Make-It-Light Thanksgiving

This simple casserole uses the same favorite ingredients as its full-fat counterpart but cuts back ever-so-slightly on the amounts used and the portion size resulting in a lower-calorie, equally tasty dish.

Recipe: Traditional Sweet Potato Casserole

Here's a deliciously updated version of the classic, with fresh green beans and wine-infused mushrooms. We just had to keep the fried onion topping, which is arguably the best part.

You might be tempted to leave off the turkey in place of this hearty sourdough bread stuffing that’s packed with carrot, celery, onion and mushrooms and turkey sausage. Chopped fresh pear adds just a note of subtle sweetness to the savory dish.

Buttermilk and Parmesan cheese contribute great flavor but very little fat to these creamy mashed potatoes.

Save a little time and prepare this dish up to two days ahead. You can substitute chopped onion for the shallots.

Recipe: Green Beans with Bacon

Skip the turkey drippings and the last minute rush a preparing the gravy with this make-ahead version. Prepare turkey stock then flavor it with sage and thicken with flour and butter. You’ll never miss the fatty drippings!

Recipe: Make-Ahead Gravy

Thanksgiving just isn't complete without sweet and tangy cranberry sauce. Make this one a few days ahead to serve at your holiday table or to give as a homemade gift to neighbors and friends.

Recipe: Basic Cranberry Sauce

Make use of the entire beet by trimming the leafy green tops and using them in the salad along with arugula and toasted walnuts.

Recipe: Roasted Beet and Shallot Salad over Wilted Beet Greens and Arugula

It's just not Thanksgiving without the dressing. This Southern-style recipe has both cornbread and biscuits but fewer less fat and calories than the traditional versions.

Recipe: Southern Corn Bread Dressing

The nutty, almost smoky flavor of wild rice pairs beautifully with game birds and other poultry and has only 2.4 grams of fat per serving.

No need to coat the turkey with fatty oil and butter to make it juicy. Try this brining technique and be amazed by the succulent results.

Recipe: Brined Maple Turkey with Cream Gravy

Go in a Southwestern direction with your turkey this year by brining it in a mixture of apple cider, brown sugar and jalapeño pepper and adding onion, cilantro, apples and poblano chiles to turkey cavity before roasting.

For a fun spin on the traditional apple pie, stuff Granny Smith apples with a spiced pear and pecan mixture and bake in phyllo dough.

Recipe: Apples Baked in Phyllo with Pear-and-Pecan Filling

Refrigerated pie dough makes this classic pumpkin pie recipe simple to prepare. This lightened version features egg whites in place of some of the whole eggs and low-fat evaporated milk but still has the brown sugar and spices you expect in a pumpkin pie.

Rolled oats in the filling add heartiness and increase the fiber in this classic Thanksgiving dessert.