20 Sides to Carry to a Fall Gathering

Bringing a dish to a fall gathering is simpler when it can travel easily and serve a crowd. These recipes give you plenty of variety, from hearty casseroles and creamy favorites to lighter seasonal sides. They can be served alongside turkey, ham, roast meats, or other traditional autumn mains.

Six-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese for a Fall Gathering

Creamy baked macaroni and cheese in a white dish with a wooden spoon and a blue striped towel nearby. — Six-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Creamy macaroni gets an extra-rich finish from six kinds of cheese layered throughout the dish. It is a comforting crowd-pleaser that travels well and fits right in at a cozy autumn potluck.
Get the Recipe: Six-Cheese Macaroni and Cheese for a Fall Gathering

Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes with Crispy Edges

Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Thin slices create beautifully crisp edges while the centers stay tender and buttery. Garlic and Parmesan bring plenty of savory flavor, making these potatoes a memorable addition to a shared fall meal.
Get the Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes with Crispy Edges

Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Pecans

Roasted butternut squash with cranberries, pecans, and goat cheese in a white dish with a wooden spoon. — Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Pecans. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Sweet maple flavor complements roasted butternut squash while cranberries and pecans add brightness and crunch. Creamy goat cheese gives this colorful autumn side a lovely finishing touch for potlucks and holiday tables.
Get the Recipe: Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Cranberries and Pecans

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyere

Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyere. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Thinly sliced potatoes bake in a rich, creamy cheese sauce until tender and golden on top. This classic side travels beautifully and adds plenty of cozy comfort to a fall dinner spread.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Scalloped Potatoes with Gruyere

5-Ingredient Sausage Hash Brown Casserole

A spatula lifts a cheesy hash brown and sausage breakfast casserole from a glass baking dish. — Sausage Hash Brown Casserole. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Sausage, eggs, and crispy hash browns make this simple casserole hearty and satisfying. With just a few minutes of preparation, it is an easy dish to bring to a fall brunch or family gathering.
Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Sausage Hash Brown Casserole

Southern Sweet and Savory Pineapple Casserole

Southern Pineapple Casserole. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Juicy pineapple, sharp cheddar, and buttery crackers create an unexpectedly delicious sweet-savory combination. This Southern favorite is especially fun to bring to a gathering because it tends to disappear quickly from the table.
Get the Recipe: Southern Sweet and Savory Pineapple Casserole

Oven-Roasted Cabbage with Dried Cherries and Paprika

Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of cabbage, while dried cherries add a bright contrast and paprika provides gentle warmth. It is an easy vegetable side that brings something a little different to a fall table.
Get the Recipe: Oven-Roasted Cabbage with Dried Cherries and Paprika

Crunchy Apple Coleslaw with Fresh Cabbage

Apple Coleslaw with Fresh Cabbage. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

Crisp cabbage and tart green apple bring plenty of crunch to this refreshing slaw, balanced by a tangy dressing. It is a bright contrast to richer casseroles, potatoes, and roasted dishes at a fall gathering.
Get the Recipe: Crunchy Apple Coleslaw with Fresh Cabbage

Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy bacon pieces on a white plate, served with a metal spoon. — Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Roasted Brussels sprouts become caramelized and tender with sweet maple, tangy balsamic, and savory bacon. They are colorful, flavorful, and easy to transport for a seasonal gathering.
Get the Recipe: Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Bacon Roasted Turnips with Goat Cheese and Rosemary

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Turnips roast until golden and tender before being finished with savory bacon, fresh rosemary, and creamy goat cheese. The combination makes a flavorful vegetable side that feels right at home on a fall buffet.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Turnips with Goat Cheese and Rosemary

Gruyere and Leek Mashed Potatoes for Special Gatherings

Close up of a bowl of leek and gruyere mashed potatoes. — Gruyere and Leek Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Silky mashed potatoes get extra depth from savory leeks and nutty Gruyere cheese. This elegant side is creamy, comforting, and easy to pair with the hearty flavors of a fall dinner.
Get the Recipe: Gruyere and Leek Mashed Potatoes for Special Gatherings

Skillet Fried Apples, Cracker Barrel Copycat Style

Skillet Fried Apples. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Apples slowly caramelize in browned butter and sugar until tender and richly flavored. This Southern-inspired side is easy to make and brings a warm, nostalgic touch to a fall gathering.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Fried Apples, Cracker Barrel Copycat Style

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes with Heavy Cream

Oval dish of mashed potatoes topped with pats of butter and sprinkled with chopped chives. — Mashed Potatoes with Heavy Cream. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Rich, creamy mashed potatoes can be prepared well ahead of the gathering, leaving you more time to enjoy your guests. Their smooth texture and comforting flavor make them a natural companion for roasted meats and holiday dishes.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes with Heavy Cream

Easy 2-Ingredient Sweet Potato Rolls

A sweet potato roll cut in half, showing the soft inside, and sitting on more rolls in a bread basket. — Sweet Potato Rolls. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Tender sweet potato rolls are wonderfully simple to prepare and bring a subtle sweetness to the dinner table. Pack them for a fall gathering when you want homemade bread without a long baking project.
Get the Recipe: Easy 2-Ingredient Sweet Potato Rolls

Kentucky Spoon Bread, Traditional Southern Style

Kentucky Spoon Bread. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

Soft, custardy, and buttery, this Southern classic offers a comforting texture somewhere between a pudding and cornbread. It is a versatile side that pairs beautifully with roasted meats and other hearty autumn dishes.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Spoon Bread, Traditional Southern Style

Green Bean Casserole Without Mushroom Soup, From Scratch

Green bean casserole topped with crispy fried onions in a white baking dish, with a wooden spoon inside. — Green Bean Casserole Without Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Fresh green beans, crispy bacon, and fried onions come together in a creamy homemade casserole without canned soup. It is a dependable holiday side that feels special enough for any fall gathering.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole Without Mushroom Soup, From Scratch

Make-Ahead Festive Cranberry Chutney

Festive Cranberry Chutney. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Fresh cranberries and crisp apples create a bright, sweet-tart chutney with a warm ginger flavor. Serve it chilled or warm alongside turkey, ham, cheese, or other fall favorites for an easy seasonal accent.
Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Festive Cranberry Chutney

Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes with Cheesy Topping

Creamy mashed potatoes are baked until warm and bubbling with a rich, cheesy finish. The make-ahead-friendly casserole is a practical choice when you are carrying a comforting side to a crowded gathering.
Get the Recipe: Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes with Cheesy Topping

Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecans

Close up of a wooden spoon scooping up sweet potato casserole. — Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecans. Photo credit: State of Dinner.

Creamy sweet potatoes are topped with a buttery brown sugar and pecan crunch for a wonderful contrast of textures. This make-ahead favorite is easy to bring along when you want a hearty side everyone will reach for.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Crunch Casserole with Brown Sugar Pecans

Savory Bread Pudding with Pesto and Mushrooms

Cubes of bread bake into a golden, custardy dish filled with savory flavor, tender vegetables, and cheese. It works beautifully as a substantial side for an autumn meal and is easy to portion for a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Savory Bread Pudding with Pesto and Mushrooms