13 Southern Thanksgiving recipes for a spread that covers every inch of the sideboard

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Thanksgiving side dishes can crowd the oven and leave the sideboard feeling like a puzzle. This lineup brings together Southern staples, from cornbread and biscuits to vegetable casseroles, three mac-and-cheese options, and a classic pie. The recipes cover different schedules too, with quick deviled eggs alongside slow cooker macaroni and dishes that can be assembled ahead. Choose the ones that suit your menu, then make room for one more serving spoon.

Close-up of a creamy, golden-brown macaroni and cheese dish with a crunchy breadcrumb topping reminiscent of comforting funeral potatoes. A spoon is partially submerged in the cheese sauce.
Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Cornbread Stuffing

A metal spatula lifts a serving of baked stuffing topped with chopped parsley from a white casserole dish.
Cornbread Stuffing. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Herb-scented with a crisp top, Cornbread Stuffing gives the holiday plate a familiar anchor. The recipe makes 12 servings and takes 1 hour 20 minutes, with cubed cornbread, onion, celery, sage, rosemary, parsley, broth, and eggs in the mix. Its tender center and browned edges bring a classic Southern feel to Thanksgiving. Set it beside turkey and gravy when everyone is ready for a generous scoop.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Stuffing

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs with cranberry sauce on a platter.
Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A platter of jewel-topped halves brings a bright note to the grazing table, and Deviled Eggs are ready in about 22 minutes for eight servings. The filling blends cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon, and thyme, while cranberry marmalade and pecans finish each egg. Warm spices give them a holiday look and a sweet-tart contrast. Keep the chilled tray near the kitchen so helpers can snack between cooking tasks.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs

Green Bean Casserole

A casserole dish filled with green bean casserole with a spoon in it.
Green Bean Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Creamy sauce and a crunchy onion lid make Green Bean Casserole a familiar side with plenty of texture. It serves six and takes about 55 minutes, combining green beans with mushroom soup, milk, sharp cheddar, and crispy onions. The mix of soft beans and savory topping fits naturally beside turkey, stuffing, and other holiday favorites. Bring it to the table while the onion layer is still crisp and let guests scoop their own portions.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Southern Cornbread

Close-up of two stacked pieces of cornbread with melted butter on top, showcasing a golden-brown crust and moist, crumbly texture.
Southern Cornbread. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Golden edges and a soft middle give Southern Cornbread a welcome place among the Thanksgiving sides. The recipe makes 12 servings in about 35 minutes, using cornmeal, flour, buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter for a tender crumb with a gentle tang. Its one-bowl method helps keep prep simple when the kitchen is busy. Serve squares warm with butter or set them out to pair with stuffing and gravy.
Get the Recipe: Southern Cornbread

Sweet Potato Casserole

A person scooping a sweet potato casserole out of a baking dish.
Sweet Potato Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A toasted, craggy topping makes Sweet Potato Casserole stand out among the savory dishes on the sideboard. It serves eight and takes 1 hour 25 minutes, layering mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar pecans and optional mini marshmallows. The creamy filling and crisp-sweet top bring the holiday flavors many guests expect. Assemble it a day or two ahead, then bake it fresh when oven space opens up.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole

Four Cheese Mac n Cheese

A close-up of a serving of baked macaroni and cheese being lifted from a casserole dish, topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped herbs.
Four Cheese Mac n Cheese. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Bubbling pasta with a golden top makes Four Cheese Mac n Cheese an easy crowd favorite to tuck between the vegetable sides. It serves six and takes 45 minutes, bringing Cheddar, Gouda, mozzarella, and Parmesan together in a creamy sauce. The baked finish gives the dish a crisp top and a smooth center, so it feels right at home in a Thanksgiving spread. Set it out while warm as a hearty side for guests of all ages.
Get the Recipe: Four Cheese Mac n Cheese

Squash Casserole

Squash casserole being served with a wooden serving spoon.
Squash Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Golden cracker crumbs add a crisp finish to Squash Casserole, a Southern-style vegetable side with a creamy middle. It serves eight and takes 1 hour 30 minutes, combining roasted yellow squash and onion with cheddar, sour cream, mayonnaise, thyme, and a Ritz cracker-Parmesan topping. Roasting and draining the squash helps keep the casserole from turning watery. Bring it to Thanksgiving dinner when the menu needs a savory vegetable dish with a little crunch.
Get the Recipe: Squash Casserole

Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese

A close-up of a spoon lifting creamy, melted cheese sauce with macaroni from a pot.
Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

When oven space is at a premium, Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese keeps a creamy pasta side cooking off to the side. The recipe serves eight and takes 3 hours 10 minutes, with uncooked macaroni, cheddar, mozzarella, whole milk, and evaporated milk cooked together in the slow cooker. Stir it once or twice for a smooth sauce, then switch the cooker to warm. It is a handy fit for a long holiday meal or potluck table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese

Buttermilk Biscuits

Three golden-brown biscuits are stacked, with the top one missing a bite. A small sprig of greenery with red berries is visible in the corner.
Buttermilk Biscuits. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Tall, flaky layers make Buttermilk Biscuits feel right at home alongside gravy and holiday casseroles. The recipe yields 12 biscuits in about 35 minutes, using flour, cold butter, and buttermilk for tender centers and golden tops. Serve them warm with butter or honey, or pass them around to catch the last of the gravy. Their familiar shape and simple serving options make them useful from the first meal to the leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Biscuits

Broccoli Casserole

Someone serving broccoli casserole.
Broccoli Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A cheesy cracker crust gives Broccoli Casserole a crisp top over its creamy vegetable center. It serves six and takes 55 minutes, combining broccoli with cheddar, mushroom soup, mayonnaise, eggs, and crushed cheese crackers. The dish can be assembled up to a day ahead and baked before dinner, which helps when several dishes need oven time. Put it beside the other casseroles for a holiday plate with a savory, crunchy bite.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole

Chess Pie

A close-up of a sliced custard pie dusted with powdered sugar, with two metal spoons resting on top of the pie in a white dish.
Chess Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

A smooth custard slice offers a sweet pause after the savory dishes, and Chess Pie serves eight in about 1 hour 5 minutes of baking and prep. Its filling uses sugar, butter, eggs, milk, and a spoonful of cornmeal inside a pie crust, giving the top a deep golden finish. The simple pantry-style dessert suits a traditional Southern holiday table. Bake it ahead and let it cool fully before slicing for Thanksgiving dessert.
Get the Recipe: Chess Pie

Corn Casserole

Corn casserole in a casserole dish with a portion removed.
Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Soft and gently sweet, Corn Casserole brings an easy scoopable side to a crowded holiday table. The recipe serves eight, with creamed corn, whole kernel corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, butter, and cheddar in the bake. The oven portion takes about 45 to 55 minutes, including the final cheese melt, and a short rest helps it firm before serving. Place it near the cornbread and other casseroles for guests who like a tender, cheesy side.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole

Mac and Cheese

Close-up of a creamy, golden-brown macaroni and cheese dish with a crunchy breadcrumb topping reminiscent of comforting funeral potatoes. A spoon is partially submerged in the cheese sauce.
Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

A crisp breadcrumb top hides a creamy center in Mac and Cheese, a quick option when the menu needs one more familiar side. It makes four servings in about 20 minutes, using elbow pasta, cheddar, Parmesan, milk, butter, and mustard for a smooth sauce. The shorter cook time can help when the oven and stovetop are already busy. Serve it warm as a small-batch addition for a family gathering or a second round of sides.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

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