39 Turkey-Day Side Dishes That Bring Back Every Childhood Memory

Some moments around the table instantly send me back, and it’s funny how a single Turkey aroma or a familiar side can do all the heavy lifting. Every holiday day carried its own little magic, especially when the classic side dishes started appearing one by one. It feels like revisiting old snapshots, only warmer, cozier, and a whole lot tastier.

Golden Challah Rolls That Taste Like Home

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

Light, fluffy, and golden, these challah rolls bring back every holiday memory.
Get the Recipe: Challah Rolls

Classic Cranberry Sauce With a Twist

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

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This sweet and nutty cranberry sauce will remind you of every Thanksgiving past.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Brown Sugar Candied Sweet Potatoes

A bowl filled with southern candied yams and sweet potatoes, covered in a shiny brown sugar syrup, with a spoon scooping some out. — Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet, buttery, and perfectly caramelized, these sweet potatoes taste like Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes

Cheesy Broccoli Casserole in Minutes

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

This creamy broccoli casserole brings back every family dinner memory, fast.
Get the Recipe: Quick Broccoli & Cheese Sauce Casserole

Sweet Hawaiian Dinner Rolls

A baking dish of Hawaiian rolls. — Hawaiian Dinner Rolls With Pineapple Juice. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft, sweet, and fluffy, these rolls taste like every childhood holiday.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Dinner Rolls With Pineapple Juice

Dill & Gruyere Yeast Rolls

A basket of yeast rolls — Yeast Roll Recipe With Dill And Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Buttery yeast rolls with dill and Gruyere evoke every holiday memory.
Get the Recipe: Yeast Roll Recipe With Dill And Gruyere

Creamy Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes

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

Rich and creamy mashed potatoes that taste like every childhood holiday.
Get the Recipe: Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone Cheese

Old-Fashioned Mac & Cheese

A spoon scooping out creamy mac and cheese from a black bowl. — Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Classic baked macaroni and cheese that brings back every childhood dinner.
Get the Recipe: Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni And Cheese Recipe

Apple & Sweet Potato Bake

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.

A comforting apple and sweet potato casserole that tastes like Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Layered Apple And Sweet Potato Casserole

Broccoli Salad With Cranberries

A bowl of broccoli salad on a serving tray. — Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A sweet and tangy broccoli salad that tastes just like your childhood Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad With Cranberries And A Honey Yogurt Dressing

Cheesy Cauliflower Bake

A spoon taking out a serving of cauliflower casserole. — Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Fast, cheesy cauliflower casserole that brings back holiday memories.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole Recipe

Soft Fluffy Brioche Rolls

A basket filled with freshly baked golden brown rolls, lined with a light gray cloth. In the background, there is a small dish of butter with a knife on a dark plate. The setting is on a textured blue surface. — Fluffy Brioche Rolls Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Light, buttery brioche rolls that bring back every childhood holiday.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Brioche Rolls Recipe

Skillet Creamed Corn

A skillet filled with creamy, cooked corn kernels being stirred by a wooden spoon. The creamed corn appears to be seasoned and mixed with a rich, creamy substance, creating a luscious texture. The background is a grayish cooking surface. — Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Rich and creamy corn that tastes like every Thanksgiving from your childhood.
Get the Recipe: Super Creamy Skillet Creamed Corn

Mashed Potato Dinner Rolls

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

These soft mashed potato rolls taste just like every holiday memory.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Mashed Potato Rolls

Green Bean & Potato Salad

A platter of green bean and potato salad. — Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

A fresh green bean and potato salad that tastes like every childhood holiday.
Get the Recipe: Green Beans And New Potato Salad With Honey Vinaigrette

Southern Style Sweet Potato Cornbread

Cornbread baked in an iron skillet. — Southern Style Sweet Potato Cornbread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This sweet potato cornbread is a scrumptious Southern side dish with a creamy texture and natural sweetness.
Get the Recipe: Southern Style Sweet Potato Cornbread

Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

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

Follow these steps at home to make this creamy casserole with fresh green beans. No canned mushroom soup here! A homemade cream sauce is used.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Green Bean Casserole Without Canned Soup

Grilled Corn Salad With Blueberries

A clear glass bowl of corn salad with blueberries. — Grilled Corn Salad With Blueberries. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

You’ll love this Grilled Corn Salad with Blueberries with a little cumin, onions and cilantro to give this a savory twist.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Salad With Blueberries

Easy Sweet Potato Casserole With Bacon

A casserole dish of mashed sweet potato casserole with bourbon. — Easy Sweet Potato Casserole With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

An easy sweet potato casserole flavored with bourbon and then topped with spicy pecans, brown sugar and bacon streusel.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sweet Potato Casserole With Bacon

Squash Casserole Recipe

A scoop of a squash casserole. — Squash Casserole Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This baked summer squash pasta casserole recipe is prepared in a creamy spicy sauce and is a great way to feature squash or zucchini.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole Recipe

Creamiest, Cheesiest, Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Recipe

My slow cooker mac and cheese recipe uses all the best things in life: butter, Velveeta, half and half, and cheddar cheese. Only 20 min. prep.
Get the Recipe: Creamiest, Cheesiest, Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese Recipe

Pretzel Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

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

Buttery, rich potatoes topped with pecan-pretzel crumble are an irresistible creamy-crunchy combo. A sprinkle of cranberries makes it festive.
Get the Recipe: Pretzel Topped Sweet Potato Casserole

Apple Cobbler With Sweet Potato Biscuits

Apple Cobbler with Sweet Potato Biscuits is a delicious cobbler topped with biscuits. The slightly sweet biscuits taste even better when combined with apples, raisins and nuts. This is a great recipe if you’re feeding a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Apple Cobbler With Sweet Potato Biscuits

Layered Apple And Sweet Potato Casserole

Apples and sweet potato casserole is a simple, comforting side dish that’s easy to make, with the perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors.
Get the Recipe: Layered Apple And Sweet Potato Casserole

Bacon & Butternut Squash Casserole Memories

A Butternut Squash Casserole topped with golden breadcrumbs, chopped walnuts, and fresh parsley sits on a gray surface, surrounded by parsley sprigs, whole walnuts, two forks, and a plate. — Savory Butternut Squash Casserole With Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This classic butternut squash casserole combines bacon, mushrooms, and buttery crumble for a nostalgic Thanksgiving side.
Get the Recipe: Bacon & Butternut Squash Casserole Memories

Crispy Hot Water Cornbread Nostalgia

A rack of hot water cornbread with butter and honey. — Crispy Hot Water Cornbread Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Golden, crisp, and tender inside—this hot water cornbread will bring back every childhood dinner table memory.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Hot Water Cornbread Nostalgia

Garlic Butter Rolls Kids Loved

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

Sweet and savory garlic rolls stuffed with cream cheese—recreate the childhood rolls that disappeared first at dinner.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Butter Rolls Kids Loved

Cheesy Ham & Corn Casserole Bliss

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

Creamy corn and ham casserole loaded with cheese—this side will bring back holiday memories from your childhood.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ham & Corn Casserole Bliss

Pimento Mac & Cheese Family Favorite

Two plates of pimento mac and cheese. — Southern Style Baked Mac And Cheese With Pimentos. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Zesty pimentos in a creamy cheddar sauce—this baked mac & cheese will transport you to every childhood holiday.
Get the Recipe: Pimento Mac & Cheese Family Favorite

Wild Rice & Butternut Casserole Memories

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

A cozy casserole of butternut squash and wild rice topped with parmesan—nostalgic flavors for Turkey Day.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice & Butternut Casserole Memories

Classic Scalloped Potatoes & Ham

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

Rich scalloped potatoes with ham in creamy sauce—a nostalgic dish your family will fight over at Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Classic Scalloped Potatoes & Ham

Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallow Magic

A spoon full of marshmallow topped sweet potato casserole. — Sweet Potato Casserole With Homemade Marshmallow Topping. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Classic sweet potato casserole with homemade marshmallow topping—bring back that childhood holiday delight.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallow Magic

Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes Side Dish

A close-up of a spoon lifting a cheesy, creamy serving of scalloped potatoes with cream from a dish, with melted cheese on top and a small pile of shredded cheese in the background. — Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes Casserole With Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Thinly sliced potatoes baked in creamy gruyere sauce—this cheesy dish is a Turkey Day classic.
Get the Recipe: Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes Side Dish

No-Knead Onion Dinner Rolls

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

Soft no-knead rolls with optional caramelized onions—perfect for recreating those childhood Thanksgiving dinners.
Get the Recipe: No-Knead Onion Dinner Rolls

Sweet Potato & Peach Casserole

A Spoon full of sweet potato casserole. — Sweet Potato Casserole With Peaches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Sweet potatoes meet juicy peaches for a make-ahead side that brings back every Thanksgiving childhood memory.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato & Peach Casserole

Buttery Parker House Rolls Classic

A basket full of Parker House rolls. — Buttery Parker House Dinner Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft, buttery Parker House rolls—simple to make and perfect for recreating childhood holiday dinners.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Parker House Rolls Classic

Fluffy Sweet Potato Biscuits

Sweet potato biscuits in an iron skillet. — Easy Sweet Potato Biscuits. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Light, flaky sweet potato biscuits—bring back those childhood holiday breakfasts and dinners.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Sweet Potato Biscuits

Classic Southern Sweet Potato Pudding

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

Grated sweet potato baked into rich custard—this Southern classic is pure nostalgia for Turkey Day.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Sweet Potato Pudding

Mini Pumpkin Bread Rolls Fun

Pumpkin Bread Rolls. Photo Credit: Lauren’s Latest.

Adorable mini pumpkin bread rolls—turn dough into Thanksgiving memories everyone will adore.
Get the Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Bread Rolls Fun

27 Thanksgiving Dishes Guests Secretly Want More Than Turkey

A collage of four images showcases dishes that smell like Thanksgiving morning: pumpkin pie with whipped cream, a bowl of cranberry sauce, candied sweet potatoes, and a lattice-topped mixed berry pie with a slice removed.

Let’s be honest, when the big feast rolls around, turkey might get all the spotlight, but it’s those irresistible side dishes and desserts that everyone secretly craves. From creamy casseroles to perfectly baked pies, guests often pile their plates high before the bird even makes its way around.
Grab it here: 27 Thanksgiving Dishes Guests Secretly Want More Than Turkey

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