The oven door keeps swinging open, the stovetop is busy, and there’s never quite enough room for every Thanksgiving side at once. A good mix of dishes makes the table feel generous without asking every recipe to compete for the same burner or oven rack.
I’ve gathered the familiar favorites here alongside a few twists on the usual lineup: sausage stuffing, several kinds of creamy potatoes and corn, sweet potato casseroles, green beans, and plenty of vegetables. The choices are grouped around the flavors and textures that make a holiday plate satisfying, from rich and cheesy to crisp, sweet, and savory.
Build your menu around the time and cooking space you have. Pair a slow cooker side with an oven-baked casserole, add something fresh-tasting or roasted to balance richer dishes, and choose just the dishes your table will enjoy. The make-ahead mashed potatoes can help with planning, while the stovetop and skillet options give you alternatives when the oven is full.
Save these Thanksgiving side dishes so your holiday menu is easy to find when it’s time to plan.
1. Classic Southern Sausage Stuffing
Sausage gives this stuffing a savory, hearty note that feels right at home beside Thanksgiving turkey. Its familiar stuffing texture makes it a welcome anchor among the sides.
Serve it alongside #3, Traditional Homemade Thanksgiving Stuffing, if you’re setting out two distinct takes on a holiday classic.
2. Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing
For a stuffing that doesn’t take up oven space, this slow cooker version brings sausage and classic holiday comfort to the table. The cooking method is a useful option when several dishes need the oven.
It pairs naturally with #13, Southern Green Beans with Bacon, for a savory corner of the Thanksgiving spread.
3. Traditional Homemade Thanksgiving Stuffing
At a table full of rich casseroles, traditional stuffing brings the familiar savory flavor many people expect with Thanksgiving dinner. Its classic style fits easily beside the turkey and the rest of the meal.
Round out its familiar flavor with the bright cranberry note of #12, Classic Homemade Cranberry Sauce.
4. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Baked macaroni and cheese brings a cheesy, comforting bite to a Thanksgiving plate. This Southern-style side suits a spread where a cozy casserole is just as welcome as the vegetables.
Pair it with a green vegetable such as #14, Healthy Green Bean Casserole, to balance the creamy richness.
5. Slow Cooker Creamy Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a welcome creamy counterpoint to crisp vegetables and savory stuffing, and this slow cooker version keeps the oven free for other dishes. It brings an easygoing comfort-food feel to the holiday table.
Serve it with #32, Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes, for a contrast of creamy and crisp textures.
6. Classic Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese
A creamy baked macaroni and cheese adds a familiar, filling side to the Thanksgiving table. Its classic flavor makes it a natural fit alongside traditional holiday dishes.
For a plate with another creamy favorite, pair it with #28, Creamy Baked Mashed Potatoes, or choose one of the two for a simpler menu.
7. Homemade Stovetop Creamy Mac and Cheese
When the oven is packed with holiday dishes, stovetop mac and cheese offers a creamy, cheesy option made on the range. It brings the same familiar comfort to the table without being another baked casserole.
Set it beside #36, Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots, for a sweet-and-savory contrast in color and flavor.
8. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potatoes bring a gentle sweetness and a soft, comforting texture to the holiday spread. A slow cooker version is especially handy when oven space is at a premium.
Pair it with #13, Southern Green Beans with Bacon, to set a savory vegetable beside a naturally sweet side.
9. Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole
This sweet potato casserole gives the Thanksgiving table a plant-based option with the familiar, soft sweetness of the classic holiday vegetable. Its casserole format makes it feel right at home among the traditional sides.
Serve it with #34, Maple Balsamic Roasted Fall Vegetables, for a spread that includes both creamy and roasted textures.
10. Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole with Cinnamon and Maple
Apple, cinnamon, and maple bring sweet autumn flavor to this sweet potato casserole. It makes a warmly spiced change from the savory dishes that fill much of a Thanksgiving plate.
Let it sit beside #12, Classic Homemade Cranberry Sauce, for two sides with a sweet-tart holiday character.
11. Pecan Pie Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Pecan pie flavor meets a sweet potato side in this twice-baked dish, bringing a dessert-inspired note to the savory spread. It’s a fun choice when you want the sweet potato course to stand out.
Serve it with #33, Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans and Cranberries, for a plate that picks up both pecans and contrasting savory flavors.
12. Classic Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Tart, bright cranberry sauce cuts through the richer flavors of stuffing, potatoes, and casseroles. A classic homemade version gives the Thanksgiving plate a fresh, fruity contrast.
Spoon it alongside #1, Classic Southern Sausage Stuffing, or #3, Traditional Homemade Thanksgiving Stuffing.
13. Southern Green Beans with Bacon
Green beans bring a welcome vegetable to a table full of casseroles, while bacon adds a savory, smoky accent. The Southern-style combination works especially well with classic Thanksgiving flavors.
Pair these with #8, Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole, for savory green beans alongside a softer, sweeter side.
14. Healthy Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a Thanksgiving standby, and this version offers a way to include the familiar vegetable side on a menu with a lighter-minded feel. Its casserole shape also fits right in with the holiday spread.
Serve it near #4, Southern Baked Mac and Cheese, for a green vegetable to balance a rich, cheesy side.
15. Crack Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar
Bacon and brown sugar give these green beans a sweet-savory profile that stands out from a plain vegetable side. They’re a good fit for a Thanksgiving menu that welcomes a little sweetness alongside its savory dishes.
Contrast their sweet-savory flavor with #35, Maple Roasted Root Vegetables with Garlic and Thyme, for another vegetable side with a different balance.
16. Creamy Thanksgiving Corn Casserole without Jiffy Mix
Corn casserole brings a creamy, softly sweet side to Thanksgiving dinner, and this version is made without Jiffy mix. It’s a comforting choice when the table needs another vegetable-based casserole.
Choose this beside #18, Grandma’s Old Fashioned Corn Pudding, if you’re comparing two classic corn sides—or pick one to keep the menu balanced.
17. Classic Corn Casserole with Cream Cheese
Cream cheese gives this corn casserole a rich, creamy character, while corn adds the sweet flavor that belongs on a holiday plate. It’s a cozy side to serve with turkey and other familiar Thanksgiving dishes.
For another creamy corn option, compare it with #21, Classic Homemade Creamed Corn, and choose the style that suits your table.
18. Grandma’s Old Fashioned Corn Pudding
Corn pudding brings a tender, spoonable texture and classic comfort to the Thanksgiving table. It’s a welcome choice for anyone who likes a softer side among the crisp vegetables and hearty casseroles.
Serve it with #26, Garlic Rosemary Mashed Potatoes, for a traditional pairing of comforting sides.
19. Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Creamed corn is smooth and gently sweet, making it a natural match for savory Thanksgiving mains and sides. This slow cooker version can help keep the stovetop clear for the rest of the meal.
Set it near #2, Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing, for two sides that use the slow cooker rather than competing for oven space.
20. Slow Cooker Cheesy Corn
Cheesy corn adds a creamy, savory twist to the sweet taste of corn. Because it’s made in a slow cooker, it’s another useful option when oven space is limited.
Pair it with #35, Maple Roasted Root Vegetables with Garlic and Thyme, to set a rich side beside roasted vegetables.
21. Classic Homemade Creamed Corn
Classic creamed corn brings a smooth texture and gentle sweetness to a Thanksgiving menu. It’s a familiar side that works especially well alongside savory stuffing and roasted vegetables.
Set it alongside #33, Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans and Cranberries, for a contrast of creamy corn and crisp-edged sprouts.
22. Honey Butter Skillet Corn
Honey and butter give skillet corn a sweet, rich finish, while the skillet preparation offers an alternative to another casserole. It brings a little shine and a different texture to the Thanksgiving side lineup.
Serve it with #3, Traditional Homemade Thanksgiving Stuffing, for a sweet note alongside a classic savory side.
23. Crockpot Cheesy Potato Casserole
Potatoes and cheese make this a rich, comforting casserole for a holiday table. The crockpot method is handy when you want a hearty side without assigning it an oven spot.
Pair it with #36, Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots, for a colorful vegetable beside the creamy potatoes.
24. Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes bring tender layers and a creamy feel to the Thanksgiving table. Making them in a slow cooker leaves more room in the oven for the turkey and baked sides.
Serve them with #13, Southern Green Beans with Bacon, for a classic combination of potatoes and green beans.
25. Classic Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Cheese adds a savory richness to the tender potato layers in this classic scalloped side. It’s a substantial choice for a Thanksgiving table with plenty of room for a potato dish.
Balance its creamy texture with #32, Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes, for a crisp roasted vegetable pairing.
26. Garlic Rosemary Mashed Potatoes
Garlic and rosemary bring a fragrant, savory edge to familiar mashed potatoes. The herbs make this a nice change from plain potatoes while keeping the side firmly at home on a Thanksgiving plate.
Pair them with #12, Classic Homemade Cranberry Sauce, for savory herbs against a bright cranberry accent.
27. Creamy Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, and the make-ahead option is especially useful when the day’s cooking schedule is crowded. Their creamy texture pairs easily with gravy, stuffing, and nearly any main dish on the table.
Plan these alongside #33, Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans and Cranberries, for creamy potatoes with a crisp, tangy vegetable side.
28. Creamy Baked Mashed Potatoes
These creamy mashed potatoes get a baked treatment, making them a cozy alternative to the usual pot of stovetop potatoes. Their familiar flavor fits in with both traditional and more modern holiday menus.
Serve them with #30, Southern Sweet Onion Casserole, for a comforting pairing with another Southern-style side.
29. Three Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Three kinds of cheese turn mashed potatoes into a particularly rich side for a holiday meal. It’s a good pick when you want potatoes with more savory flavor than the simplest version.
Balance the cheesy potatoes with #36, Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots, for a colorful vegetable side with a touch of sweetness.
30. Southern Sweet Onion Casserole
Sweet onions bring a mellow, savory character to this Southern-style casserole. It adds a different vegetable flavor to a menu already full of potatoes, corn, and green beans.
Try it with #26, Garlic Rosemary Mashed Potatoes, for two sides with savory flavors that complement each other.
31. Classic Tennessee Onions with Butter and Cheese
Butter and cheese give these Tennessee onions a rich, savory role on the Thanksgiving table. They’re a distinctive alternative to the more familiar potato and corn casseroles.
Serve them alongside #34, Maple Balsamic Roasted Fall Vegetables, to bring together a rich onion side and roasted vegetables.
32. Crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes bring contrasting flavors together, while roasting gives this vegetable side its crisp appeal. It adds color and a less creamy texture to a table with plenty of casseroles.
Pair it with #6, Classic Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese, for crisp roasted vegetables beside a cheesy casserole.
33. Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans and Cranberries
Bacon, pecans, and cranberries give Brussels sprouts a mix of savory, nutty, and tart flavors. The combination looks and tastes right at home among Thanksgiving’s seasonal sides.
Serve them beside #27, Creamy Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes, for a crisp, colorful contrast to the smooth potatoes.
34. Maple Balsamic Roasted Fall Vegetables
Maple and balsamic bring sweet-tart depth to a medley of roasted fall vegetables. It’s a colorful way to add a roasted, less creamy side to the Thanksgiving menu.
Pair it with #4, Southern Baked Mac and Cheese, to balance a tangy roasted vegetable side with a rich casserole.
35. Maple Roasted Root Vegetables with Garlic and Thyme
Maple adds sweetness while garlic and thyme keep these roasted root vegetables firmly savory. Their warm flavors and roasted texture make them a natural fit for a fall holiday dinner.
Serve them with #20, Slow Cooker Cheesy Corn, for a balance of roasted vegetables and creamy corn.
36. Honey Roasted Rainbow Carrots
Rainbow carrots bring color to the table, and honey complements their natural sweetness as they roast. They’re a bright, simple-looking vegetable side among the richer casseroles and potatoes.
Pair them with #29, Three Cheese Mashed Potatoes, for colorful roasted carrots alongside a creamy, savory side.
How to Plan a Thanksgiving Menu From These Side Dishes
Choose a few dishes that can be prepared ahead, then leave the day-of cooking for the sides you want freshly cooked or served warm. #27, Creamy Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes, is specifically suited to a make-ahead plan; check each recipe’s instructions before scheduling the rest.
On Thanksgiving Day, keep the oven schedule manageable by mixing baked dishes with slow cooker, stovetop, and skillet options. Recipes such as #2, Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing, and #22, Honey Butter Skillet Corn, use methods that don’t require an oven rack.
For a balanced spread, choose a few hearty favorites and add a green vegetable or roasted dish for contrast. You don’t need every kind of potato, corn, and casserole on one table; select the sides that fit your guests, cooking space, and meal.
Questions About Planning Thanksgiving Side Dishes
A Thanksgiving table feels complete when its sides offer a mix of creamy, savory, sweet, and crisp bites. Choose a few that fit your kitchen and gather everyone around a plate full of the holiday flavors you love.
