Whether as an appetizer, first course, or side dish, these easy and impressive soup and salad recipes will add variety to your Thanksgiving feast. Choose from salads centered on spinach, endive, fennel, green beans, and more. These soups and bisques feature butternut squash, sweet potato, carrot, parsnip, and other fall flavors.

A pinch of cayenne pepper adds pleasant warmth to toasted walnuts. Sprinkle these and feta cheese over baked sweet potato pieces and crisp watercress to make a hearty salad for the Thanksgiving table.

Ginger, orange juice, and spicy pumpkin seeds add a touch of warmth and zing to this easy fall classic perfect for Thanksgiving dinner. When pureed with water, butternut squash takes on a silky texture without added fat, but garnish this soup with sour cream, if you like, for extra richness.

This sophisticated Thanksgiving salad couldn't be easier to prepare. Simply combine endive, frisee, cranberries, and crunchy toasted pistachios with an olive oil and champagne vinegar dressing.

The subtle sweetness of parsnips is enhanced by adding leeks and apples to this soup, while their savory creaminess is matched by potatoes. These ingredients are simmered together with chicken or vegetable broth, then pureed and topped with sauteed leeks to make a tasty Thanksgiving soup.

This salad of mixed greens includes lots of sweet roasted shallots. Toss with the Dijon mustard vinaigrette and sprinkle with hazelnuts and blue cheese just before serving to Thanksgiving guests.

Cumin and smoky, spicy chipotle chiles in adobo add a Southwestern touch to this sweet potato soup. Serve as a Thanksgiving starter, garnished with sour cream and optional toasted tortilla wedges.

These two greens, with their contrasting textures, colors, and tastes, are topped with an easy mustard vinaigrette, making an understated salad that is a delicious accompaniment for more elaborate Thanksgiving dishes.

Update the traditional Thanksgiving green-bean casserole by dressing watercress and green beans with a mustard and lemon vinaigrette, then topping them with crispy fried shallots. The components of this salad can be made up to one day ahead, storing the cooked green beans and mixed dressing in the refrigerator and the fried shallots at room temperature; combine just before serving.

Acorn squash, either microwaved or roasted, lends its creamy texture to this easy soup flavored with fresh thyme. Because only a small amount of half-and-half is added, this recipe is lighter than many other dishes on the Thanksgiving table.

Thin slices of crisp, fragrant fennel and sweet navel orange mingle in this refreshing salad dressed with a simple white-wine vinaigrette. This easy salad can be prepared the day before Thanksgiving.

This elegant soup balances the sweet and savory flavors of carrots, onions, and curry powder. Simmer and puree these ingredients with chicken stock and garnish with lemon juice and fresh cilantro. Feel free to use vegetable stock to make a vegetarian version. This soup can be served warm or made ahead and chilled, making it perfect for the busy Thanksgiving cook.

Roasted sweet potatoes and peppery arugula are complemented by feta cheese and a touch of sweetness from orange juice in the dressing. This recipe can be easily multiplied if you are expecting a crowd for Thanksgiving dinner.

Shaved carrots and dried cranberries are tossed with mixed greens and a Dijon vinaigrette to make an easy, colorful Thanksgiving salad. The topping of honey and cayenne-glazed almonds can be made several days in advance.

This creamy butternut squash bisque can be prepared up to three months ahead of Thanksgiving dinner and frozen. The soup is seasoned with cinnamon and a bit of cayenne powder. For a different flavor, use ground nutmeg or cloves instead of cinnamon, or add a Southwestern touch with a small amount of chili powder.

Boston lettuce and radishes get a burst of flavor from spicy pumpkin seeds and an orange-mustard vinaigrette. This simple salad takes only 15 minutes to prepare, leaving you more time to devote to the rest of the Thanksgiving feast.

Arugula and endive are complemented by orange segments and a flavorful orange juice and mustard vinaigrette. This easy salad takes only 20 minutes to prepare and the dressing can be made ahead of time.