15 Thanksgiving Classics Worth the Effort

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy + disclosures for details.

Thanksgiving dinner isn’t just a meal—it’s a marathon, and only the strongest (and cheesiest, butteriest, and most comforting) dishes survive. Whether you’re piling your plate high with Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Ham, sneaking an extra scoop of Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes, or going straight for that Pumpkin Bread Pudding before anyone notices, this lineup is here to deliver. From Garlic Butter Roast Chicken for those skipping the turkey struggle to Twice Baked Butternut Squash for a little extra indulgence, consider this your game plan for a feast that’ll have everyone asking for seconds—and thirds!

Green Bean Casserole

Homemade green bean casserole recipe, baked in a casserole dish and topped with French fried onions.
Photo credit: Baking a Moment

Next-level green bean casserole recipe! Made wholly from scratch, with fresh veg, creamy mushroom sauce, & crispy French fried onions.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze

A slice of fruit cake with visible nuts and dried fruits on a white plate, accompanied by a fork.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

This Butternut Squash Cake with Buttermilk Glaze is a delicious autumn treat, courtesy of our friends at Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. Enjoy the warm spices and creamy buttermilk glaze!

To learn more: Butternut Squash Cake Recipe with Buttermilk Glaze

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

A plate of cheesy potato casserole garnished with a fork and knife, showcasing a delicious, hearty meal.
Image Credit: Averie Cooks

This Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Ham recipe is perfect for family dinners and holiday feasts! Creamy, cheesy, and incredibly delicious, it’s a side dish that will impress everyone at the table.

To learn more: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

Dad’s Creamy & Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes

 A delicious casserole featuring succulent chicken and a golden layer of melted cheese, presented in a baking dish.
Image Credit: Ambitious Kitchen

This Creamy & Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes recipe is a family favorite, passed down through generations! Made with three kinds of cheese, it’s a simple yet incredibly delicious and satisfying side dish.

To learn more: Dad’s Creamy & Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole

A baked casserole dish filled with mashed potatoes topped with melted cheese and chopped green onions, with a spoon resting inside and a serving missing.
Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole is the make-ahead side dish that guarantees a smooth holiday meal. Easy to prep, loaded with melty cheese, and ready to steal the spotlight!

To learn more: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes Casserole

Garlic Butter Roast Chicken

Golden-brown roasted chicken accompanied by a vibrant selection of seasonal vegetables on a rustic wooden table.
Image Credit: Culinary Hill

This Garlic Butter Roast Chicken recipe is a testament to the power of simple innovation! Inspired by a simple question, it transforms a classic dish into a flavorful masterpiece.

To learn more: Garlic Butter Roast Chicken

Herb Butter Maple Roasted Turkey

A golden-brown roasted turkey complemented by pomegranate and grapes, creating an inviting holiday dining experience.
Image Credit: Ambitious Kitchen

Make this Herb Butter Maple Roasted Turkey the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving feast! This recipe combines savory herb butter and sweet maple syrup for a truly delicious and unforgettable turkey.

To learn more: Herb Butter Maple Roasted Turkey

Juicy Baked Turkey Breast

A succulent Thanksgiving turkey accompanied by an assortment of classic sides, creating a festive holiday feast.
Image Credit: Averie Cooks

This Juicy Baked Turkey Breast recipe is perfect when you don’t need a whole turkey! It’s incredibly moist and tender on the inside with crispy skin on the outside—a delicious and convenient option.

To learn more: Juicy Baked Turkey Breast

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Delicious pumpkin bread pudding adorned with a dollop of whipped cream and a scattering of pecans, served elegantly.
Image Credit: Cooking Classy

This Pumpkin Bread Pudding offers a delightful twist on a classic! Combining the comforting textures of bread pudding with the warm spices and creamy richness of pumpkin pie, it’s a truly unforgettable dessert.

To learn more: Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Roasting a Turkey Breast

Sliced turkey breast served with rich gravy, showcasing a delicious and hearty meal presentation.
Image Credit: Carlsbad Cravings

This Roasted Turkey Breast is a holiday star, earning rave reviews like “absolutely divine,” “so flavorful and moist,” and “very tender and juicy.” The herb butter gravy is the perfect complement.

To learn more: Roasting a Turkey Breast

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of creamy mashed potatoes garnished with chopped chives and a swirl of melted butter. A spoon is placed in the bowl. A checkered cloth and some chives are visible on the wooden table.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average

Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes take plain mashed potatoes and turn them into something rich, nutty, and downright irresistible. Who knew a little butter could be such a game-changer?

To learn more: Browned Butter Mashed Potatoes

Twice Baked Butternut Squash

 Two slices of squash topped with pomegranate seeds and assorted nuts, showcasing a vibrant and nutritious dish.
Image Credit: Ambitious Kitchen

This Twice Baked Butternut Squash offers a unique and delicious twist on a classic! The unexpected combination of sweet and savory ingredients—Greek yogurt, Parmesan, bacon, and maple pecans—creates a versatile dish perfect for holidays or any occasion.

To learn more: Twice Baked Butternut Squash

Wild Rice

A serving of rice accompanied by a variety of fresh vegetables, elegantly presented on a dining table.
Image Credit: Noshing With The Nolands

This Wild Rice recipe is the ideal side dish for your fall and holiday meals! The blend of wild and brown rice, along with apples, onions, pecans, nutmeg, and other spices, creates a perfectly balanced and flavorful accompaniment.

To learn more: Wild Rice

Pumpkin Delight

 A delectable slice of pumpkin cheesecake on a plate, highlighting its smooth surface and inviting autumnal hues.
Image Credit: House Of Nash Eats

This Pumpkin Delight dessert is a delicious, layered treat featuring creamy pumpkin filling, a decadent no-bake cream cheese layer, and a buttery Biscoff cookie crust. It’s a perfect Thanksgiving alternative to pumpkin pie or a delightful anytime pumpkin treat.

To learn more: Pumpkin Delight

Feta and Sweet Potato Pierogi

A plate of dumplings topped with sour cream and garnished with onions, showcasing a delicious and hearty meal.
Image Credit: Piper Cooks

These Feta and Sweet Potato Pierogies offer a unique and delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors! The unexpected pairing of mashed sweet potatoes and tangy feta cheese creates a comforting and satisfying dish perfect for everyday meals and special celebrations.

To learn more: Feta and Sweet Potato Pierogi

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you'll get new recipes from us every week!

About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *