25 Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes You Can't Even Tell Are A Little Healthier

All of the essentials, but a little bit better for you.

Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed

Thanksgiving is finally here, and we've readied our stomachs and put on our stretchy pants.

Disney / Via whatthebuck20.tumblr.com

But, while we would never expect you to restrain yourself from the beauty that is a Thanksgiving meal, maybe you're looking for slightly healthier options to feast on this holiday.

Just in case, we rounded up recipes that took traditional turkey-day dishes and threw them together with vegetables, lean protein, and other delicious, whole ingredients so that they're a little better for you.

DIG IN!!!

1. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Lindsay (Pinch of Yum) / Via pinchofyum.com

Delicious cheesy goodness, because you love yourself... and your family, too, I guess.

Get the recipe here.

2. Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

Laura (JoyFoodSunshine) / Via joyfoodsunshine.com

Put a twist on the classic recipe by subbing in applesauce and coconut oil.

Get the recipe here.

3. Cauliflower Mash With Ricotta and Roasted Garlic

Katya (Little Broken) / Via littlebroken.com

You won't even miss the potatoes.

Get the recipe here.

4. Roasted Broccoli, Chicken, and Cheddar Quinoa Bake

Serena (Domesticate Me) / Via domesticate-me.com

This hearty bake brings all the comfort in just one pot.

Get the recipe here.

5. Curry-Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Lokness (The Missing Lokness) / Via themissinglokness.com

Add a little kick to your sprouts with some black pepper and curry powder.

Get the recipe here.

6. Individual Baked Apple Crisps

Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed / Via buzzfeed.com

Basically a crustless apple pie recipe, made for you by BuzzFeed Food editor Christine Byrne.

Recipe: Core 8 medium apples without cutting all the way through to the bottom — leave about a ½-inch of uncut apple at the bottom — then cut away a little bit extra so there’s a well in each apple about ¾-inch thick. Put the apples on a lined baking sheet, then sprinkle each apple with cinnamon and 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and top with 1 teaspoon unsalted butter. Bake until the apple is very soft, 30–35 minutes. Serve warm, topped with whipped cream and sprinkled with your favorite maple granola.

7. Best Ever Easy Thanksgiving Stuffing

Tiffanyaure / Via lecremedelacrumb.com

You can make this recipe in 15 minutes with only six ingredients.

Get the recipe here.

8. Potato Leek Soup

Lisa (Panning the Globe) / Via panningtheglobe.com

Garnish this homey soup with some sour cream, leeks, or black pepper. (Note: you will need a blender or processor to puree the potatoes and leeks.)

Get the recipe here.

9. No Bake Pecan Pie Mini Tarts

London Brazil / Via glutenfreewithlb.com

No bake, no problem.

Get the recipe here.

10. Creamy Scalloped Cauliflower

Liz (Inspector Gorgeous) / Via inspectorgorgeous.com

You'll want to keep this dish all for yourself.

Get the recipe here.

11. Salt and Pepper Roasted Green Beans

theresacookinmykitchen.com

What is Thanksgiving without the green beans?

Get the recipe here.

12. Honey Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins

Picasa / Via ambitiouskitchen.com

Definitely pass the muffins please.

Get the recipe here.

13. Delicata Squash and Cranberry Kale Salad

Ally (Love Leaf Co.) / Via loveleafco.com

All salad is good salad, if it's filled with delicious pecans, squash, and cranberries, that is.

Get the recipe here.

14. Honey Soy Glazed Carrots and Parsnips

Jessy (The Life Jollie) / Via thelifejolie.com

Whip up this sweet and savory side dish in under 30 minutes.

Get the recipe here.

15. Roasted Pears With Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Sauce

Steph (The Grateful Grazer) / Via gratefulgrazer.com

Dark chocolate. Hazelnut. Sauce. Guys.

Get the recipe here.

16. Holiday Slaw With Apples and Pomegranates

Katie (Healthy Seasonal Recipes) / Via healthyseasonalrecipes.com

A delicious take on coleslaw that you'll be able to get behind.

Get the recipe here.

17. Cranberry Apple Pecan Pilaf With Sweet Potatoes

Jessica (Coffee & Crayons) / Via coffeeandcrayons.net

This fruity pilaf will make the perfect side for your turkey and gravy.

Get the recipe here.

18. Slow-Cooker Roasted Potatoes

Lisa (Lisa G Cooks) / Via lisagcooks.com

Easily cook up a batch of these delicious crispy potatoes that'll be a table favorite.

Get the recipe here.

19. Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Squash With Cranberries and Pecans

Julie (The Simple Veganista) / Via simple-veganista.com

Toss this tasty veggie medley in the oven and let it roast while you prepare all your other fixings.

Get the recipe here.

20. Slow Cooker Apple Sauce

Food Fashion and Fun / Via foodfashionandfun.com

Apples + nutmeg + cinnamon + water + slow cooker = as simple as it gets.

Get the recipe here.

21. Balsamic Broccoli Thanksgiving Salad

brewinghappiness.com

The recipe calls for coconut sugar, but you can use regular sugar if you've never heard of coconut sugar in your life. (You can swap on a 1:1 basis according to Burnt Apple.)

Get the recipe here.

22. Quinoa and Spinach Delicata Squash

Silvia (Garden in the Kitchen) / Via gardeninthekitchen.com

This squash is stuffed with quinoa, spinach, pecans, and cranberries. YUM.

Get the recipe here.

23. Easy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Julia (Savory Tooth) / Via savorytooth.com

This sauce is made with medjool dates and no added refined sugar.

Get the recipe.

24. Apple Cider Baked Doughnuts

Nicole Gaffney / Via coleycooks.com

You will need a doughnut pan for this recipe, but it WILL BE worth it.

Get the recipe here.

25. The Best Roasted Butternut Squash

Chelsey (Nutritionally) / Via citnutritionally.com

Lighter and sweeter than potatoes, but still delicious.

Get the recipe here.