Top 10 Family Holiday Side Dishes

Thanksgiving is all about the sides — let’s be honest. The turkey might get the spotlight, but the real stars are those buttery, golden, cheesy, perfectly seasoned dishes piling up around it. These are the recipes everyone hovers over, sneaks bites of, and asks for again next year. In this roundup, I pulled together the best of the best — the classics you can’t celebrate without, plus a few crave-worthy twists that make the whole meal feel extra special.

Each dish brings that homemade, comforting, The kind that feels like family, like holidays, like everyone crowding into the kitchen “just to taste.” Whether you’re hosting the whole crew or rolling up with a single side that steals the show, these recipes are foolproof, cozy, and absolutely delicious. Let’s make this the year your Thanksgiving table is unforgettable.

Traditional Sausage Stuffing

Arguably the best recipe on my entire website. This is my family, traditional sausage stuffing recipe that’s been passed down from generation to generation to generation. It is absolutely delicious and I am certain that once you make this, it will become your tradition as well.

Traditional Sausage Stuffing 🧅

Sweet Potato Casserole

Everything Thanksgiving, since as far back as I can remember, as a little girl, I may be took one bite of the mashed potatoes, but I devoured the sweet potato casserole. This is another recipe that’s been passed down through their generations of women in my family and it is incredibly delicious! Also, it’s super easy to make! One of the tricks my grandmother taught me was to simply boil your sweet potato skins on! Once you pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork and it feels soft and done, just remove it and remove the sweet potatoes from the water, Then once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, you’ll see that the skin just slide right off super easily! This is another tried and true treasure Thanksgiving side dish.

Sweet Potato Casserole 🍠

Make Ahead Turkey Gravy 🪔

This is my Make Ahead Turkey Gravy, My grandmother always said, “If you’re cooking one pot of gravy, you might as well make two.” So now, every year, we make this rich, golden make-ahead turkey gravy before the big day — and then another batch using the turkey drippings the morning of.

Make Ahead Turkey Gravy

Broccoli Cheese Casserole 

When I was in my late 20s, my boys were super picky eaters! So I wanted to bring a side dish to my family Thanksgiving dinner that they would actually eat! So, I was speaking with my sister Jessica’s sister-in-law and she shared with me her broccoli cheese casserole recipe. I wondered is this gonna be good? It’s so ridiculously easy?! But, I tried it anyway, and I brought it to Thanksgiving and guess what not only did my kids devour it and all the kids, but the adult adults went crazy for it and it became a staple from thereafter! I know you’re gonna love this recipe! 

Broccoli Cheese Casserole 🥦

Cranberry Sauce 🍒

If you’ve only ever had cranberry sauce from a can, get ready — this homemade fresh cranberry sauce is a total game changer. It’s bright, citrusy, lightly spiced, a little boozy (thanks to Grand Marnier!)

Easy Fresh Cranberry Sauce (Feezer-Friendly & Make Ahead!)

Artichoke Dip 🧅

Year after year I make my four ingredient artichoke dip to take to the party. Can four ingredients truly result in the ultimate showstopper? 

4 Ingredient Artichoke Dip 🧀

(7/10) Grandma Jo’s Stuffed Peppers 🌶️

Even though this is not a Thanksgiving side, this is the last recipe I made on my channel with my Grandma Jo! And, This is one of the most beloved recipes on my website and whenever I posted on social media! It’s another recipe pass down from the generations and it is simply perfect! 

Grandma’s Stuffed Peppers

Lasagna 🍅

In my family, we always started off with an Italian recipe as a first course before the traditional Thanksgiving meal! That could be stuffed shells, ravioli, and more often than not lasagna! Here’s an incredible recipe for lasagna that is perfect for any holiday meal! 

Lasagna 🍅

Turkey Gravy

This is the way my grandmother and grandfather taught me to make turkey gravy. It’s extremely flavorful and you use the drippings from your roasted turkey the day of Thanksgiving and an old-school broth that you will be surprised on how easy it is to make using the parts of the turkey you may throw away! And, those giblets make the best gravy you will ever have! I am now in charge of turkey gravy every single Thanksgiving and this is the exact recipe I use. You will absolutely love this recipe.

Turkey Gravy 🦃

Holiday Baked Macaroni and Cheese 🧀

Melissa Jo’s Baked Macaroni & Cheese — the one I make every single Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Melissa Jo’s Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Thank you!

Thank you all for the support you’ve been giving me for the past five years, It’s been such an amazing journey and I hope you all enjoy these recipes for your holidays coming up. Have an amazing thanksgiving! 🙂