We’ll never tire of mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie — but this Thanksgiving, it’s variety we’re after.
Thanksgiving casserole recipes are the end all and be all of refurbished leftovers, but you can always start fresh too.
Here are some options for all of the above.
While certain things are to be expected on Thanksgiving — like, well, a turkey or mac and cheese — and you can’t get away with substitution, there’s no reason not to put a creative spin on your thanksgiving menu.
It is, after all, something of a shame to spend the year’s most opulent feast staring down a mound of stuffing and cranberry sauce knowing full well that’s what you’ll be eating for the next month and a half.
If your spread is at home or on the road, you can also give this list of Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas a try too.
This year, we’re celebrating with a cornucopia of casseroles to add to the smorgasbord of the usual cheesy corn casserole and all the true favorites like classic green bean casserole and favorite Thanksgiving side dishes we know and love.
You can decide on your own whether you’d like to serve four different sorts of gravy (we advise against it).
Or whether anyone will really appreciate the presence of plain orange vegetables at the table (they won’t).
Here are 25 Thanksgiving casseroles that go beyond fresh green beans and sweet potatoes — because leftovers should be fun.
Next time you want to phone up for takeaway instead of boredly stabbing at your Tupperware full of turkey, look to this incredibly simple thanksgiving casserole recipe for a beautiful example of retooling your leftovers.
This magnificent, crunchy superfood really comes into its own in this thanksgiving casserole dishes.
Generously dust with club crackers for a wonderfully buttery finish that’ll entice even the most ardent of broccoli-haters.
Let it never be said that we don’t indulge.
A rich, warming dish of cheesy mashed potato casserole studded with crispy bacon isn’t just a perfect side dish to turkey, but the ideal base for fluffy potato pancakes, turkey and potato empanadas, potato patties and even Irish colcannon . . . that’s 4 dishes!
And the carbs start coming and they don’t stop coming and they don’t stop coming . . . whatever, it’s Thanksgiving.
We’re glad for this wholesome, delicious ode to the typical green bean casseroles to the holiday season’s best vegetable (yes, Brussel sprout enthusiasts, you did read that right).
Speaking of leeks, our tried-and-true Kale and Leek Rice recipe uses leeks and fresh kale in this comforting rice casserole, and you can sub out the chicken for turkey.
Brighten up your special occasions with this wonderful gratin — it’s got all the deep, rollicking flavors of your grandmother’s aubergine parmigiana and it’s only half the work.
Picture this beauty bubbling with potato slices in your inherited slow cooker, and it brings it all full circle.
Buh-bye blue box — hello gooey, rich comfort food.
Unlike the posh (read: bastardized) mac and cheese you’re liable to find at garden parties, this elegantly-simple holiday classic boasts the familiar, mellow flavor of something you might enjoy whilst slightly tipsy at one of those 24-hour diners.
Just put out a checkered table cloth and pretend.
Chock-a-block with bioflavonoids, antioxidants and other good stuff — this leafy green vegetable is a delicious overachiever.
Particularly when grilled and paired with punchy flavors in this savory and easy Thanksgiving casserole.
Serve alongside a generous helping of sour cream.
Meaty mushrooms simmered with slick, caramelized onions, carrots and brandy in a buttery crust make for a decadent, warming dish.
Once upon a time, we’d have eaten this sweetly effervescent pastry-masquerading-as-a-pudding straight out of the oven in great, steaming mouthfuls.
Now we share.
Just kidding. As if.
Sformata is an Italian dish, similar to a souffle or rather like a baked flan but sans the pastry shell – the word sformata means misshapen.
Well, misshapen it might be but it’s what on the inside that counts.
And what’s on the inside is soft, robustly flavored ricotta spiked with crunchy sweet corn.
There’s a lot more to dressing than some parsley and crispy onions — as evidenced by this fiery mix with a decidedly Mexican tilt.
Zucchinis may be bland (comfortingly so?) but that just means you can do just about anything with them.
Take this charred, crispy bake — it’s a simple layered casserole with three ingredients: roasted zucchini, a really good homemade tomato sauce and Parmesan.
And it’s excellent.
It just makes sense to fold your repurposed dinner into this leftover turkey casserole recipe.
A good rule of thumb: when in doubt, just add cheese.
Breathe new life into your Thanksgiving leftovers with this brilliant casserole.
All out of Thanksgiving casserole ideas?
This traditional sweet potato casserole is as comforting as it looks.
The pineapple’s tart freshness is really what enlivens this recipe.
Serve at room temperature.
This is what Popeye The Sailor Man would have at Thanksgiving.
The trick is the addition of a sprinkling of chili flakes.
This superb little bake is a testament to the singular truth at the heart of cooking — all cooking: with a little heat and time, even the barest spread of ingredients can be transformed.
Tender, succulent beans brilliantly accent the sweet, tart tomato sauce in this easiest of easy thanksgiving casseroles.
If you’ll pry yourself away from cauliflower swimming in cheesy, creamy sauce for a second, you’ll see there’s a world of floret-goodness to be had out there.
Starting with this delightfully textured casserole.
Pancetta and parmesan have long been known to be BFFs.
Here, they join forces with pre-roasted butternut squash and pleasantly bitter sage for a robust, spicy pasta that loudly proclaims its love for zingy green salads and white wine.
A simple, satisfying casserole you can sling together in under an hour – an easy recipe that’s a great way to transform leftover stuffing into another dinner.
Serve with a dusting of fresh herbs.
The days of boiled, TV-dinner sprouts are over.
Here at Cooking Chew, we’re ushering in the glorious era of the savory brussels sprouts — starting with this easy-going, comforting thanksgiving meal.
While we can appreciate the natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes, we are going to hammer this turkey day feast with this portrait of healthy eating. NOT.
Gorgeous meringue, soft, sticky sweet potato – is there anything better? Another helping, that’s what.
Break up all your leftover vegetables with a fork, mix loosely with cayenne, cheese, nuts and a dribbling of gravy, then sprinkle with a coarse butter and flour crumble for a crispy top — et voila.
Leftover recipes have literally never been easier.
Had enough casserole in your Thanksgiving recipe list? Check out our Keto Thanksgiving Recipes here.
Don’t just sit around staring at your leftovers waiting for inspiration to strike.
This nutty, smooth casserole presents an easy recipes solution to the florets casting a baleful glare your way from the bottom of the fridge.
It’s an easy side dish, and this slightly healthier version saves the day.
Said to bring luck and traditionally served at New Years celebrations, there’s no reason you can’t make room for this soothing, homely casserole at your Thanksgiving table, too.
Give a look-see over to our list of 28 Tasty Crockpot Thanksgiving Sides if you want more easy-peasy options.
25. Lemon Almond Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Previously, we’d given serious thought to the admittedly delicious idea of toting a wedge of lemon round with us wherever we went — in the likely event that we stumbled upon a stray green bean, we’d be prepared.
This recipe has prevented the need for that eventuality and saved us from further embarrassment at Thanksgiving dinner.
The bottom line
Casseroles for thanksgiving: huzzah, huzzah! Roast turkey sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the weeks after the holiday season: no, please, spare us.
But thankfully, there are a myriad ways to eat up all that leftover poultry and veg, the easiest of which are definitely these delicious ideas for casseroles!
Crank out a broccoli casserole bake, toss together some green beans and cheese — it’s all nigh-on perfect.
Sick of the creamy, carby, heavy leftovers?
Oh, not yet?
Just don’t want any turkey in it.
Got it: Add this Authentic Greek Baked Ziti to your fresh flavor list for the days after Thanksgiving.
Godspeed and good luck; though we expect you won’t need it.
25 Thanksgiving Casseroles
Whether you are drumming up ideas for what to do with those leftovers, or want to start fresh, our list of Thanksgiving Casserole recipes are just the ticket.
Ingredients
- Turkey Pizza Bake
- Broccoli Cheese Casserole
- Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole
- Traditional Green Bean Casserole Recipe With Leeks
- Eggplant And Potato Gratin
- Baked Mac And Cheese With Bacon
- Eggplant And Potato Gratin
- Baked Mac And Cheese With Bacon
- Kale And Bacon Hash Brown Casserole
- Mushroom Pot Pie
- Honey Apple Bread Pudding
- Sweet Corn And Ricotta Sformato
- Spicy Cornbread Dressing With Chorizo
- Zucchini Parmesan
- Leftover Turkey Casserole
- Pineapple Sweet Potato Casserole
- Creamy Parmesan Spinach Bake With Olive Oil
- Two Bean Tomato And Ciabatta Bake
- Cauliflower Casserole
- Roasted Squash Pasta With Pancetta And Chard
- Potato Stuffing Casserole
- The Best Brussel Sprouts Casserole
- Meringue Topped Sweet Potato Casserole With Brown Sugar
- Vegetable Crumble
- Cauliflower Goat Cheese Casserole
- Hoppin’ John Casserole With Cornbread Crust
- Lemon Almond Green Bean Casserole Recipe
Instructions
- Choose one or ten of these recipes to include on Thanksgiving or the days after.
- Serve and enjoy!