If there’s one thing I count on to make the big turkey day feel a little less chaotic, it’s a good casserole. These cozy baked dishes are warm, comforting, and somehow make everything on the table feel more complete. I’ve rounded up 24 of the best Thanksgiving casseroles right here, from cheesy broccoli rice to a dreamy butternut squash mac and cheese. Pick a few, let them bubble away in the oven, and you’ll have plenty of room to focus on the bird and the pies.

1. Turnips Au Gratin

It’s tricky to describe exactly what a turnip tastes like, but when they’re cooked, the texture is a lot like potatoes. I get a little peppery bite from them sometimes, though I’ve also had ones that lean slightly sweet. Here, they’re smothered in a creamy, garlicky sauce and plenty of cheese, so the natural flavor mellows out beautifully. It’s a cozy, comforting side that might just surprise you.

Go to Recipe →

2. Southern Squash Casserole

Zucchini works fine here, but if you can find summer squash, I say go for it. That gorgeous yellow color just makes the whole table look brighter and so inviting. You could even do a mix of both if you like. I think it would look absolutely amazing with alternating rows of green and yellow.

Go to Recipe →

3. Green Pea Casserole

Remember when I said casseroles are easy? Well, aside from chopping an onion and a pepper, all you do here is open a few cans and stir everything together. Between the peas, pimentos, water chestnuts, and mushroom soup, this one is full of crunch and fresh flavor. It calls for frozen peas, so you could even swap in a veggie medley if you want more color.

Go to Recipe →

4. Carrot Casserole

I’ll admit, I usually only serve carrots as a side when they’re coated in a sweet butter glaze. The moment I saw this casserole recipe, I thought, “How have I never thought of that before?” You’ll whisk up a simple roux with flour, salt, mustard, pepper, and milk, then stir in plenty of cheese. It’s a simple, savory way to make carrots feel special.

Go to Recipe →

5. White Chocolate Cranberry Dessert Casserole

Tender vanilla cake plus dreamy white chocolate mousse plus tart cranberry compote equals one incredible Thanksgiving dessert. Go ahead and use a boxed cake mix to save time. Nobody will know, I swear. This one happens to be vegan, so if you want to keep it that way, stick with the recipe as written since it calls for soy milk and coconut cream.

Go to Recipe →

6. Cheesy Root Vegetable Gratin

How amazing does this dish look? Those vibrant colors and crunchy strips just scream, “Eat me!” You’ll use sweet potato, parsnips, and beets, though you can absolutely swap in radishes or even blue potatoes if you spot them. I found some gorgeous golden beets that looked stunning in the mix. It’s a total showstopper.

Go to Recipe →

7. Eggplant Casserole

It might not be vegan, but this is a wonderful vegetarian option for your Thanksgiving table. You start with a familiar base of onions and garlic, then add peppers and mushrooms and cook until most of the liquid has cooked off. Next, you’ll stir in tomatoes and herbs to finish the sauce, and finally fold in some lightly sautéed eggplant. It’s hearty and full of flavor.

Go to Recipe →

8. Zucchini Tomato Casserole

This one looks a bit like a veggie lasagna with all those pretty zucchini layers and juicy tomatoes. There’s also a yummy layer made with cream cheese, milk, basil, ground nutmeg, and lots of cheese on top. It’s fresh, creamy, and totally irresistible.

Go to Recipe →

9. Roasted Vegetable Winter Crumble

Vegetable pie is a great vegetarian or vegan option because it’s easy and filling, and you can serve it to everyone alongside the turkey. For those of us with zero patience for fussy pastry, crumble toppings are a lifesaver. I use them on all my pies because they’re a cinch to whip up and take almost no effort to look beautiful.

Go to Recipe →

10. Pineapple-Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato, marshmallow, and pineapple? Believe it or not, they’re a match made in heaven. I mentioned earlier that sweet potato casserole can sometimes be too sweet, and I say that as someone with a serious sweet tooth. But this one uses tart pineapple to add a lovely fruity note that cuts through the sugar just right. It’s such a fun twist.

Go to Recipe →

11. Mushroom Casserole

When mushrooms are cooked properly, they can be wonderfully meaty and satisfying. So while soft mashed potatoes and tender stuffing are lovely, this adds a chewy in the best way element to your plate. The key is to sauté them first to get rid of excess moisture. Skip that step and you’ll end up with rubbery, slimy mushrooms, and nobody wants that.

Go to Recipe →

12. The Pioneer Woman’s Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Honestly, the smartest thing about this mashed potato casserole is that you can prep it up to two days before the big meal. If your turkey day to-do list is already a mile long, this one will give you a little breathing room. You start with simple, creamy mashed potatoes, then stir in butter, sour cream, milk, bacon, and a generous handful of grated cheese. It’s ridiculously good and so easy to have ready when you need it.

Go to Recipe →

13. Cheesy Baked Mashed Potatoes

Cheese is one of my biggest weaknesses, and it’s the reason I could never go fully vegan. I totally support cutting down on meat and dairy, but giving it up completely? No way. And since the holidays are all about a little indulgence, why make plain old mash when you could make this cheesy Thanksgiving casserole instead? It’s the best kind of upgrade.

Go to Recipe →

14. Apple Fritter Casserole

If you’re after a festive dessert that’s a breeze to make and guaranteed to please a crowd, this apple fritter casserole is it. Like I said before, who has the patience to fuss with pastry all day? Instead, you make a similar spiced apple filling with sugar, then top it off with canned crescent rolls. It’s quick, easy, and totally yummy.

Go to Recipe →

15. Brussels Sprouts and Grapes au Gratin

Brussels sprouts can be a tough sell, but once they’re blanketed in a creamy sauce and cheese, you won’t have to work too hard to get people to try them. And the grapes? I promise it’s not as wild as it sounds. They add a pop of color and a little sweetness that pairs beautifully with turkey and cranberry sauce.

Go to Recipe →

16. Potato Leek Casserole

Leeks have such a lovely onion and garlic flavor, with just a touch of sweetness. Their pretty light green color also helps them stand out in any dish. This casserole is a spin on classic potato au gratin with a similar cheesy sauce, but it’s packed with tender leeks too. Just remember to slice and soak them well, since dirt loves to hide in all those layers.

Go to Recipe →

17. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

I’m all about sneaking veggies into pasta sauce whenever I can. My marinara is usually packed with fresh tomatoes, roasted peppers, and a big helping of carrots. This is such a clever little trick, and I’ll bet the kids won’t even notice the difference. It’s creamy, cheesy, and just a little bit sneaky in the best way.

Go to Recipe →

18. Creamed Spinach Casserole

If you set a pile of plain wilted spinach on my plate, I’ll smile and eat it because I’m polite. But in my heart, I’ll be wishing it was smothered in cheese. I do love sautéed spinach with onions and garlic, but creamed spinach is just unbeatable. This version also calls for artichoke hearts and cream cheese, so it’s basically a thick, dreamy spinach and artichoke dip in casserole form.

Go to Recipe →

19. Broccoli Rice Casserole from Scratch

Aside from broccoli and cheddar soup, I really can’t think of a better way to serve those little green florets. I love broccoli, but I know plenty of kids who will side eye it. Tuck it into a dish with tender rice and lots of melty cheese, and I’d bet they’ll come back for seconds. This one is a total crowd pleaser.

Go to Recipe →

20. Rutabaga Gratin

Over in the UK, this root veggie goes by “swede,” and it’s part of the turnip family, though it often gets overlooked at dinnertime. The flavor is like a mix of cabbage, turnip, and potatoes, and it takes on that same yellow color when cooked. I find rutabaga to have a slightly more unique taste than turnips, but they’re very similar and just as delicious.

Go to Recipe →

21. Incredibly Easy French Onion Soup Casserole

French onion soup is rich and deeply savory, with an intense broth that holds its own against all those onions. The secret to getting that richness just right is a deep, dark, meaty beef broth. Since this casserole is also loaded with cheese on top, I wouldn’t try making it vegan with veggie broth. You’d end up with something a little too mellow and disappointing.

Go to Recipe →

22. Loaded Cauliflower Casserole

Think of this as the low carb cousin to the potato casserole you just read about. It still has all the good stuff, like cheese and bacon, but swaps the potatoes for tender cauliflower. Since cauliflower is so mild on its own, you’ll bring it to life with a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, Monterey Jack, garlic powder, and onion powder. It’s cheesy, savory, and totally delicious.

Go to Recipe →

23. Potato Stuffing Casserole

Of all the Thanksgiving casseroles on this list, this might be the most clever. It saves you dishes and frees up precious oven space. How? It combines two fan favorites in one easy dish. Basically, you make your go to stuffing recipe and then mix it with creamy mashed potatoes. Simple, smart, and so satisfying.

Go to Recipe →

24. One-Pan Broccoli Cheese Wild Rice Casserole

Wild rice is often considered a healthier choice than white because it’s packed with protein and antioxidants. I love it for the texture and the way it adds extra color to the plate. This recipe is a lot like the broccoli rice casserole from earlier, but without a heavy cheese sauce running through the middle. It’s a little lighter while still feeling hearty.

Go to Recipe →