Are you having a small-group Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving? Or just wanting fewer dishes to prepare? Try these Roasted Balsamic Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta. Thanksgiving Vegetables that are so easy, healthy, and delicious!
I love Thanksgiving! It’s the only Holiday that’s truly about just being together with friends and family! I can’t remember the last time I didn’t host the meal. It’s arguably the perfect holiday…..except….not that I’m complaining…. but sometimes, there are too many dishes to prepare, even when inviting several guests. With the turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts (This dish, Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, from Ina Garten, is the one I always make, and posted when HT was just a baby blog!). Not to mention desserts!
The key is to trim the menu make as many dishes as possible a day or two in advance. Truly, this reduces unnecessary Thanksgiving day stress. Because the best of all Holidays shouldn’t be stressful. And we want to be certain everything gets its due time in the oven. Precious real estate. It would be different if our large, extended family lived nearby, but, alas, they don’t.
I’ve made (feeble) attempts to reduce the number of dishes. A few days before Thanksgiving, I always pose the question to my family, “Mashed (White) Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes this year?” Their answer, (shockingly😯!) is NEVER “Sweet Potatoes!” (Since I keep asking, you all know which would be my answer.) So I’m not even asking this year. This dish is how I intend to (brilliantly) slide the sweet potatoes in.
I’ve decided to combine 2 dishes into one. For my Thanksgiving Vegetable dish, I’m adding Roasted Sweet Potatoes to my Brussels Sprouts with Bacon! Combines two favorites into one super-easy Sheet Pan side.
Tender, roasty sweet potatoes, crispy-tender roasted Brussels Sprouts, nice pieces of Pancetta (or bacon!), all on the sheet pan. Really just a riff on the usual Brussels Sprouts Dish. Drizzle with reduced Balsamic at the end, and it’s heavenly. Hits all the notes – Savory, Sweet, Smoky, Crispy, Tender, Lush.
And, now that my kiddos are grown(ish), I’m planning on enlisting their assistance even more, because everyone should know how to prepare a meal for the best Holiday there is, right? And, keeping to my true form, I’m totally eyeing this from scratch Green Bean Casserole at the awesome The View from Great Island website. Because more Thanksgiving Vegetables is always better, right?
So tell me, am I wrong to try to trim up the dish list? Have you ever crossed a traditional dish off your list? I’m curious (and feeling a bit guilty).
Enjoy!
If you’re looking for easy Thanksgiving recipes, don’t miss my Roasted Stuffed Turkey Breast. Or this Gingerbread Chocolate Pie with Orange essence. And who wouldn’t love these Pumpkin White Chocolate Blondies?
Recipe Details
This is the easiest Thanksgiving dish you can make! Just cut the sprouts into quarters for the large ones, halves for the small ones, and cut the (peeled or not) potatoes into 1” cubes. Coat with Salt, pepper, and Olive oil, toss with the chopped Pancetta. Then pour them out onto sheet pans – 2 should do for this amount.
Roast in a 400F oven for 35-40 minutes. Stir once or twice during the roast.
When the veggies are about done, just heat the Balsamic Vinegar up in a small saucepan over Medium Heat until it is reduced to abut 2-3 Tablespoons. Drizzle this magical stuff over the veggies and serve.
A couple ideas if you want to jazz it up further:
- Add some dried Cranberries
- and/or add some chopped, roasted and salted pecans.
Brussels Sprouts and Pancetta 
Sweet Potatoes and Pancetta
Roasted Thanksgiving Vegetables
A super-easy recipe that can go in the oven while the Turkey is “resting” after it’s time in the oven. Just 35-40 minutes to roast, these caramelized Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts will be the hit of your Thanksgiving Spread!
A drizzle of thick, sweet, Balsamic Glaze makes them irresistible!
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 40 min
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Vegetables, Thanksgiving
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 lb (900g, 2-3 large) Sweet Potatoes, peeled if you like, chopped into 1” cubes
- 1 1/2 lb (675g) Brussels Sprouts, quartered (or halve if they are small)
- 4 oz. (120g) Pancetta or Bacon, diced into 1/3” cubes
- 4 T (60 ml) Olive Oil
- 1 T Kosher Salt
- 1 1/2 t Black Pepper
- 6 T (90 ml) Balsamic Vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Drizzle olive oil over two sheet pans.
- In a large bowl, place the chopped vegetables and pancetta. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle olive oil over chopped vegetables. (You may need to do this in two batches- just divide the veg and salt and pepper, and try to use half the pancetta in each)
- With a large spoon, mix until oil is evenly distributed.
- Pour vegetables onto the two oiled sheet pans.
- Roast in oven until well-caramellized, about 35-40 minutes. Stir the vegetables once or twice during roasting.
- While the veg are roasting, heat the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan until it is reduced to about 3 tablespoons and is syrupy. Drizzle over the roasted veg and serve.
Notes
Other suggestions:
- Elevate this dish by sprinkling dried cranberries or cherries over when finished, or
- Chop some roasted pecans and sprinkle over the dish.
Keywords: Thanksgiving, Roasted Vegetables, Sweet Potatoes, Brussels Sprouts
PIN Roasted Thanksgiving Vegetables ->
These are so intriguing and once again you’ve introduced me to a new recipe to try. I can’t seem to click on the link in your ingredient list. Can’t wait to try. thanks 🙂
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Looks amazing! I try to do Pescatarian as much as possible and always looking for other ways to fill the void. I could make a meal out of this though! Thanks for sharing. Pinning! xo
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Thanks so much, Kim! I agree, this dish is a meal! It’s great when you cook it, and the leftovers, just as good! Thanks for visiting, and Pinning!
Looks wonderful and the shape is so interesting. I can imagine how good it tastes! That’s my kind of recipe! I go weak in the knees for anything these delicious recipe and this is one of my kind. 🙂
Thanks, Mary! Hope you get the chance to try this yummy dish!
We love white potato mash, but somehow we always make a sweet potato mash bake on our Canadian Thanksgiving, and only this year I made both versions cause… the more potatoes, the better 🙂 And this idea? I love both sweet potato and sprouts, but I’ve never combined them together. This sounds delicious!
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Thanks, Ben! I usually make both potatoes, too, Ben. This is the reason I try to trim the menu every year. But, I also agree, the more potatoes the better! Hope you get the chance to try this, it’s a nice dish for anytime! And so easy!
What a great way to incorporate those sweet potatoes! I love roasted veg and the balsamic is a lovely touch…that stuff is delicious! Such a fabulous side for the holidays or even with Sunday supper 🙂 Heck, I could make a meal out of just this!
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I agree, Dawn! This dish is good for a formal dinner or a Wednesday night! And truly, the leftovers are just as delish! Total next day lunch! Thanks for visiting!
I totally hear ya on the narrowing down the Thanksgiving menu, Laura. We tried that a couple of years ago, and it was so difficult. Everyone seems to have a favorite dish…and they’re all different! So that just means you need to make all the things. 🙂 We’ve gotten to where we make a timeline for the day so we know what needs to go in and out of the oven at different times. You best believe I’ll be working these roasted veggies in there somewhere now. They sound delicious with the balsamic!
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Thanks David! I’m glad others have had the same difficulty as I have – every dish is definitely someone’sfavorite. I think all of them are my faavorites, so I need convincing on each one. This particular one is the only accomodation I could swing! And a timeline for the day – vital! As is everyone wearing their patient (and stretchy) pants. Thanks for visiting my friend!
Laura, I wouldn’t dare trim the Thanksgiving dish list! The family loves it so much and raves all year long about how good it is. I would however, do as much in advance as possible. I love make ahead dishes and tips that give the least amount of work (and dishes to wash!) on the holiday. I hate being in the kitchen all day exhausting myself and I refuse to miss the football games in front of the fire.
Combining two loved and quite necessary Thanksgiving foods, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts is a brilliant idea! I also love how it’s something very traditional with a fun twist of balsamic. Lovely dish!
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Thanks, Kelly! I agree, make-ahead dishes are vital for the Thanksgiving Table. I agree, fewer dishes to wash is something I definitely am thankful for! And I agree, we need to have priorities – whether it be football games, or board games, Thanksgiving is for togetherness, not being in the kitchen by yourself all day! Thanks for visiting, my friend!
This sounds like it doesn’t take long to make! I will try this recipe soon..
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Thanks! Yes, it is pretty quick compared to so many others – and so much flavor! Thanks for visiting!
Yum! I think roasting vegetables is the best way to prepare them. This recipe with balsamic is totally great!
Thanks, Balvinder! Roasting is my favorite too!
We’re having Thanksgiving and I’m getting so excited! I love easy, tasty recipes like this one Laura. And I love the tangy balsamic! And bacon, of course!
Thanks, Mary Ann! I’m totally getting in the Thanksgiving groove. Always a favorite holiday!
Laura, Thanksgiving is indeed a magical time of the year and one we miss. But, we always celebrate Thanksgiving here the Saturday after as Thursday is a workday. It’s become kind of a thing around here and all of our friends love coming to experience the American (and Canadian) Thanksgiving tradition. I was pondering a good side and love your blending of Ina’s recipe with sweet potatoes. That combines two dishes on my list.
Oh, we’ll not be having green bean casserole in any form, it’s been trimmed. Have a great Tday…
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Ron, I’m so glad you are continuing the Thanksgiving Tradition abroad! I imagine your friends look forward to it all year, as we do here. Also congrats on trimming the menu somewhat. I trimmed off the green bean casserole a few years back, myself.☺️ Ina’s sprouts have always been loved by my fam, so it was kind of a natural evolution. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving in Sweden!
Roasting is my favorite way to prepare veggies and these look PERFECT! Love the addition of balsamic!
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Thanks, Kelsie! I agree, Roasted Veg are the absolute best. Not sure where they were all my life, but now they’re my fave! Thanks for visiting!
I just can’t get enough of all kinds of vegetables at this time of year. This is perfect though as it’s a great way to get ALL the vegetables I love in one tasty meal. As we don’t do Thanksgiving here in the UK, this would surely be an excellent Christmas Day dish to go with the turkey or one for Boxing Day to go with the cold turkey. I love it!
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Thanks, Neil! You’re so right, this is a dish for really any occasion or any day of the week. Easy to prep, easy to eat, easy to love the leftovers, too! Thanks for visiting!
I have been wanting to make this for couple of weeks before but I have not found the right recipe. After trying this my whole family fell in love. I’m so glad i made it and i can really rely on site’s recipes thanks 🙂
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Thanks so much, Mary! Glad you all loved them like we do!
Ooo I like this trimming the menu plan, haha! I love me some good sweet potato recipes so I’ll definitely give this a try.
Thanks, Ros! I can’t ever get enough sweet Potatoes, or Brussels sprouts for that matter, so it only makes sense to combine them! Glad you’re on the “trim the menu” train with me! And thanks for visiting!
It’s just me, my hubby and son for Thanksgiving this year, so these veggies would be perfect! As much as I love turkey, I think I enjoy the veggies more! Hehehehe.
Kelly, it’s tough to make Thanksgiving dinner for just a few people, isn’t it? But you’re right, the side dishes often are the best parts of dinner. Hope you get the chance to try these veg, they are perfect for a casual or fancy dinner!
Trim the menu?!! Right, like that works! And I have a pescatarian in the mix! Love these vegetables. Perfect for Thanksgiving or fall and winter.
So glad you get this predicament, Mimi! And of course you’re right. No way can that happen. Glad you like this veg dish! Pescatarian is tough for Thanksgiving. Feeling your challenge! Thanks for visiting!