Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Thanksgiving is just two days away, which means it’s time to get busy in the kitchen! Whether you're hosting family & friends on Thursday, or celebrating at someone's home, here are a few yummy side dish recipes to enjoy with your loved ones.

Mac and Cheese Bites

• ½ pound elbow macaroni
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 Tablespoons flour
• 1½ cups milk
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 egg beaten

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray.
3. Cook pasta according to packaged directions and set aside.
4. In a medium size pan combine butter and flour over medium heat. Whisk until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Slowly add milk and bring to a simmer. Add 1½ cups of the cheese, cream cheese, salt and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat.
5. In a large mixing bowl, carefully stir pasta, cheese sauce, and egg until evenly mixed and pasta is evenly coated.
6. Spoon mac and cheese into mini muffin tins and top each with a small pinch of remaining cheese. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Allow to cool 5 minutes before gently removing the bites.

Green Beans with Bacon 

To cut down on the extra calories this Thanksgiving eliminate anything too cream heavy. Instead of having your traditional creamy green been casserole try this quick and easy GREEN BEANS WITH BACON dish that’s less than half the calories!         

• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• ½ shallot, minced
•  ½ package real bacon pieces
• 2 cans french cut green beans, strained
• ½ c parmesan

1. On medium low heat, add butter, garlic, shallot & bacon to pan.
2. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add green beans, increase heat to medium, stirring frequently until hot.
4. Garnish with parmesan & serve.

            Maple Dill Carrots 

Veggies are a MUST HAVE during every, so sweeten things up this Thanksgiving by adding a little brown sugar.

INGREDIENTS Serves 4 (double for 8) 

• 3 cup carrot, peeled and sliced
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 1⁄2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• 1⁄2 tsp black pepper

• Place carrots in a skillet and pour in just enough water to cover.
• Bring to a boil over medium heat; simmer until water has evaporated and the carrots are tender.
• Stir in butter, brown sugar, dill, salt, and pepper. 

Cranberry Orange Sauce 

Cranberry sauce is a Thanksgiving tradition, and it is no secrete as to why. This Cranberry Orange Sauce recipe is quick, super easy (it requires only 3 ingredients!) and taste phenomenal. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1/2 cup sugar, or more, to taste  
• 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries

1. In a medium saucepan, combine orange juice, orange zest, sugar and 3/4 cup water over medium heat.
2. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Stir in cranberries and bring to a boil; reduce heat and let simmer until sauce has thickened, about 15 minutes.
4. Let cool completely before serving.

Grandmother's Buttermilk Cornbread

What is Thanksgiving without cornbread?! This recipe is best served warm with a spread of melted butter - yum! 

INGREDIENTS

• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 2⁄3 cup white sugar
• 2 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1⁄2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 inch square pan.
2. Melt butter in large skillet. Remove from heat and stir in sugar.
3. Quickly add eggs and beat until well blended.
4. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture in pan.
5. Stir in cornmeal, flour, and salt until well blended and few lumps remain.
6. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Sausage, Apple and Cranberry Stuffing

Stuffing is always a family favorite. This Sausage, Apple and Cranberry Stuffing recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. It’s one of our favorites! 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1⁄2 cup whole wheat bread, cubed
• 3 3⁄4 cup white bread, cubed
• 1 lb ground turkey sausage
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 3⁄4 cup celery, chopped
• 2 1⁄2 tsp dried sage
• 1 1⁄2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1⁄2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 golden delicious apple, cored and chopped
• 3⁄4 cup dried cranberry
• 1⁄3 cup fresh parsley, minced
• 1 turkey liver, cooked, finely chopped
• 3⁄4 cup turkey stock
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F (175 degree C).
2. Spread the white and whole wheat bread cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
3. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until evenly toasted.
4. Transfer toasted bread cubes to a large bowl.
5. In a large skillet, cook the sausage and onions over medium heat, stirring and breaking up the lumps until evenly browned.
6. Add the celery, sage, rosemary, and thyme; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
7. Pour sausage mixture over bread in bowl.
8. Mix in chopped apples, dried cranberries, parsley, and liver.
9. Drizzle with turkey stock and melted butter, and mix lightly.