Thanksgiving is all about gathering around the table with the people you love, and I have to say, the sides are where the magic really happens. I’ve rounded up 33 of my absolute favorite vegetable dishes, the ones that bring all the cozy, comforting, flavor packed goodness your holiday spread deserves. From crispy and cheesy to creamy and sweet, you’re about to meet your new go to recipes.
1. Cheesy Root Vegetable Gratin
Potatoes are a classic, but don’t sleep on the other root veggies! This scrumptious gratin brings together beets, parsnips, and potatoes with cream and garlic. Then you add Gruyere cheese and it just feels so luxurious. Honestly, this might steal the show on your Thanksgiving menu.
2. Sweet Potato Cobbler
If you love sweet potato casserole, just wait until you try this cobbler. Sweetened with sugar and vanilla, it’s a scrumptious treat that’s nearly impossible to resist. That crumbly topping is just irresistible! Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dish no one will forget.
3. Healthy Mashed Carrots
Ready to fall in love with carrots all over again? Mashing them up just like potatoes gives you that same dreamy, fluffy texture with the most gorgeous pop of orange on your plate. It’s a lighter, lower carb swap that still feels totally comforting. I think you’re going to be surprised how much you crave these.
4. Fresh Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach sometimes gets pushed to the side, especially when things get fancy, and I’m here to fix that. This version is creamy, garlicky, cheesy, and honestly too good to skip. Please, do me a favor and forget the frozen stuff.
5. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Crispy Bacon, Parmesan, and Toasted Walnuts
A crunchy Brussels sprouts salad is always a welcome addition to the holiday table. It gives you that hearty, rough texture that plays so nicely against creamy mashed potatoes and savory gravy. Toss in the bacon, toasted walnuts, and nutty parmesan and this salad truly becomes a star.
6. Maple Balsamic Roasted Asparagus with Cranberries and Feta
Even though asparagus feels like a spring veggie, it’s wonderful any time of year! Cranberries and maple syrup make this dish perfectly fitting for the holidays. Topped with feta and pumpkin seeds, it’s a crunchy, creamy delight. In a hot oven, the asparagus roasts in just 7 to 10 minutes.
7. Butternut Squash Gratin with Feta
If you want a side that’s going to impress everyone, this butternut squash gratin is it. The feta cheese on top adds the most wonderful salty, creamy flavor that feels like such a treat. It’s easy too, just peel and dice the squash, mix everything together, then let the oven work its magic.
8. Golden Pan Roasted Parsnips
Making these roasted parsnips is such a quick and easy process. It takes about 30 minutes and barely any hands on work from you. The result is a spiced, vegan friendly side dish that the whole family will happily dig into.
9. Whole Roasted Cabbage
I honestly didn’t think whole roasted cabbage would be my thing, and boy, have I never been so happy to be wrong! This vegan dish has it all. It’s crisp, crunchy, perfectly spiced, fragrant, and so flavorful. It’s also wonderfully filling, especially with the potatoes on the side.
10. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
This garlic parmesan roasted cauliflower is absolutely bursting with flavor and it only takes about 25 to 30 minutes to get it on the table. It’s low carb and totally keto friendly, which makes it a fantastic swap for potatoes or stuffing. I have a feeling once you serve it for Thanksgiving, you’ll be making it all year long.
11. Carrots Au Gratin
Okay, hear me out: anything you love doing with potatoes, you can absolutely do with carrots. You know the whole boil ‘em, mash ‘em thing? Carrots are ready for the same treatment. This carrots au gratin is proof that this humble orange veggie can get all dressed up and cheesy. Trust me on this one.
12. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes
Here’s another savory sweet potato recipe that is ridiculously good. Yes, they take a little time to cook, but trust me, it’s so worth it. They look absolutely striking on the table and everyone will be delighted when they see them.
13. Hasselback Butternut Squash in Garlic Butter
That gorgeous thing on your screen is definitely not a strange looking roast. It’s a garlic butter infused Hasselback butternut squash and it is divine. Not only does it taste amazing, but it looks absolutely stunning on the platter. Get ready for all the compliments from your guests.
14. Carrot Slaw with Cranberries, Toasted Walnuts & Citrus Vinaigrette
When you hear slaw, you probably think cabbage, right? This carrot version is brighter, prettier, and in my humble opinion, so much tastier. It’s a sweet, zesty mix that’s loaded with all the holiday favorites like carrots, cranberries, and walnuts. I love how fresh this feels next to all the heavier dishes.
15. Butternut Squash and Wild Mushroom Stuffing
Vegetarian friends, this stuffing is one for the books. The flavors, textures, and seasonings are just so on point. Mushrooms bring a hearty, earthy depth while the butternut squash sweetens everything up. I love the suggestion to add a splash of balsamic vinegar and some Asiago cheese to take it even further.
16. Cheesy Hasselback Sweet Potatoes
This fun sweet potato recipe is the salty, cheesy treat your holiday needs. You’ll pack them with parmesan and cheddar, plus bacon, Italian dressing, and chives. Every single bite is a little flavor explosion for your tastebuds.
17. Potatoes au Gratin (Dauphinoise)
After trying this recipe, you’ll never want the boxed version again. These potatoes are cheesy, buttery, and they basically melt right in your mouth. I make two full baking dishes of these every single year without fail.
18. Pumpkin Cornbread Stuffing with Bacon and Dates
Instead of your usual stuffing, give this tasty cornbread version a go! It’s a whole feast for the senses with pumpkin puree, onions, dates, and bacon. The rosemary, sage, and thyme bring the perfect herbal touch. A little gravy on top makes it an extra special treat.
19. Holiday Roasted Vegetables
Why pick just one favorite holiday veggie when you can enjoy them all at once? This roasted dish combines onions, carrots, sprouts, cranberries, and more. You get all those wonderful flavors and textures together in one beautiful pan.
20. Apple-Stuffed Baked Acorn Squash
Acorn squash makes the most fantastic addition to your holiday spread! This version gets stuffed with caramelized apples and it couldn’t be more delicious. The squash roasts with cinnamon, brown sugar, and butter before getting all filled up. A sprinkle of fresh thyme on top adds a pretty, fresh finish.
21. Garlic Roasted Cheesy Sheet Pan Asparagus
This healthy, low carb side is a guaranteed winner in my book. It only needs 20 minutes in the oven and the result is pure perfection. Roasted asparagus is already great with just salt and pepper, but adding mozzarella and parmesan takes it to a whole new level.
22. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts & Bacon
I have never met a Brussels sprouts recipe quite like this one. It’s loaded with cheese, garlic, bacon, and more, making it ridiculously flavorful and entirely comforting. You’ll barely even notice you’re eating sprouts, I promise.
23. Honey Roasted Carrots with Balsamic
The moment I see honey and balsamic together, I’m already sold. These carrots come out gorgeously glazed and juicy, with a sweet, tangy, herby flavor that is honestly out of this world. The best part? You only need a handful of ingredients to pull it off. Simple and ridiculously good.
24. Roasted Beets and Fennel with Orange Vinaigrette
If you’re a fan of roasted beets, you are going to adore this easy recipe! The fennel adds this interesting burst of licorice flavor that really wakes things up. But it’s the orange vinaigrette that turns the whole dish into a masterpiece. Sweet and savory together, it’s to die for!
25. Roasted Butternut Squash
Roasted butternut squash is like little bites of soft, sweet, caramelized heaven. The maple syrup, cinnamon, and rosemary all melt together so perfectly it feels meant to be. Honestly, every single bite is something you’ll want to slow down and savor.
26. German Potato Salad
This is not your average backyard cookout potato salad! The German version swaps out the mayo for a cider vinegar and mustard base. It’s also loaded with bacon, onion, honey, and garlic. Nobody will be expecting this potato dish on Thanksgiving, and that’s exactly why I love it.
27. Fall Farro Salad with Carrots and Cranberries
If you want a side that’s hearty enough to hold its own, this farro salad is calling your name. It’s loaded with farro, celery, carrots, almonds, garlic, cranberries, and a few more goodies that all hang out together beautifully. Every forkful is colorful, fresh, and packed with flavors that just work. This one delivers on all fronts.
28. One-Pot Stove-Top Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Let’s bring a little pumpkin magic to your mac and cheese this year! I know, I know, it sounds like a wild idea, but surprisingly enough, it works. It stays just as creamy and cheesy as you want it to be while the pumpkin adds this warm layer of flavor. You’ve got to try it.
29. Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Cinnamon Butternut Squash with Pecans and Cranberries
I made this colorful, flavor packed dish last Thanksgiving and let me tell you, it was a total hit. There wasn’t a single bite left to bring home. From the youngest kid to the oldest great aunt, everyone loved it. The flavors and all those different textures together are pure delight.
30. Beetroot and Sweet Potato Salad
Want a sweet potato recipe that feels a little lighter? This beetroot and sweet potato salad is just the thing. With all those heavy sides on the table, throwing some greens into the mix feels so nice. It’s topped with crunchy pecans or walnuts and feta cheese, making it a real show stopper.
31. Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese
Butternut squash has that natural, earthy sweetness that I adore, but some folks find it a little plain on its own. Adding tangy goat cheese and tart pomegranate arils jazzes it right up. It turns into a colorful, festive side that shows off butternut squash in a whole new light.
32. Broccoli Cheese Casserole
Broccoli and cheese is already a winning combo, but baking it into an ooey gooey casserole makes it even better. This dish always disappears fast because everyone loves it. It’s so hearty you could even serve it as a main for vegetarians. And it’s easy, just 45 minutes from start to table.
33. Mashed Pumpkin
Here’s another amazing alternative to mashed potatoes. Not feeling carrots or cauliflower today? No problem at all. Grab some pumpkin instead! This creamy, cheesy side dish is fluffy, full of garlic, and totally delightful.