We all want to be the “Betty Crocker” of Thanksgiving side dishes. We hope to someday take our place in the family’s “Culinary Hall of Fame” for the dish people crave all year.
Let me tell you a secret: Making a successful Thanksgiving side dish doesn’t have to be difficult. Honestly, it’s about marrying the perfect ingredients with easy-to-follow directions.
To make you the star of this year’s party, here are three Thanksgiving side dishes that have been pleasing taste buds for decades:
Aunt Shelley’s Cheesy Potatoes
My extended family, especially my nieces and nephews, beg me to bring this. The recipe is simple to make and super easy to double or triple for big crowds.
I found this recipe decades ago in a church auxiliary recipe book and adapted it to my liking. No shame there. It’s Step 1 to entering that Culinary Hall of Fame I talked about.
If I show up without this Thanksgiving side dish, I will be ousted from the family. Don’t worry, Monica, the potatoes are coming.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Ore Ida Diced Hash Browns
- 2 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 c. chopped yellow onion
- 1 can Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1/4 c. Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Crumbs for the potato mixture and an additional 1/2 c. for the topping
- 1 pt. sour cream
- 1 stick of margarine
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Melt the margarine in a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan.
- Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Pour the potato mixture into the baking pan and top with remaining 1/2 c. Corn Flakes Crumbs.
- Bake for one hour.
Janae’s Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a refreshing addition to a heavy meal, especially the Thanksgiving tradition of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy. The hardest part of this recipe is cutting up the vegetables, cheese and pepperoni. It is S.I.M.P.L.E.
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz.) box of tri-color rotini pasta
- 1 head of broccoli florets
- 1 head of cauliflower florets
- 12 sticks string cheese cut in half-inch pieces
- 8 oz. sliced pepperoni, each cut into fourths
- Zesty Italian Dressing
- Optional items: Pitted and sliced black olives, mozzarella cheese cubes, diced red and green bell peppers, diced cucumber, halved cherry or grape tomatoes
Directions
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Add remaining ingredients.
- Sparingly pour on Italian Dressing and gently stir. More dressing can be added, if needed.
- Chill for at least one hour before serving.
Grandma Kate’s Chicken ‘N Noodles
My husband’s Grandma Kate for years brought her famous Chicken ‘N Noodles to every family gathering. We couldn’t imagine the work she put into this dish. We pictured her wrapped in an apron, painstakingly rolling out and cutting those hearty, homemade noodles.
One day I asked the 85-year-old if it was becoming too difficult for her to continue the tradition. She winked and slowly confessed she had always used frozen noodles. We both laughed. What a wonderful lady.
Grandma passed away a few years ago, but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if I shared the recipe with you. For convenience, I adapted it for a slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 2 (14.7 oz.) cans of cream of chicken
- 2 (15 oz.) cans chick broth
- 1/2 stick of butter cut in pieces
- 1 lb. chicken breast (six small or four large)
- 24 oz. bag Reames Frozen Egg Noodles
- Four chicken bouillon cubes
- Dash of salt and pepper
Directions
- Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper and place in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Spoon the cream of chicken soup over the chicken breast.
- Place the butter pieces evenly over the soup.
- Whisk and dissolve bouillon cubes in the chicken broth and pour over the soup.
- Cook in the slow cooker on low for six hours.
- Remove chicken and tear it into small pieces. Return it to the slow cooker.
- Gently add frozen noodles to the mix.
- Cook for two more hours on low, stirring occasionally.
This makes a fairly thick chicken and noodles dish. If you like it thinner, add extra chicken broth.
More Thanksgiving ideas
For additional great recipes, visit Totally Promotional’s Thanksgiving Things Pinterest page. You’ll also find lots of Thanksgiving and fall decorating ideas to set the mood!
Be sure to browse our special collection of Thanksgiving products and gifts. Our cups, napkins, plates, can coolers and more can be personalized with one of our template designs or you can upload your own image to uniquely compliment your holiday party!
Happy Thanksgiving Day!
— Shelley Grieshop
