Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Kathy · This post may contain affiliate links

Thanksgiving dinner is filled with delicious dishes. Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes are perfect to add to your Thanksgiving spread.

Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (1)
Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (2)
Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (3)

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year? Or are you tasked with bringing a dish? Thanksgiving casseroles are perfect for a formal sit-down dinner and a casual potluck.

Many of these casseroles can be made ahead of time and kept hot or reheated just before dinner.

Table of Contents

Tips for a successful Thanksgiving Dinner

Make ahead Thanksgiving tips

Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes

Tips for a successful Thanksgiving Dinner

  • A successful Thanksgiving dinner always begins with planning.
    • Write down your menu
    • Plan a shopping list
    • Determine which items you can make ahead of time
    • Plan for extra storage
    • Examine your tableware - plates, silverware, glasses, linens, and serving dishes.
      • Plan out each serving dish. Label each dish with the contents that will fill the dish at serving time. This helps make certain you have enough dishes and it allows others to help out at the last minute.
    • Write out a timeline for cooking your meal on Thanksgiving Day.
  • Allow others to help
    • Assign your guest to bring side dishes or desserts
    • Assign tasks in the kitchen prior to serving
    • Allow help with cleanup
  • Take time to enjoy
    • Enjoy the conversation, your family and friends, and the food!
    • Don't stress and if things don't go quite as planned, it's okay!

Make ahead Thanksgiving tips

  • Make any dishes that can be made ahead of time
  • Peel and slice potatoes, cover potatoes in water
  • Cut up any vegetables, onions, and garlic for your recipes
  • Prep your turkey - make certain your bird is fully thawed. Remove the package of organs from the cavity of your turkey. Check both ends and make certain there's nothing extra under the flap of skin around the neck. Rinse and dry the bird and store covered with plastic wrap on a baking sheet in the refrigerator. Do not stuff your turkey with stuffing until just before placing it in the oven. Your stuffing should be fully cooled when stuffing your bird. Many people also cook their stuffing separately.
  • Make a turkey broth with neck, gizzard, heart and other organs included in the turkey package. This is often used for basting your turkey, making your stuffing extra moist and adding to the gravy.
Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (4)

Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes

Any recipe can be served for Thanksgiving. Below are a few casseroles you might enjoy.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family, friends, and good food!

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Creamy mashed potatoes made from baked potatoes, cheese and bacon.

Check out this recipe

Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (5)

Broccoli Gratin

A delicious broccoli casserole with a creamy sauce and a crunchy topping.

Check out this recipe

Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (6)

Sweet Potato Gratin

Sweet Potato Casserole made with cream and topped with Parmesan Cheese.

Check out this recipe

Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (7)

Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese

A delicious creamy baked macaroni and cheese with a crispy topping.

Check out this recipe

Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (8)

Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potato casserole with added cheese.

Check out this recipe

Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (10)

Wild Rice Stuffing

A mixture of wild rice, mushrooms, pecans and dried cranberries makes a delicious side dish dressing or stuffing for your turkey.

Check out this recipe

Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (11)

Potato Galette

A delicious potato dish made with sliced potatoes, butter, garlic and herbs.

Check out this recipe

Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (12)

More Holidays

  • Cranberry Walnut Bread
  • Orange Glazed Ham
  • Broccoli Gratin
  • Lemon Roasted Chicken

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Valentina says

    What a delicious Thanksgiving feast! That cake is AMAZING. I need a bundt pan with that design! Wishing you and your family and happy and delicious holiday. 🙂 ~Valentina

    Reply

  2. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    Such a great collection of recipes, Kathy! Thanks so much for the shout out!! And lots of great tips. I particularly like the tip about writing down the timeline. I bet that would definitely help in keeping things organized! Pinned 🙂 Have a wonderful week!

    Reply

  3. David @ Spiced says

    What a great collection of recipes, Kathy! We are making a Thanksgiving meal here this year - just not as big as normal. We often make many of the same family recipes (tradition and all), but I'm also down to discover some new ideas, too. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend!

    Reply

    • Kathy says

      You too, Valentina!!!

      Reply

  4. David @ Spiced says

    Wow, this is an excellent collection of Thanksgiving recipes and tips, Kathy! As you noted in the post, the most important thing is to stop and enjoy time with friends and family. Who cares if dinner is served 30 minutes late, or if you run out of pecan pie? (Wait. On 2nd thought, just make two pecan pies!) Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, my friend! 🙂

    Reply

    • Kathy says

      Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

      Reply

  5. Natalie says

    Oh wow.. What a lovely collection. Everything looks so delicious. Thank you for making my life a bit easier. I will definitely make something from this list this Thanksgiving.

    Reply

    • Kathy says

      Thanks, Natalie! Happy Thanksgiving!

      Reply

  6. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    We've had our Thanksgiving here in Canada already, so this would be perfect for Christmas! So many yummy eats that would make the meal special . Thanks so much for including my whipped sweet potatoes and Happy Thanksgiving to ya 🙂

    Reply

  7. David @ Spiced says

    So I might have missed this post before Thanksgiving, but that's ok...because Thanksgiving food is fair game around here throughout the holidays! These look like some delicious classics, and I definitely need to give them a shot soon. 🙂

    Reply

  8. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    What a wonderful collection of Thanksgiving recipes. Mmm I could eat them all of them in one meal!

    Reply

    • Kathy says

      Yep....we did...and more! 🙂

      Reply

  9. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    They all look wonderful Kathy! Hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving with your family!

    Reply

    • Kathy says

      Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

      Reply

  10. mira says

    Wonderful menu! Have a great holiday!

    Reply

    • Kathy says

      Thanks, Mira!

      Reply

  11. Gingi Freeman says

    That cranberry sauce looks out of this world! I usually just go for the can.. gonna have to give this a try!!! - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

    Reply

    • Kathy says

      The cranberry sauce is amazing! And it's super easy to make 🙂

      Reply

  12. Kate @ Framed Cooks says

    Oh gosh, that cranberry sauce! I'm pinning that one. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  13. Sues says

    I am all about those cranberry nut bars! Perfect for Thanksgiving or any day at all! Hope you have a wonderful holiday 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Thanksgiving Casserole Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I make for Thanksgiving dinner instead of turkey? ›

Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Are Better Than Turkey
  • Roast Chicken With Maple Butter and Rosemary. Image. Credit... ...
  • Beef Wellington. Image. ...
  • Ombré Gratin. Image. ...
  • Skillet Pork Chops and Apples With Miso Caramel. Image. ...
  • Samosa Pie. Image. ...
  • Maple-Baked Salmon. Image. ...
  • Lasagna. Image. ...
  • Ina Garten's Make-Ahead Coquilles St. Jacques.
Nov 10, 2022

Why is green bean casserole the best Thanksgiving dish? ›

Green bean casserole was considered a perfect dish for holiday entertaining because it was simple, inexpensive, and could easily be made ahead of time.

Can you freeze Thanksgiving leftover casserole? ›

Sure, for about a month, but you need to be aware that the texture might be a little different once you thaw and recook it. Your famous green bean casserole and those delicious fried onions won't freeze well, so eat those leftovers ASAP.

What is the most wanted alternative to turkey on Thanksgiving? ›

Cornish game hen, goose, duck, ham, beef, salmon, and mushroom recipes make worthy centerpieces for holiday meals.

What is America's favorite Thanksgiving side dish? ›

These are the most popular Thanksgiving sides across the U.S.: Mashed potatoes: The top spot goes to mashed potatoes! While this may be unsurprising (especially with how downright delicious mashed potatoes are), last year the side dish was in second place.

What side dishes can be made ahead of time for Thanksgiving? ›

Casseroles
  • 1 / 6. Make-Ahead Creamy Mac & Cheese Casserole. ...
  • 2 / 6. Baked Polenta with Greens, Artichokes, and Gruyère. ...
  • 3 / 6. Chickpea Casserole with Lemon, Herbs & Shallots. ...
  • 4 / 6. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese. ...
  • 5 / 6. Loaded Cheesy Cauliflower Bake. ...
  • 6 / 6. Wild Rice and Kale Casserole.

What do most people eat the night before Thanksgiving? ›

If any night is the most critical, it's the night before, when many Americans will bake pies and prepare reheatable dishes, like casseroles and soups, so that Thursday morning doesn't dissolve into chaos.

What to do 2 days before Thanksgiving? ›

2 Days Before:

Assemble casseroles. Sweet potato or green bean casseroles can be stored uncooked in the fridge and baked on Thanksgiving. Bake rolls and breads. Make pie crust or thaw your pie crust; bake pumpkin pies.

Is green bean casserole better with canned or fresh? ›

this is a great classic Thanksgiving side dish! Are frozen or canned green beans better for green bean casserole? This green bean recipe uses the fresh kind, but frozen are your next best bet. Canned green beans are too mushy and will fall apart, so don't use those if at all possible.

Which dish was not eaten at the first Thanksgiving? ›

What Wasn't Served at the First Thanksgiving. It is also worth noting what was not present at the first Thanksgiving feast. There were no cloudlike heaps of mashed potatoes, since white potatoes had not yet crossed over from South America.

What does everyone cook for Thanksgiving? ›

For just one day a year, we feast on roast turkey, jellied cranberries, and marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole—dishes so synonymous with Thanksgiving, they earn the exclusive designation of Thanksgiving food.

Can you eat cooked turkey after 5 days? ›

USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.

What casseroles don't freeze well? ›

Avoid freezing casseroles made with dairy products (especially soft cheeses with a high-water content like ricotta or cottage), eggs, starchy vegetables, and watery vegetables like lettuce and cucumber.

Is it better to freeze casseroles cooked or uncooked? ›

If the casserole has raw protein (meat, poultry, seafood), you should cook it thoroughly before freezing. Line the baking dish with enough aluminum foil so that there is an overhang on all sides. After cooking, let the hot casserole cool a bit, then carefully remove it from the pan by lifting the foil on both sides.

What are alternatives to making a turkey? ›

20 turkey alternatives for Thanksgiving, including duck and pork
  1. Pork.
  2. Ham.
  3. Duck.
  4. Chicken.
  5. Beef.
  6. Squash.
  7. Mushroom.
  8. Cauliflower.
Oct 30, 2022

What are 4 other traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie. But the way these dishes are made or added to is everchanging because of food trends and different dietary requirements.

What types of food were served at the first Thanksgiving besides turkey? ›

The first Thanksgiving banquet consisted of foods like venison, bean stew and hard biscuits. And while corn and pumpkin had their place on the table, they hardly resembled the cornbread stuffing and pumpkin pie we feast on today.

What is good to fix for Thanksgiving dinner? ›

Main Course:
  • Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey.
  • Ree's Favorite Turkey Brine.
  • Spinach-Artichoke Dip.
  • Festive Goat Cheese Balls.
  • Cornbread Thanksgiving Dressing.
  • Delicious, Creamy Mashed Potatoes.
  • Make-Ahead Gravy.
  • Beautiful Brussels Sprouts.
Nov 1, 2023

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Barbera Armstrong

Last Updated:

Views: 6232

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Barbera Armstrong

Birthday: 1992-09-12

Address: Suite 993 99852 Daugherty Causeway, Ritchiehaven, VT 49630

Phone: +5026838435397

Job: National Engineer

Hobby: Listening to music, Board games, Photography, Ice skating, LARPing, Kite flying, Rugby

Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.