46 Best 9x13 Thanksgiving Sides That Feed A Crowd
These recipes are perfect for big gatherings on Turkey Day.
When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, everyone knows that the true star of the meal is not the oven-roasted turkey, but the sides. From sweet potato casserole to cornbread dressing to macaroni and cheese, we want to help you pick tasty recipes that will make your Thanksgiving a success. That's why Southern Living has pulled together some of our favorite 9x13 side dishes that will make your holiday as hands-free and make-ahead as possible. These recipes will round out the menu for anyone hosting a large family gathering or bringing a side to a holiday feast. Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, and we promise you will be mighty thankful for these sides.
Hasselback Sweet Potato Casserole
This take on sweet potato casserole has the root vegetable sliced rather than mashed for a stunning presentation. Garnished with a brown sugar drizzle and crushed hazelnuts, everyone will love this refreshing take on the staple you cannot have Thanksgiving without.
Best-Ever Macaroni And Cheese
You can never go wrong with a classic. Southerners are firm believers that this dish belongs on every holiday table, and Thanksgiving is no exception. Made with both white and yellow cheddar and a little bit of onion, this recipe can be made up until step two a day in advance.
Scalloped Corn Casserole
Does it get any more traditional than a scalloped side? We don't think so. With frozen corn, buttered crackers, and mayonnaise, this dish makes us feel at home.
Hot Buttered Rum Bread Pudding
This aromatic mixture of fall goodness uses brown sugar, warming spices, rum, and —surprisingly—black pepper. If you prefer to skip the alcohol, you can substitute maple syrup. Fall has never tasted so sweet.
Macaroni Corn Casserole
This dish's melty, gooey goodness isn't just chance. It's a tried-and-true balanced of flavors: savory bacon, white Cheddar, Gruyere cheeses, and panko topping; sweet corn kernels and scallions; and spicy dry mustard and cayenne pepper.
Broccoli Cheese Casserole
It's always good to have a casserole recipe in your back pocket, and this is the perfect one to have on hand. Cheese and broccoli never disappoint, but this dish also has a crunchy cracker topping going for it.
Savory Corn Pudding
We love this corn pudding for its delicate, dessert-like quality that just keeps us coming back for more. You can make this dish three or four days in advance, or you can freeze it for up to a month if (for some odd reason) you have leftovers.
Homemade Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Leeks
Green bean casserole is a must-make during the holidays. We love this recipe because it brings an elegant touch to the beloved classic. Save your canned fried onions for next year and use crispy leeks instead.
Bacon-Brussels Sprout-Green Bean Casserole
Brussels sprouts might not be your go-to dish for Thanksgiving, but this recipe will make you reconsider. Make this casserole up to three days in advance (prepared up to step four), and then add the toppings and bake the day you're planning to serve.
Classic Parmesan Scalloped Potatoes
Let's face it, potatoes and cheese make everything better. After only 20 minutes of hands-on work, sit back and let the oven do the cooking. We recommend stirring gently every 10 minutes so the potatoes cook evenly, then adding a layer of cheese to brown at the end.
Sweet Potato-Carrot Casserole
Sweet potatoes and carrots: Who knew? Topped with sugar-and-spice pecans and mini marshmallows, this dish is sure to delight. Tangy sour cream and lemon zest add a little more sparkle than the average sweet potato casserole.
Herby Pecan-Cornbread Dressing
With an aromatic herb blend of sage, thyme, and parsley and a sprinkling of pecans, this dressing is essentially Thanksgiving in a bite. Prepare the cornbread up to three days in advance for faster preparation holiday morning—or whatever time of year you crave fall flavors.
Sweetie's Sweet Potato Casserole
This recipe comes from chef and restaurateur Kelsey Barnard Clark's great-grandmother's kitchen. There is a reason Clark has held onto this recipe—not only is it delicious, but assembling this dish is just about as easy as it comes.
Grits Dressing
A favorite from 1993 that's still in our holiday rotation, this recipe consists of savory cornbread, fragrant herbs, and—of course—classic grits. You can make the grits two days before you put the dressing together to cut down on Thanksgiving day prep.
Classic Cornbread Dressing
With homemade cornbread cooked in a cast iron skillet, this dressing is as true to tradition as they come. To achieve that classic dressing texture, let the cornbread dry out for two days before serving.
Pumpkin-And-Winter Squash Gratin
Pumpkin, potato, and butternut squash come together with cheese and delicious French bread crumbles for a savory favorite. Bonus—it's ready to pop in the oven after 25 minutes of hands-on time.
Cheese Cracker-Topped Squash Casserole
It is important that everyone at the table feels welcome, and seeing a cheese cracker-topped dish is sure to surprise the little ones. Bonus points for tasting delicious.
Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Savory and sweet potato are usually not paired together during the holidays, but trust us when we say this dish is delish. Sprinkled with a Parmesan-herb streusel topping, this recipe has the bite we love about traditional sweet potato casserole without all the added sugar.
Parker House Rolls
These delicate yeast rolls sprinkled with sea salt will please your crowd, but do not count on having too many left over. Good thing you can fit 24 of them in your 9x13.
Baked Mac And Cheese With Bacon
Macaroni and cheese is good on its own, but when you add bacon you have really made something special. This rich dish is perfect to serve your hungry guests and fill them up, too.
Old-School Green Bean Casserole
While there are other options for this dish on this list, we'll never shy away from the classic, canned fried onion version. Make the base ahead of time, then add toppings and bake when you're ready to serve.
Savory Sweet Potato Bread Pudding
Meet the new family favorite. This hearty recipe adds a welcome spin on classic bread pudding with sweet potato and a cheesy Parmesan custard. Eight thick-cut slices of bacon make it even richer.
Macaroni Pudding
We have already explained why mac and cheese belongs on your Thanksgiving menu, but if you're looking for a richer dish, we suggest this pudding. The best part? It comes together with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Two-Potato Gratin
With a gratin this rich, no one will leave the table hungry. In this recipe, Yukon gold and sweet potatoes work together to give you the best of both potato worlds. Gruyère and Parmesan also work together in two-cheese harmony.
Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
Stacy K. Allen; Props: Julia Bayless; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
This cauliflower casserole recipe gets an infusion of flavor from multiple cheeses, bacon, chives, sour cream, and more. It's like a lighter, loaded baked potato for the whole Thanksgiving crowd.
Aunt Grace's Best Cornbread Dressing
Even if you aren't acquainted with Aunt Grace, you'll love her cornbread dressing recipe, much of which you can prep ahead of time. It includes three types of bread in addition to the cornbread, which she breaks up with a wooden spoon for an extra-smooth dressing.
Oyster Casserole
For some families, it just isn't Thanksgiving without an oyster casserole on the table. If you'd like to try one this year, look no further than our classic take on the dish. Our Test Kitchen did some tinkering and came up with what we think is the best version ever: plump oysters baked in a rich Parmesan cream sauce and topped with buttery breadcrumbs.
Sweet Potato, Cauliflower, And Greens Casserole
Hector Manuel Sanchez
Full of flavor, this fan-favorite side dish combines sweet potatoes, cauliflower, and greens into a lively mealtime accompaniment. This casserole works well as a vegetarian main dish or a side dish.
Meringue-Topped Sweet Potato Casserole
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
If you're looking to wow your crowd, this is the recipe to break out. Besides looking gorgeous, the meringue topping has a bonus: It contains a lot less sugar than marshmallows.
Southern Cornbread Dressing
If you're craving a traditional cornbread dressing for the classic flavors of sage, onion, and celery, we're here for you. We've provided a recipe for the cornbread crumbles it is based on, but you can substitute your favorite cornbread instead.
Twice Baked Potato Casserole
Give your crowd a loaded baked potato in convenient casserole form. This comforting, cheesy dish can be prepared one day in advance and chilled unbaked in the refrigerator. Let the casserole come to room temperature before popping it in the oven.
Creamed Greens Casserole
Transform winter greens into something indulgent for the Thanksgiving meal. Kale and collards are combined with cream cheese and fontina for extra-rich results. Look for pre-chopped greens in the produce section of your grocery store to cut down on prep time. You can reheat the casserole, covered, in a low oven (250°F to 300°F) until hot and bubbly, then uncover and bake until the bread crumbs brown.
Corn Pudding Casserole
This version of the classic Corn Pudding Casserole is made with fontina or Swiss cheese for an ultra-creamy, slightly sharp dish. Besides the specialty cheeses, the ingredients for this comforting casserole are all fairly basic: half-and-half and eggs provide the custard-like base, while fresh chives and thyme add a little brightness,.
Butternut Squash Gratin
This sweet gratin recipe came to us from Chef John Zucker of Cru Café in Charleston, South Carolina. He layers sliced potatoes and a mixture of butternut and spaghetti squash with brown sugar and spices. Fontina cheese and cream tie the ingredients together.
Brussels Sprout Spoon Bread
Spoonbread is a marriage of the best cornbread you’ve ever had with the fluffy perfection of a soufflé. This version is dotted with browned Brussels sprouts for a slightly smoky flavor. As fancy as it looks, this is an easy recipe requiring only a handful of ingredients.
Butternut Squash Bread Pudding
This savory bread pudding is ultra-cheesy and flavorful from a range of herbs and spices. Soft, moist Challah bread has a hint of sweetness that complements the naturally sweet squash mixture. Though it's filling as is, you can bulk up the dish with a pound of browned sausage.
Baked Corn Casserole
Can't decide between cornbread and corn pudding? Fortunately, this super moist and creamy 9x13 casserole will answer the call. Sour cream, Monterey Jack, and pureed corn result in a dish that is both rich and delicate.
Creamed Cabbage-And-Leek Gratin
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
This potato-less gratin frees you from careful slicing and delicate arranging. The only trick is to cook the savory cheese sauce until it thickens so that your gratin won't be watery. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Wild Rice-And-Greens Casserole
This hearty rice casserole can be made with kale or collards—just boil the greens slightly longer if they are not young and tender. Chopped sun-dried tomatoes add an unexpected sweet touch to an otherwise rich and nutty dish. If you want to prepare the dish ahead, refrigerate up to three days before baking.
Scalloped Potatoes With Ham
Give your scalloped potatoes a meaty upgrade to satisfy big appetites. This recipe uses 8 ounces of pork, which you can set aside from your holiday ham. Otherwise, this is a very simple, classic recipe that will please the pickiest eaters.
Sausage Stuffing
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
We put a Southern spin on this Thanksgiving favorite by using Conecuh smoked sausage. Use soft white bread with an open, tender crumb that can soak up the stock and spices. You can get a head start by toasting the bread a couple of days in advance and storing it in an airtight container.
Cranberry-Apple Casserole
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
On Thanksgiving, a lot of dishes that could be classified as desserts are allowed to pass as sides. This sweet fruit and oat crumble definitely can be interpreted either way, but we think the tart cranberries will go perfectly with your turkey.
Tee's Corn Pudding
This slightly sweet, custardy corn pudding has been a reader favorite for decades. With only eight ingredients and very little hands-on time, the recipe is a busy cook's dream. Instead of fresh corn, substitute frozen whole kernel corn or canned shoepeg corn, drained.
Sweet Potato Casserole With Marshmallows, Pecans, And Cornflakes
This is the kind of sweet potato casserole many of us grew up on: sweet and utterly decadent. The cornflakes add extra crunch to the marshmallow topping. Arrange it in diagonal lines with a little space in between, then pile on the marshmallows between rows.
Scalloped Oysters
This recipe is for those who like to focus on the fresh, briny flavor of oysters complemented simply with crushed crackers. Oyster casserole has graced Southern Thanksgiving tables for decades (we published our first Oyster Casserole recipe back in 1967). Some recipes feature all kinds of extra ingredients, but this recipe distills it down to the basics.
Creamy Whipped Potato Casserole
We love plain-old mashed potatoes, but mashed potato casserole is a step above. This recipe's broiled top contrasts with its smooth, creamy interior for a flavor and texture you'll come back to again and again.
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