking to familiar traditions. They amplify the flavor people already love. It’s the side everyone expects, but with just a little bit more.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Sausage Stuffing

Stuffing often steals the show during big dinners. Sausage Stuffing amplifies that favorite side with bold richness that fills every bite. An effortless crowd-pleasing choice that works well with other items. Once served, it usually becomes hard not to take one extra scoop.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffing

Creamed Corn

Corn feels at home on most Thanksgiving spreads, but this version makes it irresistible. Creamed Corn turns natural sweetness into something velvety and rich. It’s uncomplicated, yet it packs the sort of flavor people look for in simple sides. An understated favorite that quietly draws attention.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn

Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers

Smoked jalapeno poppers on a platter. — Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Who says holiday meals can’t include bold surprises? Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers mix heat and savory tones, guaranteed to grab attention. This dish delivers punchy flavors that cut perfectly through heavier staples. Though unconventional for Thanksgiving, expect adventurous guests to claim these immediately.
Get the Recipe: Pork Stuffed Smoked Jalapeno Poppers

Bacon Fried Corn

Corn finds new energy when fried and finished just right. Bacon Fried Corn adds crisp, savory accents to a traditionally sweet side. It holds its own beside indulgent turkey spreads or meaty casseroles. For fans of creative veggie dishes, this one delivers an unexpected but welcome surprise.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Fried Corn

Sweet Potato Casserole

No Thanksgiving feels complete without something involving sweet potatoes. Sweet Potato Casserole blends that familiar flavor into one hearty dish packed with layers of comfort. It finds the perfect balance alongside other popular sides. Plates are guaranteed to come back for second helpings.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole