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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    19 Delicious Dump-and-Cook Sides for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on November 11, 2024, updated November 8, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Thanksgiving is all about gathering with loved ones and enjoying a hearty meal, but preparing everything can be overwhelming. These 19 easy dump-and-cook side dishes will help you save time and reduce stress in the kitchen. With minimal effort, you can create delicious sides that everyone will love, allowing you to focus on what really matters this holiday.

    Mac & Cheese

    A spoonful of cheesy Mac and Cheese.

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    Making Mac and Cheese has never been this easy! With just 10 minutes of prep and 45 minutes in the oven you can make the best baked Mac and Cheese - in one pan, without boiling, no flour and no roux. With both Cheddar and Gruyere this is as cheesy & flavor-packed as it gets!

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    Slow Cooker Green Beans

    Slow Cooker Green Beans
    Photo Credit: culinary ginger.

    This is a simple and tasty side dish for the holidays. These green beans are cooked slowly in butter and vegetable stock, then finished with sweet shallots and crunchy toasted almonds.

    Get the recipe

    Cheesy Potato Casserole

    Leftover boiled potato casserole.

    Use leftover boiled potatoes or boil them just for this - it's worth it! With all the classic flavors of baked potatoes, this dish is creamy, cheesy and so quick and easy to make.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Creamed Peas

    Instant Pot Creamed Peas Recipe
    Photo Credit: The Foreign Fork.

    Creamed Peas is a simple side dish that comes together in under 10 minutes. It's a hit at our family meals and works well for any gathering.

    Get the recipe

    Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

    Gorgonzola mac and cheese.
    Photo credit: Emmeline Kemperyd.

    This mac and cheese is incredibly easy to make, as everything goes into one dish without any pre-cooking. Loaded with mozzarella and gorgonzola, it’s a cheesy and comforting side that everyone will love.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Braised Red Cabbage

    Slow Cooker Braised Red Cabbage
    Photo Credit: Cinnamon and Kale.

    Braised red cabbage with apples is a warm and cozy side that fits well with any meal. This easy slow cooker method allows you to add a healthy touch to your Thanksgiving spread without any hassle.

    Get the recipe

    Mashed Potato Casserole

    Mashed potato casserole.
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    This mashed potato casserole is creamy and cheesy, making it a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving. You can prepare it in advance, which makes it easy to serve when the time comes.

    Get the recipe

    Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

    Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
    Photo Credit: I Heart Nap Time.

    Brown sugar-glazed carrots are an easy and flavorful side dish that everyone enjoys. They’re rich and sweet, making them a great complement to any meal.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
    Photo Credit: Bowl of Delicious.

    Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes are creamy and cheesy, making them a great addition to your Thanksgiving meal. They’re easy to prepare and free up space on your stove and oven for other dishes.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Corn Casserole

    Crock Pot Corn Casserole
    Photo Credit: Mom Foodie.

    This dish is a straightforward version of a beloved Southern favorite, ideal for holiday gatherings. Known as corn pudding or Jiffy Corn Casserole, it mixes sweet corn with cornbread mix, making it a cozy side for your Thanksgiving feast.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls

    Easy Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls
    Photo Credit: Living Sweet Moments.

    Slow Cooker Dinner Rolls are easy to make and turn out sweet, soft, and buttery. They’re great for dinner or even with some jam for breakfast.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce

    5 Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
    Photo Credit: Running to the Kitchen.

    This simple cranberry sauce is made with just five ingredients and cooked in a slow cooker. It helps clear up space on the stove for all the other Thanksgiving dishes you’ll be making.

    Get the recipe

    Crockpot Creamy Mac and Cheese

    Mac and cheese.
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is a creamy dish made with cheddar and American cheeses that's super easy to make. Just throw all the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do the work without having to boil the pasta first.

    Get the recipe

    Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts

    Roasted Garlic Brussels Sprouts
    Photo Credit: Chef Savvy.

    Brussels sprouts are tossed with lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and garlic, then roasted until they're nice and crispy. This easy side dish is ready in under 30 minutes, making it a great choice for a hectic Thanksgiving.

    Get the recipe

    Instant Pot Acorn Squash

    Instant Pot Acorn Squash
    Photo Credit: Maple and Mango.

    Acorn squash cooked in the Instant Pot turns out soft and tender with minimal effort. You can add a buttery brown sugar topping for extra flavor, or leave it plain to use in various dishes.

    Get the recipe

    Garlic Herb Slow Cooker Potatoes

    A bowl of garlic herb potatoes.
    Photo credit: Delish Knowledge.

    This dish is perfect for when your oven is packed with other meals. It's an easy side that requires minimal effort, making your Thanksgiving stress-free.

    Get the recipe

    Slow Cooker Green Beans With Bacon

    Slow Cooker Green Beans.
    Photo credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

    This dish brings together rich buttery and smoky flavors in a way that's easy to enjoy. Made with simple ingredients you probably already have, it’s a quick and effortless side that fits perfectly into your Thanksgiving meal.

    Get the recipe

    Classic Slow Cooker Stuffing

    Classic Slow Cooker Stuffing
    Photo Credit: Peas and Crayons.

    This Slow Cooker Stuffing is a great way to free up your oven for other dishes during Thanksgiving. It turns out soft and fluffy inside while having a nice crispy top, making it a perfect side for the holidays.

    Get the recipe

    Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes

    Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes.
    Photo credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

    This is a simple and satisfying side dish perfect for any gathering. Just toss everything into the slow cooker, set it, and let it do the work for you.

    Get the recipe

    More Recipe Roundups

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      19 Grandma Approved Pasta Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy
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      24 Deliciously Lazy Beef Dinners Made for Your Spring Menu
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      16 Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make Mom's Day Special
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      28 Delicious Crockpot Summer Meals That Simmer While You Play

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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