I’m just going to say it: Thanksgiving isn’t complete until there’s something gloriously potato-based on my plate. Every year when the holiday planning starts, my brain goes straight to the spuds. I’ve rounded up 25 recipes that cover all the cozy, cheesy, crispy, and creamy bases for your feast. Let’s find you a new favorite.
1. Ultra-Crispy Smashed Potatoes
This might be the most brilliant way to use a humble potato. You just boil them, smash them, bake them, and finish with a little drizzle. That’s the whole game plan. Once you try one of these crispy little bites, you’ll find an excuse to make them for everything.
2. Scored Seasoned Baked Potatoes
If a plain baked potato doesn’t excite you, this new take might change your mind. Scoring your spuds before roasting lets the seasoning travel deep into the flesh. That means you don’t have to pile on a mountain of toppings to get flavor in every single bite. It’s a total game changer.
3. Loaded Twice-Baked Red Potatoes
What could possibly beat twice-baked potatoes? Tiny twice-baked potatoes, obviously. This mini version is ridiculously cute and makes the best little finger food for holiday parties. Pop one in your mouth and get ready for an explosion of creamy, savory goodness. I’m obsessed.
4. Easy Old-Fashioned Creamed Potatoes
These creamed potatoes are simple but feel a little fancy, which makes them perfect for your holiday spread. Every spoonful is rich, silky, and finished with a gentle touch of smoky paprika. They come together in just 15 minutes, so you can even toss them together at the last second. So handy.
5. Australian Cheesy Potato Bake
Craving something a little different? Treat yourself to this Australian cheesy potato bake. It’s an easy combination of potatoes, onion, garlic, cream, and cheese. Simple ingredients, but together they create a magical casserole that will absolutely knock your socks off.
6. Garlic Parmesan Duchess Potatoes
Okay, these might be the prettiest potatoes you’ll ever make. They look extremely fancy, but I promise they’re actually pretty easy. If you’ve ever piped frosting from a bag, you’re already halfway there. They’re buttery, garlicky, and so elegant on a holiday plate.
7. Loaded Baked Potato Bites
This is the ultimate pre-dinner snack for Thanksgiving. Just sauté some sliced spuds, melt cheese over the top, and finish with your favorite toppings. They come together so fast, you’ll have them ready to devour in no time. Careful, they go quick.
8. Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes
Have you ever stirred cream cheese into your mashed potatoes? If not, you are in for something wonderful. This method gives you the creamiest, most melt-in-your-mouth side dish imaginable. Just make your potatoes the way you always do, then add a generous scoop of cream cheese while you mash. You’ll never look back.
9. Amish Potato Stuffing
If comfort food had a poster child, this Amish potato stuffing might be it. You’ve got mashed potatoes, sautéed veggies, crispy breadcrumbs, and savory sage all hanging out together. Pour a generous amount of gravy over the top and you have a truly sensational side. I can’t get enough.
10. Garlic and Chive Mashed Potatoes
Sometimes the simplest things really are the best, and this dish proves it. You only need a few ingredients and about 30 minutes to make mashed potatoes that taste like they came from a fancy restaurant. Spoon them next to your turkey and let the gravy do the rest. It’s pure holiday comfort.
11. Potatoes Au Gratin
This one is a total fan favorite at my own Thanksgiving table. I never bring home leftovers, just an empty dish. The recipe uses a few smart tricks to get this cozy classic just right. Mixing Gruyere and cheddar gives it that wonderfully smoky, savory layer of flavor. It’s a must-make.
12. Loaded Baked Potato Casserole
You need to try this baked potato casserole at least once in your life. Crispy bacon, creamy sour cream, and tender potatoes make for one absolutely marvelous bite. It’s so easy to assemble that you can make it as a last-minute Thanksgiving addition or even a weeknight dinner. So good.
13. Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Rosemary and potatoes just belong together, like the most perfect pairing in the world. There’s something so warming and nostalgic about this classic combo. If you feel the same way I do, then you are going to adore this recipe. It’s cozy, fragrant, and so satisfying.
14. Cheesy Leftover Mashed Potato Muffins
Here’s another scrumptious way to rescue your leftovers. Mix your mashed potatoes with cheddar, chives, and an egg. Pop them in the oven for about half an hour, and you’ve got cheesy muffins ready to serve. It’s the easiest kind of magic.
15. Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes
These might look like ordinary mashed potatoes, but the flavor is on another level. You only need one simple addition to elevate this comfort food classic. A hearty scoop of sour cream stirred into that fluffy white mash creates a unique tanginess that is completely irresistible.
16. Twice Baked Potatoes
These are the kind of party food that makes people ask for the recipe before they’ve even finished eating. They’re a little time consuming, but so incredibly easy since most of that time is just oven baking. Buttery potato, tangy sour cream, and crispy bacon all come together in one mouthwatering bite. Your guests will be obsessed.
17. Hasselback Potatoes
You really can’t go wrong with Hasselback potatoes. They look like something from a Michelin-star kitchen, but they’re actually super straightforward to prepare. You just slice them, brush them with a buttery mixture, and bake. Fancy looking and totally doable.
18. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
If you want a side dish that basically takes care of itself, this is the one. Smoky bacon, tangy sour cream, and gooey melted cheese get folded right into every single bite. It’s everything you love about a fully loaded baked potato, just in scoopable casserole form. I’m telling you, this one disappears fast.
19. Pan-Fried Potatoes and Onions
Need something for your Thanksgiving spread or a lazy weekend brunch? These pan-fried potatoes and onions fit right in anywhere. They’re soft, savory, and practically melt in your mouth with every bite. It’s one of those versatile recipes you’ll lean on all season long.
20. Crockpot Baked Potatoes
If the thought of juggling oven space stresses you out, I have the perfect solution. You can bake your potatoes right in the Crockpot and free up that precious oven for other things. Just know that this method takes a while, up to 8 hours or so. But it’s completely hands-off.
21. Potato Dinner Rolls
I truly believe the rolls can make or break a Thanksgiving dinner. You can always tell when they were an afterthought. But when they’re soft and flavorful, you know the rest of the meal is going to be amazing. Skip the store-bought stuff and whip up a batch of these homemade potato rolls.
22. Easy Oven Roasted Potatoes
It honestly doesn’t get easier than these roasted beauties. Even a total beginner can pull this off without a hitch. Just chop your potatoes, toss them with seasoning, and let the oven work its magic. Crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and totally foolproof.
23. Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes
Okay, let’s be real: cheese, bacon, ranch, and potatoes should probably just be their own food group. I’m convinced of it. When you combine all four, you get a side dish that is absolutely bursting with flavor. It’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser every single time.
24. Easy Cottage Potatoes
Get ready, because these easy cottage potatoes are about to shake up your side dish game. If you love a good casserole, this is your new go-to. It’s incredibly simple to throw together, and the flavor is absolutely out of this world. You’ve been warned.
25. Mashed Potato Puffs
Got leftover mashed potatoes? These bite-sized puffs are such a fun way to use them up. They work beautifully as a party appetizer, a side dish, or even a late-night snack. The whole thing comes together quickly, and the result is absolutely worth it. I love these little guys.
