Top Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Can you believe Thanksgiving is NEXT week? I'm pretty sure I missed that whole summer transitioning into fall thing, and before we know it, we'll be moving into winter... which I hope brings lots of snow with it.

But I digress...

Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite food day of the year. Sure, it's a lot of work, but seriously - all that food! And without all the stresses of Christmas? I'll take it!

Last year, I made almost this exact spread... but I made creamy garlic mashed potatoes instead of the twice baked potato casserole. I wanted to change things up a bit this year... but not too much. Can you tell this is way too much food, even with my family visiting? This year, we will have an additional three guests and maybe not so many leftovers.

These 17 recipes are simple and please crowds... there are appetizers, side dishes, desserts, and even a special drink - caramel apple sangria! Yum! These cards are standard 4x6 inch recipe cards, and if you print them on cardstock, you can add them right to your recipe box. To get your FREE set of the 4x6 inch recipe cards, DOWNLOAD THEM HERE (PDF file). 

The recipes include:

• Baked Brie
• Candied Yams
• Caramel Apple Sangria
• Cinnamon Apples
• Cornbread Casserole
• Cranberry Sauce
• Creamed Peas
• Deviled Eggs
• Dressing
• Glazed Carrots
• Green Bean Casserole
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Pecan Pie Bars
• Pumpkin Pie
• Twice Baked Potato Casserole
• Waldorf Salad
• Warm Onion Dip

To get your FREE set of the 4x6 inch recipe cards, DOWNLOAD THEM HERE. It's a 9 page PDF file... simply print them onto cardstock, cut them out, and use them to prepare your delicious Thanksgiving dinner! 

• What are your favorite side dishes?
• Do you have any family favorites?

    

Top 8 Vegetarian Side Dishes for Thanksgiving

It's that time of year! Thanksgiving is fast approaching (as in NEXT WEEK! Can you believe it?).

I am making this post because I sure would have appreciated something like it during my first vegetarian Thanksgiving five years ago. I had been meat-free for over six months when Thanksgiving hit, but it was my first true test. I made it through, but it wasn't easy. Over the years, I have come up with some delicious side dishes that fill me up and keep me happy while everyone else eats their turkey. (I'm more of a sides kind of girl anyway.)

Without further adieu, here are my top eight go-to Thanksgiving/Christmas recipes that are sure to please even those who make fun of your eating habits:

*Dish names are linked to recipes, so click on them!*

1. Macaroni & Cheese (With Onions & Garlic)

2. Green Bean Casserole

3. Creamy Garlic & Chive Mashed Potatoes

4. Creamed Peas

5. Creamy Cornbread Casserole

6. Candied Sweet Potatoes

7. Vegetarian Stuffing

8. Cheesy Broccoli & Rice Casserole

I hope some of you found this post helpful! Even if you aren't vegetarian, these are great side dishes that accompany the rest of your meal perfectly. So now I must ask...

Are you a vegetarian?
What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish (veggie or not)? 
Do you enjoy Thanksgiving as much as I do?

Recipe: Vegetarian Stuffing

As we approach Thanksgiving, I've decided to showcase some of my absolute FAVORITE vegetarian side dishes. Since I don't eat turkey, I live on sides during the holidays... and I wouldn't have it any other way! Side dishes are the BEST, so I'll be posting one recipe a week until Thanksgiving to give ideas to my fellow vegetarians (or anyone with taste buds, really). 

*Note: if you are making this vegetarian, please check the ingredients on the stuffing package. Many include cooked chicken, chicken stock/broth, and/or chicken fat. I have found that many of the name brands are off limits, but the store brand where I live (Safeway) is completely meat-free!

Ingredients Needed:1 Package Stuffing Mix 1/2 Onion (chopped) 5 Celery Stalks (chopped) 3-4 Carrots (chopped) 1/2 Cup Butter (melted) 1 1/2 Cups Water or Broth (I use vegetarian "No Chicken" broth from Whole Foods)
The Recipe: 1. Melt butter in saucepan. 2. Add onion, celery, and carrot, and sauté until tender, about 5-7 minutes. 3. Add stuffing mix to saucepan. 4. Add water or broth a little at a time, tossing to mix. 5. ENJOY!

Recipe: Creamed Peas

As we approach Thanksgiving, I've decided to showcase some of my absolute FAVORITE vegetarian side dishes. Since I don't eat turkey, I live on sides during the holidays... and I wouldn't have it any other way! Side dishes are the BEST, so I'll be posting one recipe a week until Thanksgiving to give ideas to my fellow vegetarians (or anyone with taste buds, really). 

This recipe is one of my favorites from childhood. Yes, I was that weird kid that loved vegetables. Really. This is NOT the healthiest veggie recipe, though, so don't count on getting in all of your nutrients with this one... Fat content, though? Heck yes! Plus, this recipe is SUPER SIMPLE!

Ingredients Needed:
1 Bag of Frozen Peas
1 Tablespoon of Butter
2-4 Ounces of Milk
8 Ounces of Cream Cheese (I like the garlic/chive kind the best with this, but plain also works well)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)

The Recipe:
1. Add frozen peas to a large pot of boiling water.
2. Boil for about 10-12 minutes or until peas are as soft as you want them.
3. Strain water from peas.
4. Add butter and milk, and stir well.
5. Add cream cheese a little bit at a time, stirring to mix it all in.
6. Add salt and pepper. I LOVE this recipe with quite a bit of pepper.
7. ENJOY!

Recipe: Creamy Garlic & Chive Mashed Potatoes

As we approach Thanksgiving, I've decided to showcase some of my absolute FAVORITE vegetarian side dishes. Since I don't eat turkey, I live on sides during the holidays... and I wouldn't have it any other way! Side dishes are the BEST, so I'll be posting one recipe a week until Thanksgiving to give ideas to my fellow vegetarians (or anyone with taste buds, really). 

Everyone loves mashed potatoes, right? Not exactly. I actually used to hate them. I'm THAT weirdo. However, after several years, I decided to try them again... and I made up a recipe that includes one of my favorite things: cream cheese. Yep. These bad boys are ooey and gooey and creamy and delicious!

Ingredients Needed:
6-8 Yukon Potatoes
6 Tablespoons of Butter
8 Ounces of Cream Cheese (Garlic/Chive flavored works best!)
1/2 Cup of Milk
1 Tablespoon Onion Salt
1 Teaspoon Pepper

The Recipe:
*Some people prefer to peel their potatoes first. If you like them that way, do it. I just like the texture of the skin.
1. Cut potatoes into cubes (the smaller they are, the quicker they cook!)
2. Boil in a large saucepan until tender (poke with a fork to check). This is usually about 30 minutes for me.
3. Drain the water from the potatoes in a strainer.
4. Add potatoes back to large saucepan.
5. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher
6. Add the butter, and mix it well into the potatoes until it melts.
7. Add in cream cheese, and stir it well.
8. Add milk, and stir it all up well.
9. Add onion salt and pepper.
10. ENJOY!

**I like sautéing onions and garlic until they are tender and mixing them in to the potatoes as well for an extra kick. I promise - it's delicious!

Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

As we approach Thanksgiving, I've decided to showcase some of my absolute FAVORITE vegetarian side dishes. Since I don't eat turkey, I live on sides during the holidays... and I wouldn't have it any other way! Side dishes are the BEST, so I'll be posting one recipe a week until Thanksgiving to give ideas to my fellow vegetarians (or anyone with taste buds, really). 

Love green beans? Me too! This recipe is my favorite EVER for green bean casseroles, and I've been putting it together since I stirred it with my hands as a little kid. (Thanks, Mom, for letting me do that... I still enjoy it, actually - sshhh!)

Ingredients Needed:
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/4 Cup Milk
2 Cans of Cut Green Beans (drained)
1 1/3 Cups French Fried Onions
Salt and Pepper to Taste

The Recipe:
*Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees
1. Combine soup, milk, and pepper in a casserole dish.
2. Stir until well mixed.
3. Add green beans.
4. Add 2/3 cup of the French fried onions.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
6. Stir well.
7. Add remaining 2/3 cup French fried onions to the top.
8. Bake for another 5 minutes until onions are golden.
9. ENJOY!

Recipe: Macaroni & Cheese (With Onions & Garlic)

As we approach Thanksgiving, I've decided to showcase some of my absolute FAVORITE vegetarian side dishes. Since I don't eat turkey, I live on sides during the holidays... and I wouldn't have it any other way! Side dishes are the BEST, so I'll be posting one recipe a week until Thanksgiving to give ideas to my fellow vegetarians (or anyone with taste buds, really). 

This recipe is a favorite of mine. No, it's not healthy. I won't even lie about that. But this is THE BEST COMFORT FOOD you will EVER find!

Ingredients Needed:
Medium Pasta Shells
Penne Pasta
1/2 of an Onion (your favorite kind)
2 Cloves of Garlic
4 Tablespoons of Butter
2 Tablespoons of Vegetable Oil
1 Cup of Milk (I use almond milk, but cow's milk works great too)
1/2 Block of Velveeta Cheese
2 Cups Shredded Cheese (any kind - I like to mix several different kinds in)
Salt/Pepper to taste

The Recipe:
1. Cook pasta (both types together) to your preference. I like it just softer than al denté.
2. While the pasta is cooking, dice your onion and garlic into small pieces.
3. Add vegetable oil and onions to frying pan, and sauté them on medium heat for about five minutes.
4. Add the garlic to the onions and continue cooking over low heat for another two to three minutes.
5. Remove onions and garlic from heat.
6. Strain pasta.
7. Add butter, milk, and Velveeta cheese to the saucepan to create a creamy sauce.
8. Add the pasta back into the saucepan with the sauce, and stir it up.
9. Add the sautéed onions and garlic to the saucepan.
10. Add the shredded cheese gradually, stirring as you go.
11. ENJOY!

I hope you enjoy this recipe! It's my go-to mac & cheese recipe when I have people over since it's such a crowd pleaser! Let me know what you think if you decide to try it!