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

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

    Shannon Rosenberg
    by Shannon Rosenberg

    BuzzFeed News Reporter

    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.