5 Easy Vegetable Casseroles for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving brings with it a feast that’s all about hearty comfort food and a celebration of seasonal produce. Casseroles are perfect for this holiday—they’re warm, comforting, and crowd-friendly. Here, we’ll explore five easy vegetable casseroles that add color, flavor, and variety to your Thanksgiving table. Each of these recipes has been designed to be simple enough for home cooks, using ingredients that are easy to find.

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1. Classic Green Bean Casserole

A Thanksgiving staple, green bean casserole is creamy, flavorful, and topped with crispy onions for that irresistible crunch. This version is made from scratch, skipping the canned soup but keeping all the nostalgic flavors.

Ingredients

Ingredient	US Measurement	Metric Equivalent
Fresh green beans	1 lb	450 g
Olive oil	1 tbsp	15 ml
Mushrooms, sliced	8 oz	225 g
Butter	2 tbsp	30 g
All-purpose flour	2 tbsp	16 g
Milk	1 cup	240 ml
Heavy cream	1/2 cup	120 ml
Salt	1 tsp	5 g
Black pepper	1/2 tsp	2.5 g
Crispy fried onions	1 cup	60 g

Instructions

1. Prepare Green Beans: Trim and cut the green beans in half. Blanch in boiling water for 4–5 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook Mushrooms: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until browned, about 5–7 minutes.
3. Make Sauce: In the same skillet, add butter and let it melt. Sprinkle in flour and whisk until it forms a paste. Slowly pour in milk and cream, stirring until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Assemble: Combine green beans, mushrooms, and sauce in a casserole dish. Top with crispy fried onions.
5. Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly. Serve warm.

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2. Sweet Potato and Pecan Casserole

This casserole brings a delightful balance of sweet and savory flavors. Topped with a crunchy pecan crumble, it’s a dish that will stand out on any Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients

Ingredient	US Measurement	Metric Equivalent
Sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed	3 large	1 kg
Butter	1/2 cup	115 g
Brown sugar	1/2 cup	100 g
Milk	1/4 cup	60 ml
Eggs	2	–
Vanilla extract	1 tsp	5 ml
Salt	1/2 tsp	2.5 g
Chopped pecans	1 cup	120 g
Flour	1/3 cup	40 g
Maple syrup	2 tbsp	30 ml

Instructions

1. Cook Sweet Potatoes: Boil cubed sweet potatoes in a pot of water until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain and transfer to a mixing bowl.
2. Mash and Mix: Mash sweet potatoes, then add butter, brown sugar, milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Mix until smooth.
3. Prepare Topping: In a separate bowl, combine chopped pecans, flour, and maple syrup. Stir until pecans are coated and crumbly.
4. Assemble and Bake: Spread sweet potato mixture in a casserole dish, then sprinkle pecan topping evenly over it. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30–35 minutes until golden and bubbly.

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3. Cheesy Cauliflower Gratin

Cauliflower gratin is creamy, cheesy, and decadent, making it a fantastic low-carb side that pairs perfectly with turkey and gravy. This recipe uses a blend of cheeses for a rich flavor.

Ingredients

Ingredient	US Measurement	Metric Equivalent
Cauliflower, cut into florets	1 head	500 g
Butter	3 tbsp	45 g
All-purpose flour	3 tbsp	24 g
Milk	1 cup	240 ml
Shredded Gruyere cheese	1 cup	100 g
Shredded cheddar cheese	1 cup	100 g
Salt	1/2 tsp	2.5 g
Black pepper	1/4 tsp	1.25 g
Breadcrumbs	1/2 cup	30 g

Instructions

1. Blanch Cauliflower: Boil cauliflower florets in water for 5 minutes until slightly tender. Drain well.
2. Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter, add flour, and whisk to make a roux. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly until thick. Stir in Gruyere, cheddar, salt, and pepper.
3. Assemble: Place cauliflower in a baking dish, pour cheese sauce over it, and sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
4. Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

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4. Roasted Root Vegetable Casserole with Herb Butter

This casserole showcases a mix of root vegetables roasted to perfection with garlic herb butter. It’s a colorful, rustic dish that’s simple but packed with flavor.

Ingredients

Ingredient	US Measurement	Metric Equivalent
Carrots, peeled and diced	2 large	200 g
Parsnips, peeled and diced	2 large	200 g
Sweet potato, peeled and diced	1 large	300 g
Baby potatoes, halved	1 cup	200 g
Olive oil	2 tbsp	30 ml
Butter	4 tbsp	60 g
Fresh thyme	2 tsp	4 g
Fresh rosemary, chopped	1 tsp	2 g
Salt	1 tsp	5 g
Black pepper	1/2 tsp	2.5 g
Garlic, minced	3 cloves	15 g

Instructions

1. Prepare Vegetables: In a large bowl, toss carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and baby potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Make Herb Butter: Melt butter and mix in minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary.
3. Assemble: Place vegetables in a casserole dish, pour herb butter over, and stir to coat.
4. Roast: Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 35–40 minutes, until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.

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5. Broccoli and Cheese Casserole with Crunchy Topping

Broccoli and cheese casserole is another classic that’s creamy and topped with a crispy, buttery breadcrumb topping. It’s a hit with both kids and adults.

Ingredients

Ingredient	US Measurement	Metric Equivalent
Fresh broccoli florets	4 cups	400 g
Butter	1/4 cup	60 g
All-purpose flour	1/4 cup	32 g
Milk	1 1/2 cups	360 ml
Cheddar cheese, shredded	1 1/2 cups	150 g
Salt	1/2 tsp	2.5 g
Black pepper	1/4 tsp	1.25 g
Breadcrumbs	1/2 cup	30 g
Parmesan cheese, grated	1/4 cup	25 g

Instructions

1. Blanch Broccoli: Boil broccoli florets in water for 3–4 minutes, then drain.
2. Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter, add flour, and whisk until smooth. Gradually add milk and cook until thick. Stir in cheddar, salt, and pepper.
3. Assemble: Mix blanched broccoli with cheese sauce and pour into a casserole dish. Top with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
4. Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and crispy.

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These five vegetable casseroles add color, flavor, and variety to your Thanksgiving meal. They’re straightforward to prepare, requiring minimal time

but offering maximum taste. Each casserole highlights seasonal vegetables, ensuring your holiday table feels festive, nourishing, and delicious.