39 Thanksgiving Sides That End Up Being the Main Event Anyway

Honestly, every Thanksgiving I swear the sides creep in and end up stealing the whole event, turning the main dish into an afterthought anyway. It’s wild how a simple mix of favorite flavors can be the real main attraction without even trying. By the time the table fills up, those dishes that were supposed to just sit on the side end up being the ones everyone talks about. They truly feel like the star that we all look forward to.

Thanksgiving Potato Rolls That Steal the Show

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

Soft, fluffy, and impossible to resist, these rolls turn leftover mashed potatoes into the star attraction at any Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Mashed Potato Rolls

Honey-Roasted Sweet Potatoes Worth Center Stage

Hasselback sweet potatoes on a black platter with honey on the side. — Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Honey. Photo Credit: Butter and Baggage.

Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

These honey-glazed, pecan-topped sweet potatoes fan out beautifully, delivering a show-stopping bite that outshines the entrée.
Get the Recipe: Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Honey

Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese Everyone Fights For

A bowl of crock pot mac n cheese in a bowl next to a spoon. — Easy Crock Pot Mac And Cheese Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This ultra-creamy crowd-pleaser cooks itself in the slow cooker, delivering comfort food that guests always go back for first.
Get the Recipe: Easy Crock Pot Mac And Cheese Recipe

Old-School Sweet Potato Pudding That Shines

Sweet potato pudding in a casserole dish next to serving spoons. — Sweet Potato Pudding. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This Southern classic bakes into a silky, custard-like side that brings nostalgic flavor to the holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Pudding

Bacon Ranch Potato Salad Guests Devour

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

Loaded with bacon, cheddar, and a creamy ranch dressing, this hearty side is the one bowl that disappears first.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Spinach Mac & Cheese That Steals the Spotlight

A spoon full of baked mac and cheese with spinach. — 30-Minute Baked Mac & Cheese With Spinach. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Bubbly gruyere-cheddar sauce and tender spinach make this fast-baked mac irresistible on any holiday table.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Baked Mac & Cheese With Spinach

Crispy Bacon Green Beans That Steal the Meal

A bowl of Green Beans with Bacon and Onions, topped with crispy bacon pieces and caramelized onions, sits on a light cloth napkin with serving utensils. A small dish of extra bacon crumbles is nearby for added flavor. — Savory Green Beans With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Smoky bacon, caramelized onions, and crisp-tender beans come together for a side that easily replaces the main event.
Get the Recipe: Savory Green Beans With Bacon

Cranberry Sauce That Upgrades the Whole Feast

A glass dish full of homemade cranberry sauce. — Homemade Cranberry Sauce. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A splash of Grand Marnier and crunchy walnuts create a bright, gourmet twist that makes this sauce unforgettable.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Cornbread Pudding That Steals the Turkey’s Thunder

A spoonful of cornbread corn pudding. — Cornbread Corn Pudding. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Creamy, custardy, and loaded with sweet corn, this casserole is the cozy side that always gets second helpings.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Corn Pudding

Roasted Sweet Potatoes That Steal the Spotlight

Balsamic vinegar being poured over roasted sweet potatoes. — Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Caramelized pears and roasted sweet potatoes create a savory-sweet pairing perfect for holiday plates.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Pears

Pretzel-Topped Sweet Potatoes Guests Crave

A large spoon full of sweet potato casserole. — Pretzel Topped Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crunchy pretzels and toasted pecans bring salty-sweet magic to creamy sweet potatoes—an instant table favorite.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Golden Challah Rolls Everyone Grabs First

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

Rich, fluffy, and beautifully golden, these rolls offer the perfect balance of soft texture and holiday-worthy flavor.
Get the Recipe: Challah Rolls

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole That Wins Dinner

A spoon full of twice baked mashed potatoes. — Twice Baked Mashed Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

All the cozy flavors of a twice-baked potato meet creamy mashed potatoes for a side that easily becomes the main event.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Mashed Potato Casserole

Creamy Mascarpone Potatoes That Steal the Show

Butter on top of a bowl of mashed potatoes. — Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese. Photo Credit: Butter and Baggage.

Velvety mascarpone adds indulgent richness to classic Yukon Golds, making this the mashed potato dish guests rave about.
Get the Recipe: Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese

Easy No-Knead Rolls That Outshine the Entrée

A batch of onion rolls on a wire rack. — No Knead Dinner Rolls With Or Without Caramelized Onions. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Whether plain or loaded with caramelized onions, these soft no-knead rolls rise quickly and become an instant Thanksgiving favorite.
Get the Recipe: No Knead Dinner Rolls With Or Without Caramelized Onions

Fluffy Angel Biscuits That Steal Thanksgiving

An iron skillet of angel biscuits. — Angel Biscuit Recipe With Yeast. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These impossibly fluffy biscuits rise so high they’ll outshine your turkey and become the side everyone reaches for first.
Get the Recipe: Angel Biscuit Recipe With Yeast

Butternut Squash Salad That Wows the Table

A bowl of roasted butternut squash salad with pomegranates being sprinkled on top. — Roasted Butternut Squash Salad With Pomegranate. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This colorful roasted squash salad adds a bright, refreshing bite that breaks up the heavy dishes and becomes a holiday favorite fast.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Salad With Pomegranate

Harvest-Stuffed Acorn Squash Guests Devour

Fruit And Nut Stuffed Acorn Squash. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet fruit, warm spices, and tender squash come together in a side so satisfying it easily becomes the star of the Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe: Fruit And Nut Stuffed Acorn Squash

Crockpot Dressing That Upstages the Turkey

A close-up of creamy chicken casserole—a southern Thanksgiving recipe—topped with golden, crunchy breadcrumbs, served on a dark plate with a fork and garnished with fresh herbs. — 4-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken And Dressing. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This unbelievably easy slow-cooker dressing turns out so hearty and comforting that it becomes the dish everyone circles back for.
Get the Recipe: 4-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken And Dressing

Sweet Potato Casserole That Shines Brighter

A spoon dipping out a portion of sweet potato casserole with marshmallow topping. — Sweet Potato Casserole With Homemade Marshmallow Topping. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A cloud-like homemade marshmallow topping transforms this classic into the kind of side dish that disappears before anything else does.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Homemade Marshmallow Topping

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes That Rule Dinner

A serving spoon removing some potato and ham casserole. — Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich, velvety layers of potatoes and savory ham turn this comforting bake into a side that steals center stage with every scoop.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes And Ham

Broccoli Rice Casserole Everyone Fights For

A baked broccoli rice casserole. — Top with Panko mixture and place under the broiler.

This creamy, cheesy classic gets a from-scratch upgrade that makes it one of the first dishes scraped clean on Thanksgiving night.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Broccoli Rice Casserole Without Canned Soup

Tall Buttermilk Biscuits That Steal the Show

Square biscuits baked on parchment paper. — Buttermilk Square Biscuit Recipe (Tall And Flaky). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

With sky-high layers and irresistible flakiness, these biscuits become the unexpected superstar on any Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Square Biscuit Recipe (Tall And Flaky)

Hawaiian Rolls That Outshine the Feast

A baking dish filled with twelve golden-brown, fluffy dinner rolls arranged closely together on a dark countertop. — Hawaiian Dinner Rolls With Pineapple Juice. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft, lightly sweet, and incredibly fluffy, these rolls become the side that disappears before anyone even touches the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Dinner Rolls With Pineapple Juice

Broccoli & Cheese Bake People Crave

A spoon full of cheesy broccoli casserole in a baking dish. — Quick Broccoli & Cheese Sauce Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Loaded with melty cheddar and tender broccoli, this quick bake earns its spot as the comforting, can’t-miss side of the holiday.
Get the Recipe: Quick Broccoli & Cheese Sauce Casserole

Scalloped Sweet Potatoes That Steal the Meal

A casserole dish of scalloped sweet potatoes. — Scalloped Sweet Potatoes With Two Types Of Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Silky sweet potatoes baked in rich cream make this indulgent side feel like the most luxurious “main event” on your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Scalloped Sweet Potatoes With Two Types Of Potatoes

Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes Guests Rave About

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 Casserole With Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Lush layers of potatoes and nutty Gruyere create a show-stopping side that easily outshines even the main course.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere

Crunchy Hash Brown Casserole Everyone Wants

A spoon full of hashbrown casserole. — Hash Brown Casserole With Corn Flakes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Crispy, creamy, and wildly addictive, this nostalgic casserole is the first pan emptied at any holiday gathering.
Get the Recipe: Hash Brown Casserole With Corn Flakes

Crispy Au Gratin Potatoes That Steal the Show

Potatoes au gratin in a baking dish with a serving spoon. — Crispy Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Golden edges and creamy centers make these stacked potatoes the irresistible side that competes with every main dish.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Potatoes Au Gratin With Gruyere

Green Bean Casserole That Outperforms Tradition

A serving spoon in a green bean casserole made from scratch, — Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A rich homemade sauce and fresh green beans turn this iconic side into a gourmet version that earns repeat scoops all night long.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

Sweet Potato Sticky Buns Steal the Table

A platter of sticky buns next to some cups. — Pecan Sticky Buns With Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These soft sweet-potato sticky buns come coated in a buttery pecan caramel that earns them more attention than the turkey itself.
Get the Recipe: Pecan Sticky Buns With Sweet Potatoes

Classic Layered Salad That Outshines the Entrée

A bowl of seven layer salad next to individual servings. — Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This make-ahead layered salad stacks crisp veggies, bacon, and cheddar into a chilled dish that easily steals the spotlight at Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the Recipe: Southern 7 Layer Salad With Peas And Mayo

Creamy Corn Bake Everyone Fights For

A serving spoon in a corn casserole. — Cheesy Corn Casserole With Cream Cheese And Ham. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This rich corn casserole blends ham, cream cheese, and melty cheddar into a comfort-food bake so irresistible it becomes the main event fast.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Corn Casserole With Cream Cheese And Ham

Brown-Sugar Sweet Potatoes Guests Crave

A bowl of glazed sweet potatoes garnished with chopped pecans. The sweet potatoes are caramelized and served in a rustic, white ceramic bowl placed on a gray cloth. A spoon is partially visible in the bowl. — Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Butter-caramelized sweet potatoes simmer into a glossy, holiday-worthy side that tastes like dessert but pairs perfectly with every plate.
Get the Recipe: Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes

Fluffy Dinner Rolls That Vanish First

Homemade Yeast Dinner Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Light, pillowy yeast rolls bake up soft enough to steal attention from the turkey—everyone reaches for these before anything else.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Yeast Dinner Rolls

Custardy Spoon Bread That Outshines Turkey

A serving spoon full of spoon bread. — Kentucky Spoon Bread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This silky, custard-like spoon bread bakes into a buttery side so comforting that it quietly becomes the real star of Thanksgiving dinner.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Spoon Bread

Crisp Waldorf Salad That Wins the Meal

A bowl of apple salad with a serving spoon. — Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Fresh apples, celery, and walnuts come together in a creamy, refreshing salad that cuts through the richness of the feast—and often outshines it.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Apple Waldorf Salad

Butternut-Rice Bake Guests Rave About

A serving spoon in a baking dish of butternut squash casserole. — Butternut Squash Casserole With Wild Rice. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Roasted squash, wild rice, and a crisp Parmesan topping bake into a hearty side that feels luxurious enough to be the main attraction.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Casserole With Wild Rice

Apple-Sweet Potato Bake That Steals the Show

A close-up of a freshly baked apple crumble pie in a white dish, with a golden-brown crumb topping—perfect for Thanksgiving Apple Desserts. Whole apples and a towel are in the background. — Layered Apple And Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Layers of apples and sweet potatoes bake into a warm, cozy side with balanced sweetness that quietly becomes the dish everyone remembers.
Get the Recipe: Layered Apple And Sweet Potato Casserole

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

Explore Recipes

MSN Slideshows