38 Essential Vegetarian Side Dishes for Thanksgiving

The fall time casserole we know and love gets dairy-free makeover, and a grown-up upgrade with homemade crispy shallots. The number of pans required to make it? Just one.

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Swap out the traditional scalloped potatoes at your table this year with something a bit more colorful. This sweet potato version is made fragrant with fresh thyme and ground nutmeg, and decadent with heavy cream and Gruyère cheese.

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While most mashed potato recipes need to be made soon before serving, this casserole actually taste better when made in advance. You can assemble it up to two days ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready.

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The best part about this side dish is that you most likely have the ingredients for the sauce in your pantry already. Whole-grain mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, and soy sauce is all it takes.

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Delicata squash is easy to love. It requires minimal prep (no peeling necessary!), it’s surprisingly easy to slice, and its flavor is delightful: nutty and slightly sweet.

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This is bread stuffing in its simplest form, and that’s exactly why it’s so great. The lack of fancy additions to the mix makes it one that will always find a welcome place at the Thanksgiving table.

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Relying on instant mashed potatoes makes these incredibly tender rolls a snap to put together. Since they’ll be such a hit with vegetarians and omnivores alike, it wouldn’t hurt to make a double batch.

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This isn’t one of those heavy, extra-creamy gratins that usually graces the Thanksgiving table. Instead, it’s hearty and wholesome, thanks to the beans and greens, and it’s hit with only a splash of whole milk.

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Everything bagels are too tasty and too packed with flavor to be limited to breakfast. Here they are used as the base in this quirky stuffing that’s flecked with scallions and enriched with a touch of cream.

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This stunning, orange-hued risotto is guaranteed to be a hit at the Thanksgiving table. Just be sure to make it right before eating, as it’s not a dish that sits well.

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The rich sweetness of dried figs is a wonderful contrast to the cranberries, while a splash of whiskey really makes it feel like a cranberry sauce that’s dressed up for the holidays.

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