It might have been OK to phone in Halloween with a last-minute costume but Thanksgiving is a whole other ballgame. Nothing says “I Adult Super Hard” than an impressive and inventive side dish. Not only will you wow your friends and family as you host Thanksgiving in your Lee’s Summit Apartment, but you will also reap the benefits of delicious leftovers after the meal has ended.

Sautéed Green Beans

This super easy and relatively healthy recipe is a great replacement for a traditional green bean casserole. Shallots and a little garlic add the right amount of zest to crisp fresh green beans. Prepare right before table service for best results.

Polenta and Sausage Stuffing

This gluten-free stuffing recipe brings all the familiar elements of stuffing without using traditional bread cubes. Instead of a team of herbs and mirepoix, sausage and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese bring tons of flavor to this unique twist to a Thanksgiving staple. 

Macaroni and Cheese with Bacon and Caramelized Onions

Macaroni and cheese is a childhood favorite of any good Midwesterner. Elevate this classic dish with the addition of bacon (expected) and caramelized onions (unexpected). This simple yet sophisticated recipe skips the step of making a bechamel sauce (often found in “grown-up” versions of mac and cheese recipes) and relies on Gruyere cheese to bring a most welcome creaminess.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

In an age of pumpkin saturation, why add one more pumpkin dish to the mix? Answer: because pumpkin belongs in dessert, not your coffee. This recipe for pumpkin whoopie pies puts a seasonal twist on traditional, store-bought whoopie pies. These tasty pumpkin treats are a perfectly portioned for the end of a huge meal, while still delivering all the familiar flavors of pumpkin pie and whipped cream. The bonus is these last a lot longer than pumpkin pie too!