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10 Twists on Traditional Thanksgiving Sides

What’s a Thanksgiving spread without the signature side dishes? This year, cook up classics like mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and more with a pinch of the unexpected. We’ve got 10 recipes that bring a modern twist to all your traditional holiday favorites. With huge flavor and minimal fuss, these sides are sure to steal the show.

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes  
Give mashed potatoes a flavor makeover with one simple ingredient. A whole bulb of garlic (which turns deliciously tender and sweet in the oven) takes creamy Yukon Golds over the top with flavor.

Sausage Pear Stuffing 
Put a fruit-studded spin on a must-have Thanksgiving side. Sweet autumn pears are a delicious addition to traditional bread stuffing with fresh sage, Italian sausage, and crunchy celery.  

Roasted Cranberry Sauce 
Intensify the sweet-tangy flavor of fresh cranberries by roasting them in the oven. With freshly squeezed orange juice, pumpkin pie spice, and maple syrup, this one might ruin canned cranberries forever.

Brown Sugar Sweet Potatoes with Walnuts 
This caramelly, crunchy, gluten-free bake is a lighter take on marshmallow topped sweet potatoes. With layers of sliced sweet potato roasted in pumpkin pie-spiced butter and toasted walnut topping, this mostly make-ahead recipe is delicious served hot or room temperature.

Green Beans with Gruyére Bechamel 
Nutty Gruyére cheese gives traditional green bean casserole a tasty upgrade in this creamy casserole. Bonus: This vegetarian-friendly version cooks on the stovetop, saving room in the oven.

Bacon Butternut Squash Stuffing  
Two Thanksgiving all-stars combined equals one stupendous side dish. Sauteed butternut squash brings earthy sweetness to smoky bacon-studded stuffing.

Sweet and Spicy Glazed Brussels Sprouts  
Bring some Asian inspiration to your meal with unexpected sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts. Oven-crisp Brussels are irresistible tossed in a Thai sweet chili glaze and finished with the pop of fresh mint.

Balsamic-Roasted Acorn Squash 
This eye-catching take on roasted squash is a simple-to-make showstopper. Delicate rounds of acorn squash roasted with honey, balsamic, and crunchy pecans is a comforting side you’ll want to make all season long.

Creamy Garlic-Cauliflower Puree 
Creamy pureed cauliflower with the tang of garlic and chives is a perfect low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes. Made with frozen cauliflower and heated in the microwave, this side is a snap to make.

Savory Corn Pudding 
This savory, comforting crowd-pleaser is a triple whammy of corn flavor. Creamed corn, whole kernels, and corn muffin mix combine in a light and fluffy pudding topped with melty Monterey Jack.  

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