This stuffing is elevated by the addition of sausage and sage. It's great for parties with lots of people, and you can even freeze some of it to enjoy later. Florida resident Lorraine Brauckhoff from Zolfo Springs
Instant mashed potatoes can be easily dressed up with sour cream and cream cheese, cooked in a slow cooker, and served straight from the appliance. This recipe for mashed potatoes is creamy and delicious, and it would be even better if you sprinkled it with some chopped fresh chives, french-fried onions from a can, or freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Howell, Michigan resident Donna Bardocz
Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors
This is a go-to recipe of mine because it can be made in advance, which is especially helpful when hosting guests. The low-fat fruit salad is a healthy and tasty addition to any meal. New Jersey's Cape May Court House resident Nancy Zimmerman
Taste of HomeComfort Food
My great-aunt's sweet potato casserole was always a highlight of our holiday meals. I've made it a little more humorous, but we still really like it. (Fairlawn, Ohio resident Beth Britton)
My go-to method for cooking baby carrots is to steam them and then top them with a candy-sweet orange glaze. —Heather Clemmons, North Carolina's Supply
Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors
These fluffy, golden rolls smell and taste like heaven. These rolls, made from scratch by Mom, are always a welcome addition to the dinner table. As stated by St. Missouri's Charles city
Both my dad and husband love this dressing. Although leftovers are uncommon, they freeze well. You can save time by chopping the vegetables and preparing (but not baking) the dressing up to two days in advance and storing it in the refrigerator. Because it will be cold, some extra baking time is required. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania's Bette Votral
I toss the noodles in a sauce made with three kinds of cheese to make this incredible mac and cheese. When baked, it transforms into a crunchy topping over ooey-gooey center. Ignore me at your peril Milwaukee resident Beth Jacobson
Friends can be brought together by serving Brussels sprouts with a cream sauce flavored with rosemary, but beware of fights breaking out over the last of the sauce. The Berea, Kentucky resident Liz Koschoreck
This custard-like side dish is a fan favorite and a frequent request for potlucks and holiday dinners. The jalapeno gives it the perfect amount of heat. This tasty casserole always gets a second helping, but it never makes it to the fridge. Carbondale, Illinois' Katherine Franklin
The sweet potatoes, cranberries, and spinach in this salad create a festive display of color. Kutztown, Pennsylvania's Susan Bickta
Taste of HomeComfort Food
You can rely on this dish to win over skeptics to vegetables. Every time I make it, guests beg me for the recipe. In some recipes calling for cauliflower, I'll swap in broccoli in place of some or all of the cauliflower. Ely, Nevada's Jacki Ricci
Taste of HomeComfort Food
The leftover turkey and dressing in sweet potatoes is a big hit with my kids. Making our individual potato boats in the kitchen is a fun activity for us to do together. Bella Vista, Arkansas's Ane Burke
Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors
The dish takes on an elegant air once the carrots are cut lengthwise. Fresh thyme or parsley sprigs add a touch of class and color as a garnish. Kansas City, Missouri native Deirdre Cox
Adding squash to the dough makes for brightly colored, fluffy dinner rolls. I've used everything from cooked carrots to spaghetti squash. —Marcia Whitney, University of Florida, Gainesville
These rolls are a staple in my home and always come in handy. Using rapid-rise yeast reduces preparation time significantly. Evanston, Wyoming local Connie Storckman
One of my favorite foods, this cranberry sauce is a twist on the classic thanks to the addition of vanilla and rum. Green Bay, Wisconsin's Ashley Lecker
The rolls are so soft and delicious. I have fond memories of eating them when I was young, and now I enjoy making them for my own children. North Dakota resident Gayleen Grote from Battle View
Prepare this decadent spinach dish in a flash. I usually double or triple a recipe if there will be a lot of people eating it. San Tan Valley, Arizona, Leann Ross
Taste of HomeComfort Food
The holidays at my house wouldn't be complete without this stuffing. It's almost a full meal thanks to the Italian sausage and the other great ingredients. It's no surprise that it won first place at the neighborhood cook-off. Author: Teri Lindquist, Gurnee, IL
Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors
This is the cranberry dish that everyone requests at Thanksgiving and Christmas, though we've tried many others. Every time I've brought it to a church potluck, it's been devoured. Washington resident Eleanor Arthur
Yellow squash, when baked, takes on a lovely crunchiness. Keep an eye on the pieces without turning them. Flower Mound, Texas resident Debi Mitchell
Prepare yourself to hear a chorus of yums if you serve these spicy-sweet pumpkin rolls for dinner, or anytime of day. Topeka, Kansas's Linnea Rein
Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors
When the oven is already in use, I like to make my favorite stuffing in a slow cooker. It complements a wide variety of meats, from turkey to game hens. Hope Wasylenki from Ohio's Gahanna
These cozy potatoes get their special flavor from a sneaky addition of cream cheese. It's as easy as mashing, mixing, and warming in the slow cooker. McAllen, Texas resident Frieda Bliesner
These cornmeal-flavored, buttery rolls are the perfect complement to a steaming bowl of chili. Marion, Illinois resident Carol Forcum
TMB Studio One of my all-time favorite meals is this simple green bean casserole. It can be prepared in advance of guests' arrival and stored in the fridge until it's time to bake. Blaine, Washington's Anna Baker says:
With meat, fish herbs, earthy mushrooms, crunchy apples, water chestnuts, and a zingy burst of tart cranberries, this dressing has everything a person could want in a salad dressing. Shannonville, Ontario's Trudy Williams
Taste of HomeComfort Food
The combination of cheeses and ground chipotle chile gives my mac and cheese a complex flavor. Because of its shape, conchiglie pasta collects more melted cheese than other types of pasta. Yum Herndon, Virginia's Colleen Delawder
Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors
My sister, however, insists that this is the best topping in the world for a slice of Thanksgiving turkey, even though I much prefer it as a side dish. Idaho's Aysha Schurman, from Ammon
A cold salad like this is great for parties because it can be prepared in advance and doesn't require the use of any oven space.
The southern collard greens recipe my grandmother made were the best in the world. You'll be in heaven if you pair them with some buttermilk cornbread. Crestview resident Sherri Williams
My slow cooker is always empty after I bring this incredibly decadent corn to a work or holiday party. It's luxurious, comforting, and well worth the extra money. Waleska, Georgia's Melissa Pelkey Hass
The Parmesan and creaminess of these potatoes are a hit with my grandsons. That's the only recommendation I require. I'll occasionally use unpeeled red or golden potatoes. Escondido, California native Kalee Krong-McCreery
This dish never fails to elicit gasps of admiration whenever I bring it to holiday potlucks. If you want to make it look fancier, you can put whipped cream on top. Los Alamos, New Mexico —Carol Mead
I was craving something different, so I experimented with flavors and came up with this delicious meal. I think my German grandma would be proud of me. This vibrant dish pairs perfectly with pork. Ann Sheehy from Lawrence, MA
One of my favorite holiday side dishes, this recipe yields a lot Even though we originally made it to make our food last longer for our big family, it's so delicious that it's perfect for entertaining. --Margaret E. Ohio's Kendall and McConnelsville
Taste of HomeComfort Food
Even though this isn't exactly how she makes her green bean casserole, mom will go crazy for it. After much experimentation, I settled on giving this tried-and-true recipe an extra jolt. It's a hit because of the bacon, cheese, and crunchiness. Portland, Oregon resident Scott Rugh
Taste of HomeComfort Food
Preparation and cooking time for this dish take no time at all. I like to add some dried cranberries, but you can really use your imagination. At the very end, throw in some chopped oranges, orange segments, walnuts, or raisins. Cut your Brussels sprouts in half if they are particularly large. Yorktown Heights, New York — Ellen Ruzinsky
Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors
For our large family, Mom always makes sure there's plenty of stuffing. In addition to the usual stuffing baked inside the turkey, she slow-cooks this delicious sweet potato dressing for our holiday gatherings. London, Ontario's Kelly Pollock
The healthy vegetables, almonds, berries, and squash in this salad make it a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving. Katie Wollgast from Florissant, MO.
The mushroom mac and cheese at a nearby restaurant was the inspiration for this dish. The pumpkin ale flavor I added made it even better than the original recipe I was working from. Chincoteague, Virginia resident Laura Davis.
I never liked broccoli as a kid, but I can't get enough of this salad's refreshing sweetness. It completely transforms the appearance and character of broccoli. Serve these traditional Thanksgiving sides at your upcoming family gathering. —Jessica Conrey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Those who enjoy cranberries will want this sauce on repeat. Fresh, dried, and liquid forms of their favorite fruit are all included. Awesomeness is increased by orange and allspice. Lyons, Illinois resident Arlene Smulski
This recipe for cheesy potatoes is a huge hit with my family. It's topped with a golden crumb topping and brimming with sweet and white potatoes' rich, buttery flavor. Ohio native Carolyn Putnam from Norwalk
These came from Baba, my grandma, who used a coal oven to cook them. I have no idea how she kept the room at the right temperature. She regularly baked extra rolls for the neighbors to enjoy. At lunchtime, my mom and aunts would bring us freshly formed rolls. Hendershot, Charlotte; Hudson; Pennsylvania
My slow cooker stuffing is a huge hit with the whole family. It keeps well in the freezer, so we can eat it well after Thanksgiving has come and gone. Bethlehem, PA's Bette Votral
Add some flair to your Brussels sprouts by cooking them with peas, celery, and bacon. If necessary, you can easily double the recipe. Council Bluffs (Iowa) resident Jodie Beckman
Do you still dream about Grandma's turkey dressing? This family favorite dressing features it alongside aromatic herbs and crunchy vegetables. The convenience of using a slow cooker to prepare it is an added bonus. Canadian resident Sherry Vink of Lacombe, Alberta
My husband claims to be a mac and cheese expert and claims that this recipe is his absolute favorite. It's a perfect match with the pasta and cheeses thanks to the Italian seasoning and tomatoes. Lancaster, Pennsylvania native Adriane Mummert
This is the salad that my daughter loves the most. She eats it as fast as I can prepare it. The flavors will be more harmonious if you make it ahead of time. Oklahoma native Stacey Feather
Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors
My son, daughter, and son-in-law all adore this sourdough stuffing, but my daughter-in-law, Amber, is the biggest fan. On Thanksgiving, I always make extra so that my husband can have leftovers. This, however, is an ideal two-person recipe. Kathy Katz, from Ocala, FL
Taste of HomeDomestic Flavors
We have a long-standing custom of serving sweet potatoes topped with apples and raisins. That's just part of the love, and if I suggest changing it, they'll say, "Oh NO, Beema." Florida resident Judy Batson
As an alternative to the usual corn bread stuffing, this rice mixture is delicious. Sometimes I'll add some finely chopped cooked chicken and a bit more broth to make it a complete meal. A quote from Bearden, Arkansas's Linda Emery
This lettuce salad is so refreshing, you'll actually look forward to eating your fruits and vegetables. Eldridge, Iowa's Bryan Braack
Taste of HomeLike coming home
Vegetable lovers, rejoice: your favorite pairing of peas and carrots just got better. The flavors of the ingredients can really develop when cooked low and slow. Californian Theresa Kreyche
This recipe, which a church friend gave me more than 40 years ago, is simple and delicious, and I make it often. Whenever I make it, I think of her fondly because she was from the South. Nancy Heishman from Sin City
To brighten the meal, I make a salad with persimmons, pomegranate seeds, and a puckering vinaigrette. Dublin, California resident Linda Tambunan