With Thanksgiving barely a week away, it's time to finalize your menu. If you're one of those people who likes to infuse some new flavors to the traditional dishes on Thanksgiving, I've put together some of my "kicked-up" favorite side dishes, beginning with this Roasted Parsnip Stuffing. This is a delicious, savory (but slightly sweet) dish that is perfect to serve at Thanksgiving, especially if you have vegetarians at your table. Plus, you can put it all together the night before and pop it in the oven on Turkey Day.

3-4 parsnips, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch pieces, olive oil, salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons butter plus 3 tablespoons melted butter, 2 large leeks white and pale-green parts only halved lengthwise thinly sliced and rinsed well, 1/3 cup chicken or vegetable stock, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, 2 cups half-and-half, 5 large eggs, 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, 3/4 loaf of challah bread cut into 1-inch cubes

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Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Drizzle parsnips with oil, and season with salt and pepper.
3. Roast on a foil-lined baking sheet for 25 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and reduce heat to 375.
5. Heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat in a medium saute pan until melted.
6. Add leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes.
7. Add vegetable stock and allow to simmer about 1 minute.
8. Add thyme, and remove from heat.
9. Stir in roasted parsnips.
10. Whisk together melted butter, half-and-half, eggs, and 3/4 cup of the parmesan cheese in a large bowl.
11. Season with salt and pepper.
12. Add leek-parsnip mixture, then fold in bread.
13. At this point, you can cover the bowl and refrigerate mixture overnight, or proceed with cooking.

Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray, and pour stuffing mixture into dish. Cover loosely with parchment paper, then foil, and bake until golden brown and puffed, about 50 minutes. Remove parchment and foil. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/4 cup of parmesan, and return to oven. Bake for 10 minutes more. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Other Kicked-Up Side Dish Favorites

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Glazed Carrots with Feta, Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread, Cranberry Sauce 3 Ways (Zinger, Standard, and Fancy), Goat Cheese Mac with Rosemary, Blueberry Gelatin Salad

Use this roasted parsnip stuffing recipe for portioning help, doneness cues, make-ahead planning, and storage advice that supports repeatable results.

Make-Ahead Tips

For many dessert recipes, the easiest make-ahead move is to prepare the dough or batter in advance, cover it well, and chill it until you are ready to bake. Chilling can also improve texture and help flavor develop, especially when the recipe includes butter, brown sugar, or spices.

Storage Notes

Once fully cool, transfer the finished bake to an airtight container so it holds its texture and flavor longer. Soft cookies and bars usually keep best at room temperature for a few days, while longer storage is often easiest in the freezer with layers separated so nothing sticks together.

Related ideas to explore next If you want to keep building on this topic, good next reads include Recipe Banana Bread French Toast Other Mothers Day Meal Ideas, Recipe Grown Up Hawaiian Haystacks, and a Spoonful of Sugar and Other Fresh Flower Tips. They are useful for comparing techniques, finding adjacent inspiration, or choosing a Mrs. Fields option that fits a different craving or occasion.