Thanksgiving is all about sharing a warm meal and making memories around the table. Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or keeping things simple at home, having a mix of classic dishes and a few new favorites can make the day feel extra special.
This list brings together comforting sides, flavorful mains, and a few sweet treats to help round out your Thanksgiving spread. Everything here is cozy, down-to-earth, and full of the kind of flavor that brings people back for seconds.
1. Grandma’s Thanksgiving Dressing
This old-fashioned dressing has everything you want from a holiday side dish. It’s rich, savory, and made with simple ingredients that come together just right. The bread soaks up all the flavor from herbs and broth, and it’s baked until the top is golden and crisp.
You can follow the full method for this comforting classic in this Thanksgiving dressing recipe.
2. Rosemary Garlic Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes are creamy with just the right touch of rosemary and garlic. They’re not too fancy but still feel special enough for a holiday meal. The garlic is mellow, and the rosemary adds a cozy flavor that goes great with turkey and gravy.
Here’s how to make this easy mashed potato recipe with rosemary and garlic. Get the full details here.
3. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon and Honey
This recipe brings out the natural sweetness of the potatoes with a little help from cinnamon and honey. Roasting gives them those nice caramelized edges, and the spices make the dish feel warm and seasonal.
See how to prepare these roasted sweet potatoes with cinnamon and honey.
4. Cranberry Turkey Stuffing Balls
These stuffing balls are a fun twist on a holiday favorite. They pack turkey, stuffing, and cranberries into bite-sized portions that are easy to serve. Perfect as a side or even an appetizer, they bring together the best Thanksgiving flavors in every bite.
Try this festive idea by checking out the full cranberry turkey stuffing balls recipe.
5. Southern Maple Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet and savory, this casserole uses maple syrup to bring out the richness of the sweet potatoes. It’s smooth, flavorful, and topped with pecans for a bit of crunch. This dish fits right in with the rest of your Thanksgiving favorites.
Learn how to make this maple sweet potato casserole.
6. Salted Caramel Apple Pie Cheesecake Bars
These bars combine three comforting desserts into one: apple pie, cheesecake, and a drizzle of salted caramel. They have a smooth, creamy base with spiced apples and a buttery crust. It’s a great option if you want something sweet that’s easy to slice and share.
You can make your own batch of apple pie cheesecake bars with salted caramel here.
7. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
This is a classic Thanksgiving side dish with soft, creamy sweet potatoes and a gooey layer of toasted marshmallows on top. It’s sweet, soft, and always a crowd-pleaser with both kids and adults at the table.
Here’s how to make this sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows.
8. Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cheese
This chilled salad brings a bit of crunch and freshness to your plate. The broccoli stays crisp, and it’s mixed with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and a creamy dressing. It balances out the heavier dishes without losing any flavor.
Follow this simple broccoli bacon and cheese salad recipe.
9. Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
These carrots are soft, slightly sticky, and full of warm brown sugar flavor. The glaze brings out their natural sweetness, and they make a great colorful side dish to balance out the plate.
You can make this side dish with the brown sugar glazed carrots recipe here.
10. Jiffy Corn Casserole
Corn casserole is soft, slightly sweet, and really simple to make. Using Jiffy mix makes it easy, and it turns out fluffy and rich every time. It pairs well with just about everything on the table.
See the step-by-step instructions in this Jiffy corn casserole recipe.
11. Crockpot Cranberry Orange Pork Loin
This pork loin cooks slowly with cranberry sauce and orange for a sweet and tangy finish. It’s tender, flavorful, and great with simple sides.
See how to make this cranberry orange slow cooker pork loin in this recipe.
12. Crockpot Pork Chops with Apples and Onions
Pork chops simmer in the crockpot with apples and onions for a savory-sweet meal. The flavors blend together while the meat stays tender.
Check out how to make these apple and onion pork chops using this recipe.
13. Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Apples
This dish combines tender pork with slices of apple for a lightly sweet, fall-inspired dinner. It’s a no-fuss crockpot recipe that’s easy to put together.
Find the full method for slow cooker apple pork tenderloin here.
14. Crockpot Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops
These pork chops cook in a tangy balsamic glaze that adds just enough sweetness. The result is tender and flavorful, with very little effort.
Learn how to make balsamic glazed pork chops in the crockpot with this recipe.
15. Slow Cooker Bourbon Apple Butter Meatballs
These meatballs are coated in a sweet apple butter and bourbon sauce, making them great for parties or fall dinners. They’re savory with just a hint of sweet.
Try these bourbon apple butter meatballs by following this recipe.
16. Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken Stew
This stew is full of warm spices, tender chicken, and vegetables. It’s hearty, comforting, and easy to make in the crockpot.
See how to cook this Moroccan chicken stew in the slow cooker right here.
17. Sheet Pan Maple Dijon Salmon
This salmon bakes on a single pan with a maple dijon glaze. It’s simple, quick, and full of flavor, making it great for busy nights.
Learn how to make this sheet pan maple dijon salmon with this recipe.
18. Slow Cooker Cornbread Dressing
This comforting dish brings together cornbread, broth, and herbs in a slow cooker for an easy, flavorful dressing. It’s moist, savory, and hands-off once it’s in the pot.
Try this recipe for slow cooker cornbread dressing right here.
19. Kale Sweet Potato Salad with Feta
This salad balances earthy kale with sweet roasted potatoes and tangy feta cheese. It’s hearty enough for a main or a colorful side dish.
Get the recipe for this kale and sweet potato salad with feta at this link.
20. Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry
This plant-based curry is warm, filling, and easy to make. Sweet potatoes and chickpeas simmer together with spices for a cozy one-pot meal.
Follow this guide to make a simple sweet potato chickpea curry right here.
21. Crockpot Beef Sweet Potato Stew
Chunks of beef and sweet potato come together in this slow-cooked stew. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for cold days.
Check out how to make this slow cooker beef and sweet potato stew with this recipe.
22. Crockpot Swamp Potatoes
These potatoes cook down with onions, butter, and seasonings into a soft, flavorful side. It’s a Southern-inspired dish that’s simple and satisfying.
See how to make swamp potatoes in the crockpot in this easy recipe.
23. Crockpot Green Beans, Potatoes, and Ham
This all-in-one dish mixes green beans, tender potatoes, and chunks of ham. It’s a hearty, well-rounded meal made right in the slow cooker.
Learn how to make this classic ham and veggie crockpot meal right here.
24. Crockpot Split Pea Soup with Ham
This soup is thick, warm, and full of flavor from split peas, ham, and vegetables. It cooks low and slow, making it great for busy days.
Try the full recipe for slow cooker split pea and ham soup at this link.
25. Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup
This soup is creamy, smooth, and full of cozy fall flavor. Butternut squash gives it a natural sweetness, and the slow cooker makes it an easy option for Thanksgiving prep. It’s great as a starter or light side.
You can make a batch using this butternut squash soup crockpot recipe.
26. Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
This pasta dish brings a seasonal twist with pumpkin blended into a rich, creamy Alfredo sauce. It’s simple, savory, and feels just right for a fall meal. Serve it alongside turkey or as a vegetarian main.
Follow this creamy pumpkin Alfredo pasta recipe for full details.
27. Lentil Kale Soup
This soup is warm, comforting, and full of healthy ingredients like lentils, kale, and carrots. It’s simple to make and works well as a light starter for your holiday meal.
Check out this lentil and kale soup recipe for a healthy Thanksgiving starter.
28. Crockpot Pumpkin Bread Pudding
This bread pudding is soft, warm, and filled with pumpkin spice flavor. It’s a simple dessert that tastes like fall in a bowl.
Try this cozy recipe for pumpkin bread pudding in the crockpot right here.
29. Crockpot Cranberry Orange Bread
This quick bread bakes up moist with a balance of tart cranberry and citrus. Using the crockpot makes it nearly foolproof.
Find the recipe for slow cooker cranberry orange bread at this link.
30. Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Bread
This sweet loaf is full of tender apples and warm spices. It’s great for breakfast or as a snack with coffee.
Learn how to make apple cinnamon bread in the crockpot in this recipe.
31. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
Pumpkin and chocolate come together in this moist loaf. It’s sweet, spiced, and perfect for fall mornings or dessert.
Follow this guide to bake pumpkin chocolate chip bread in a slow cooker right here.
32. Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
This overnight oatmeal cooks slowly for a soft, comforting breakfast. It’s sweetened with maple and brown sugar for a warm flavor.
Try this recipe for slow cooker maple oatmeal at this link.
33. Cranberry Apple Crockpot Oatmeal
This version of oatmeal mixes apples and cranberries for a tart and sweet breakfast option. It’s warm, filling, and easy to prep ahead.
Learn how to make apple cranberry oatmeal in the crockpot with this recipe.
34. Pumpkin Spice Crockpot Oatmeal
This oatmeal is flavored with pumpkin puree and spices for a cozy, fall-inspired start to the day. It’s great for busy mornings.
Check out how to make pumpkin spice oatmeal in a slow cooker right here.
35. Smoky Chipotle Beef Chili
With smoky chipotle and hearty chunks of beef, this chili has a deep, rich flavor that works well on a cold fall day. It’s not traditional Thanksgiving food, but it makes a great addition to a casual gathering.
Here’s how to make this chipotle beef chili.
36. Crockpot Pumpkin Curry Soup
Pumpkin, coconut milk, and curry spices come together in this warm, flavorful soup. It’s comforting and a little bit different from the usual fall dishes.
See how to make pumpkin curry soup in a slow cooker with this recipe.
37. Creamy Marry Me Chicken Soup
This soup has tender chicken in a creamy broth with herbs, pasta, and tomatoes. It’s rich, filling, and easy to make.
Follow this recipe for creamy marry me chicken soup right here.
38. Crockpot Apple Cider
Warm and lightly spiced, this apple cider is made in the crockpot so the flavors have time to come together. It’s perfect for gatherings or a quiet evening.
Learn how to make crockpot apple cider from scratch in this recipe.
Final Thoughts
Fall cooking doesn’t have to be complicated. These recipes keep things simple while still bringing warm, rich flavors to the table. From slow-cooked meats and cozy soups to sweet breakfasts and sides, there’s a mix of comfort food for any day of the week.
Whether you’re planning a holiday meal or just want something warm after a long day, there’s something in here to make things feel a little more homey.
Try one or two this week and see which ones become part of your fall routine.
