The countdown to Thanksgiving is on. With only a few days to go, we all gather the many ingredients necessary to prepare and deliver a delicious feast for our friends and family. This is a holiday of tradition — especially when it comes to having a similar meal each year. But why stick to the same recipe for those same four side dishes you always make? Here is a collection of some unique dish options to spice up your Thanksgiving meal, and make it something truly special and all your own.

1. Baked Apples with Sausage Stuffing

Why serve your stuffing on a regular old plate when you can bake it in an apple? Pair sweet and savory with this delicious, festive side dish. Get the recipe here.

2. Sweet Potato and Pear Gratin

Sweeten up your potato side dish with delicious, warm pears. Slice your pears and sweet potatoes and layer them, alternating, in a casserole dish. See how to make it here.

3. Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

We all anticipate our Thanksgiving meal to be relatively unhealthy. However, if you're trying to find a clean side dish for those watching what they eat, you've found it! This festive, fall salad is a great option. Learn how to make it here.

4. Garlic Chive Mashed Potato Puffins

We all love the traditional mashed potatoes, don't get me wrong. However, these cute "puffins" are a great twist on the average bowl of mashed potatoes for your guests this Thanksgiving. See how to make them here.

5. Pomegranate and Cranberry Bruschetta

While guests are waiting for dinner, have this yummy appetizer available for snacking! Light and tasty, this bite-sized starter is great for a party of any size. If they look as delicious to you as they do to me, you can make them here.

6. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mushrooms

This simple and easy, yet delicious and creamy side dish pairs perfectly with the turkey! See how to make this quick, 10-minute side dish here.

7. Buttermilk Feta Biscuits

Ditch your average rolls and butter for these delicious, homemade biscuits. Salty and smooth, these biscuits are sure to pair beautifully with the entire dish. Plus, we all know that cheese makes everything better. See the recipe for them here.

8. Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins

Here's another way to spice up (literally) your Thanksgiving meal. These rich and hot muffins are sure to impress the entire table, and be a great balancing side to the more sweet options. Here's the recipe.

9. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with a Bacon, Mustard and Walnut Vinaigrette

A big reason so many people say they don't like Brussels sprouts is because they have simply not tried them! This delicious concoction will suit your Thanksgiving feast perfectly, and will surprise even the biggest haters of this vegetable. Learn how to make this side dish here.

10. Hatch Chile Corn Pudding

Forget your boring corn on the cob this Thanksgiving and instead, opt for this delicious, baked option. While being both sweet and spicy, this side dish is bound to blow away your guests. They'll be talking about it for holidays to come, trust me. Here is how to make it.

11. Pecan Pie Cheesecake

And finally, the best part — dessert! Fuse together two fall favorites and totally "wow" your guests. See how to make this amazingly scrumptious finale to your feast here.