Holiday chaos? Not this year. These 28 make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes bring all the flavor without the last-minute frenzy. From buttery crockpot mashed potatoes and cheesy hash brown casserole to cool cranberry salsa and pumpkin pie that chills while you prep the turkey, this lineup is your ticket to a smoother feast. Plan ahead, pop it in the fridge or slow cooker, and actually enjoy the holiday you worked so hard to host.

Buttery Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Buttery Crockpot Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

These Crockpot Mashed Potatoes are creamy, buttery, and pure comfort — perfect for holidays or any day you want a make-ahead side without hovering over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This pumpkin pie with a graham cracker crust offers a buttery twist on the classic, with a smooth, spiced filling that’s earned its place as a new holiday tradition.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

Sweet Potato Cornbread with a Southern Twist

Sweet Potato Cornbread with a Southern Twist. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Sweet potato cornbread brings Southern comfort with a tender crumb and a hint of cinnamon, making it a hidden-veggie favorite your whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread with a Southern Twist

Ultra Creamy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Ultra Creamy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This slow cooker mac and cheese is rich, cheesy, and incredibly easy to make — just toss it together and let the slow cooker handle the rest for a true family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Ultra Creamy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Roasted Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes combine crisp edges, warm spices, and simple prep for a colorful side that works for weeknights or special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes

Crockpot Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

Crockpot Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Cheesy Hash Brown Potatoes in the Crock Pot come together with minimal effort and deliver creamy, melty goodness your whole family will devour.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

Quick Pumpkin Bread with Cake Mix

Quick Pumpkin Bread with Cake Mix. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Spiced Pumpkin Bread made from cake mix fills your kitchen with the scent of fall and comes together in minutes — a cozy treat for any autumn day.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pumpkin Bread with Cake Mix

Cream Cheese Deviled Eggs (Easy & Flavorful)

Cream Cheese Deviled Eggs (Easy & Flavorful). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Cream cheese deviled eggs put a rich twist on a classic with a smooth, tangy filling — quick to make and always a hit at gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Deviled Eggs (Easy & Flavorful)

No Corn Syrup Pecan Pie with Rich Flavor

No Corn Syrup Pecan Pie with Rich Flavor. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This easy pecan pie skips the corn syrup but keeps all the gooey, nutty richness of the original. Simple, classic, and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: No Corn Syrup Pecan Pie with Rich Flavor

5-Minute Cranberry Salsa Over Cream Cheese

5-Minute Cranberry Salsa Over Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This creamy cranberry salsa is the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and savory, served over soft cream cheese for a festive, 5-minute appetizer.
Get the Recipe: 5-Minute Cranberry Salsa Over Cream Cheese

Cool and Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad

Cool and Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Crisp, creamy, and refreshing — this cucumber onion salad is the perfect quick side made with sliced cucumbers, onions, and tangy sour cream dressing.
Get the Recipe: Cool and Creamy Cucumber Onion Salad

Skillet Southern Cornbread

Skillet Southern Cornbread. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This Southern Cornbread is golden, crumbly, and rich in corn flavor — a simple, old-fashioned recipe made even better in a cast iron skillet.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Southern Cornbread

Baked Corn Casserole with Cheese

Baked Corn Casserole with Cheese. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Baked corn casserole is creamy, cheesy, and sweet — a no-fail side dish that’s ready with just 15 minutes of prep, perfect for gatherings or potlucks.
Get the Recipe: Baked Corn Casserole with Cheese

No-Bake Creamy Pumpkin Pie

No-Bake Creamy Pumpkin Pie. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

No bake pumpkin pie is cool, creamy, and packed with fall flavor — a stress-free dessert that’s perfect for make-ahead entertaining.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Creamy Pumpkin Pie

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Crock Pot Green Beans are slow-cooked with bacon and spices for a savory, no-fuss side dish the whole family will love.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes (No Butter Needed)

Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes (No Butter Needed). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Olive oil mashed potatoes are dairy-free, creamy, and lightly herbed — a flavorful, plant-based take on the classic side dish.
Get the Recipe: Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes (No Butter Needed)

Southern Sausage Gravy and Fluffy Biscuits

A red skillet filled with creamy sausage gravy sits on a black-and-white checkered cloth, with two biscuits placed nearby on the right side.
Southern Sausage Gravy and Fluffy Biscuits. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Sausage gravy and biscuits is a hearty Southern breakfast classic, perfect for slow weekend mornings filled with comfort and good company.
Get the Recipe: Southern Sausage Gravy and Fluffy Biscuits

Easy Peach Cobbler with Pre-Made Crust

Easy Peach Cobbler with Pre-Made Crust. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Old-fashioned peach cobbler combines juicy peaches, warm spices, and a buttery crust for a classic dessert that’s best served warm with ice cream.
Get the Recipe: Easy Peach Cobbler with Pre-Made Crust

Soft And Chewy Pumpkin Spiced Cookies

Soft And Chewy Pumpkin Spiced Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Satisfy your fall cravings with these delicious, soft, and chewy pumpkin spice cookies! Made with real pumpkin, warm spices, and coated in cinnamon sugar, these cookies are the perfect treat for the season.
Get the Recipe: Soft And Chewy Pumpkin Spiced Cookies

Savory Zucchini Bread with Cheddar & Herbs

A rectangular loaf of zucchini bread, partially sliced, sits on a white plate with fresh rosemary, placed on a textured white cloth. A whole zucchini rests beside the plate.
Savory Zucchini Bread with Cheddar & Herbs. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

This savory zucchini bread with cheddar and herbs brings rustic flavor to your table and is perfect for brunch, potlucks, or alongside a cozy bowl of soup.
Get the Recipe: Savory Zucchini Bread with Cheddar & Herbs

Classic Southern Milk Gravy

Classic Southern Milk Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Southern white gravy, or milk gravy, is smooth, rich, and made with simple pantry ingredients — ideal for drizzling over biscuits or fried favorites.
Get the Recipe: Classic Southern Milk Gravy

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pecan Stuffing

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pecan Stuffing. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

This slow cooker cranberry pecan stuffing is festive, flavorful, and effortless — a perfect side for your holiday table with sweet-tart and nutty notes.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Pecan Stuffing

Creamy Cornbread and Sweet Corn Casserole

Creamy Cornbread and Sweet Corn Casserole. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Cornbread corn pudding is a rich and creamy Southern classic, blending sweet corn and tender cornbread into one comforting casserole.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cornbread and Sweet Corn Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

This sweet potato casserole is silky and sweet with a fluffy marshmallow topping — a nostalgic favorite that completes any holiday meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole (No Soup Needed)

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole (No Soup Needed). Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

This cheesy green bean casserole is made from scratch without mushroom soup, giving you all the comfort of the original with an even better homemade flavor.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole (No Soup Needed)

Fluffy Buttermilk Yeast Rolls

Fluffy Buttermilk Yeast Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

These buttermilk dinner rolls are pillowy soft with a subtle tang and golden crust — a warm, homemade addition to any meal from everyday dinners to holiday spreads.
Get the Recipe: Fluffy Buttermilk Yeast Rolls

Traditional Holiday Bread Stuffing

Traditional Holiday Bread Stuffing. Photo credit: Walking On Sunshine Recipes.

Enjoy a timeless Thanksgiving favorite with this classic stuffing — made with soft bread cubes, sautéed veggies, fragrant herbs, and savory broth, baked until golden and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Traditional Holiday Bread Stuffing

Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce (5 Ingredients)

Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce (5 Ingredients). Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

This easy slow cooker cranberry sauce comes together with just five ingredients, freeing up stovetop space while delivering bright, tart-sweet flavor perfect for your holiday table.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce (5 Ingredients)

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