29 Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Get Passed Around Twice

Thanksgiving tables have a funny way of showing what people truly like, and it usually isn’t the big centerpiece but the sides that keep moving around. These 29 Thanksgiving side dishes prove that point by never staying in one spot for long. Plates circle back faster than anyone expects, and no one pretends they’re “done” after only one round.

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Creamy, rich, and hard to resist, this takes comfort food up a notch. Instant Pot Mac and Cheese is perfect for a quick addition to your Thanksgiving spread. It’s one of those dishes that feels familiar yet grabs everyone’s attention for another serving. You won’t have to wonder why it’s always the first empty bowl on the table.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

French Onion Casserole

Each bite of this dish blends hearty satisfaction with the savory flavor that everyone loves. French Onion Casserole brings something unique to the table, balancing depth and creaminess in a way few sides can. This isn’t something people just pass around; it’s what they scoop up multiple times. It’s destined to keep people asking for the recipe.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Casserole

Turkey Soup

Don’t overlook what can bring comforting warmth to a Thanksgiving meal. Turkey Soup is more than a way to use leftovers; it’s a side that people unexpectedly come back to for seconds. Light yet satisfying, it gives a nice balance to the richer dishes on the table. You’ll appreciate how it sneaks in as an all-around favorite.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Soup

Amish Breakfast Casserole

Layers of hearty ingredients come together to make this a crowd-pleaser. While it’s perfect for any morning table, Amish Breakfast Casserole is a surprising star when served as a holiday side. Everyone goes for seconds, appreciating its balanced and filling flavors. It’s one dish that never fades to the background.
Get the Recipe: Amish Breakfast Casserole

Twice Baked Potatoes

Packed with everything you want in one bite, this is a favorite across all age groups. Twice Baked Potatoes are indulgent yet familiar, making them hard to turn down. Think of this not as a side but as a repeat-requested staple. Guests take extras simply because one helping isn’t enough.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Potatoes

Easy Cornbread Casserole

A blend of beloved flavors meets a texture that’s hard to ignore. Easy Cornbread Casserole fits perfectly into the Thanksgiving lineup, offering a lovely option that rarely gets left untouched. It’s that dish people sneak a spoonful of before anything else. Don’t be surprised when it’s a must-have next year.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cornbread Casserole

Beet Salad

Bright and bold, this brings a refreshingly different option to the table. Beet Salad combines vibrant colors with distinctive flavors that make it hard to overlook. It’s something people come back to, especially when they’re looking for a lighter side. Expect this to be the talk of the table for more than its looks.
Get the Recipe: Beet Salad

Million Dollar Casserole

All the flavors come together here to make something unforgettable. Million Dollar Casserole lives up to its name with layers that feel indulgent and comforting. It’s the kind of dish that’s impossible to ignore and even harder to resist. Once it’s passed around, you’ll see why people go back for more.
Get the Recipe: Million Dollar Casserole

Focaccia Bread

Few things beat the simple satisfaction that comes with fresh-out-of-the-oven sides. Focaccia Bread adds something irresistible to any spread with its inviting texture and flavor. You won’t have leftovers because everyone grabs just one more slice. It earns its place as the side that’s passed around until it’s gone.
Get the Recipe: Focaccia Bread

Ham and Potato Casserole

Hearty and filling, this stands out among the usual lineup. Ham and Potato Casserole delivers a balanced flavor that feels like home while adding variety to the table. It’s a shareable dish that just doesn’t stay on the plate for long. You’ll see it disappear as guests go back for another spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Ham and Potato Casserole

Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

A lighter side that still keeps everyone’s attention, this is more than just another salad. Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing adds freshness and crunch to your Thanksgiving meal. The dressing brings everything together in a way that people enjoy much more than they expect. It’s always a nice surprise that disappears quickly.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Salad with Creamy Dressing

Breakfast Casserole

Packed with layers of flavor, this stands out no matter when it’s served. Breakfast Casserole might not scream Thanksgiving, but once it’s part of the meal, it’s one that people revisit. Easy to enjoy and even easier to share, it fits perfectly for any gathering. You won’t need to wonder if there will be leftovers; there won’t.
Get the Recipe: Breakfast Casserole

Cauliflower Steaks

If you’re looking to add something different to the spread, this is a great choice. Cauliflower Steaks bring a lovely texture with flavors that surprise everyone at the table. It ends up being a talking point and a dish that makes its way around again. You’ll see it stands as more than just a veggie option.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks

Chicken and Rice Casserole

This has comfort and heartiness all in one. Chicken and Rice Casserole earns its place at Thanksgiving for how well it pairs with other dishes. It’s one of those sides that keeps disappearing because people go back for seconds. Don’t be surprised if they ask how you made it.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Rice Casserole

Antipasto Salad

A mix of bold flavors and textures, this gets attention as soon as it’s served. Antipasto Salad is not only inviting but also stands out with its variety in every bite. It breaks up heavier options and still manages to be one of the most popular. You’ll notice how quickly it becomes an empty bowl.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Salad

Egg Casserole

With simple yet balanced flavors, this is the kind of dish that pleases everyone. Egg Casserole feels right at home in big gatherings, where seconds are practically a given. It’s that kind of addition that makes guests ask if there’s any left to take home. The clean dish at the end of the meal says it all.
Get the Recipe: Egg Casserole

Baked Potato

There’s something timeless about a perfectly prepared side that everyone loves. Baked Potato isn’t just simple; it’s something guests enjoy creating their own spin on. Filling but not overwhelming, it’s a guaranteed favorite that sees multiple helpings. It truly earns its quiet popularity on any Thanksgiving table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Potato

Green Bean Casserole

Everyone knows a meal isn’t complete without something hearty, vibrant, and easy to share. Green Bean Casserole is the kind of dish people always go back for more. It’s loved for its creamy, crunchy combination and how well it pairs with just about everything. This classic recipe always makes its way around the table twice without hesitation.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Macaroni Salad

A cold dish that adds a refreshing contrast to all the warm sides on the table gets noticed quickly. Macaroni Salad stands out with its creamy texture and slight tang that breaks up heavier dishes. It balances other flavors on the table, making it a great choice to pass around more than once.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Hashbrown Casserole

Warm, cheesy sides bring people together, and this one knows how to keep everyone reaching for seconds. Hashbrown Casserole is comforting, with textures that melt in your mouth and flavors that feel like home. It’s a dish everyone appreciates because it’s satisfying without being overcomplicated.
Get the Recipe: Hashbrown Casserole

Hot Honey Chicken Salad

Having something with a bit of sweetness and a kick always gets attention. Hot Honey Chicken Salad adds variety to the table with its bold flavors and light feel. A mix of tender chicken and unexpected spice ensures it’s talked about long after dinner ends. Guests can’t help but pass it back for round two.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Chicken Salad

Mac and Cheese

No table feels complete without this favorite that brings comfort to everyone who digs in. Mac and Cheese impresses with its creamy and cheesy perfection, making it impossible to pass on. It pairs beautifully with any Thanksgiving dish, from turkey to vegetables. Even those with full plates will find room for more by the time this goes around again.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

Mashed Potatoes

Every Thanksgiving table needs that buttery, soft option everyone craves. Mashed Potatoes fills that role perfectly, and people rarely stop at one scoop. It’s a simple dish that complements every other side in a way nothing else can. Somehow, there’s always room to pass it around one more time.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Something hearty and shareable that stands out next to traditional dishes makes an impact. Roasted Whole Cauliflower is a flavorful option people always find interesting and worth revisiting. Its texture and generous size make it a great addition that contrasts well with the table’s heavier sides. Guests rarely let this one go back to the kitchen untouched.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Potato Casserole

Hearty dishes are always the ones people return to, and this option delivers without fail. Potato Casserole offers a creamy, baked option that’s both filling and easy to pair with other plates. It’s the perfect balance of flavors and textures that makes it hard to resist. By the time the night ends, this dish is usually the first one empty.
Get the Recipe: Potato Casserole

Seven Layer Salad

Layers bring a visual wow factor that’s hard to ignore, and this one is no exception. Seven Layer Salad offers crunch, creaminess, and fresh flavors all in one bite, ensuring it stands out on the table. It’s just different enough to bring balance to richer options without taking up too much space on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Seven Layer Salad

Thanksgiving Casserole

Combining everything loved about the meal into one dish is a genius idea that no one skips. Thanksgiving Casserole brings together the best Thanksgiving flavors in a layered, perfectly baked form. It’s the dish that brings nostalgia with every single bite. Good luck keeping leftovers because this one will get passed around twice without question.
Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Casserole

Turkey Gravy

No one skips over something that ties the whole meal together effortlessly. Turkey Gravy transforms every side with its rich, smooth addition that enhances flavors on the plate. It’s so essential that nearly every guest will ask for the gravy boat to come their way again. The most surprising part is how something so simple has such a big impact.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Gravy

Dinner Rolls

Sharing warm, soft options like this is second nature at any Thanksgiving meal. Dinner Rolls are always a welcome addition because they complete the mix by soaking up extra gravy or simply being eaten on their own. Their versatility and shareability make them an automatic second pass. Somehow, there’s always room for another on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Rolls