Side dishes take a meal from good to great — If we’re being honest, they’re by far our favorite part of any holiday meal. So if you’re hosting Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving at your apartment this year, you’ll want to choose side dishes that impress your guests. We’re also big fans of saving time in the kitchen, though. That’s why we’ve collected these five easy Thanksgiving side dishes you can make this holiday (or anytime, really). None of them require crazy cooking skills, but they all taste like you know your way around a kitchen (even if you’re an amateur chef). Check them out below.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Rosemary & Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Rosemary Pecan Mashed Sweet Potatoes
A Thanksgiving spread isn’t complete without mashed potatoes. This recipe features mashed sweet potatoes along with the savory tastes of rosemary and the added sweetness of pecans. The additional ingredients give it a more sophisticated flavor than the more traditional marshmallow and sweet potato bakes that are often found on Thanksgiving tables. But thanks to the pecans, it still has a faint “candied” taste we’ve all come to love. The sweetness is just more subtle, so it’s not as overpowering.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Can you tell we love sweet potatoes? You can never have too many of the sweet orange veggies if you ask us. These quinoa stuffed sweet potatoes offer a unique twist on a standard stuffed potato recipe. They combine some of the best autumnal flavors by combining cheese with tart cranberries, which makes them a no-brainer for Thanksgiving. And the quinoa gives them a healthy boost of protein.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Brussel Sprouts & Bacon
Brussel Sprouts With Bacon
This is by far one of our favorite Thanksgiving side dishes to make. Brussel sprouts are almost always a crowd-pleaser, as is bacon. So when you combine the two, the result is a flavor duo made in heaven. This Brussel sprouts recipe is so easy, but you’d never know it from the flavor it packs. We bet you’ll want to make this one year-round after trying it out this Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Creamy Macaroni & Cheese
Creamy Mac & Cheese
Our roundup of Thanksgiving side dishes wouldn’t be complete without a macaroni and cheese recipe, and this one is the absolute best one we’ve ever found. It features multiple kinds of cheese, plus a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little extra kick. It’s everything you’ve ever wanted in a macaroni and cheese recipe. Dare we say it’s perfect? Try it and decide for yourself.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes: Cranberry & Orange Sauce
Homemade Cranberry & Orange Sauce
Last but not least is this festive homemade cranberry and orange sauce. When it comes to the canned versus homemade cranberry sauce debate, we’re all for the homemade versions — especially this one. Cranberry sauce is a must on Thanksgiving, and this easy recipe upgrades the traditional side with a tangy orange twist.
Looking for some healthier options? We’ve got those, too.
- Try this delicious cheesy cauliflower mashed “potatoes” recipe. We promise you won’t miss the real stuff.
- Replace pasta with this healthy zucchini lasagna recipe.
- For dessert, whip up one of these gluten-free dessert recipes.
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