12 Easy Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Sides Every Host Needs

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

The Thanksgiving kitchen can get pretty chaotic. Sides everywhere, a temperamental turkey in the oven, and so many pies that need to be baked! That’s why I love prepping a few dishes ahead of time to keep things calm and give you and me more moments to actually enjoy the day.

I’ve pulled together a list of delicious make-ahead Thanksgiving dishes that cover everything from starters to sides and sweet treats. With these 12 easy make-ahead sides, your Thanksgiving can be totally stress-free!

Cranberry Sauce

Easy 15-Minute Cranberry Sauce! This fool-proof recipe is easy to make and only uses 4 whole ingredients. Real cranberries, orange juice, sugar, and maple syrup give this fresh side dish its amazing flavor that is perfect for your Thanksgiving or Christmas meal!

Get the recipe: Cranberry Sauce

Potatoes Au Gratin

Potatoes Au Gratin is a classic side dish featuring thin slices of potato layered with a rich, creamy cheese sauce, then baked until lightly crisp on the edges. Make it for a weeknight dinner or double the recipe for a crowd!

Get the recipe: Potatoes Au Gratin

Make Ahead Gravy

So many gravy recipes use turkey drippings which tastes fantastic but requires you to wait until the turkey is done to even start preparing the gravy. This easy recipe can be made ahead of time without the drippings and tastes incredible. Don’t wait to make the gravy! Make it ahead of time with this tasty recipe.

Get the recipe: Make Ahead Gravy

Baked Mac and Cheese

You have never had macaroni and cheese like this before! Cracker Barrel mac and cheese is seriously one of the best recipes I have ever made. The homemade cheese sauce is out of this world delicious. Luscious and creamy, it perfectly coats the cooked noodles, leaving them dripping in sauce.

Get the recipe: Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Don’t think you have to wait until the last minute to roast some veggies for Thanksgiving. You can make this dish days in advance and then simply heat them up for your family meal. They are fresh, flavorful, and a fantastic way to serve up some tasty, healthy veggies on the holiday.

Get the recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Sweet Potato Casserole

This is one of my all time favorite Thanksgiving dishes that you have to try! This sweet potato casserole is so good you could actually eat it as a dessert. But that’s one of the best things about holidays- desserts count as real meals!

Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Cornbread Dressing

If you are looking for a new kind of stuffing to make this Thanksgiving, you need to give this recipe a try. This cornbread dressing is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, making it the perfect addition to your holiday table. Plus, you can make it in advance, so you will save time!

Get the recipe: Cornbread Dressing

Dinner Rolls

Homemade dinner rolls will be the star of your Thanksgiving table this year. Everyone will be so impressed by your baking skills and you will actually enjoy making this simple recipe. Make the rolls the day before, then reheat them in the oven for warm, fresh rolls that no one will be able to resist.

Get the recipe: Dinner Rolls

Caesar Salad

I always like having a salad option on Thanksgiving. You will be surprised by how many people in your family gravitate toward the lighter salad instead of the other heavy side dishes. Make the Caesar dressing in advance, and then the salad is super quick to put together.

Get the recipe: Caesar Salad Dressing

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Everyone in my family goes crazy for this pumpkin cheesecake. Give this recipe a try, and I promise you will be hooked, too. It is a delightful, unexpected alternative to pumpkin pie that will give your Thanksgiving a bit of a modern twist.

Get the recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

Sausage Stuffing

This Sausage Stuffing amplifies the taste and texture of boxed stuffing mix with the addition of savory Italian sausage, veggies, and fresh herbs, Easy to prepare, it’s absolutely packed with rich, savory flavor and is sure to be a Thanksgiving favorite!

Go to the recipe: Sausage Stuffing