16 Potato Recipes Grandma Would Never Skip on Thanksgiving

Thinking about holiday cooking always reminds me of how grandma treated her potato magic like a treasure map. She had recipes she swore she would guard with her life and would casually mention she’d never let anyone skip the good stuff on a big day like Thanksgiving. Every dish came with a story, and by the time the table was set, it felt like a full family reunion in a casserole dish. It still makes me smile just thinking about those traditions.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Grandma Loved

A close-up of homemade scalloped potatoes with a golden, bubbly cheese and cream topping, sprinkled with black pepper. A serving spoon rests in the dish, and a small bowl of grated cheese is visible in the background. — Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Grandma Loved. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Buttery layers of potatoes, cream, and Gruyère—just the kind Grandma couldn’t serve Thanksgiving without.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Grandma Loved

Grandma’s Crispy Skillet Potatoes

A spatula full of crispy skillet potatoes. — Grandma’s Crispy Skillet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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Golden and crispy on the outside, tender inside—these skillet potatoes are Grandma’s comfort food secret.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Crispy Skillet Potatoes

Smoky Grilled Potato Wedges Grandma’s Way

Someone dipping a potato into a bowl of sauce. — Smoky Grilled Potato Wedges Grandma’s Way. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Grilled to crisp perfection, these smoky wedges were always Grandma’s secret to an unforgettable side dish.
Get the Recipe: Smoky Grilled Potato Wedges Grandma’s Way

Grandma’s Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

A casserole dish with chicken casserole and a wooden spoon. — Grandma’s Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy potatoes, melted cheese, and a golden crunch—this casserole is Grandma’s definition of comfort.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

Thanksgiving Leftover Potato Rolls

mashed potato rolls in a white towel. — Thanksgiving Leftover Potato Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Light, fluffy rolls made from leftover mashed potatoes—exactly how Grandma made sure nothing went to waste.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Leftover Potato Rolls

Golden Potatoes Au Gratin Like Grandma’s

Potatoes au gratin in a baking dish with a serving spoon. — Golden Potatoes Au Gratin Like Grandma’s. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Thin, creamy layers baked until bubbly and crisp—this au gratin dish was Grandma’s Thanksgiving masterpiece.
Get the Recipe: Golden Potatoes Au Gratin Like Grandma’s

Grandma’s Loaded Microwave Mashed Potatoes

A serving spoon in a bowl of microwaved mashed potatoes. — Grandma’s Loaded Microwave Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

All the flavor of Grandma’s loaded mashed potatoes, ready in minutes when you need that last-minute side.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Loaded Microwave Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Potatoes and Onions Grandma’s Way

A serving spoon in a bowl of crispy potatoes and onions. — Roasted Potatoes and Onions Grandma’s Way. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crispy roasted potatoes and caramelized onions—this simple dish was one Grandma always made look special.
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Crispy Crushed Potatoes Like Grandma Made

Crispy smashed red potatoes topped with melted cheese and seasoning, arranged on a parchment-lined baking sheet—perfect for anyone who loves flavorful potato side dishes. — Crispy Crushed Potatoes Like Grandma Made. Photo Credit: Butter and Baggage.

Boiled, smashed, and roasted—these crispy potatoes bring Grandma’s old-fashioned touch to the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Crushed Potatoes Like Grandma Made

Warm Roasted Potato Salad Grandma’s Way

A glass bowl of roasted potato salad — Warm Roasted Potato Salad Grandma’s Way. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Warm roasted potatoes tossed with bacon and herbs—Grandma’s hearty twist on a classic side dish.
Get the Recipe: Warm Roasted Potato Salad Grandma’s Way

Soft Potato Rolls Grandma Never Skipped

A basket of potato rolls. — Soft Potato Rolls Grandma Never Skipped. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft, buttery, and perfectly fluffy—these potato rolls were the heart of Grandma’s Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the Recipe: Soft Potato Rolls Grandma Never Skipped

Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe

A plate of four baked potatoes, each split open and filled with fluffy, seasoned white potato filling. They are garnished with chopped herbs and a sprinkling of ground seasoning. The plate is placed on a yellow cloth. — Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This air fryer baked potatoes recipe creates the perfect baked potato with salty crispy skin and light fluffy insides every time.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe

Grandma’s Creamy Twice-Baked Potato Bake

A spoon full of twice baked mashed potatoes. — Grandma’s Creamy Twice-Baked Potato Bake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich, cheesy mashed potatoes baked to golden perfection—just the kind Grandma always served at Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Creamy Twice-Baked Potato Bake

Grandma’s Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Southern style Ranch potato salad in a glass bowl next to green onions. — Grandma’s Bacon Ranch Potato Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Loaded with smoky bacon and creamy ranch, this potato salad was a must on Grandma’s Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Like Grandma Made

A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole. — Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Like Grandma Made. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy, cheesy layers of potatoes and ham—this cozy bake has Grandma’s Sunday touch written all over it.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Like Grandma Made

Grandma’s Silky Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

A bowl full of creamy mashed potatoes with butter melting on top. — Grandma’s Silky Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Velvety mashed potatoes made rich with mascarpone—these were Grandma’s secret to creamy perfection.
Get the Recipe: Grandma’s Silky Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

Before the Turkey, Make These 22 Fall Sides Everyone Will Actually Eat

A collage of four Thanksgiving casseroles that deserve a comeback: mashed potatoes casserole, cranberry sauce, sliced and roasted sweet potatoes, and cheesy macaroni and cheese in bowls and trays.

Fall dinners are all about those cozy, crowd-pleasing dishes that somehow disappear before the turkey even hits the table. From buttery potatoes to roasted veggies with a little seasonal flair, these sides are the kind everyone will actually eat, no sad leftovers here.
Grab it here: Before the Turkey, Make These 22 Fall Sides Everyone Will Actually Eat

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