![This Oct. 27, 2014 photo shows make ahead mashed potato casserole in Concord, N.H. Restaurant chefs are masters at prepping in advance and firing a dish right before it hits the table. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_716573071984-1821x1254.jpg)
up to a day
![This Oct. 12, 2015, photo shows cider-glazed sweet potatoes with fried sage, garlic and goat cheese in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_792874587457-1880x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![In this image taken on Oct. 8, 2012, herb-crusted sweet mashed potatoes are shown served in a bowl in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/herb-sweet-potatoes.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![This Feb. 16, 2015 photo shows scalloped potatoes in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_2271607124282-1880x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![This Feb. 3, 2014 photo shows roasted green potatoes in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_211377127151-836x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![This Sept. 11, 2017 photo shows mashed sweet potatoes with roasted garlic in New York. This dish is from a recipe by Katie Workman. (Sarah Crowder via AP)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/AP_17293542777405-911x1254.jpg)
AP/Sarah Crowder
![This photo taken Oct. 28, 2009 shows bacon baked potato pretzels. These soft and chewy bacon baked potato pretzels are a great alternative to rolls for this Thanksgiving. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/baked-potato-pretzel.jpg)
AP/Larry Crowe
![This Nov. 30, 2017 photo shows Spanish-style crispy potatoes in New York. This dish is from a recipe by Sara Moulton. (Sara Moulton via AP)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/crispy-potatoes.jpg)
AP/Sara Moulton
![This April 21, 2014, photo shows smoky scotch date barbecue roasted potatoes in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_189995519944-1720x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![This Oct. 24, 2011 photo shows braised fennel mashed potatoes in Concord, N.H. Braising fresh fennel and onions in chicken broth is an excellent way of taming these otherwise assertive vegetables. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_111024072246-836x1254.jpg)
ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matthew Mead
![This April 13, 2015 photo shows goat cheese stuffed grilled sweet potatoes in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_51574006932-1880x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![This Sept. 29, 2014 photo shows loaded baked mashed potatoes in Concord, N.H. Potatoes are an easy canvas to work with, playing so well with so many flavors. Mashed potatoes dont need a whole lot of effort to taste amazing; a little butter, a little cream or milk, a bit of salt and pepper, and some muscle really are all it takes to convert boring potatoes into one of our favorite comfort foods. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_425969354189-1880x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![This Oct. 5, 2015 photo shows blue walnut mashed potatoes in Concord, NH. We started by creating a master recipe for basic, buttery-creamy mashed potatoes that are delicious just as they are. We also offer you six ways to jazz up our basic recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_763446225638-836x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![This July 28, 2014, photo shows apple-sausage stuffed twice-baked sweet potatoes in Concord, N.H. Add a bit of cheese to tie it all together and the meal takes just 20 minutes hands-on time. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_788298280235-1880x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![This Oct. 14, 2013 photo shows orange sweet potatoes swirled with Parmesan cauliflower puree in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_844929357925-836x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![This Oct. 26, 2015 photo shows skillet glazed spicy sweet potatoes in Concord, NH. No room in the oven, you can cook these delicious glazed sweet potatoes on top of the stove in about 10 minutes flat. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_871429258045-1880x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![In this image taken on Dec. 3, 2012, loaded sweet potatoes with roasted garlic are shown served on a plate in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_897941132806-1880x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![This Oct. 20, 2014, photo shows sweet potato tart with Parmesan and maple syrup in Concord, N.H. No matter how classic or traditional they may be, sweet potatoes can be a bit of a challenge to serve at Thanksgiving. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_963822346957-1880x1254.jpg)
AP/Matthew Mead
![This Oct. 11, 2011 photo shows sage roasted potato wedges in Concord, N.H. Mashed potatoes are traditional, but roasted potatoes can be just as delicious. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_1110111160890-836x1254.jpg)
ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matthew Mead
![This Jan. 1, 2018 photo shows cauliflower mashed potatoes, bottom right, in New York. Not only is this purée tasty, smooth, and light, it’s also the perfect vehicle for any sauce…just like mashed potatoes. (Sara Moulton via AP)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cauliflower-mashed-potatoes.jpg)
AP/Sara Moulton
![This Oct. 27, 2014 photo shows make ahead mashed potato casserole in Concord, N.H. Restaurant chefs are masters at prepping in advance and firing a dish right before it hits the table. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_716573071984-260x174.jpg)
![This Oct. 12, 2015, photo shows cider-glazed sweet potatoes with fried sage, garlic and goat cheese in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_792874587457-260x174.jpg)
![In this image taken on Oct. 8, 2012, herb-crusted sweet mashed potatoes are shown served in a bowl in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/herb-sweet-potatoes-260x174.jpg)
![This Feb. 16, 2015 photo shows scalloped potatoes in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_2271607124282-260x174.jpg)
![This Feb. 3, 2014 photo shows roasted green potatoes in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_211377127151-260x174.jpg)
![This Sept. 11, 2017 photo shows mashed sweet potatoes with roasted garlic in New York. This dish is from a recipe by Katie Workman. (Sarah Crowder via AP)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/AP_17293542777405-260x174.jpg)
![This photo taken Oct. 28, 2009 shows bacon baked potato pretzels. These soft and chewy bacon baked potato pretzels are a great alternative to rolls for this Thanksgiving. (AP Photo/Larry Crowe)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/baked-potato-pretzel-260x174.jpg)
![This Nov. 30, 2017 photo shows Spanish-style crispy potatoes in New York. This dish is from a recipe by Sara Moulton. (Sara Moulton via AP)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/crispy-potatoes-260x174.jpg)
![This April 21, 2014, photo shows smoky scotch date barbecue roasted potatoes in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_189995519944-260x174.jpg)
![This Oct. 24, 2011 photo shows braised fennel mashed potatoes in Concord, N.H. Braising fresh fennel and onions in chicken broth is an excellent way of taming these otherwise assertive vegetables. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_111024072246-260x174.jpg)
![This April 13, 2015 photo shows goat cheese stuffed grilled sweet potatoes in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_51574006932-260x174.jpg)
![This Sept. 29, 2014 photo shows loaded baked mashed potatoes in Concord, N.H. Potatoes are an easy canvas to work with, playing so well with so many flavors. Mashed potatoes dont need a whole lot of effort to taste amazing; a little butter, a little cream or milk, a bit of salt and pepper, and some muscle really are all it takes to convert boring potatoes into one of our favorite comfort foods. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_425969354189-260x174.jpg)
![This Oct. 5, 2015 photo shows blue walnut mashed potatoes in Concord, NH. We started by creating a master recipe for basic, buttery-creamy mashed potatoes that are delicious just as they are. We also offer you six ways to jazz up our basic recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_763446225638-260x174.jpg)
![This July 28, 2014, photo shows apple-sausage stuffed twice-baked sweet potatoes in Concord, N.H. Add a bit of cheese to tie it all together and the meal takes just 20 minutes hands-on time. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_788298280235-260x174.jpg)
![This Oct. 14, 2013 photo shows orange sweet potatoes swirled with Parmesan cauliflower puree in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_844929357925-260x174.jpg)
![This Oct. 26, 2015 photo shows skillet glazed spicy sweet potatoes in Concord, NH. No room in the oven, you can cook these delicious glazed sweet potatoes on top of the stove in about 10 minutes flat. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_871429258045-260x174.jpg)
![In this image taken on Dec. 3, 2012, loaded sweet potatoes with roasted garlic are shown served on a plate in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_897941132806-260x174.jpg)
![This Oct. 20, 2014, photo shows sweet potato tart with Parmesan and maple syrup in Concord, N.H. No matter how classic or traditional they may be, sweet potatoes can be a bit of a challenge to serve at Thanksgiving. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_963822346957-260x174.jpg)
![This Oct. 11, 2011 photo shows sage roasted potato wedges in Concord, N.H. Mashed potatoes are traditional, but roasted potatoes can be just as delicious. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/AP_1110111160890-260x174.jpg)
![This Jan. 1, 2018 photo shows cauliflower mashed potatoes, bottom right, in New York. Not only is this purée tasty, smooth, and light, it’s also the perfect vehicle for any sauce…just like mashed potatoes. (Sara Moulton via AP)](https://wtop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/cauliflower-mashed-potatoes-260x174.jpg)
They aren’t just a side — at Thanksgiving, potatoes are their own separate category. Here are 20 potato recipes for your Thanksgiving spread.
More Thanksgiving food:
Thanksgiving side dish recipes