Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes To Impress

If you have been wondering what side dishes to make for Thanksgiving, I’ve got you covered with the best Thanksgiving sides that are truly worth a spot on your holiday table. These are my favorite easy recipes for Thanksgiving side dishes that are simple to make, full of flavor, and guaranteed to impress.

Besides making a few of my popular Thanksgiving side dishes, don’t forget to check out my air fryer turkey breast, no bake pumpkin pie and crockpot ham to complete your easy Thanksgiving dinner.

Delicious Thanksgiving Side Dishes

From mashed potatoes to vegetables, I am covering it all! This Thanksgiving side dish list really has every recipe you will need for a flawless holiday meal.

1. Roasted Broccoli

With all of the heavy food on Thanksgiving, you’ll be extra thankful for this roasted broccoli side dish. The roasted veggies will break up the creamy, cheesy food on your plate and add a nice touch of green. The char on the broccoli will have you going back for seconds and thirds.

2. Potatoes Au Gratin

There are always multiple types of potatoes when it comes to Thanksgiving. These potatoes au gratin are so tasty that they will give the classic mashed potatoes a run for their money. The thick slices layered with a creamy sauce will be a true party in your mouth.

3. Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet dishes on Thanksgiving don’t normally come out until dessert. However, this sweet potato casserole is the exception to the rule. This Thanksgiving side dish adds a sweetness to your plate that you didn’t know you needed. The sweet potato casserole is the perfect companion to the juicy turkey.

4. Cheesy Root Vegetable Gratin

Sometimes, you make a side dish on Thanksgiving that is almost too pretty to eat. That is exactly the case with this cheesy root vegetable gratin. Show off your skills in the kitchen and add this vegetable dish to your menu. Your guest will be super impressed by both the look and taste of the dish.

5. Maple Bacon Carrots

Take your carrots to the next level this Thanksgiving and give them a maple bacon flavor. The bacon gets wrapped around the carrots in this side dish to give them another layer of flavor. The sweet and savory flavor combination is perfect for a Thanksgiving side dish.

6. Corn Pudding

If you are looking to put a side dish out on Thanksgiving that everyone will approve of, look no further than this corn pudding. The corn pudding has all of the flavors that everyone loves. It’s a little sweet, slightly crunchy, and overall just delicious. It is also a dish that you can make ahead of time and serve at room temperature.

7. Creamed Spinach

Turn your spinach dish into a Thanksgiving side dish everyone will want seconds and thirds of it with this creamed spinach side dish. This creamed spinach takes its name seriously and does not lack when it comes to creaminess. It is a dish that will surprise you with how tasty it is on each and every bite.

8. Homemade Creamed Corn

Forget going to the store and buying creamed corn. This recipe is so good you’ll never return to the storebought version again. Not only is the recipe delicious, but it is also so easy to make. You can even make it in your crockpot. The secret to getting the corn so creamy is all in the sauce. The mixture combines butter, cream cheese, and heavy cream for a luscious sauce.

9. Southern Sweet Onion Casserole

If you’ve never had sweet onion casserole, get ready for your tastebuds to be blown away. This casserole isn’t your typical casserole, but it will quickly be one that you add to your everyday menu rotation. The sweet onion gets cooked down and topped with sour cream, crackers, and cheese to make the ultimate flavor combination and a great Thanksgiving side dish.

10. Cheesy Green Bean Casserole

These subtle twists give it a not so subtle flavor. The sautéed mushrooms and onions infuse the green beans with a delicious flavor while the pepper jack cheese kicks it up a notch with a bit of spiciness.

11. Cranberry Sauce

It is basically a requirement to have cranberry sauce on your Thanksgiving table. Stick with the traditional dish and serve up this cranberry sauce. The best part about making this dish is the aromas it gives off when cooking on the stove. It will fill your kitchen with loads of amazing fall scents. (You’ll also love this Cranberry Jello Salad recipe!)

12. Cornbread Dressing

Switch up your traditional dressing this Thanksgiving and make this cornbread dressing instead. The cornbread takes the place of regular bread in the dressing to give it a slightly sweeter flavor. The cornbread does an amazing job pairing with all of the other ingredients in the dressing to make it the perfect side for the turkey.

13. Mashed Potatoes

Would it really be Thanksgiving if there were no mashed potatoes on the table? Add the traditional food to your Thanksgiving table this year with this mashed potato recipe. The creamy potatoes never get old, no matter how often you make them.

14. Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes

If you’ve somehow grown tired of mashed potatoes or want to add another potato dish to your Thanksgiving feast, turn to these rosemary garlic-smashed potatoes. These potatoes are not lacking when it comes to flavor. They are loaded with rosemary and garlic to make for a true party in your mouth. The crispiness of these potatoes is out of this world. It will be a recipe you will want to make long after Thanksgiving is over.

15. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

Take your mashed potatoes to the next level this Thanksgiving with this loaded mashed potato casserole. This loaded mashed potato casserole doesn’t mess around. When it says loaded, it is truly loaded. Along with potatoes, the casserole is stuffed with bacon and cheese. What is not to like?

16. Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole

This cheesy cauliflower casserole knows how to pack in the flavor. The veggie-forward casserole is loaded with bacon and green onions and topped with a garlicky cheese sauce for an irresistible bite. Do yourself a favor and make two of these casseroles for Thanksgiving dish dishes. That way, everyone can go back for seconds, and you can have leftovers to snack on the next day.

17. Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts

Save some space in the oven this Thanksgiving, and take out the air fryer to make Brussels sprouts. Don’t underestimate the air fryer when making this recipe. The little device can make the Brussels sprouts super crispy and roast them perfectly. It will be one recipe that you will keep making after the holiday has passed.

18. Creamy Bacon Mac and Cheese

When it comes to Thanksgiving, there are no rules for side dishes. This is why this creamy bacon mac and cheese, which can basically be a meal in itself, is considered a side dish. The best part about this dish, besides the super creamy cheese sauce, is that it can be made ahead of time. Make it a few days before the holiday and place it in the freeze. Thaw and warm it up in the oven right before you are ready to eat super cheesy mac and cheese.

19. Roasted Fall Vegetables

Fall vegetables taste so much better when they are roasted. No matter what fall vegetables you choose to roast, they will be a hit. From squash, beets, or carrots, you really cannot go wrong with any choice as a Thanksgiving side dish. The vegetables will also add some bright and pretty colors to your plate.

20. Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole

Upgrade your classic sweet potato casserole with this gorgeous copycat Paula Deen Sweet Potato Casserole recipe instead! Featuring a fluffy base of sweet potatoes, it uses a toasted nut topping instead of marshmallows for an elevated recipe that’s picture-perfect and easy to make. 

21. Cheesy Potatoes

Cheese and potatoes are a true match made in heaven. The combination is always a hit and will have everyone going back for seconds and thirds. You might as well double this recipe for your Thanksgiving feast, as everyone will want to have a scoop on their plate.

22. Homemade Cornbread

Skip the classic dinner rolls this Thanksgiving and make homemade cornbread instead. Don’t be intimidated to make cornbread from scratch. It is actually pretty simple and will taste so much better than anything you would buy in the store. If you have any extra cornbread, throw it in the freezer and save it for your Thanksgiving leftovers.

23. Savory Monkey Bread

Switch up the classic bread dish this Thanksgiving and go with savory monkey bread for a Thanksgiving side dish. Not only does this bread taste good, but it is also incredibly fun to make. All of the different pieces have different flavors, so it is always a surprise as to which one you are going to get.

24. Amish Funeral Potatoes Recipe

You can never have too many potatoes when it comes to Thanksgiving. Add these Amish funeral potatoes to your menu as a welcome addition to the mashed potatoes. These potatoes are creamy, cheesy, and topped with a buttery cornflake topping for a great crunch.

25. Parker House Rolls

Thanksgiving is all about a carb overload in the best way possible, so having these Parker house rolls on the table is a must. The rolls are great to sop up all the extras from your Thanksgiving plate. They also are great with a cinnamon butter spread if you are craving something sweet!

26. Ina Garten Mac and Cheese Recipe

If you’ve never had Ina Garten’s mac and cheese recipe, get ready to fall in love. This recipe elevates the classic mac and cheese dish in the best way possible. Rich gruyere and cheddar cheese mix together for the cheese base and get topped with a refreshing base of tomatoes. It’s the addition you never knew you needed.

27. Corn Casserole Recipe

If you are looking for a dish to bring to a friend’s house this Thanksgiving, look no further than this corn soufflé recipe. This dish is very transportable and couldn’t be easier to make. It combines whole corn, creamed corn, and a cornbread box mix for a simple yet tasty side.

28. Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

One reason I really love this Thanksgiving side dish recipe is that you can make everything in the slow cooker, freeing up some space in the oven and on the stovetop. Just add all the ingredients into your Crockpot, set the temperature, and come back a few hours later to a perfectly cooked Thanksgiving side!

29. 1-Hour Dinner Rolls

Homemade rolls will really make your Thanksgiving dinner menu shine. This recipe takes just an hour to put together so you can get those fluffy, buttery rolls on the table in no time! Now this is an impressive Thanksgiving side dish (but easy!)

30. Apple and Sausage Stuffing

Sweet and savory, this stuffing is the perfect combination! It will quickly become a family favorite and a staple on your Thanksgiving table.

FAQs

More Classic Thanksgiving Recipes

Slow Cooker

Crockpot Turkey Breast

No Bake Desserts

No Bake Pumpkin Pie

Thanksgiving

Classic Turkey Gravy

Pies

Apple Pie