November 14, 2022 by Brittyn Daley (’23)
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s time to start planning the perfect dinner. Whether you’re a fan of the classic thanksgiving dishes, you hate them, or you want to try something new this year you’ve come to the right place. Now is the right time to start exploring some of the best classic and unique thanksgiving recipes to bring to your table this year!
Let’s start with the one dish that you can’t have thanksgiving without…Turkey! No matter how you like your turkey, this recipe from Half Baked Harvest is sure to be a showstopper.
Next up is one of the most popular dishes, the potatoes! Both sweet potatoes and regular potatoes frequent at every Thanksgiving table. Typically, at Thanksgiving, my family makes mashed potatoes or a sweet potato casserole. If you like to stick to the classics, these recipes for buttery herb mash potatoes and bourbon pecan sweet potatoes casserole will be your go-to dishes every Thanksgiving!
If you want to spice things up this year from your usual mashed potatoes, try one of these recipes from Half Baked Harvest: crispy cheesy potato stacks, crispy rosemary butter roasted potatoes, and cheesy hasselback potatoes. If you want a break from your classic sweet potatoes casserole try out these recipes from Half Baked Harvest, Food Network, and Sally’s Baking Addiction: crispy parmesan thyme sweet potato stacks, roasted sweet potatoes with honey and cinnamon, and candied sweet potatoes.
Moving on to the stuffing! Stuffing is a dish you either love or hate. Personally, I’m not too fond of it, but nonetheless, it’s still a thanksgiving staple at my table. For a classic stuffing recipe, check out Sally’s Baking Addiction’s sausage and herb stuffing with apples or cornbread stuffing. If you’re in the mood for something new or a little healthier this year, be sure to try this cauliflower stuffing by Delish.
Let’s talk vegetables! Of course, I must start with the trademarked thanksgiving veggie dish–green bean casserole! If you’re looking for the perfect recipe for this dish, try Food Network’s best-ever green bean casserole or Sally’s Baking Addiction’s creamy green bean casserole. While green bean casserole is a beloved thanksgiving dish, it is not loved by all, so if you want a new green bean dish give Wholesome Yum’s oven roasted green beans with garlic and parmesan a try.
Beyond the green beans, brussels sprouts are another thanksgiving table frequenter, and whether you like them roasted or fried Half Baked Harvest has some recipes you’re sure to love: roasted balsamic parmesan brussels sprouts, fried brussels sprouts with cider vinaigrette and bacon breadcrumbs, and pan roasted brussels sprouts with bacon, dates, and halloumi. If you want a variety of vegetables on your table this year, think about adding in some of these recipes from Half Baked Harvest, Yummy Mummy, and Delish: hasselback butternut squash, maple glazed roasted carrots, and holiday roasted vegetables.
Although veggies are great, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without pasta! From mac-n-cheese to ravioli, every thanksgiving table has some type of pasta. Mac-n-cheese is probably the most common thanksgiving pasta dish, and Food Network’s baked macaroni and cheese will be loved by the whole family. If you’re in the mood for a pasta little fancier than mac-n-cheese check out these recipes from Half Baked Harvest: garlic herb cheese ravioli, roasted butternut squash and spinach lasagna, and butternut squash cheese ravioli.
Every Thanksgiving dinner table must have some type of bread. Whether you want a dinner roll or a whole loaf, Half Baked Harvest, Sally’s Baking Addiction, Julie Blanner, and Delish have got you covered with these recipes: herby everything cheddar swirl buns, brown butter sage dinner rolls, beer bread, and pumpkin cornbread. Of course, every table needs some butter to compliment its delicious breads, and if you want to spice things up this year try making Half Baked Harvest’s spiced pumpkin butter.
We can’t forget the condiments! First up, and my personal favorite, is the cranberry sauce. I would recommend trying out Sally’s Baking Addiction’s favorite cranberry sauce recipe. Another important condiment–the gravy! If you want to try making your own gravy, check out this white wine gravy from Half Baked Harvest.
Finally, we’re on to the best part of thanksgiving–dessert! Let’s talk pies–everyone’s favorite thanksgiving dessert. You’re probably planning on having pumpkin or apple pie, thanksgiving classics, but if you’re getting sick of the same pies every year try making these pies from Half Baked Harvest: vanilla burnt basque cheesecake, double chocolate mocha pudding pie, chai pumpkin pie, and salted caramel snickerdoodle pie.
Regardless of if you opt for the classics or some Thanksgiving newcomers, with these recipes your dinner is sure to be divine. It’s time to get cooking and enjoy Thanksgiving!