15 Fall Side Dishes That Will Make You the Star of Friendsgiving
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Friendsgiving is all about good food and even better company, so why not show up with sides that everyone will rave about? These fall side dishes bring all the cozy flavors of the season without the stress, giving you options that are easy to prep and even easier to share. From classics with a twist to fresh new ideas, they’ll make you look like the star of the table without spending all day in the kitchen.
Cranberry Chicken Salad
Cranberry chicken salad strikes the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and sweet-tart, making it a fresh option for a Friendsgiving spread. Pecans, celery, and cranberries keep each bite interesting while the tender chicken makes it hearty enough to stand out. It’s ready in minutes but tastes like a dish worthy of celebration.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Chicken Salad
Potato Skins
Potato skins with crispy edges, melted cheese, and smoky bacon are the appetizer that disappears fast at Friendsgiving. Each bite layers crunch, creaminess, and a little green onion freshness that feels just right with fall flavors. They’re easy enough for a casual get-together but tasty enough to steal the spotlight from the mains.
Get the Recipe: Potato Skins
Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Baked cauliflower mac and cheese transforms a familiar classic into something a little more unexpected for Friendsgiving. Velvety cheese sauce clings to tender cauliflower, creating comfort in every forkful without relying on pasta. It’s nostalgic, indulgent, and just unique enough to stand out on the table.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Chili’s Baked Potato Soup
A bowl of Chili’s baked potato soup has all the makings of a Friendsgiving favorite, with tender potatoes, crispy bacon, and cheddar melting into every spoonful. It brings that cozy restaurant-style indulgence right to the table without being fussy. When comfort is needed most, serving this soup guarantees everyone feels instantly at home.
Get the Recipe: Chili’s Baked Potato Soup
Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits
Bacon and cheddar biscuits bring cheesy, savory comfort straight to the Friendsgiving table, with ranch seasoning giving every bite extra flavor. They bake up golden and fluffy, perfect for pairing with soups, casseroles, or just enjoying warm with butter. Simple to whip together, they feel both homestyle and festive.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Cheddar Biscuits
Pumpkin Pasta
Pumpkin pasta brings cozy fall flavor to the table with rigatoni tossed in a creamy, spiced pumpkin sauce. Topped with mozzarella and fresh basil, it feels festive yet requires almost no effort. It’s a side that easily doubles as the centerpiece of a Friendsgiving plate.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pasta
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Garlic mashed potatoes are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, bringing fluffy potatoes, butter, and just enough garlic to steal the show at Friendsgiving. Simple enough for weeknights but elegant enough for the holidays, they hold their own next to any main dish. Once you serve them this way, no one will want mashed potatoes any other way again.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Panera-style broccoli cheddar soup has all the cheesy, creamy comfort that makes people come back for seconds, especially at Friendsgiving. Slow cooking turns broccoli and broth into a velvety base while cheddar melts into pure richness. It’s a dish that feels restaurant-worthy but still carries that homemade warmth.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Parmesan Potatoes
Parmesan potatoes roast into golden, cheesy bites that feel made for passing around at a Friendsgiving table. The crispy crust and buttery centers are so irresistible that they’ll likely disappear before the meal even begins. Add a dip of sour cream on the side, and you’ve got a small dish with big star power.
Get the Recipe: Parmesan Potatoes
Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
Buttermilk drop biscuits offer old-fashioned charm with no rolling or kneading required, making them a stress-free choice for Friendsgiving sides. Each biscuit comes out soft inside with golden edges that beg to be paired with gravy or soup. It’s a simple recipe that still feels special when shared around the table.
Get the Recipe: Buttermilk Drop Biscuits
Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes
Mashed cauliflower potatoes are a lighter twist that still delivers the creamy texture everyone expects from a Friendsgiving side. They swap out the heaviness of traditional spuds without losing that comforting flavor. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel good piling onto your plate.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Cauliflower Potatoes
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Air fryer sweet potato wedges add a pop of color and flavor to the Friendsgiving lineup with their crispy outsides and tender centers. Seasoned simply with garlic and paprika, they balance comfort with a touch of freshness. They’re simple to make, easy to serve, and always welcome next to richer holiday dishes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
Potato and Leek Soup
Potato and leek soup brings velvety comfort to any Friendsgiving gathering, with tender potatoes blending into buttery garlic and thyme. It has an elegant feel while still being hearty enough for chilly evenings. Served with bread on the side, it’s a bowl that keeps conversations lingering a little longer.
Get the Recipe: Potato and Leek Soup
Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli casserole layers creamy sauce, tender florets, and buttery cracker topping into a dish that screams retro comfort in the best way. It’s hearty enough to compete with potatoes but still lightens up the table with some greens. At Friendsgiving, it’s a nostalgic side everyone recognizes and digs into without hesitation.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Casserole
Outback Potato Soup
Outback potato soup delivers hearty spoonfuls of tender potato, bacon, and cheddar that taste like a restaurant indulgence without leaving the house. It’s ready with minimal prep but feels rich and celebratory, just right for a Friendsgiving spread. One bowl and everyone will want seconds.
Get the Recipe: Outback Potato Soup
