Thanksgiving Sides 2017: 6 Holiday Dinner Recipe Ideas

Thanksgiving is approaching fast. In the event that any uncertainty about side dishes for the big Turkey Day dinner is still looming, International Business Times has rounded up a selection of delicious sides to pair with the turkey.

Potatoes, bread pudding and some good old-fashioned macaroni and cheese will be sure to spice up any holiday dinner.

1. Hasselback Potatoes With Rosemary, Sage And Garlic

You can't serve a Thanksgiving dinner without potatoes, right? Try Tori Spelling's recipe for seasoned Hasselback potatoes, which may disappear as soon as they're set on the table.

-Olive oil, for greasing

-Eight 6- to 8-ounce russet potatoes

-1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

-1 tablespoon fresh rosemary needles, chopped

-1 tablespoon fresh sage leaves, chopped

-3 cloves garlic, minced

-1/2 lemon, zested

-Flake sea salt, such as Maldon

-Freshly ground black pepper

-1/3 cup freshly grated aged Parmesan (optional)

The dish serves eight people and takes about an hour and 40 minutes to make.

2. Sweet Potato Casserole

If you prefer sweet potatoes, this recipe for a delicious sweet potato casserole with a crunchy pecan topping fits perfectly as a side dish with your Thanksgiving turkey.

Filling:

-4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for buttering the baking dish

-3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (3 to 4 large potatoes; about 1 3/4 pounds)

-1/2 cup milk

-1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

-1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

-1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

-2 large eggs

Topping:

-1/2 cup all-purpose flour

-1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

-4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

-1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

-3/4 cup chopped pecans

The casserole takes about 45 minutes to make and serves six to eight people.

3. Butternut Squash And Leek Bread Pudding

This recipe from Bon Appétit for bread pudding contains at least three different cheeses but can be made with just one if that's your preference.

-4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for pan

-12 cups 1-inch pieces brioche (from about 2 loaves)

-1 small butternut squash (about 1½ pounds), peeled, seeds removed, cut into ½-inch pieces

-2 large leeks, white and pale green parts only, halved lengthwise, cut into ½-inch pieces

-1 teaspoon thyme leaves

-2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more

-4 large eggs

-3 cups heavy cream

-3 cups whole milk

-1 teaspoon sugar

-1½ cups coarsely grated Emmenthal cheese, Comté, and/or aged Gouda, divided

-Crème fraîche and fennel fronds (for serving)

The dish serves about eight people.

4. Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

With all Thanksgiving sides generally running on the richer side, it would probably be best to serve something light next to them. Try Delish's recipe for roasted butternut squash soup.

-1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed (seeds removed)

-2 potatoes, peeled and chopped

-3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

-Kosher salt

-Freshly ground black pepper

-1 tbsp. butter

-1 onion, chopped

-1 stalk celery, thinly sliced

-1 large carrot, chopped

-1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish

-1 qt. low-sodium chicken broth

The soup takes about 40 minutes to make and serves four people.

5. Fall Harvest Salad With Pumpkin Dressing

If you feel that you need something even lighter — and possibly healthy — try this recipe for a salad with pumpkin in it.

Dressing:

-1 cup plain Greek-style yoghurt

-2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

-2 tablespoons olive oil

-1 tablespoon maple syrup

-½ cup sour cream or plain Greek-style yoghurt

-1/3 cup pure pumpkin puree

-1 teaspoon minced garlic (or about ¼ - ½ teaspoon garlic powder)

-½ teaspoon salt

-¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves

-¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Salad:

-1 acorn squash, plus olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt for roasting*

-1 apple, thinly sliced

-½ cup toasted pecans

-¼ cup dried cranberries

-1 pkg. mixed salad greens

This colorful salad will take about 50 minutes to make and serves eight.​

6. Baked Smokin' Macaroni And Cheese

Who says mac and cheese can't be served with turkey? Try this recipe for macaroni and cheese with three cheeses and smoked ham.

-1 pound uncooked cellentani (corkscrew) pasta

-2 tablespoons butter

-1/4 cup all-purpose flour

-3 cups fat-free milk

-1 (12-oz.) can fat-free evaporated milk

-1 cup (4 oz.) shredded smoked Gouda cheese

-1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded 1.5% reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese

-3 ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened

-1/2 teaspoon salt

-1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper, divided

-1 (8-oz.) package chopped smoked ham

-Vegetable cooking spray

-1 1/4 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed

-1 tablespoon butter, melted

The dish will take about one hour to make and serves eight.

Have a family recipe you'd like to share? Feel free to pass it on in the comments section.