[Photograph: Elizabeth Barbone]

Green beans are an important staple of the Thanksgiving meal. Among all the beige-colored foods—turkey, potatoes, biscuits, and gravy—they're a necessary shot of color (same goes for cranberry sauce). If you feel like branching out from your usual casserole this year, check out these great green bean dishes.

• Green Bean and Wild Mushroom Casserole with Shallot Topping
• Haricot Verts with Sauce Ravigote
• Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole
• Mark Bittman's Green Beans with Crisp Shallots