You’ve got plenty ahead of you on Thanksgiving Day, and going crazy over a pile of complicated side dishes shouldn’t be one of them. These are the simple, traditional sides we serve every year. They’re so easy you barely need a recipe, so here are my general instructions to adjust however you like. Each one serves 8–10 with leftovers.

Cream cheese corn

Put 2 pounds frozen corn, a few tablespoons butter and 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese in a large pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring now and then, until the butter and cream cheese melt and the corn is hot. This one disappears first every year.

Sugared carrots

Slice about 2 pounds carrots ½ inch thick. Boil until tender but not mushy, 10–15 minutes, then drain. Add a couple tablespoons each of butter and sugar and toss in the pot until melted and glossy.

Sweet potatoes

The oven is usually full on Thanksgiving, so I use the microwave. Scrub the sweet potatoes, poke a few holes in each with a fork, wrap individually in a damp paper towel and microwave. One large sweet potato takes 8–10 minutes. Squeeze it with an oven mitt. If it feels soft, it’s done. The same trick works on regular potatoes, too.

Fresh green beans

Trim the ends and snap the beans in half if you like. Boil with a few pinches of thyme, lemon pepper or other herbs until tender. Drain and add a bit of butter.

Buttered Brussels sprouts

About 2 pounds of sprouts makes 8 servings. Soak them in water for 10 minutes, rinse, trim the stems and cut a small “X” in the bottom of each. Boil until tender, 8–10 minutes. Drain and toss with a couple tablespoons of butter, salt and pepper.

Make-ahead tip

Prep all of these in the afternoon (slice the carrots, trim the beans and sprouts, measure out the corn and cream cheese) so they’re waiting in their pots. Then cook them in the last 30 minutes while the turkey rests. My Thanksgiving Game Plan shows exactly when.

Planning the whole feast? Find every recipe, my week-by-week countdown and the free printable Thanksgiving checklist on the No Ordinary Thanksgiving page.