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Hosting Thanksgiving for the first time? These 3 sides are almost impossible to mess up

Corn casserole, cheesy garlic bread, and maple Parmesan carrots, each simple enough for a first try.

Creator of Real Balanced
Updated
2 min read

A first-time host can relax about the sides. These 3 are about as forgiving as Thanksgiving cooking gets: a Jiffy corn casserole stirred together in one bowl and baked, a store-bought loaf filled with garlic butter and cheese and wrapped in foil, and peeled carrots brushed with maple-flavored syrup and Parmesan before they roast.

Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread

Cheesy pull-apart bread on a wooden surface, garnished with chopped parsley. The bread is sliced in a cross-hatch pattern and filled with melted cheese and herbs.

Photo credit: Real Balanced.

(Real Balanced)

Mozzarella and Parmesan melt through the cuts of a storebought loaf filled with butter, garlic, and fresh parsley, and after 20 minutes in the oven the cheese pulls as each piece comes away. It serves 6 and is ready in 30 minutes from start to finish. The filled loaf can also be wrapped tightly in foil and refrigerated for up to a day, then baked straight from the fridge with a few extra minutes added.

Get the recipe: Cheesy Garlic Pull Apart Bread

Roasted Maple Parmesan Carrots

Side angle shot of rainbow carrots garnished with parsley and parmesan cheese

Photo credit: Real Balanced.

(Real Balanced)

A tablespoon of maple-flavored syrup gets brushed over both sides of the carrots before they roast, with grated Parmesan and cinnamon adding savory depth and warmth alongside the sweetness. Fresh parsley and a little more Parmesan go on right before serving, bringing color and brightness to the finished dish. Prep is 10 minutes, the carrots bake for 23 to 25 minutes, and the recipe serves 6.

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Get the recipe: Roasted Maple Parmesan Carrots

Jiffy Corn Casserole

A white plate holds several slices of corn casserole topped with cracked black pepper. The slices are golden brown with a slightly crumbly texture, and a sprinkle of black pepper is visible on the creamy surface.

Photo credit: Real Balanced.

(Real Balanced)

Sour cream and creamed corn give this casserole a custardy, almost pudding-like center beneath a golden, butter-browned top. The Jiffy mix brings it together fast, with prep at 10 minutes, but draining the kernel corn thoroughly is the one step worth paying attention to. It bakes for 40 to 50 minutes and serves 9, and the whole dish can be assembled, covered in foil, and held in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.

Get the recipe: Jiffy Corn Casserole

Sara Nelson Creator of Real Balanced
I am a mom to two young children, and like many parents, I don’t have endless time to spend cooking. My goal is to create flavorful, filling recipes that come together quickly.
Real Balanced
Creators are not employed by Yahoo. Views expressed by creators do not reflect the opinions and position of Yahoo. Learn how to become a creator.
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