By The Paula Deen Test Kitchen

It’s not hard to figure out the meaning of Thanksgiving; it’s right in the name! And although giving thanks is easy, choosing a Thanksgiving menu is a toughy! The hardest part is picking between all of those delicious sides. Here are a few of our favorites.

Say Cheese
What Thanksgiving supper is complete without Mac-n-Cheese? Its comfort food at its finest and its one-pot qualities make it a breeze. If you’re looking for something that lives up to the ooey, gooey, and cheesy casserole you’re used to, try The Ultimate Lady’s Cheesy Mac and Cheese, complete with six different kinds of cheese. If you’re watching you waistline (since we all know we’ll be loading up our plates) Healthier Mac and Cheese or Bobby’s Lighter Cheesy Mac are great choices. They both use reduced- and low-fat ingredients. For another healthy twist, try using whole-wheat or multi-grain pasta.

Green with Envy
Classic Green Bean Casserole is always delicious. If you’re looking for something a little different, we’ve got more great green bean suggestions that are sure to please. Green Beans with New Potatoes don’t require baking so if your oven is full, don’t worry! You can still get your veggies on the table. Green Bean Bundles with Bacon Vinaigrette are a great personalized side dish; each person gets their own bundle. Green Beans with Almonds and Caramelized Onions are the perfect combination of sweet, crunchy, and savory.

I’m Stuffed
Guests are often the most opinionated about stuffing. There are so many different styles, and everyone favors the style they grew up eating. If your guests like stuffing that is wetter, with fine ground bread crumbs, go with Southern Cornbread Stuffing or Bobby’s Lighter Southern Cornbread Stuffing. For a stuffing with larger bread cubes and a crispy top, try Turkey/Chicken Stuffing or Good Old Country Stuffing. Don’t forget that you can always alter a stuffing by cutting bread cubes bigger or smaller or adding more or less liquid based on your taste preferences. And if you’ve invited a group of adventurous, less traditional guests you should try Apple Cranberry Stuffing or Deep fried Stuffing on a Stick.

One Potato, Two Potato
Potatoes are the glue that holds any Thanksgiving meal together, metaphorically speaking we hope. Try classic Buttery Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes or sneak some more veggies into the meal with Turnip Mashed Potatoes. If you’re in more of a sweet potato mood try Aunt Peggy’s Sweet Potato Soufflé. Or if you really want to impress your guests with something different, make a delicious Sweet Potato Gratin.

Feeling Saucy
There’s nothing like Giblet Gravy. This classic recipe is amazing over mashed potatoes, turkey, pretty much anything at the table! And speaking of sauces, no Thanksgiving is complete without cranberry sauce. Wayne’s Cranberry Sauce is filled with cranberries (duh!), apples, walnuts, and even raisins. If you think plain cranberry sauce is good, you’ll love Deep-Fried Cranberry Sauce Fritters. For a twist on a classic, try spreading cream cheese and pecans between two slices of jellied cranberry sauce in Mrs. Hoggle’s Stuffed Cranberry Sauce.

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