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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    29 Side Dishes Guests Secretly Love More Than the Turkey

    Published: Nov 3, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    It’s funny how every Thanksgiving, the turkey gets all the hype, but once dinner starts, everyone’s eyes wander toward the real stars of the table, the side dishes. Those buttery rolls, creamy potatoes, and perfectly roasted veggies tend to disappear faster than the main event. Guests might not say it out loud, but it’s no secret they secretly love those sides even more than the turkey itself. Let’s be honest, the leftovers we’re most excited for usually come in casserole form.

    Creamy Loaded Potato Bake

    A spoon full of twice baked mashed potatoes.
    Creamy Loaded Potato Bake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    This cheesy baked potato casserole might just steal the spotlight from the turkey. Creamy, buttery, and baked until golden on top.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Loaded Potato Bake

    Golden Challah Dinner Rolls

    Individual challah buns on a wooden board.
    Golden Challah Dinner Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

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    Soft, glossy challah rolls that pull apart perfectly at the table. Guests won’t stop passing the basket for seconds.
    Get the Recipe: Golden Challah Dinner Rolls

    Sweet Hawaiian Holiday Rolls

    A baking dish of Hawaiian rolls.
    Sweet Hawaiian Holiday Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These soft, slightly sweet rolls bring a tropical touch to the table. Perfect with butter—or leftover gravy the next day.
    Get the Recipe: Sweet Hawaiian Holiday Rolls

    Dill & Gruyere Dinner Rolls

    A basket of yeast rolls
    Dill & Gruyere Dinner Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Fluffy, buttery rolls with fresh dill and melted Gruyere make every plate feel fancy. The turkey won’t stand a chance.
    Get the Recipe: Dill & Gruyere Dinner Rolls

    Buttery Brioche Table Rolls

    A basket filled with freshly baked golden brown rolls.
    Buttery Brioche Table Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Rich with butter and eggs, these golden brioche rolls disappear fast. They’re soft enough to mop up every drop of gravy.
    Get the Recipe: Buttery Brioche Table Rolls

    Bacon Ranch Holiday Potato Salad

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

    This creamy potato salad with bacon and ranch dressing brings bold flavor to the holiday spread. Everyone asks for the recipe.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Holiday Potato Salad

    Creamy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

    A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole.
    Creamy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Layers of tender potatoes, ham, and creamy sauce make this irresistible. It’s the kind of side guests keep talking about.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

    Mascarpone Mashed Gold Potatoes

    Butter on top of a bowl of mashed potatoes.
    Mascarpone Mashed Gold Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Rich and velvety mashed potatoes made with mascarpone cheese. A make-ahead side that’s too good to be overshadowed.
    Get the Recipe: Mascarpone Mashed Gold Potatoes

    Gruyere Scalloped Potato Bake

    A baking dish of homemade scalloped potatoes.
    Gruyere Scalloped Potato Bake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Cheesy layers of potatoes and Gruyere make this golden bake impossible to resist. It’s comfort food dressed up for the holidays.
    Get the Recipe: Gruyere Scalloped Potato Bake

    Pimento Cheese Breakfast Potatoes

    A spatula full of crispy skillet potatoes.
    Pimento Cheese Breakfast Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These crispy skillet potatoes get a Southern twist with creamy pimento cheese. Bold enough to steal attention from the main dish.
    Get the Recipe: Pimento Cheese Breakfast Potatoes

    Grilled Holiday Potato Wedges

    Someone dipping a potato into a bowl of sauce.
    Grilled Holiday Potato Wedges. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Grilled to perfection in minutes, these smoky wedges stay crisp outside and fluffy inside. Dip them once and you’re hooked.
    Get the Recipe: Grilled Holiday Potato Wedges

    Crunchy Hashbrown Cornflake Bake

    A casserole dish with chicken casserole and a wooden spoon.
    Crunchy Hashbrown Cornflake Bake. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Cheesy hashbrowns baked under a crispy cornflake topping. This old-school side always disappears first.
    Get the Recipe: Crunchy Hashbrown Cornflake Bake

    Leftover Potato Dinner Rolls

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

    These soft rolls put leftover mashed potatoes to good use. Guests will never guess they started from yesterday’s dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Leftover Potato Dinner Rolls

    Crispy Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes

    A baked dish of au gratin potatoes.
    Crispy Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Layered, creamy, and edged with crunch—these potatoes are holiday perfection. Expect zero leftovers once the dish hits the table.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes

    Loaded Microwave Mashed Potatoes

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

    Quick, creamy, and loaded with flavor, these microwave mashed potatoes save the day when the oven’s full of turkey.
    Get the Recipe: Loaded Microwave Mashed Potatoes

    Crispy Roasted Potatoes Guests Devour First

    A serving spoon in a bowl of crispy potatoes and onions.
    Crispy Roasted Potatoes Guests Devour First. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These oven roasted potatoes and onions come out golden, crisp, and irresistible—no one misses the turkey when this side hits the table.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted Potatoes Guests Devour First

    Smash-Roasted Potatoes That Steal the Show

    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.
    Smash-Roasted Potatoes That Steal the Show. Photo Credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Boiled, smashed, and roasted to perfection—these crunchy-edged potatoes might just outshine the turkey at your feast.
    Get the Recipe: Smash-Roasted Potatoes That Steal the Show

    Warm Bacon Potato Salad Guests Crave

    A glass bowl of roasted potato salad
    Warm Bacon Potato Salad Guests Crave. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This cozy roasted potato salad with bacon skips the mayo for bold, smoky flavor—expect zero leftovers at your dinner table.
    Get the Recipe: Warm Bacon Potato Salad Guests Crave

    Soft Potato Rolls No One Can Resist

    A basket of potato rolls.
    Soft Potato Rolls No One Can Resist. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Fluffy, tender, and buttery—these potato rolls are the secret side everyone reaches for before the turkey even cools.
    Get the Recipe: Soft Potato Rolls No One Can Resist

    Ultra-Crispy Roast Potatoes Everyone Fights For

    Ultra-Crispy Roast Potatoes Everyone Fights For. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Crunchy on the outside, fluffy inside—these roasted potatoes are the side dish that’ll disappear before the bird is carved.
    Get the Recipe: Ultra-Crispy Roast Potatoes Everyone Fights For

    Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Guests Rave About

    Two garlic rolls filled with cream cheese next to flaky salt.
    Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Guests Rave About. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Sweet, savory, and stuffed with melty cream cheese—these garlic butter rolls are the talk of the table.
    Get the Recipe: Garlic Cream Cheese Rolls Guests Rave About

    Sausage Stuffing That Outshines the Turkey

    A casserole dish of baked stuffing with a serving spoon.
    Sausage Stuffing That Outshines the Turkey. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This Italian sausage and sourdough stuffing bakes up golden, hearty, and rich—your guests will ask for seconds, not turkey.
    Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffing That Outshines the Turkey

    Caramelized Yams Sweet Enough to Steal Hearts

    Sweet potatoes cooking in a skillet.
    Caramelized Yams Sweet Enough to Steal Hearts. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Tender yams coated in buttery caramel sauce—these Southern candied sweet potatoes win every guest over instantly.
    Get the Recipe: Caramelized Yams Sweet Enough to Steal Hearts

    Easy Onion Rolls Guests Beg to Take Home

    A batch of onion rolls on a wire rack.
    Easy Onion Rolls Guests Beg to Take Home. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    No kneading, no fuss—these caramelized onion rolls bake soft, golden, and perfectly addictive for any holiday spread.
    Get the Recipe: Easy Onion Rolls Guests Beg to Take Home

    Classic Parker Rolls Everyone Grabs First

    A basket full of Parker House rolls.
    Classic Parker Rolls Everyone Grabs First. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Soft, buttery Parker House rolls that melt in your mouth—these golden bites always vanish long before dessert.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Parker Rolls Everyone Grabs First

    Cheesy Ham & Potato Bake Guests Go Wild For

    Cheesy Ham & Potato Bake Guests Go Wild For. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Creamy, cheesy, and hearty—this no-soup ham and potato casserole is comfort food that steals the spotlight every time.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ham & Potato Bake Guests Go Wild For

    Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes Everyone Loves

    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.
    Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes Everyone Loves. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    With perfectly salted skins and fluffy centers, these air fryer potatoes are the easiest side your guests will obsess over.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes Everyone Loves

    Old-Fashioned Oat Rolls That Melt Hearts

    Old-Fashioned Oat Rolls That Melt Hearts. Photo Credit: Savor the Best.

    Soft, warm, and buttery with a touch of nostalgia—these oatmeal rolls bring old-school comfort to any holiday meal.
    Get the Recipe: Old-Fashioned Oat Rolls That Melt Hearts

    Adorable Pumpkin Rolls That Steal the Table

    Adorable Pumpkin Rolls That Steal the Table. Photo Credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    Golden pumpkin rolls shaped like mini pumpkins—these charming bites will have your guests talking long after dinner.
    Get the Recipe: Adorable Pumpkin Rolls That Steal the Table

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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