Cheesy Green Bean Casserole and 5 Great Real Food Holiday Recipes (2024)

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It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving 2011 is less than 2 weeks away!

I’ll be honest. My family is most likely going out to eat for Thanksgiving this year! I don’t know if we’ve ever done that, but things have been hectic since my sister just had twins, and my parents are helping to take care of them as well as my nephew.

I volunteered to host, but my parents insist they would rather go out to a quaint country cafe in the heart of our downtown. And who am I to refuse a free dinner away?!

But if I were to be cooking this year, I’ve been gathering some recipes that look super yummy–not to mention healthy! In fact, maybe I’ll just use some of these dishes for Christmas this year!

Without further ado, check out these great links:

This overnight sausage breakfast casserole from The Encouraging Home sounds like the perfect holiday morning meal to me! In fact, this recipe is super similar to the breakfast casserole my mom has made every Christmas morning since…well…for my whole life! Try it. You.won’t.be.sorry! Just leave enough room for lunch!

This pumpkin pie casserole at Keeper of the Home looks like it is calling my name–Thanksgiving dinner or not! I absolutely love pumpkin pie and sweet potato casserole is always a nice holiday treat, and this yummy-looking casserole combines them both!

Image by marioanima

I’ve tried various versions of homemade mashed potatoes over the years, but my hubby’s favorite still stands at the classic potatoes+milk+butter+salt version. It’s very simply. You can find my recipe here.

Image bypixelbase

I need to share a secret: I have never cooked a turkey. Whew–OK, now that that’s out in the open, I can proceed. The truth is, I’m scared to cook a turkey. BUT, I used to feel the same way about cooking a whole chicken–until I found this great tutorial on how to do it in a crock pot. This recipe for using a crock pot to cook a turkey looks just as easy!

This naturally-sweetened apple pie from DianaMy Humble Kitchenlooks like it would be right up my husband’s alley. While I prefer pumpkin desserts at Thanksgiving and Christmas, he’s an apple pie kind of man. Since we’d be eating the pumpkin pie casserole with dinner, I think I could “sacrifice” a bit and serve this for dessert!

Image by Glenn Gutierrez

Now, here comes the fun part. You know the traditional cream of mushroom soup/onion-topped green bean casserole? Well, I don’t like it. Why not? Because I grew up with the following recipe. Not only is it better for you (i.e. no MSG!), but it’s also much tastier–in my opinion!

This is SO easy and SO good! Believe me, you will never go back to the traditional version of green bean casserole again!

What are your favorite holiday dishes?