Thanksgiving at Paula Deen’s table is all about warmth, generosity and food that makes people feel at home the moment they sit down, and that is exactly what these easy Paula Deen Thanksgiving recipes bring to your holiday. Her Southern cooking is built on butter, comfort and dishes that feed a crowd without fuss, which is precisely what a busy Thanksgiving cook needs when the house is full and the oven is already working hard. Every recipe below comes from her kitchen, and every one of them has already earned its place on our site.
The best Thanksgiving menus mix a few classic sides with a dessert table nobody forgets, and this list does exactly that. There is a creamy green bean casserole and a sweet potato pie for the dinner table, a cheesy corn casserole and garlic cheese grits for the sides, and a key lime pie, banana pudding and yeast rolls to finish the day. Pick two sides, add a dessert, and your holiday is done.
10 Easy Paula Deen Thanksgiving Recipes for the Holiday Table
1. Paula Deen Green Bean Casserole
Paula Deen green bean casserole is the creamy, crunchy-topped side dish that belongs on almost every Southern Thanksgiving table. Tender green beans bake in a rich, savory sauce and come out of the oven topped with golden, crispy onions that add the perfect crunch to every spoonful. It is a wonderful Thanksgiving pick because it can be assembled ahead of time and baked while the turkey rests, it feeds a crowd from a single dish, and it tastes just as good next to ham as it does next to turkey. It is perfect for the holiday because it is familiar, comforting and completely fuss-free, the kind of side dish everyone reaches for first. Serve it hot from the oven, straight from the baking dish, with the crispy topping still crackling.
https://recipeswalay.com/paula-deen-green-bean-casserole-recipe/
2. Paula Deen Sweet Potato Pie
Paula Deen sweet potato pie is the silky, warmly spiced dessert that tastes like Thanksgiving in a Southern kitchen. Sweet potatoes bake into a smooth, velvety filling with cinnamon and nutmeg, set in a flaky crust that holds up beautifully to a generous slice. It is a wonderful Thanksgiving pick because it can be baked a day ahead and actually tastes better the next day, it feeds a crowd from a single pie, and it is the dessert everyone expects to see on the holiday table. It is perfect for the holiday because it is a family recipe with real heart behind it, the kind of pie that gets requested year after year. Serve it at room temperature, with whipped cream on top.
https://recipeswalay.com/paula-deen-sweet-potato-pie-recipe/
3. Paula Deen Chicken Spaghetti
Paula Deen chicken spaghetti is the creamy, cheesy comfort dish that turns Thanksgiving leftovers into a second celebration. Tender chicken and spaghetti bake together in a rich, savory sauce until the whole dish is golden and bubbling, and it feeds a crowd from a single pan. It is a wonderful Thanksgiving pick because it is a brilliant way to use leftover turkey or chicken, it can be assembled ahead and baked when guests are hungry, and it is the kind of food that makes everyone feel looked after. It is perfect for the holiday because it is pure comfort, a dish that turns an ordinary evening after the feast into something worth gathering around. Serve it hot from the baking dish, with a green salad on the side.
https://recipeswalay.com/paula-deen-chicken-spaghetti-recipe/
4. Paula Deen Sausage Gravy
Paula Deen sausage gravy is the rich, peppery gravy that makes a Thanksgiving breakfast feel like a celebration. Savory sausage crumbles simmer in a creamy, buttery sauce that is thick enough to spoon and smooth enough to pour, ready for biscuits, toast or fried potatoes. It is a wonderful Thanksgiving pick because it comes together in minutes, it feeds a whole house from one skillet, and it is the perfect way to start a long holiday cooking day. It is perfect for the holiday because it is the definition of Southern comfort, warm, generous and deeply satisfying, the kind of breakfast that keeps everyone happy until dinner. Serve it hot, ladled over warm biscuits.
https://recipeswalay.com/paula-deen-sausage-gravy-recipe/
5. Paula Deen Jiffy Corn Casserole
Paula Deen jiffy corn casserole is the golden, creamy side dish that brings real Southern comfort to the Thanksgiving table. Sweet corn bakes with butter, cheese and a tender corn muffin base until the whole dish is warm, golden and just set in the middle. It is a wonderful Thanksgiving pick because it uses simple pantry ingredients, it can be assembled in the morning and baked later, and it sits happily next to turkey, ham or roast beef. It is perfect for the holiday because it turns an everyday vegetable into something worth celebrating, and the cheesy, buttery top is the part everyone fights over. Serve it hot, straight from the baking dish, with a spoon big enough for generous helpings.
https://recipeswalay.com/paula-deen-jiffy-corn-casserole-recipe/
6. Paula Deen Deviled Eggs
Paula Deen deviled eggs are the classic Southern appetizer that shows up at every family Thanksgiving and disappears first. Hard-boiled eggs are halved and filled with a smooth, tangy yolk mixture that is creamy, lightly seasoned and finished with a sprinkle of paprika. They are a wonderful Thanksgiving pick because they can be made ahead and chilled until guests arrive, they are easy to carry to a family gathering, and one batch makes plenty for a crowd. They are perfect for the holiday because they are the definition of a make-ahead finger food, neat, familiar and loved by every generation at the table. Serve them chilled on a pretty platter, garnished with paprika and a little chopped chive.
https://recipeswalay.com/paula-deen-deviled-eggs-recipe/
7. Paula Deen Garlic Cheese Grits
Paula Deen garlic cheese grits are the creamy, cheesy side dish that turns a humble Southern staple into a Thanksgiving star. Stone-ground grits cook slowly until they are silky and smooth, then get folded with garlic, butter and plenty of melted cheese. It is a wonderful Thanksgiving pick because it can be made ahead and reheated gently, it pairs beautifully with turkey and gravy, and it gives the table a rich, savory side that is different from the usual potatoes. It is perfect for the holiday because it is warm, generous and deeply comforting, the kind of dish that keeps everyone at the table a little longer. Serve it hot, in a deep bowl, with an extra sprinkle of cheese on top.
https://recipeswalay.com/paula-deen-garlic-cheese-grits-recipe/
8. Paula Deen Key Lime Pie
Paula Deen key lime pie is the cool, tangy dessert that balances a rich Thanksgiving dinner perfectly. A smooth, creamy lime filling gets its bright citrus lift from real key lime juice, set on a buttery graham cracker crust that adds just the right crunch. It is a wonderful Thanksgiving pick because it is made ahead and chilled overnight, it slices cleanly for a crowd, and its fresh, zesty flavor is a welcome change after a heavy holiday meal. It is perfect for the holiday because it looks beautiful on the dessert table and tastes even better, the kind of pie that has guests asking for the recipe before they finish their slice. Serve it chilled, with a dollop of whipped cream.
https://recipeswalay.com/paula-deen-key-lime-pie-recipe/
9. Paula Deen Not Yo Mama’s Banana Pudding
Paula Deen not yo mama’s banana pudding is the creamy, dreamy dessert that ends Thanksgiving on the highest possible note. Layers of vanilla wafers, ripe bananas and a rich, silky pudding stack up into a dessert that is cool, sweet and completely irresistible. It is a wonderful Thanksgiving pick because it is made entirely ahead and chilled overnight, it feeds a crowd from a single dish, and it is the dessert kids and adults both fight over. It is perfect for the holiday because it is a family favorite with real heart behind it, the kind of pudding that gets requested at every single gathering. Serve it chilled, straight from the dish, with the wafers still holding their crunch.
https://recipeswalay.com/paula-deen-not-yo-mamas-banana-pudding-recipe/
10. Paula Deen Yeast Rolls
Paula Deen yeast rolls are the soft, buttery rolls that belong on every Thanksgiving table. They bake up golden on the outside and pillowy inside, ready to mop up gravy, hold a slice of turkey, or simply be eaten warm with butter. They are a wonderful Thanksgiving pick because they can be shaped ahead and baked fresh before dinner, one batch makes plenty for a crowd, and a basket of warm rolls turns an ordinary meal into a holiday occasion. They are perfect for the holiday because they are the kind of simple, homemade bread that fills the house with a wonderful smell and brings everyone to the kitchen. Serve them warm from the oven, with plenty of butter on the side.
https://recipeswalay.com/paula-deen-yeast-rolls-recipe/
Tips for a Cozy Paula Deen Thanksgiving
Plan the menu backwards from dinner time. Write down when the turkey needs to go in the oven, then fit the green bean casserole and corn casserole around it, since both can share the oven at a similar temperature. Make the deviled eggs, sweet potato pie and banana pudding the day before, because a cold fridge full of finished dishes is the calmest way to start Thanksgiving morning.
Use real butter and full-fat dairy. Paula Deen’s recipes are unapologetically rich, and that richness is the whole point, so do not try to lighten them with low-fat swaps. Buy good butter, real cream and fresh eggs, and the dishes will reward you with the flavor everyone remembers.
Make ahead wherever you can. The deviled eggs, sweet potato pie, key lime pie and banana pudding all improve with a night in the fridge, and the yeast rolls can be shaped and chilled the night before, then baked fresh before dinner. A little planning means you spend Thanksgiving with your family instead of in the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Paula Deen’s green bean casserole ahead of time?
Yes, it is one of the best make-ahead dishes on this list. Assemble the casserole the day before and keep it covered in the fridge, then add the crispy onion topping and bake it while the turkey rests. It comes out hot, bubbling and perfect every time.
What is the easiest Paula Deen Thanksgiving recipe on this list?
The deviled eggs are the quickest, taking only minutes once the eggs are boiled, and the sausage gravy is the simplest cook. Both are great first choices if you are new to her recipes, and both keep well, so there is no pressure to get them perfect on the first try.
Which Paula Deen dessert is best for a crowd?
The banana pudding feeds the most people from a single dish and is made entirely ahead, which makes it ideal for a busy holiday week. The sweet potato pie is the next best choice, since it bakes a day ahead and slices cleanly for a crowd.
Can I use these recipes for Christmas dinner too?
Yes, the whole list works beautifully for Christmas. The green bean casserole, corn casserole and yeast rolls are just as welcome on a Christmas table, while the sweet potato pie, key lime pie and banana pudding make a wonderful holiday dessert spread.
Final Thoughts
A Paula Deen Thanksgiving is not about complicated cooking or a table full of fussy dishes, it is about classic Southern recipes done well and shared with the people you love. Start with the green bean casserole and deviled eggs, add the sweet potato pie and one dessert you love, and you already have a holiday dinner worth remembering. Save this list, pick your favorites, and let these easy Paula Deen Thanksgiving recipes make your holiday table feel warm, generous and truly special.