It takes more than just a turkey to fill a Thanksgiving table with excitement. These 25 side dishes consistently spark chatter, requests for seconds, and squabbles over serving spoons. Your bowl choice might become a hot topic because these sides earn every inch of space. If anyone’s worrying about leftovers, they probably haven’t seen the size of the bowls you’ll need.

A white bowl filled with seasoned roasted sweet potato cubes, garnished with chopped herbs, with a metal serving spoon on the side and a printed napkin partially visible. — Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

A baked casserole topped with chopped green onions and bacon pieces, with one square being served from the dish using a spatula. — Twice-Baked Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

There are plenty of reasons to give Twice-Baked Potato Casserole a generous spot on your spread. This hearty dish combines creamy potatoes with crispy toppings that always bring requests for seconds. Layers of cheese and bacon contribute excellent flavors, making it a crowd favorite. It’s a comforting centerpiece that’s sure to draw much attention at any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Twice-Baked Potato Casserole

Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

Grilled corn on the cob pieces topped with cheese, chili powder, and cilantro, served on a black slate plate with lime wedges on the side. — Grilled Elote Corn Ribs. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Bringing a fun twist to corn, Grilled Elote Corn Ribs transform classic flavors into charismatic bites for your big bowl. Each rib carries tangy, smoky spices and a touch of cheese, providing a pleasing contrast to other sides. Their unique shape makes them easy to enjoy and conversation-worthy. You’ll find them disappearing quickly as guests reach for more.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Elote Corn Ribs

31 of Chef Jenn's FAVE Casseroles!

Recipes for Comfort-Filled Family Meals

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Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill

Even guests who aren’t usually fans will appreciate how Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill can bring brightness and freshness to your meal lineup. The citrus and herb combination adds a light, aromatic quality to each bite. This dish balances out heavier sides with its zippy taste. It holds its own among more traditional dishes, making it bowl-worthy every time.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill

Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon

A rectangular white plate with cooked red cabbage and bacon pieces, placed on a light surface next to a floral-patterned cloth. — Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

With vibrant color and bold notes, Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon stands out on any table. The mixture of tangy vinegar and spicy bacon creates a delicious balance that keeps everyone coming back. This recipe brings both crunch and flavor that pair well with many main dishes. You’ll want to serve it in a large dish as it’s sure to be popular.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon

Greek Lemon Potatoes

Round black dish filled with seasoned roasted potato wedges, placed on a white wooden surface alongside a white and yellow striped cloth napkin. — Greek Lemon Potatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

When you serve Greek Lemon Potatoes, you’re introducing an irresistible balance of tangy lemon and tender roasted spuds. Each piece is infused with herbaceous goodness and a lovely roasted texture. This recipe is perfect for soaking up sauces or eating on its own. It’s a reliable favorite deserving a prime spot in your biggest bowl.
Get the Recipe: Greek Lemon Potatoes

Smoked Mac & Cheese

Bringing a smoky upgrade to a beloved side, Smoked Mac & Cheese commands attention on any festive table. The subtle wood-kissed flavor combines with creamy pasta for comfort in every bite. People often go back for more once they experience the rich and delicious layer. Making this in a large batch ensures everyone gets a generous scoop.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Mac & Cheese

Garlic & Rosemary Braised Potatoes

Braised potatoes in a pan after cooking. — Garlic & Rosemary Braised Potatoes. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Herbal notes shine in Garlic & Rosemary Braised Potatoes, giving this dish a special flair among your selection. The potatoes become deliciously tender after bathing in a fragrant, infused broth. Layers of flavor mingle in every forkful, making it a clear contender for the largest serving dish. Guests will appreciate its simplicity and hearty quality.
Get the Recipe: Garlic & Rosemary Braised Potatoes

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Green beans with pork on a black plate. — Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

In Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans, string beans are simmered for hours with smoky additions for incredible depth of taste. The long cook transforms them into a flavorful, nearly melt-in-your-mouth delight perfect for serving family-style. These beans offer tradition and warmth that fill your biggest bowl nicely. They pair effortlessly with a variety of main dishes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Corn Fritters

Generous heaps of Corn Fritters on the table ensure everyone gets to enjoy their light crunch and sweet corn flavor. These favorites are easy to pick up and add a playful touch to your spread. Each bite offers a pleasant contrast to others, richer sides. Their popularity means they belong in the most prominent bowl you have.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters

Sausage Stuffing

No holiday meal is complete without a hearty helping of Sausage Stuffing, which blends spicy sausage with aromatic vegetables and perfectly baked bread. This classic side is often requested in large portions due to its comforting, familiar taste. Every bite is fulfilling and packed with tried-and-true flavors. Serving it in your biggest bowl is always a wise decision.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Stuffing

Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Everybody knows that Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese deserves a significant place at the table. The addition of cream cheese turns an already popular side into something incredibly smooth and rich. This dish pairs exceptionally well with gravies and sauces or stands out on its own. You’ll want to prepare extra, as it will quickly disappear from any serving bowl.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Broccoli Rice Casserole with Fresh Broccoli

With filling grains and wholesome vegetables, Broccoli Rice Casserole with Fresh Broccoli offers a reliable, comforting choice. Fresh broccoli brings a crispness that holds up in baking, blending nicely with fluffy rice and mild cheese. This dish is hearty enough to fill a substantial bowl and keep guests satisfied. It’s a classic that appeals to all ages.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole with Fresh Broccoli

Bacon Fried Corn

Many people make extra room on their plates for Bacon Fried Corn, where bursts of sweet corn meet the irresistible crunch of bacon. This flavorful mix brings a welcome textural contrast that guests line up for time after time. It cooks up quickly and always vanishes quickly once served. Definitely a side dish best served in the largest bowl you have on hand.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Fried Corn

Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Hearty and smooth, Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin is a great way to use pantry staples for a crowd-pleaser. The soup achieves a lovely texture and comforting flavor profile thanks to a rich blend of spices and pumpkin. It makes a wonderful pairing with breads or stands proudly as a main attraction in your lineup. This soup is best ladled generously into extra-large bowls.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Sauerkraut in a serving dish with a spoon. — Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Mixing sweet and smoky, Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon brings an exciting flavor profile that cuts through heavier dishes easily. Apples add a moderate sweetness while bacon lends depth that perfectly complements the fermented tang of sauerkraut. This side makes a memorable impression and deserves a big serving bowl. Guests often come back for second helpings of its unique combination.
Get the Recipe: Sauerkraut with Apples & Bacon

Polenta with Mascarpone

From its creamy consistency to its slight tang, Polenta with Mascarpone adds elegance to your side dish rotation. Mascarpone transforms simple cornmeal into a dish that is velvety and pleasantly rich. This pairs effortlessly with a variety of mains or serves as a base for flavorful gravies and sauces. You’ll want this side in a generously sized bowl for easy sharing.
Get the Recipe: Polenta with Mascarpone

Mexican Black Beans

Enhanced with spices, Mexican Black Beans offer a bold and hearty accompaniment to your meal. These beans cook down to a tender texture but maintain structure, perfect for scooping and piling on plates. They absorb flavors beautifully and balance a range of dishes. Serving them in a big bowl ensures that their appealing simplicity shines through for every guest.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Black Beans

Potatoes & Cabbage (Not Colcannon!)

A white rectangular plate with Potatoes & Cabbage garnished with parsley on a patterned surface. — Potatoes & Cabbage (Not Colcannon!). Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Homey and fulfilling, Potatoes & Cabbage (Not Colcannon!) shine as a filling side that stands out with both flavor and texture. Chopped cabbage softens lovingly alongside potatoes for a dish that’s hearty and comforting. This combo can steal the show from even the main course if given a large enough place at your feast. It’s reliable, comforting, and sure to get rave reviews.
Get the Recipe: Potatoes & Cabbage (Not Colcannon!)

Classic Corn Pudding Casserole

A square slice of corn pudding casserole with eggs, red bell pepper, and chives sits on a white plate with a serving spoon underneath. — Classic Corn Pudding Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Many families reach for Classic Corn Pudding Casserole out of both tradition and pure enjoyment. The tender, custardy filling surrounds corn kernels in a dish that’s both comforting and fulfilling. This side is always a candidate for the largest serving vessel, as it draws countless requests for seconds. You can rely on this casserole to please both kids and adults.
Get the Recipe: Classic Corn Pudding Casserole

Smoked Spaghetti Squash

A baked spaghetti squash half filled with cooked strands, garnished with chopped parsley, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. — Smoked Spaghetti Squash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

With hints of smoke running through every bite, Smoked Spaghetti Squash is a distinctive addition to your side dish selection. Roasted until tender, the squash’s strands make for a hearty and fiber-filled accompaniment. This side is versatile and fits seamlessly alongside classics or newer options. Make it in large quantities because it disappears quickly.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Spaghetti Squash

Baked Spanish Rice

Robust and full of flavor, Baked Spanish Rice infuses every bowlful with tomato, pepper, and aromatic herb accents. This dish brings both color and a mild kick that keeps the palette refreshed. Each grain emerges fluffy and full of character after baking. For gatherings, a big serving bowl will ensure all guests can enjoy a scoop or two.
Get the Recipe: Baked Spanish Rice

Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer

A sweet potato on a plate with a fork. — Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Crisp outside and tender inside, Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer are a fuss-free side that pairs well with nearly any entree. Quick cooking ensures a caramelized exterior that guests of all ages find appealing. Light seasoning allows the natural sweetness of the potatoes to come through. Place them in a large bowl and watch them vanish quickly.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer

Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

Luxuriously smooth, Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone transforms this classic vegetable into a memorable side. The mascarpone brings a creamy texture and subtle richness that make each bite stand out. It complements a wide range of main courses with little effort. You’ll need a large bowl to keep up with demand at mealtime.
Get the Recipe: Creamed Spinach with Mascarpone

Easy German Potato Salad

German Potato Salad with red onions, and bacon pieces, garnished with chopped parsley are served in a white dish with a spoon. — Easy German Potato Salad. Photo credit: The Bite Stuff.

Taking potatoes in a tangy direction, Easy German Potato Salad features a bright vinegar dressing in place of creamy mayonnaise. Bacon and onions bring an extra boost of flavor that complements potatoes perfectly. It’s traditionally served warm, making it more appealing for many guests. Prepare a large batch because it stands up well to other hearty sides.
Get the Recipe: Easy German Potato Salad

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes

Perfect for those who want a simple side with big flavor, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes bring crispy edges and tender centers together with every bite. Easy to prepare and ideal for maximizing oven space, these cubes offer a fulfilling option next to any main course. Their natural sweetness pairs well with a sprinkle of your favorite herbs or a dash of seasoning. Give these a try and find them disappearing quickly from even the biggest bowl on the table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes