Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and of course—delicious food. But with so many dishes to prepare, the holiday kitchen can quickly become hectic. That’s why make-ahead casseroles are a lifesaver. These 10 easy make-ahead Thanksgiving casseroles allow you to do most of the work in advance, so you can spend less time stressing over the stove and more time enjoying the holiday.
Casseroles are a Thanksgiving favorite because they’re hearty, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Plus, they’re easy to assemble the day before—sometimes even two days ahead—and simply pop in the oven when it’s time to serve. This not only saves time but also frees up valuable oven space for the turkey and other sides.
For a timeless choice, green bean casserole is a must-have on many holiday tables. Made with tender green beans, creamy sauce, and topped with crispy fried onions, it’s a nostalgic classic that’s even better when made ahead. Another essential is sweet potato casserole, featuring a rich, buttery sweet potato base topped with either marshmallows or a pecan crumble for the perfect blend of sweet and savory.
If you love comforting flavors, cornbread casserole is a warm, slightly sweet side that pairs beautifully with roasted turkey. Or try broccoli cheese casserole, combining tender broccoli florets in a cheesy, creamy sauce that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
For something heartier, chicken and stuffing casserole delivers all the cozy Thanksgiving flavors in one dish, perfect for doubling if you’re hosting a big group. Similarly, wild rice and mushroom casserole brings earthy, nutty flavors to the table and pairs beautifully with other sides.
Those looking to add a touch of elegance might enjoy butternut squash and sage casserole, which offers a slightly sweet, herb-infused flavor profile that complements the richness of the holiday feast. And for cheese lovers, macaroni and cheese casserole provides creamy indulgence with a crispy breadcrumb topping that’s hard to resist.
A great make-ahead option for variety is layered vegetable casserole, which can include carrots, zucchini, squash, and potatoes, all baked together with herbs and seasonings. For something a bit different, cranberry apple stuffing casserole combines tart cranberries, sweet apples, and savory bread stuffing for a colorful, flavorful twist.
These easy make-ahead Thanksgiving casseroles don’t just save time—they also enhance flavor. Letting the ingredients sit together in the fridge overnight allows them to meld beautifully, creating a richer, more developed taste when baked.
When prepping ahead, simply assemble your casseroles, cover them tightly, and store in the refrigerator. On Thanksgiving Day, bring them to room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake according to the recipe. You can even freeze some of these dishes weeks in advance for ultimate convenience.
From traditional favorites to creative twists, these 10 easy make-ahead Thanksgiving casseroles are the key to a more relaxed and enjoyable holiday. They’ll keep your guests happy, your kitchen calm, and your dinner table full of flavor.
French Onion Green Bean Casserole
This updated version of a traditional favorite includes fresh green beans, a creamy homemade white sauce, and a crisp topping with two kinds of cheese. It’s a perfect make-ahead candidate because it takes a little extra time to make
Home-style Macaroni and Cheese
Classic baked macaroni and cheese is a welcome casserole any time of year and makes a great addition to the Thanksgiving table. (Is there anything mac and cheese doesn’t improve?) According to many reviewers, you can leave out the jalapenos to appease more sensitive palates. Emily Righter even substituted jalapenos with peas, which pleased even her picky eaters.
Awesome and Easy Creamy Corn Casserole
When it comes to recipes, awesome, easy, and creamy are a few of our favorite words. Recipe creator LETSGGGO says: “I know you will love the ease of preparation and especially the taste. Everyone always wants the recipe!” If you want to get a head start on this crowd-pleaser, MommyFromSeattle—who says she has been making this recipe for years—notes that it can be made ahead and refrigerated before baking
Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole
This wildly popular five-star recipe has been marked as “made” 6,000 times and has more than 2,000 positive reviews! Recipe creator TINA B says that her family begs her to make it every year, and that the secret is the pecan topping.
Cranberry, Sausage, and Apple Stuffing
This makes enough stuffing for a plus extra on the side, so you might want to cut the recipe in half. LADY_MARMALAADE says: “This stuffing was incredible! I think that it was one of my most complimented cooking efforts—and I cook all the time.”
Mom’s Sausage and Cornbread Dressing
“This recipe is not a quick side dish,” recipe submitter 4620nellerd says. “It needs time and work for prep and cooking, but is very worth it.” Refrigerate this classic cornbread stuffing, baked or unbaked, for up to two days.
Garlic Mashed Potato Casserole
What is one the most time-consuming, dish-dirtying, labor-intensive things to make on Thanksgiving? If you said So do yourself a favor and add mashers to your make-ahead list. Home cook tifray says: “I made this the day before serving it. I wanted mashed potatoes but didn’t want to be stuck in the kitchen when company was here!”
Garlic Potatoes Gratin
If you prefer a cheesier potato dish (we wouldn’t blame you), our Garlic Potatoes Gratin reigns as a Thanksgiving favorite. And if you’re making more than one dish ahead of time, get a head start on this one. “The cooking time was low and slow, not only giving me ample
Amazing Spinach Artichoke Casserole
A classic spinach casserole made with cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise will stand stand out against casseroles that call for creamy soups. “This recipe has a lot of steps, but it is relatively easy and is well worth it,” recipe creator mharbold says. “… This is my most requested vegetable casserole recipe, and it is a Thanksgiving favorite.”
Make-Ahead Turnip Casserole
This buttery turnip casserole has “crowd-pleaser” written all over it. A touch of brown sugar brings out the natural sweetness of the turnips and a toasty breadcrumb topping brings a satisfying crunch. And as reviewer Brynnygirl points out, it’s a great way to introduce turnips to pickier eaters at your table.
