It’s the season when we trade our swimsuits for cozy sweaters, swap out beach towels for plaid blankets, and bid farewell to summer salads in favor of heaping plates of mashed potatoes. Gather ‘round, turkey enthusiasts and pumpkin spice lovers, because Thanksgiving is here! For those of us needing some ideas for what to cook this Thanksgiving have no fear – I’ve compiled a list of my top 10 favorite (but easy) Thanksgiving dishes for you to try out and enjoy with those you’re thankful for this holiday.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Starting the list off strong is one of my all-time Thanksgiving favorites: garlic mashed potatoes. This dish is like a cozy hug for your taste buds. Picture this – velvety mashed potatoes with a kick of zesty garlic. What’s not to love? When I prepare this dish, I like to roast a whole head of garlic in the oven, then scoop out the cloves and mash them in with my potatoes. It’s delicious every time and makes your entire house smell heavenly.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Butternut Squash Soup
Next up is butternut squash soup. This easy, yet classic dish boasts a perfect blend of flavors and textures that capture the essence of fall. The velvety smoothness of pureed butternut squash creates a luxurious base, while its naturally sweet and nutty undertones add depth to every spoonful. Following this richness is an embrace of spices like cayenne, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Cook this soup in a big pot and serve it to all of your Thanksgiving guests as the perfect appetizer!
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Recipe – Isabel Eats {Easy Recipes}
Baked Mac and Cheese
While baked Mac and Cheese may not be a Thanksgiving staple in every house, I think it’s a delicious (and essential) addition to your menu this holiday. This dish is the epitome of blissful comfort food thanks to its symphony of textures and flavors that come together in a cheesy crescendo. Just think about that creamy cheese sauce enveloping the pasta, all with a crispy crunch on top. The best part is that baked mac and cheese is super easy to make in quantity – enough to feed everyone at your Thanksgiving table (including third helpings.) You can also add some fried bacon and minced scallion on top as a finishing touch.
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese Recipe | Food Network Kitchen
Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet potato casserole is another example of baked heaven. This side dish (or dessert) combines all the essential elements of a good Thanksgiving meal: sweet, creamy, and comforting. This blend of velvety sweet potatoes, gooey marshmallows, and crunchy pecans will grace your Thanksgiving table and satisfy you with every spoonful.
Cranberry Jello Salad
Could this be a Thanksgiving article without mentioning cranberries? While I love a good cranberry sauce to pair with my turkey, cranberry jello salad is a fun alternative. This (somewhat unconventional) Thanksgiving side incorporates cranberries, chopped pecans, pineapple, and even a cream cheese topping. Why not experiment this Thanksgiving? It’s always exciting to find new ways of using traditional flavors.
Bread Piece Stuffing
Naturally, stuffing needs to make an appearance on your Thanksgiving table. This classic dish pairs perfectly with turkey, mashed potatoes, or any other side. Think about those crispy, golden bread pieces smothered in butter and herbs and soaked with chicken, turkey, or vegetable stock. Stuffing is a classic for a reason!
Thanksgiving stuffing recipe | BBC Good Food
Cranberry Brie Bites
I’m bringing the cranberry back for these special cranberry brie bites. In this dish, warm puffy pastries meet melted brie and a burst of flavor from the cranberries. Although it sounds difficult to make, this dish is super simple. All you need is premade sheets of dough, cranberry sauce, brie, and butter (plus thyme for a herby finish.) These cranberry brie bites are another faultless holiday appetizer.
Cranberry Brie Bites (Holiday Appetizer) | YellowBlissRoad.com
Twice-Baked Potatoes
Potatoes don’t only have to be mashed this Thanksgiving. These twice-baked potatoes offer the best of both worlds: a creamy potato filling and crispy potato skin. Accompanied by some melted butter, scallion, cheddar cheese, and fried bacon, these potatoes are guaranteed to please the whole table.
Apple Crumble
On to desserts! While I love a nice apple pie, how about an apple crumble instead? This dessert not only offers the sweet, decadent, and cinnamon-apple component that we all love in apple pies, but it also incorporates a hearty, nutty flavor from the oats, and is lighter than a traditional pie (not to mention easier to make) because it doesn’t use dough. Topped with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream, this apple crumble guarantees a stuffed and happy family.
Perfect Apple Crumble with Oats |Easy Recipe – Cubes N Juliennes
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Yes, we all know pumpkin pie, but have you ever tried pumpkin cheesecake? This perfect blend of two popular desserts combines the richness of a classic cheesecake with earthy notes of pumpkin, resulting in a luxuriously decadent cake made just for fall. The graham cracker crust also offers a sweet and slightly crunchy base that contrasts the creamy filling. To lean into your Thanksgiving spirit, adorn this cake with cinnamon, whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel, and pair it with a big glass of eggnog. It’s the perfect way to end your Thanksgiving meal.
https://www.cookingclassy.com/pumpkin-cheesecake/
Hopefully, these Thanksgiving recipes add a sprinkle of joy and a dash of deliciousness to your holiday celebrations. From the comforting classics to the creative twists, there’s a dish for every palette and every gathering. So, whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, embrace the joy of cooking, share laughter around the table, and savor the moments that make Thanksgiving truly special. Cheers to a Thanksgiving filled with love, gratitude, and of course, delectable food!
