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Fig-Carrot Stuffed Kabocha Squash
While searching for a new winter squash variety, I stumbled upon kabocha squash—it really wowed me. The flavor and texture are both rich and beautiful, and this recipe, which I improvised, really suits the squash well. —Caitlin Stephens-North, Malden, MassachusettsStill hungry? Find more amazing vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes.
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Banana-Orange Sweet Potato Bake
Welcome fall with this simple side dish. It's a pleasant change of pace from the traditional casserole with marshmallows, and it's quite popular at potlucks. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas 3 / 50
Creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi
We had homemade gnocchi frequently while growing up. This creamy pumpkin gnocchi recipe was always my favorite. They do require some time to make, but they're worth it! —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida 4 / 50
Cider Baked Squash
I'm a freelance writer who sometimes needs a break from a long session of working on a story. That's when I escape to the kitchen to whip up something that's good to eat, yet easy to prepare. This is one of my favorites! 5 / 50
Slow-Cooker Citrus Carrots
These carrots are yummy and so simple. The recipe is from my mom, who tweaked it a bit to suit her tastes. You can make this dish a day in advance and refrigerate until needed. Then just reheat it in the slow cooker right before the party. —Julie Puderbaugh, Berwick, PA 6 / 50
Creamy Twice-Baked Potatoes
With a yummy cream cheese filling, these rich potatoes tucked into their own skins are sure winners. They look fancy but are not tricky to make. —Linda Wheeler, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 7 / 50
Roast Beets with Orange Gremolata and Goat Cheese
My grandma always grew beets then pickled or canned them, but I prefer to prepare them differently. I like these roasted beets in the winter but they can be enjoyed all year with the addition of fresh herbs and tangy goat cheese. —Courtney Archibeque, Portland, Oregon 8 / 50
Golden Butternut Squash Tart
This savory and flavorful butternut squash tart is perfect for the holiday season. It'll warm you right up. —Theresa Gutsch, Wausau, Wisconsin 9 / 50
Walnut Cranberry Orzo
I came up with this delightful side dish after becoming fascinated by the tiny pasta. With red pepper, cranberries, walnuts and Parmesan, it's as colorful as it is flavorful. —Judith Comstock, Salado, Texas 10 / 50
Autumn Harvest Mashed Potatoes
I first made these scrumptious potatoes as a surprise for my daughter during her freshman year of college. Canned pumpkin and a medley of root vegetables take ordinary mashed potatoes to extraordinary. —Susan Sutphin, Sevierville, Tennessee 11 / 50
Vegan Green Bean Casserole
Now everyone can enjoy this classic Thanksgiving side. Just a few small tweaks make this a vegan green bean casserole, but no one wiletast the difference! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 12 / 50
Roasted Fall Vegetables
I love serving this tender veggie side dish as part of a comforting dinner on a chilly night. The cayenne pepper lends zippy flavor that's not overpowering. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia 13 / 50
Slow-Cooked Mac 'n' Cheese
Slow-cooked mac and cheese—the words alone are enough to make mouths water. This is comfort food at its best: rich and extra cheesy. And the slow cooker makes it so easy. —Shelby Molina, Whitewater, Wisconsin 14 / 50
Parsnips & Turnips au Gratin
This is a delicious variation on au gratin that features something besides potatoes. I sometimes substitute rutabaga for the turnips. It’s a well-guarded recipe in my collection. Until now! —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida 15 / 50
Scalloped Cranberries
This warm cranberry casserole is a nice substitute for traditional cranberry relish. It's been a staple on my holiday table ever since my aunt gave me the recipe many years ago. —Ellan Streett, Clear Spring, Maryland 16 / 50
Mozzarella Mashed Potato Remix
Here's a yummy way to finish off extra mashed potatoes. The gooey cheese, creamy potatoes and golden crust blend perfectly to create spud heaven. Your family will love this mashed potato casserole!—Rosemarie Weleski, Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania 17 / 50
Baked Acorn Squash with Blueberry-Walnut Filling
I absolutely love squash—and I've filled it with so many variations of savory stuffing over the years. But my favorite way to stuff it is with an unexpected fruit filling, like this sweet apple-blueberry one. —Bruce Newcomer, Fredericksburg, Virginia 18 / 50
Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Apples
Looking for ways to cut down on the number of dishes that require oven time on Thanksgiving, I devised a sweet potato dish that can be made ahead in a slow cooker. It’s not too sweet, and it makes a perfect side for turkey or ham. —Judy Batson, Tampa, FL 19 / 50
Garlic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard Sauce
Don’t be afraid to bring out the roasted Brussels sprouts. Mellowed with mustard sauce, they may just delight even the most skeptical folks. —Becky Walch, Orland, California 20 / 50
Slow-Cooker Garlic-Rosemary Cauliflower Puree
I love this delicious fake take on mashed potatoes and it doesn't heat up my kitchen! Treat leftovers as you would leftover mashed potatoes for mock potato pancakes. —Sharon Gibson, Hendersonville, North Carolina 21 / 50
Wild Rice and Squash Pilaf
This pilaf is fantastic with fish or poultry and especially compatible with turkey. Since it's so colorful, I like to think it makes my turkey dressed for the holidays. —Erica Ollmann, San Diego, California 22 / 50
Sweet Potatoes au Gratin
This rich, sweet potato casserole couldn't be any easier to make—or more delicious to eat! —Patti Kirchhoff, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 23 / 50
Green Bean Casserole
This easy green bean casserole has always been one of my favorite dishes. You can make it before any guests arrive and refrigerate it until it’s ready to bake. —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington 24 / 50
Butternut Squash Panzanella Salad
This colorful salad is easy to make—and it's even easier if you use precut chunks of butternut squash. You can use pecans in place of the almonds or watercress instead of the arugula or spinach. —Nancy Buchanan, Costa Mesa, California 25 / 50
Sweet Potato Casserole
I got this recipe from a friend years ago, and I've used it a lot since! So many of my friends enjoyed it that I've sent the recipe all over the country. I make it primarily for Thanksgiving, or with dinner when I'm serving ham. —Eleanor Sherry, Highland Park, Illinois 26 / 50
Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Sure, it’s simple and healthy but, oh, is this roasted broccoli delicious. Cutting the stalks into tall “trees” turns an ordinary veggie into a standout side dish. —Holly Sander, Lake Mary, Florida 27 / 50
Scented Rice in Baked Pumpkin
This easy, delicious and healthy side is a showpiece that always delights. You can use grain, squash, fruits and nuts to suite your taste—it's impossible to go wrong! —Lynn Heisel, Jackson, Missouri 28 / 50
Smashed Potatoes
I wouldn't dream of making my favorite chicken recipe without making these potatoes, too. —Jennifer Shaw of Dorchester, Massachusetts. 29 / 50
Slow-Cooked Creamy Rice
This wonderful side dish goes well with any meat stew. I use fresh herbs on hand along with the chopped parsley to add even more flavor.—Laura Crane, Leetonia, Ohio 30 / 50
Acorn Squash Slices
Roasted acorn squash slices are a favorite with my family. This recipe has a sweet maple flavor from syrup and an appealing nuttiness from pecans. It's easy, too, because you don't have to peel the squash. —Richard Lamb, Williamsburg, Indiana 31 / 50
Crunchy White Baked Macaroni & Cheese
This creamy, bubbly, indulgent classic is down-home comfort food at its finest. The topping is made with panko bread crumbs for an extra bit of crunch. —Nicole Duffy, New Haven, Connecticut 32 / 50
Cornbread Casserole
Since my husband likes spicy foods, I frequently sprinkle chopped jalapeno peppers over half of this casserole for him. —Carrina Cooper, McAlpin, Florida 33 / 50
Butternut Squash Bake
If I ask our two girls (ages 7 and 14) what to fix for a special meal, this dish is always requested. I discovered this slightly sweet and crunchy-topped casserole at a church dinner about 10 years ago, and now I take it to potluck dinners and come home with an empty dish! -Julie Jahn, Decatur, Indiana 34 / 50
Nanny's Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
My grandsons rave over these creamy potatoes loaded with Parmesan. That’s all the endorsement I need. Sometimes I use golden or red potatoes, with skins on. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California 35 / 50
Baked Butternut Squash
Take advantage of fabulous fall produce and roast this scrumptious side. Lightly seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar, this is my favorite baked butternut squash recipe—it could almost be dessert! —Heidi Vawdrey, Riverton, Utah 36 / 50
Buttery Sweet Potato Casserole
Whenever we get together as a family for major holidays, my kids, nieces and nephews literally beg me to make this sweet potato casserole. It goes together in minutes with canned sweet potatoes, which is ideal for the busy holiday season. —Sue Miller, Mars, Pennsylvania 37 / 50
Cauliflower Casserole
To dress up cauliflower, Mom used a delightful mixture of a cheesy sauce, bright red and green pepper pieces, and crushed cornflakes. We enjoyed this casserole so much that leftovers were rare. -Linda McGinty, Parma, Ohio 38 / 50
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds
We had left over roasted butternut squash one night, so I threw it on a salad and topped it with cheese. My family loved it! Since then we added caramelized pumpkin seeds (my brother's idea) and a homemade dressing. —Nicole Sadowsky, Rancho Santa Fe, California 39 / 50
Deluxe Mashed Potatoes
When it comes to mashed potatoes recipes, this is one of my favorites because they can be made ahead, refrigerated and then popped into the oven just prior to dinnertime. When my grandchildren come for dinner, I have to double this recipe. They love it! —Vivian Bailey, Cedar Falls, Iowa 40 / 50
Special Squash Casserole
Squash has traditionally been a food our family passes up, but this luscious casserole is an exception to the rule. You won't find it among our Thanksgiving leftovers—it's one of the first dishes to go back to the kitchen empty. —Kathleen Cox, Wyoming, Michigan 41 / 50
Broccoli with Asiago
This is one of the best (and most simple) ways I’ve found to serve broccoli. It’s also good with Parmesan if you don’t have the Asiago cheese. —cjintexas, Tasteofhome.com, Community 42 / 50
Spinach-Parm Casserole
For those who ignore Popeye and won’t eat their spinach, I find that spinach with garlicky butter and Parmesan helps change their minds. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida 43 / 50
Potluck Macaroni and Cheese
You'll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here's an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts 44 / 50
Cheesy Cheddar Broccoli Casserole
People who don’t even usually like broccoli casserole beg me to make this comforting broccoli cheese casserole recipe. It's similar to a classic green bean casserole, but the melted cheese just puts it over the top. —Elaine Hubbard, Pocono Lake, Pennsylvania 45 / 50
Wilted Spinach Salad with Butternut Squash
Make quick work of peeling butternut squash. First, prick it with a fork and give it 45 seconds in the microwave. Then, trim an inch from the base of the squash, making it stand up straight and tall while you run the peeler from top to bottom. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington 46 / 50
Baked Parmesan Breaded Squash
Baked yellow squash is beautifully crispy. You don’t have to turn the pieces, but do keep an eye on them. — Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas 47 / 50
Slow-Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Sour cream and cream cheese give richness to these smooth make-ahead potatoes. They are wonderful for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner since there's no last-minute mashing required. —Trudy Vincent, Valles Mines, Missouri 48 / 50
Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
When I was a girl, Mama used Texas longhorn cheese in this recipe. After it melted all over the macaroni, I loved to dig in and see how many strings of cheese would follow my spoonful. —Imogene Hutton, Brownwood, Texas 49 / 50
Honey-Lemon Asparagus
Everyone who tastes my glazed asparagus takes a second helping, so I usually double the recipe. For another option, try using a root vegetable like turnip or parsnip. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario 50 / 50
Maple-Glazed Acorn Squash
With a maple syrup and brown sugar glaze, this squash becomes pleasantly sweet. This is comfort food—easy to prepare and a tasty pairing with a pork entree. —Nancy Mueller, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin Originally Published: October 12, 2020