21+ Delicious Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas on a Budget
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be a big undertaking, but it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. I have 21+ amazing Thanksgiving dinner ideas on a budget that will satisfy even your pickiest of guests. But first, let me share three quick tips for keeping your dinner costs on track: Cook dishes from scratch – it takes longer, but it’s more affordable. Stick to the classics. Simple, real ingredients work best. Skip the booze. Alcohol can really skyrocket your dinner costs, so consider a sober Thanksgiving or stick to simple beers and wine. 21+ Delicious Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas on a Budget 1. Easy Roasted Turkey Breast If you’re hosting a small Thanksgiving dinner, turkey breast is the perfect budget-friendly compromise. Everyone enjoys a classic turkey dinner, but you won’t be left with a mountain of leftovers and you’ll save money in the process. The ingredients are super simple: fresh herbs, butter, salt and pepper. 2. Best Thanksgiving Turkey You don’t need expensive ingredients to cook a delicious roasted turkey. Some fresh herbs, lemon and herb butter are all you need. Bonus – you can cook this turkey with vegetables underneath to save time and cook up a budget-friendly side dish. Related: 17 Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes That Everyone Will Love 3. The Best Cranberry Sauce Canned cranberry sauce is cheap and easy, but it’s just as cheap to make your own. Plus, you’ll impress your guests. All you need are some fresh cranberries, a fresh orange, cinnamon and sugar. Cooking time is just 10 minutes, so this is a dish that comes together fast. 4. Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots Home-cooked vegetables are some of the best Thanksgiving dinner ideas on a budget because when they’re prepared properly, they’re delicious and cheap. And it doesn’t get much easier than this recipe. You’ll need fresh carrots, butter, garlic, spices, balsamic vinegar, apricot preserves and honey. If you’re on a really tight budget, skip the preserves – these carrots will still be delicious. 5. Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Pecans A hearty, healthy and delicious side dish that’s cheap to make from scratch. To save time, you can use frozen, cubed butternut squash. The rest is ultra-simple. Maple syrup, pecans and cinnamon give this dish so much flavor, and you likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry already. 6. Classic Stuffing Classic Thanksgiving recipes are always delicious and budget-friendly. For this recipe, you’ll even make your own bread cubes (it’s super simple, don’t worry). The rest of the ingredients are simple and cheap – butter, parsley, onion, fresh herbs and stock. Just bake and serve in a pretty casserole dish, and you have the perfect side dish for your holiday dinner. 7. Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham If you’re not a fan of turkey, ham is a great alternative for Thanksgiving. And this recipe is both delicious and budget-friendly. You likely have most of the ingredients already, like brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and mustard. Cooking time is just over 1.5 hours, which gives you plenty of time to prepare everything else while your ham is cooking. 8. Classic Green Bean Casserole No Thanksgiving is complete without a green bean casserole, and this recipe is both easy and budget-friendly. Using canned green beans will save you time and money. Mix everything together in a baking dish, bake for 25 minutes, and you’re ready to eat. Related: 25+ Delicious Make Ahead Casseroles for Brunch and Dinner 9. Puff Pastry Spinach Pie Simple, delicious, cheap and unique. Your guests will love this spinach pie, made with premade puff pastry. Frozen spinach is the star of the show with this recipe, but it also calls for delicious cheese. Most of the ingredients are things you already have at home. 10. Crispy Roast Potatoes Potatoes are a classic side dish for Thanksgiving, but you can make this dish even more budget-friendly by skipping the mashing and roasting them instead. No milk or butter is required. Red potatoes are the best choice, but use whatever you have on hand. 11. Make it a Potluck Thanksgiving One of the best Thanksgiving dinner ideas on a budget is to make your dinner potluck-style. Have all of your guests bring a dish to the dinner to save time and money. Plus, you’ll all enjoy a variety of dishes and cooking styles. 12. Super Stuffed Baked Apples Here’s a simple and cheap dessert everyone will love. Apples are available in abundance in fall, so they’re cheap, easy to prepare as a dessert and still somewhat healthy. This recipe stuffs apples with a mix of rolled oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins and butter. Use whatever apple variety you want for this dish. 13. Creamed Corn Casserole with Jiffy Mix Creamed corn casserole is so flavorful, cheap and easy to make, thanks to Jiffy corn muffin mix. Using canned whole kernel and creamed corn will save you time and money. Of course, you’ll also need your Jiffy mix and a few pantry staples you already have on-hand. 14. Twice Baked Potato Casserole Pioneer Woman’s twice baked potato casserole is delicious, and if you’re on a tight budget, you can make it one of the only side dishes you serve with your turkey. But most of the ingredients are simple: butter, milk, sour cream, cheese, bacon and oil. 15. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes If you’re not making roasted garlic mashed potatoes already, trust me when I say that you’re missing out. Creamy and flavorful, this recipe does take an hour and thirty minutes, but most of it involves baking and is not hands-on. The best part? You only need garlic, red potatoes, olive oil, salt, butter, half and half and some ground pepper. 16. Baked Mac and Cheese Thanksgiving dinner ideas on a budget don’t get much better than baked mac and cheese. Creamy and heavy, this mac and cheese has a crispy exterior and mixes three different cheeses together for a heavenly taste. You’ll make a bechamel with this recipe, adding in ingredients, such as pasta, flour, butter, half and half, seasonings, white cheddar cheese, sharp cheddar and, of course, Gruyere cheese to finish this recipe off. 17. Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash Whew, this is one of the hearty meals that you can make in under an hour and it tastes delightful, too. Emilie, the site’s author, will walk you through the five-minute prep process before cooking your stuffed squash for 45 minutes. What will you stuff your squash with? Brown rice, pecans, Tuscan savory grounds, spinach, raisins, curry powder, oregano, tahini and thyme. If you’re looking for a dinner idea that won’t add too many calories to your day, this recipe is perfect and has only 466 calories in each serving. 18. Creamed Peas I’ve never had creamed peas that tasted this divine before. Perfect for a comforting dish, these creamed peas start with you whisking melted butter and flour together until it’s thick and adding in peas, which you’ll cook until thoroughly heated. Then, you’ll slowly add in the heavy cream and garnish before serving. Related: 25+ Best Thanksgiving Side Ideas That Will Steal The Spotlight At Dinner (Simple And Easy!) 19. Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts Brussels sprouts aren’t for everyone – some people love them, some hate them. But, if you’re a person who does like them, these roasted sprouts include garlic powder, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce and a few spices that add up to a tasty, unforgettable dish. 20. Sweet Rutabaga Thirty minutes is all it takes to make these sweet, buttered rutabagas that are just over 150 calories and only require rutabaga, milk or cream, butter, salt and pepper. You’ll cook everything in a medium-sized pan and don’t even need to add sugar. 21. Broccoli Casserole Broccoli casserole is one of the Thanksgiving dinner ideas on a budget that is a timeless classic. This dish is a bit on the heartier side of things with cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, butter, eggs, broccoli, onion, sharp cheddar cheese and even ritz crackers. I really appreciate how the author offers customizable options that allow you to change things up a bit, such as adding cauliflower or chicken to the dish to make it a bit healthier. 22. Cinnamon Fried Apples Cinnamon and apples? What can go wrong? This delightful fried apple recipe is melt-in-your-mouth delish and only requires a few ingredients: Chopped apples Lemon Butter Brown sugar White sugar Ground cinnamon And, if you’re rushing last minute and don’t have time to make an elaborate dessert, these cinnamon-fried apples will take you all of 20 minutes to finish. 23. Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Mushrooms Spicy yet impossible not to have just one more, these jalapeno poppers fill Baby Bella mushrooms with cream cheese, jalapeno peppers, bacon and cheese. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, this is not the recipe for you. But if you do like mushrooms, you can quickly cook these in your skillet or even a baking dish. 24. Sourdough Bread Pudding Sourdough is a fantastic option on Thanksgiving and it makes a wonderful leftover that almost always tastes better the next day. You’ll need an 8” x 8” baking dish where you’ll add your sourdough bread, eggs, whole milk, cane sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla extract. But, don’t forget the toppings of brown sugar, butter, chopped pecans and a handful of other ingredients. Each serving is just under 400 calories, but it’s the one time a year – or one of a few – where you can treat yourself.
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25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes That Will Please Even Your Pickiest Friends
Being vegan doesn’t mean you can’t host an amazing Thanksgiving that will please even the pickiest of eaters. Today, I’m going to share 25+ amazing vegan Thanksgiving recipes that will impress everyone. 25+ Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes That Will Please Even Your Pickiest Friends 1. Vegan Turkey Roast This vegan turkey roast recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving. It slices and shreds just like real turkey, and even the biggest meat lovers will enjoy this dish. Tofu and vital wheat gluten work together to create a sliceable “turkey” rich in herbs and spices. You’ll need a good food processor for this one. 2. Vegan Jackfruit Pot Roast If you want to serve something different this Thanksgiving, try this Jackfruit pot roast. It’s paired with red potatoes, baby carrots, onion and spices. The texture and flavor are similar to a traditional beef pot roast, so even picky eaters will love it. You can serve this with roast with any other traditional Thanksgiving side dish. 3. Vegan Stuffing Here’s a delicious stuffing recipe that tastes just like traditional recipes but is vegan-friendly. You’ll need some day-old crusty bread, leeks, celery, garlic, herbs, cranberries and vegan sausage. Bake it all in a casserole dish, and you’re ready to serve. 4. Brown Sugar Glazed Tofu This glazed tofu is smoky, sweet and delicious. The brown mustard and maple syrup pair well with the chili garlic sauce, nutritional yeast and soy sauce to create a delicious main dish that will be the star of your dinner table. 5. Vegan Stovetop Stuffing Stuffing is one of the top classic vegan Thanksgiving recipes out there, and I love this recipe because it’s loaded with flavor and so easy to make. You’ll need some day-old bread for this, along with mushrooms, vegan butter, celery, carrots, poultry seasoning, onion and vegan broth. The mushrooms give this dish a different flavor and a meaty texture. Related: 15 Inspiring Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas To Make Your Guests Feel Special 6. Easy Vegan Scalloped Potatoes Who doesn’t love scalloped potatoes? This vegan recipe tastes just like the original. Blending cashews with nutritional yeast and non-dairy milk will create a creamy cheesy sauce that’s perfect for this dish. You can use any type of potato you want for this recipe, but I prefer red potatoes. 7. Vegan Broccoli Casserole This broccoli casserole is rich, creamy and the perfect addition to your vegan Thanksgiving table. Oyster mushrooms give this dish a little texture and a unique flavor. Cashew milk and white wine pair with nutritional yeast and other spices to create a creamy sauce for this casserole. Just bake and serve with your main dish. 8. Vegan Pumpkin Pie You can’t have Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie, and this vegan variation tastes just like traditional recipes. It’s super simple to make, too. Just swap out dairy milk for your preferred non-dairy option. Use a prepared pie crust to save time, or you can follow the recipe to make your own crust. It’s easier than you think. 9. Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole Sweet potato casserole is the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving, and this recipe has a maple pecan topping that’s to die for. You’ll need maple syrup, almond flour, pecans and vegan butter for the topping. The sweet potato filling is easy to make. You’ll need vegan butter and vegan milk, along with spices and other simple ingredients. 10. Vegan Corn Casserole Corn casserole may not be one of the traditional vegan Thanksgiving recipes, but everyone will love it. Mix vegetarian Jiffy corn muffin mix with creamed corn, whole corn, onions, vegan butter and non-dairy yogurt. Pour your mix into a casserole dish, bake for an hour and serve. If you can’t find vegetarian Jiffy mix, you can easily make your own with some cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. I prefer to use applesauce instead of vegan butter for subtle sweetness. 11. Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese Mac and cheese is a classic side dish and the ultimate comfort food. It has some unique ingredients that add tons of flavor, like Dijon mustard, nutritional yeast flakes and smoked paprika. Instead of the usual milk and butter, just use their vegan substitutes. The breadcrumb topping really makes this dish over the top. 12. Green Bean Casserole Rich, creamy and ready in just thirty-five minutes, this recipe is perfect as a side dish and super-easy to make. You’ll begin by coating an 8×8 dish with cooking spray while bringing a large pot of water to a boil and placing the green beans in it for 7 to 10 minutes. You’ll also be adding in olive oil, onion, mushrooms, salt, pepper, flour, unsweetened nut milk and crispy fried onions. 13. Pumpkin Cheesecake Cheesecake has never tasted this good before. You’ll only need to prep for 10 minutes by first whipping together cream cheese, sour cream, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and vanilla extract. After you’ve whipped everything together well, you’ll add canned pumpkin puree, brown sugar, almond milk, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt. And, finally, you’ll need a 10” graham cracker crust, which you can make homemade or purchase in the store. Related: 20 Mouthwatering Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas To Make This Year 14. Fluffy Dinner Rolls Tasty, fluffy dinner rolls are much easier to make than what most people realize. You only need unsweetened milk, rapid-rise yeast, granulated sugar, butter, all-purpose flour and salt. But, you’ll need quite a bit of equipment to make this recipe easier to follow: Stand mixer Dough hook 9×13 inch baking dish If you don’t have a mixer, you can use a strong spoon. 15. Glazed Carrots Glazed carrots are simple and easy to make. You only need tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, black pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, thyme, cardamon and a garnish, such as parsley or any herb that you prefer. Trust me, these maple-glazed carrots are impossible to put down once you munch on them. 16. Scalloped Potatoes Rich and creamy, these scalloped potatoes take plant-based milk and vegetable broth. You’ll need to soak a cup of cashews, tapioca flour, paprika, black pepper, nutritional yeast, salt, onion powder and garlic cloves. Making the cashew sauce requires a blender and a sharp knife to cut up the three pounds of potatoes. 17. Vegan Stuffed Squash Stuffed squash with maple tahini drizzle is an amazing recipe from the mindful avocado. You’ll stuff the squash with wild rice, celery, onion, salt and pepper, maple syrup, cranberries, walnuts, parsley and pepitas. And, you’ll make a delightful maps tahini sauce out of apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and some tahini. 18. Cranberry Chili Meatballs Vegan Thanksgiving recipes with “meat” in the name always make me laugh because it’s ironic, isn’t it? Sweet, spicy and tangy, these meatballs take only 30 minutes to make. You’ll use whole cranberry sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, maple syrup, hot sauce, chili powder and plant-based meatballs on top of a few other ingredients. And since you’re buying the meatballs already, the recipe is very easy to follow. 19. Cornbread Stuffing Cornbread is always one of my favorites, but it’s hard to make it just right. You want the cornbread to be crispy and moist at the same time, and that’s exactly what this recipe has to offer. You’ll follow the author’s recipe for cornbread and add the following to the stuffing; Butter Sweet onion Celery Parsley Dried sage Dried thyme Salt Vegetable broth 20. Creamy Lentil Bake A creamy lentil bake always hits the spot. You’ll need carrots, cauliflower, green lentils, garlic clove, sweet onion, sweet potato and some thyme. But that’s just the start of the recipe’s ingredients. You’ll also need cashews, spices and some condiments. Related: 15 Insanely Fun and Healthy Edible Thanksgiving Centerpieces 21. Butternut Squash Casserole Healthy and savory at the same time? You’ll love the flavor that the cranberries and raisins add with the sweetness of maple syrup. The sauce is made with maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and vinegar, which you’ll make and set aside. You’ll cook rice and dried fruits together for added flavor and the recipe even adds neat tips, such as buying the butternut squash peeled already. 22. Collard Greens Collards have a strong taste and need to be prepared just right for them to taste good. Real + Vibrant walks you through the process of making collard greens from explaining how to slice and stack the leaves to adding the garlic and onion to a heavy skillet. 23. Vegetable Wellington A vegetable wellington like this is very hearty and rich, and you’ll swap out the meat for the lentils. And the mix of walnuts, mushrooms and flaky puff pastry crust really adds to the overall flavor. If you’re looking for vegan Thanksgiving recipes that everyone will love, this is one you can’t miss. 24. Hashbrown Casserole Skip the roasted potatoes and make this hashbrown casserole instead. You’ll need potatoes, onions, seasoning, vegan cheese, vegan cheese sauce and spices. The whole thing bakes in just 30 minutes, and it takes just over 10 minutes to cook the shredded potatoes. 25. Tofu Turkey Roast Here’s another delicious turkey alternative that’s divine. Made with tofu and chickpea flour, this “turkey” will smell just like the real thing when it’s cooking. It’s stuffed with a delicious cauliflower-based stuffing. You’ll need quite a few ingredients for this recipe, but it’s worth the extra effort. 26. Easy Quinoa Stuffing Here’s a unique take on stuffing. Quinoa pairs with sweet potato, shallot, spices, herbs, and cranberries to make a stuffing that’s loaded with flavor. Everyone will love this dish, and it complements most main dishes on Thanksgiving.
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25+ Insanely Delicious Thanksgiving Food Ideas to Make the Perfect Dinner
Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year? I have 25+ mouthwatering Thanksgiving food ideas for an unforgettable dinner that everyone will love. 25+ Insanely Delicious Thanksgiving Food Ideas to Make the Perfect Dinner 1. Butternut Squash Ravioli with Pecans and Brown Butter Raviolis for Thanksgiving? Why not? These aren’t your usual ravioli that you’ll find in the store. You’ll make them from scratch (it’s easier than you think) and stuff them with a delicious butternut squash filling. Serve with a roasted butternut squash and brown butter pecan sauce that is amazing. 2. Gordon Ramsay’s Roast Turkey No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a roasted turkey, right? This recipe comes from the famed chef Gordon Ramsay, and it’s surprisingly easy. You’ll stuff the turkey with onion, garlic, lemon and bay leaves. Adding herb butter under the skin is the secret to flavorful, juicy turkey. Cook in a roasting pan, and enjoy. 3. Buttery Herb Stuffing Stuffing is the star side dish at every Thanksgiving table, and you’ll love this buttery herb variation. Forget the boxed stuff. You’ll make this stuffing from scratch with stale or toasted bread. Fresh herbs and a generous amount of butter make this dish the perfect complement for your turkey dinner. 4. Roasted Carrots with Candied Pecans and Goat Cheese Need Thanksgiving food ideas for side dishes? You’ll love these roasted carrots, cooked with creamy goat cheese and sweet candied pecans. I love that the candied pecans are homemade, so you can adjust the ingredients to your taste. But if you want to save time, you can buy candied pecans. Make sure you’re using fresh carrots for this recipe and not canned or frozen. 5. Creamy Green Bean Casserole Green bean casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side dish, and it’s easier than you think to make the “fried” onions from scratch (you’ll actually be baking them). I recommend using fresh green beans if you can get your hands on them. You need just a handful of ingredients to make this dish, and the homemade baked onions are so much better than their store-bought counterparts. 6. Mini Stuffed Pumpkins How adorable is this dish? The presentation is sure to impress your guests, but these little stuffed pumpkins are delicious, too. The savory stuffing features tart apples, Gruyere cheese, cranberries and fresh herbs. Serve with the pumpkin tops and a few sprigs of fresh thyme on a pretty serving dish. 7. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes Who doesn’t love garlic mashed potatoes? I love that this recipe keeps the potato skins on, and the roasted garlic adds tons of flavor. Using half and half instead of regular milk makes these mashed potatoes so creamy and divine. 8. Mushroom Bread Pudding Here’s a unique side dish to serve as your Thanksgiving dinner. Mushrooms, sage, leeks and other fresh, aromatics are cooked in a cognac sauce and baked with brioche and Gruyere cheese in a creamy, cheesy sauce. This dish is a labor of love, but it is absolutely worth every minute of effort. 9. Stuffed Butternut Squash with Sausage, Spinach, Pecans and Cranberries Here’s an impressive side dish that looks just as beautiful as it is delicious. Each half of the butternut squash is stuffed with a savory sausage filling with dried cranberries, pecans, spinach and herbs. I like to top these with fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs to enhance the fall flavors. 10. Roasted Mushrooms in Browned Butter and Garlic Sauce Mushrooms are such a great side dish to serve at Thanksgiving because they pair well with just about everything. These mushrooms are cooked in a wonderful brown butter sauce with garlic, fresh thyme and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve with fresh thyme on top and in a pretty serving bowl. 11. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Pecans and Cranberries If you’re looking for traditional Thanksgiving food ideas, you’ll love this recipe. Fresh Brussels sprouts are roasted with dried cranberries, bacon, and pecans for a dish that’s savory, sweet and nutty. The green and red colors of this dish are a feast for the eyes and stomach. 12. Harvest Wild Rice Salad Salad may not be a traditional Thanksgiving dish, but this recipe puts a fall twist on things and adds wild rice into the mix. Dried cranberries, butternut squash, sliced almonds and a sweet and savory dressing make this dish perfect for the holiday. It’s a healthier dish to serve and easier than you think to prepare. 13. Cranberry Honey Glazed Salmon Looking for a turkey alternative to serve? Try this honey-glazed salmon, cooked in a sweet and sticky cranberry sauce. Just marinate, bake for 10-15 minutes on a baking sheet, and you’re ready to eat. This salmon dish is served with cranberry sauce on top, and it pairs well with most of the classic Thanksgiving side dishes. 14. Pumpkin Pasta Bake https://www.pinterest.com/pin/21744010692546903/ Everyone loves a good pasta dish, and this recipe puts a fall spin on things – making it perfect for Thanksgiving. Rigatoni noodles are cooked in a creamy pumpkin tomato sauce with a walnut-sage topping. Mushrooms and spinach add to the flavor to make this a truly special dish that everyone will adore. 15. The Ultimate Sweet Potato Casserole Want Thanksgiving food ideas for a sweet side dish? This sweet potato casserole is perfect. It features a divine sweet potato filling with brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans. The dish is topped with pecans, cinnamon and marshmallows. 16. Maple Pecan Roasted Sweet Potato Slices Sweet potatoes and maple pecans are a great choice for a side dish this Thanksgiving. Easy and quick to make, you’ll need a chopping board, veggie peeler, baking sheet and a small mixing bowl to get started. Toss the sweet potatoes on the baking sheet with some butter, salt and pepper. Bake the potato slices, add a sweet maple syrup mixture and bake for about five minutes to allow the mix to fill the sweet potato slices. 17. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Creamed Spinach Not sure what to do with all of the acorn squash your garden produced this year? You’ll stuff the acorn squash with a spinach and cheese mixture that’s made out of olive oil, fresh spinach, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and fresh thyme. 18. Orange Cranberry Pork Loin Perfect for a main dish on Thanksgiving, this orange cranberry pork loin takes an hour to cook but a mere 15 minutes to prep. What really makes this pork loin is the sauce, which is made with orange juice, orange marmalade, cranberry sauce, and apple cider vinegar. If you’ve ever made a pork loin before, this recipe is easy to make with the sauce completing it. 19. Nut Roast Savory and sweet, this nut roast combines dried fruit, fresh herbs, lentils, nuts and veggies. Unless you want to mash the ingredients by hand, you’ll want to use a food processor. And, as the recipe’s author recommends, adding a nice cranberry sauce on top of the nut roast really completes the flavor. 20. Cranberry Apple Stuffing Cranberry apple stuffing requires sourdough bread, apples, dried cranberries, and quite a few fresh herbs, such as flat leaf parsley, fresh rosemary, thyme, sage and more. And if you don’t plan on making turkey this year, don’t worry – the stuffing tastes great at any time. 21. Vegetable Wellington If you’re a fan of beef Wellington and have been looking for unique Thanksgiving food ideas, you’ll appreciate this vegetable Wellington. It’s a great compromise and packs an amazing flavor with roasted carrots, asparagus, peppers, onions, spinach, pesto and a soft puff pastry. You’ll need a loaf pan for this recipe. 22. Pecan Pie Brownies Brownies. Pecans. What an amazing combination, especially when you make them into a delectable brownie pie that everyone will enjoy. You’ll need a cake pan – like this one – brownie mix, sugar, eggs, butter, vanilla, corn syrup and pecans. Since the recipe calls for brownie mix, it’s super simple to make. 23. Pumpkin Apple Three Cheese Mac and Cheese A bit on the heavier, hearty side, this three-cheese mac and cheese adds pumpkin puree into the macaroni elbows, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, gorgonzola cheese, Gruyere cheddar cheese and a few other ingredients. It’s a hearty dish, but it is a tasty one. 24. Savory Apple Thyme Tart A savory tart that is Instagram-worthy. Each tart feeds two people and features caramelized apples, gruyere cheese, thyme, apple and a handful of other ingredients. Select any apple variety that you wish, but pink lady is a personal favorite of mine. 25. Vegan Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes Eight ingredients are all that you need to make this Thanksgiving-inspired mashed potatoes. Creamy and delicious, you’ll need to peel your potatoes into long slices before boiling them. Once tender, you’ll strain and mash them. While boiling, you’ll caramelize the onions. Add coconut milk to the mixture while mashing, garlic powder, thyme, salt, pepper and butter. 26. Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash It takes less than an hour to make these acorn squash, which are perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves just yet. You’ll make acorn squash with two medium squash, butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. And the caramelized apple will require two red and green apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, butter, thyme and some honey.
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25+ Best Thanksgiving Side Ideas That Will Steal The Spotlight At Dinner (Simple And Easy!)
The turkey may be the star of the show at Thanksgiving, but we all know that the side dishes are what everyone really looks forward to. Today, I have 25+ of the best Thanksgiving side ideas that will steal the spotlight at your dinner. The best part? They’re simple and easy. 25+ Best Thanksgiving Side Ideas That Will Steal The Spotlight At Dinner 1. Maple Walnut Sweet Potato Skins Sweet potatoes are a classic side dish for Thanksgiving, and this recipe puts a delicious twist on the usual recipe. These sweet potato skins are stuffed with a creamy mixture of sweet potato, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar. Top each one with a mix of chopped walnuts, butter and a pinch of brown sugar. 2. Corn Casserole I love a good corn casserole. It’s subtly sweet, creamy and satisfying. The best part? It’s so easy to make. This recipe mixes Jiffy corn muffin mix, creamed corn and whole kernel corn with cheddar cheese, butter and sour cream for an unforgettable side dish everyone will love. Related: 25+ Delicious Make Ahead Casseroles for Brunch and Dinner 3. Crock Pot Glazed Carrots I love this recipe because it’s so easy to pop all of the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it cook all day while you prepare the rest of your dinner. And you only need a handful of ingredients: baby carrots, brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, salt and cinnamon. 4. Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes Mashed potatoes are one of the best Thanksgiving sides ideas, and this recipe makes the creamiest potatoes I’ve ever had. What’s the secret? Cream cheese and half and half. If you really want to take the flavor to the next level, you can add roasted garlic. These potatoes are baked, so make sure there’s room for one more baking dish in your oven. 5. Roasted Green Beans With Caramelized Onions This is a simple side dish and a classier take on green bean casserole. Fresh green beans are roasted to perfection and then topped with savory caramelized onions. You can even prepare the onions up to 4 days ahead of time and reheat them on the big day to save time. 6. Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing Skip the boxed stuffing and make it from scratch this year. It’s so easy! Mix day-old bread with sauteed onions, celery and herbs. Stir in a few eggs, butter and chicken broth, and bake in a casserole dish. You’ll be ready to devour this dish in just over an hour. 7. The Ultimate Cornbread Casserole Here’s a unique side dish to serve at Thanksgiving, and it’s super simple to prepare. It puts a spicy twist on the classic recipe by adding bacon, jalapeno and cheddar cheese. Instead of using corn muffin mix, you’ll make the whole thing from scratch (it’s easy – don’t worry!). 8. Easy Cheese Herb Potato Gratin Potato gratin may not be a traditional Thanksgiving side dish, but it’s one that everyone will love. Not only is this dish delicious, but it’s also beautiful. You’ll need potatoes, fresh herbs, half and half, cheddar cheese, fresh herbs and chicken broth. I recommend using a cast iron pan for baking this dish because it cooks food evenly. 9. Vegetable Casserole What’s a dish you won’t typically find on a list of the best Thanksgiving side ideas? Vegetable casserole. But once you taste it, it will quickly become a staple at your holiday dinners. It’s even borderline healthy because it’s loaded with mixed vegetables and broccoli. This creamy, hearty casserole is topped with Ritz crackers for a bit of crunch, and it only requires 10 minutes of prep time. 10. Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese & Pomegranates Here’s an easy side dish that’s full of fall flavor. Butternut squash, goat cheese, and pomegranate arils topped with a tangy homemade dressing of balsamic vinegar, lemon juice and herbs. This dish pairs well with any other side or main dish. As a bonus, it’s just as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the stomach. Related: 25+ Easy Friendsgiving Recipes to WOW Your Guests 11. Rosemary Garlic Smashed Potatoes Want to serve potatoes in a different way? Try these smashed potatoes. They’re deliciously crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. Loaded with parmesan cheese and fresh rosemary, these potatoes will disappear from the table in minutes. 12. Stovetop Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts Brussels sprouts have never tasted so great! And the best part? This entire dish is cooked on the stovetop. Crispy bacon, bourbon, maple syrup and mustard pair so well with Brussels sprouts. Pecans add texture and crunch for a tasty dish that even picky eaters will love. If you’re not a fan of alcohol, you can use apple cider vinegar instead of bourbon. 13. Bourbon Sweet Potato Crunch I love sweet potato casserole as much as the next person, but this year, why not try something different? This bourbon sweet potato crunch will be perfect for your holiday dinner. Sweet potatoes are mixed with a creamy spiced bourbon sauce and topped with tasty pecans and brown sugar. It’s a dish that guests of all ages and tastes will love. 14. Cheesy Gruyere Scalloped Potatoes One of the best Thanksgiving side ideas are these cheesy scalloped potatoes that take one hour and fifteen minutes. You’ll love the taste of Gruyere cheese and the creaminess that the half and half gives these potatoes. 15. Whiskey Glazed Sweet Potatoes Honey glazed potatoes with candied pecans are perfect during the holiday season, and this recipe is one of the best I’ve tried. You’ll use three pounds of sweet potatoes, chopped pecans, unsalted butter, nutmeg, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and honey. And, the twist? You’ll add a half-cup of whiskey and tart baking apples. 16. Crispy Roasted Cauliflower with Cheddar and Parmesan Grab your large mixing bowl because you’ll need to add your cauliflower and olive oil before mixing thoroughly. You’ll sprinkle a bit of chili pepper, Old Bay seasoning and fresh pepper on top. Place the cauliflower in a foil-lined baking sheet and put your white cheddar and Parmesan cheese on top while it bakes. 17. 5-Ingredient French Onion Potatoes If you want easy French onion potatoes, it doesn’t get easier than this recipe. You only need five ingredients for this dish, including dry onion soup mix, butter, russet potatoes and shredded gruyere cheese. But, if you want to make everything homemade, this is not the recipe for you. 18. Stuffed Mini Pumpkins with Cranberry and Pecan Rice These small pumpkins are as adorable as they are tasty. If you’ve ever seen those mini pumpkins and wondered if they’re just for decoration, you can stuff them and eat them. Perfect for a side dish or even main course, you’ll stuff the pumpkins with pecans, cranberries, veggies and wild rice. 19. Stuffed Butternut Squash with Bacon and Cheese Butternut squash with bacon and cheese is a hearty meal that’s filled with flavor. You’ll prepare the butternut squash by cutting each squash lengthwise very carefully because it’s easy to cut yourself in the process. You’ll stuff the squash with a mixture of bacon, cheese and spinach before roasting it for 40 minutes in the oven. Related: Top 25+ Thanksgiving Finger Food Ideas We’re Crushing On 20. Autumn Pearl Couscous Salad Couscous salad is always tasty, but this autumn pear couscous takes this dish to another level. You’ll add in spicy brown mustard, lemon juice, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, dried cranberries, pecans, kale leaves and butternut squash. You’ll love the trick this author gives you to guarantee that you mix all ingredients well. 21. Best Ever Green Beans Sometimes, the best Thanksgiving side ideas are the classics, such as these delightful green beans. Prep time takes just 15 minutes and cook time is 10 minutes. You’ll start by blanching the green beans, sauteeing them in a large skillet and seasoning them with mustard and lemon juice. If you’ve never made fresh green beans before, the author will teach you how to trim them. 22. Baked Carrot Casserole A Family Feast outdoes itself with this baked carrot casserole that you start prepping by bringing the sliced carrots to a boil in a 3-4 quart pan. Red bell peppers, onions, salt and pepper, flour, butter, milk and eggs will complete the flavor. You’ll need a potato masher for this recipe. 23. Cranberry Apple Pecan Wild Rice Pilaf Savory and sweet, this rice dish has cranberries, roasted pecans, apples, wild rice and pilaf. You’ll find that this pilaf can easily be an entire meal, so set out small plates of it. The site’s author teaches you how to make perfect, wild rice in apple juice and chicken broth. 24. Cornbread Stuffing I always love a good cornbread, but when you add it into a stuffing, it is even more delightful. While a bit hearty, you’ll need two hours to cook the stuffing, which combines: Cornbread Veggies Pecans You’ll need a 9×13 baking pan for this recipe. 25. Roasted Red Vegetables Sweet, healthy and one of the most colorful sides on this list, these roasted red veggies are quite easy to make and require a lot of root veggies. Beets, carrots, parsnips and sweet potatoes make this a healthy albeit starchy option this Thanksgiving. And the best part? You can prep this dish in just 10 minutes. 26. Savory Bread Pudding Savory pudding like this takes a while to make, but it’s worth the time and effort. You’ll need leeks for this recipe, olive oil, butter, white pepper (something I’ve never eaten prior), French bread, chives, eggs, milk, nutmeg and quite a few other ingredients. You can opt for either gouda or gruyere cheese – the choice is yours. But, since this recipe does take a bit of time to put together, it’s not a last-minute option for a side.
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25+ Mouthwatering Friendsgiving Appetizer Ideas
Need Friendsgiving appetizer ideas? I have 25+ recipes you’ll adore. I don’t know about you, but I love appetizers. They’re one of my favorite parts of parties and gatherings. But I also know that no one wants to spend hours in the kitchen preparing appetizers for Friendsgiving. These recipes are not only delicious but easy to make, too. 25+ Mouthwatering Friendsgiving Appetizer Ideas 1. Crispy Parmesan Potato Stacks Crispy potatoes topped with Parmesan cheese and herbs. What’s not to love? These potato stacks are so easy to make, especially if you use canned potatoes. But I recommend using a mandoline slicer to get those ultra-thin, crispy layers that make this dish so delightful. 2. Pumpkin & Rosemary Puff Pastry Bites Facebook Pinterest Pumpkin & Rosemary Puff Pastry Bites These pastry puff bites are perfect for fall and are so delicious, thanks to the gruyere cheese. For this recipe, you can use either cubed pumpkin or butternut squash for the topping. While you can make your own puff pastry, I recommend buying pastry sheets to save time. Here is a quick recipe. 3. Sausage, Apple & Gruyere Pinwheels These pinwheels are delicious and so easy to make. All you need are a few packages of puff pastry sheets, sausage, apple, sage and gruyere cheese. I like to serve these on a fun platter with fresh green herbs, like sage, for decoration. 4. Fig and Goat Cheese Pinwheels Pinwheels are such a popular and fun appetizer idea for Friendsgiving. I love this variation, which adds fig and goat cheese to the filling. It’s a great option for vegetarians, but even meat lovers will adore them. For this recipe, you’ll need fig preserves, puff pastry and your favorite goat cheese. Don’t forget the fresh thyme for extra flavor and garnish. 5. Cranberry Feta Pinwheels Are you looking for simple Friendsgiving appetizer ideas? You’ll love these pinwheels. Unlike the other pinwheels on this list, these ones are cold. You won’t be using puff pastry. Instead, you’ll fill tortillas with cream cheese, feta cheese, chives and dried cranberries. Roll each tortilla up, slice it, and serve on a platter. 6. Green Bean Casserole Cups Green bean casserole is a classic Thanksgiving side dish. Why not transform it into a fun appetizer that everyone will love? These cups are easy to make, too. Just fill phyllo shells with a mix of mushrooms, green beans, and a creamy Parmesan sauce. Top with French fried onions and bake. This is one appetizer that won’t last long on the table. Related: 25+ Easy Friendsgiving Recipes to WOW Your Guests 7. Spinach-Artichoke Dip Wonton Cups These wonton cups are filled with everyone’s favorite appetizer: spinach artichoke dip. The filling couldn’t be easier to make. Just mix canned artichokes with mayo, sour cream, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic and frozen spinach. You’ll need a muffin tin to hold your wonton wrappers in place. All that’s left to do is bake and enjoy. 8. Brie and Caramelized Onion Pull-apart Bread Creamy Brie and savory caramelized onion jam fill every nook and cranny of this pull-apart bread. This recipe is super simple and fun to serve. Everyone can pull apart their own pieces without making a big mess. 9. Upside-Down Onion Tart with Brie These tarts are so delicious and the perfect appetizer for Friendsgiving. Thinly sliced onions become caramelized while cooking to add so much flavor. Brie, balsamic glaze, fresh thyme and flaky puff pastry round out this dish, which everyone will love. 10. Vegan Cranberry Cream Cheese Bites These little cranberry bites are one of my favorite Friendsgiving appetizer ideas because they’re so easy to make and absolutely delicious. Plus, if you have vegan friends attending, this is a dish that they’ll enjoy. It takes just 30 minutes to make this appetizer. While this recipe uses vegan ingredients, you can replace them with their traditional counterparts if you want. You’ll need a muffin tin to bake these bites. 11. Fig and Pumpkin Seed Bruschetta Here’s a fresh take on bruschetta that’s the perfect addition to your Friendsgiving spread. Creamy goat cheese pairs so well with the fig spread. The honey and pumpkin seeds are the icing on the cake, adding a little sweetness and a little crunch to the dish. I like to serve these on a wooden pizza peel for a pretty presentation and easy clean-up. 12. Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Bread Who doesn’t love spinach and artichoke dip? This recipe puts a spin on this classic appetizer by putting the dip inside of a bread boat. Just cut a channel into a big loaf of French bread, add the spinach artichoke filling and bake. Slice and serve! 13. Baked Brie Phyllo Cups Sweet apples, savory caramelized onions, Brie and flaky phyllo cups – what’s not to love? You’ll also love how easy it is to make this appetizer, which uses premade phyllo cups to save time. Top these cups with pecans and honey for some extra crunch and sweetness. 14. Easy Spinach and Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms Low carb and perfect for an appetizer, this recipe requires less than ten ingredients to get started. You’ll need mushrooms, button-sized are a flavorful choice, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, basil and garlic powder. Related: 25+ Best Friendsgiving Food Ideas to Bring to the Potluck 15. Warm Fig and Prosciutto Goat Cheese Dip Ten minutes is all it takes to make this oh-so-good goat cheese dip. You’ll start by softening the goat and cream cheese with a food processor, until it’s easy to whip the cheeses together. Fold in your chopped prosciutto and spread fig jam on top. 16. Pecan Cranberry Goat Cheese Goat cheese is good on its own, but add in pecan and cranberry, and the flavors burst out of it. The best part? It takes all of five minutes to make. You’ll need a plain goat cheese log, chopped pecans, dried cranberries, parsley, honey and your favorite crackers. 17. Mini Shepherd’s Pie Bites Do you have a baking pan? If so, this is one of the Friendsgiving appetizer ideas that you’ll need to add to your must-try list. You’ll need about 30 minutes to prep the dish and 20 to cook it. Heavy and tasty, you’ll use yellow potatoes, diced carrots, onion, celery, garlic, thyme, oregano, ground beef, flour, tomato paste, hot sauce and quite a few other ingredients. 18. Apple Flatbread Pizza If you’re a fan of apple flatbread pizza, this is the right idea for you. You’ll make the dough yourself, and top with onion, salt, pepper, ricotta cheese, olive oil, thyme, apples and arugula. You’ll do a lot of mixing with this recipe, and while you can do it by hand, it’s a lot easier with an electric mixer. 19. Sausage Stuffing Bites Do you love eating stuffing? If so, these stuffing bites are a real treat. Family Fresh Meals will walk you through how to make a cranberry dipping sauce that you’ll dunk your stuffing into. You’ll need hot and mild Italian sausage, homemade stuffing, cheddar cheese, cranberries and a few other ingredients. 20. Brie, Apple, and Honey Crostini You’ll need a baguette that you’ll cut into ½-inch slices, add apple butter, Brie, apples, lemon juice and candied pecans to the crostini. Top with a drizzle of honey and eat away. These crostini are absolutely addicting. Related: 27+ Friendsgiving Food Ideas That Are Not Turkey 21. Cranberry Brie Bits Need to make something in a pinch? Cranberry brie bites take all but 15 minutes to make and are made with just four ingredients: puff pastry sheets, cranberry sauce, brie cheese and pistachios. 22. Apple Butter and Melted Brie Tart Savory, sweet and easy to pick up, these melted brie tarts are going to be a major hit among your friends. You’ll add the flavor of cinnamon apple butter, crisp apples, bacon, thyme and melted brie cheese for a pick-up and eat appetizer. 23. Smoky Chipotle Pumpkin Hummus Facebook Pinterest Pumpkin Hummus I would have never thought that hummus would make it onto this list of Friendsgiving appetizer ideas, but it did. Healthy and perfect with nacho chips or similar, this hummus is made with chickpeas, chipotle chiles, pumpkin puree, cumin, roasted pumpkin seeds and other fall-inspired ingredients. Here is a quick recipe. 24. Baked Brie and Prosciutto Rolls Facebook Pinterest Baked Filo Rolls Stuffed with Brie and Prosciutto Crispy and delish, you’ll lay out the frozen phyllo dough, place a piece of thin prosciutto and Brie on top and roll them up. You’ll then bake them and serve when they’re golden brown and have just the right texture. This recipe does call for you to prep the dough, but it’s so easy. Here is a great recipe. 25. Veggie Quiche Bites Quiche is always one of the first appetizers to be gobbled up. You’ll use gluten-free flour mix to make the crust and fill it with almond milk, spinach or kale, basil, mushrooms, tomatoes, onion, garlic and almond cheese. If you have a mini muffin pan, it will make cooking up these bites much easier. 26. Mini Chorizo Chili Bread Bowls Bread chorizo bowls? How delightful! You’ll make these mini bowls out of yeast rolls and hollow out the core of each roll before filling with chili. But you need to make your chili very thick, or your bread bowls will turn into a soggy mess. And if you reach this point, you’ll top it with some sour cream (if you like), cheese, green onions and even a small slice of jalapeno. 27. Fall Bruschetta Bruschetta is another fan favorite among anyone – young and old – during Friendsgiving. You can prep the bruschetta in just five minutes and finish them within thirty minutes. On top of the bread, you’ll spread ricotta cheese, butternut squash, diced apples, cinnamon and nutmeg, allspice, a handful of other spices and a good balsamic vinegar. But before you do that, you’ll need to bake the butternut squash for 15 minutes and toast the bread.
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25+ Best Friendsgiving Food Ideas to Bring to the Potluck
Do you have plans for Friendsgiving this year, but you don’t know what to bring? I’ve got you covered. I’m going to share 25+ of my favorite potluck Friendsgiving food ideas that everyone will love. 25+ Best Friendsgiving Food Ideas to Bring to the Potluck 1. Baked Brie Cranberry in Bread Bowl Want to impress everyone at Friendsgiving? Make this recipe! It only needs three ingredients, and it is oh-so decadent. All you need is a bread boule, brie and cranberry sauce. The pull-apart design makes it easy for everyone to enjoy without making a mess. 2. Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls These goat cheese balls are delicious, and they’re the perfect finger food for a Friendsgiving potluck. You’ll need three types of cheese (cream, cheddar and goat), chives, pecans and some dried cranberries. Use a pretzel stick to make these cheese balls easier to grab and eat. 3. Spinach Dip in a Bread Bowl This creamy spinach dip is perfect for Friendsgiving, and it’s so easy to make. I like to serve this with raw vegetables, but you can try pita chips, tortilla chips or even pieces of leftover bread from making the “bowl.” 4. Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots Looking for classic potluck Friendsgiving food ideas? You can never go wrong with a side dish like carrots. This recipe pairs well with any main course, and everyone will love the honey garlic flavor. I recommend using a high-quality honey – it really makes a difference. 5. Pumpkin Baked Ziti with Sausage and Spinach Comfort food at its finest. This recipe has fall flavors all tied up in a pasta dish everyone will love. You’ll make this the same way you make any other baked ziti, but instead of tomato sauce, you’ll use pureed pumpkin instead. Everyone will love the unique flavor pairings of this ziti. 6. Pumpkin Pie Cinnamon Rolls Casserole It’s cinnamon rolls – baked as a casserole. Need I say more? This recipe sounds complicated, but it’s so simple. Add a bottom layer of cinnamon rolls, then pumpkin pie filling, and then top with a delicious crumb topping. Be sure to grab a slice before it all disappears. Related: 27+ Friendsgiving Food Ideas That Are Not Turkey 7. Baked Chickpeas and Butternut Squash If you’re looking for healthier potluck Friendsgiving food ideas, you’ll love this dish. Savory chickpeas and butternut squash are cooked in a creamy sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese. It’s a super simple dish that’s so comforting and pairs well with just about everything. 8. Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms Delicious mushrooms stuffed with cheesy Italian sausage. These bite-sized delights make great appetizers and side dishes, so they’re perfect for potlucks. But don’t expect them to last long. 9. Pull-Apart Stuffing Ring I love it when cooks get creative. This pull-apart stuffing ring is perfect for Friendsgiving. It combines two of your favorite holiday dishes: stuffing and rolls. You can have this dish ready to go in three simple steps. 10. Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole Here’s a crazy simple side dish that will be a great addition to your Friendsgiving table. It’s rich and decadent, but who cares – it’s the holidays, right? Creamed corn and sweet corn combine with corn muffin mix, butter, sour cream and cheddar cream to make an unforgettable casserole. You’ll want to bring the whole casserole dish to the potluck, and don’t forget to take a serving spoon. Related: 25+ Delicious Make Ahead Casseroles for Brunch and Dinner 11. Sweet Potato Crostini with Goat Cheese and Candied Pecans These bite-sized “crostini” won’t last long at your table. Sliced sweet potatoes topped with candied pecans, goat cheese, honey and fresh thyme. Yum! And you’ll love that this dish is so simple to make. 12. Gouda, Bacon and Portabella Green Bean Casserole You can’t have Friendsgiving without a green bean casserole. I love this take on this recipe, which adds tasty gouda cheese, bacon and portabella mushrooms into the mix. You only need a handful of ingredients for this one, so you can even make this last minute if you’re pressed for time. 13. Dried Cranberry Sharp Cheddar Cheese Balls Potluck Friendsgiving food ideas don’t have to be complicated. Cheese balls are always a great choice, and this recipe adds bacon, pecans and cranberries into the mix. And if you’re not a fan of cheddar cheese, you can always use goat, feta or whatever other cheese you love. 14. Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Pinwheels Most of your friends will probably bring hot dishes to your potluck. Break the mold and bring something a little different – cranberry cream cheese pinwheels. These couldn’t be easier to make. Top tortillas with a thin layer of maple syrup and a cranberry/cream cheese/ pecan mix that is delicious. 15. Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole Who doesn’t love loaded mashed potatoes? Why not turn it into a giant casserole and bring it to your Friendsgiving potluck? This recipe is super simple. You’ll make homemade mashed potatoes and top with Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, cooked bacon and green onions. Bake until everything is melty and gooey. 16. Green Bean Casserole Cups These green bean casserole cups are perfect for potlucks because everyone can just grab one and go without any fuss. Frozen fillo shells make this recipe quick and easy. The filling is super simple and delicious, and it takes just a few minutes to bake these. Related: 25+ Fancy Friendsgiving Finger Food Ideas on a Budget 17. Baked Apple Pie Dip Skip the traditional apple pie and transform it into a dip. The pecan-graham streusel is amazing, and you’ll love the simple dip that takes just cream cheese, apple pie spice, fresh apples and brown sugar. Serve with graham crackers or fresh apple slices. 18. Stuffed Pepper Casserole Looking for non-traditional potluck Friendsgiving food ideas? Try this stuffed pepper casserole. It’s still comfort food, but it will pair well with any other dish served at the potluck. It calls for canned beans, corn, tomatoes, chiles, enchilada sauce, taco seasoning, rice and lots of cheese. You’ll top sliced bell peppers with the casserole filling, bake and enjoy. This is one dish that everyone will love, even the pickiest of eaters. 19. Broccoli Apple Salad with Poppyseed Dressing What a unique salad, right? You’ll fill this delightful salad with ingredients that I would never think to pair, such as sweet apples, broccoli, pecans, cranberries and onions. But the taste is even better once you add the homemade poppyseed dressing. The dressing is made with Greek yogurt – not mayo – so it’s quite a bit healthier than store-bought options. No cooking is required, so you will only need to worry about prep and serve, which will take you all of 15 minutes. 20. Cranberry, Brie and Prosciutto Crostini Crostini looks fancy, and they are so easy to make. You only need to cut up a French baguette into small pieces and add a touch of olive oil, prosciutto, Brie cheese, cranberry sauce, walnuts, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar. The longest part? Toasting the crostini before you add everything. 21. Spiced Fruit Bake Dessert Even if you’re not the best baker, you deserve to have a sweet treat for everyone to enjoy. You only need to add the fruits, bake them, and top them with maple syrup. You’ll add apples, pears, pecans, grapes, cranberries and anything else you wish. Related: Best Friendsgiving Ideas to Throw a Party This Year 22. Sweet Potato Bites Sweet potatoes are a healthy option, and when you make bites out of them filled with a delightful feta mix, it’s even better. For a simple, delicious idea, this is one of the best-tasting. Serve on a large white platter, and these bites will steal the show at your Friendsgiving this year. 23. Cranberry Orange Bread Want a nice dessert for the holiday? Try this cranberry orange bread. It takes about two hours to make, and you’ll need quite a few ingredients that you’re unlikely to have hidden in your pantry, such as orange zest and orange juice. You will also need a loaf pan if you don’t have one already. 24. Turkey Cranberry Sliders Sliders are a great option for Friendsgiving because who doesn’t love a slider? You can make these mouthwatering sliders by first preheating your oven, covering your baking pan with foil and then cooking up your rolls. You’ll fill the rolls with diced turkey, cranberry sauce, cheese, butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion, Parmesan cheese and parsley. 25. Turkey and Stuffing Roll-Ups Stuffing roll-ups are something that I wish I had thought of myself. You only need to slice your turkey into eight good quality slices, fill the center with stuffing (or mix), and add cream of chicken soup if you wish. Top with some turkey gravy, and you’re done. 26. Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, and Cranberries Tasty, good for you and filled with an array of colors, this side dish has roasted: Brussels sprouts Butternut squash Pumpkin seeds Cranberries It only takes 20 minutes to prep and the same amount to cook. Top with maple syrup if you want to sweeten it up a bit.
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27+ Friendsgiving Food Ideas That Are Not Turkey
Friendsgiving is all about spending time with your best friends. But whether you celebrate it before or after the actual day of Thanksgiving, one thing is for sure – you’ve had enough turkey. The great news is that there are so many great recipes that don’t involve this holiday staple. In fact, I have 27+ awesome Friendsgiving food ideas not turkey to try this year. 27+ Friendsgiving Food Ideas That Are Not Turkey 1. Butternut Squash Lasagna Roll-Ups Who doesn’t love lasagna? These roll-ups put a festive twist on the classic recipe. The filling adds butternut squash to the ricotta cheese. Fresh sage and a bechamel sauce make this dish perfect for Friendsgiving. 2. Crostini Bar Here’s a fun idea for Friendsgiving: set up a crostini bar. Crostini are the perfect appetizer, and you can top them with just about anything. For Friendsgiving, you can offer whipped feta, pumpkin butter, whipped goat cheese, dried cranberries, candied pecans, honey, sliced fruit and more. 3. Pumpkin Risotto Risotto is a great alternative to turkey. It’s filling, it’s delicious, and it’s satisfying. This recipe uses pumpkin, which makes it even more fitting for Friendsgiving. The best part? You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry already. 4. Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing Looking for unique Friendsgiving food ideas not turkey? You’ll love this cornbread stuffing, which uses chorizo instead of the usual sausage. Chorizo is so flavorful and a little spicy, so you can add something unexpected to your table. The ingredients for this recipe are super simple and also include some spicy jalapeno cornbread (yum!). 5. Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi Gnocchi is the ultimate comfort food, and this recipe adds fall flavors everyone will love: butternut squash, thyme, sage and sausage. The butternut squash sauce is creamy, flavorful and the perfect pair with fresh potato gnocchi. 6. Pumpkin Ricotta Flatbread Instead of the usual Thanksgiving-style fare, why not make something completely different for Friendsgiving this year? This pumpkin ricotta flatbread is still seasonal, but it’s also a fun food that everyone will love. You can make your own pizza dough, or buy refrigerated dough to save time. Instead of tomato sauce, you’ll use pumpkin puree and ricotta cheese. Related: 23 Surprisingly Easy Gluten-Free Flatbread Recipes That Will Make You Forget Pizza 7. Macaroni and Cheese Dinner Board One of my favorite Friendsgiving food ideas not turkey is a macaroni and cheese board. Macaroni and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser, and it’s the perfect comfort food for fall. But instead of just serving it plain, why not serve it with a board full of toppings they can add? You can include crostini, bacon, deli meat, apples, grapes, crackers, jalapeno pepper – anything that would pair well with macaroni and cheese. 8. Cinnamon Fried Apples Apples are synonymous with fall and the Thanksgiving holiday. These fried apples are the perfect addition to your Friendsgiving table, and they’re crazy easy to make. Just bake sliced apples with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and a splash of lemon. I love using a festive baking dish, so I can take it with me without having to dirty more pans. 9. Pumpkin Pie Tacos Forget the usual pumpkin pie – serve pumpkin pie tacos for dessert at your Friendsgiving. Stuff cinnamon and sugar-coated tortillas with pumpkin pie filling and top with a simple whipped cream topping. It’s a dessert that’s so simple yet so delicious and fun to eat. I recommend adding fresh cinnamon, nutmeg and chopped pecans on top of the whipped topping. 10. Thanksgiving Wild Rice This wild rice is the perfect side dish for your main course. It’s loaded with fall flavor – leeks, bell peppers, carrots, cranberries, thyme, sage and other delicious herbs. Not only is this rice delicious and satisfying but it’s also on the healthy side. Your guests can eat it guilt-free. 11. Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Grapes with Bacon Another perfect side dish for your Friendsgiving meal. Brussel sprouts are roasted to perfection with sweet red grapes, thyme, garlic and bacon. Top with balsamic vinegar and toss with walnuts and goat cheese for a delicious dish everyone will be talking about. 12. Savory Apple Sausage Balls These sausage balls are slightly sweet and savory. They’re the perfect addition to your Friendsgiving table, and they couldn’t be easier to make. You need just four ingredients: baking mix, breakfast sausage, apples and cheddar cheese. Serve with dipping sauce for a tasty appetizer or side dish. Related: Top 25+ Thanksgiving Finger Food Ideas We’re Crushing On 13. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage, Dried Cranberries, Spinach and Pecans Stuffed acorn squash is a great alternative to turkey, and it’s such a fun dish because you can customize it any way you want. Just stuff acorn squash with sausage, cranberries, pecans, spinach and whatever other ingredients you want. Each guest can eat one-half of a squash. 14. Pumpkin Bacon Lasagna Rolls Lasagna rolls are one of my favorite Friendsgiving food ideas not turkey because they are easy to make, delicious and loved by everyone. For this recipe, you’ll fill your lasagna rolls with a creamy pumpkin sauce. Gooey mozzarella and bacon make this dish so satisfying. 15. Roasted Fall Vegetables I love this dish because you can serve it with anything you want. It’s the ultimate side dish for Friendsgiving. You’ll roast all of your favorite fall vegetables: Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, shallots and cranberries. Walnuts, cinnamon, maple syrup and goat cheese add so much flavor to this simple dish. 16. Roasted Mushrooms in a Browned Butter, Garlic and Thyme Sauce Simple yet filled with nutrients and perfect for anyone who loves the taste of mushrooms. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, this isn’t the recipe for you. You’ll roast up your favorite type of mushrooms (cremini works well) with oil, butter, garlic, thyme, a touch of lemon juice and spices. 17. Potato & Onion Galette with Goat Cheese I didn’t know what a “galette” was prior to seeing this recipe, but it’s now one of my favorites. Rustic and a bit messy, a galette – like this one – is simply a dough recipe with a filling. For the filling, you’ll add yellow onion, goat cheese, russet potato, Parm cheese, fresh rosemary, eggs and everything bagel seasoning. 18. Apple Cranberry Sausage Stuffing Stuffing is a meal of its own sometimes, and it’s always so good. You’ll need a large sauté pan for this recipe, which will require you to heat the onions and celery until they’re hot before adding sausage, spices, herbs, diced apples, cranberries and other fall-inspired ingredients. 19. Parmesan-Butternut Squash Gratin Betty Crocker has such a great recipe for Friendsgiving that I just had to include it. You’ll make a butternut squash gratin with parm cheese that takes a total of just one hour and fifteen minutes to make. Crunchy and filled with butternut squash, parm cheese, garlic, breadcrumbs and other goodies, your friends will be sure to appreciate this dish. 20. Cheesy Pumpkin and Gouda Stuffed Shells Friendsgiving food ideas not turkey related? How about this variation of stuffed shells with cheesy pumpkin and gouda? Another great option is to substitute the Gouda cheese with ricotta—or even add spicy sausage! You’ll start by gently cooking the shells so that they’re still slightly uncooked before stuffing. The sauce has shredded cheese, nutmeg, gouda cheese, pumpkin puree and other ingredients mixed in. 21. Best Loaded Thanksgiving Pizza Pizza on Friendsgiving? You’ve never tried a pizza like this. It’s loaded with savory and sweet ingredients. A garlic parmesan sauce, a homemade crust and things like roasted broccoli, kale, cranberries and other ingredients come together to make this a great addition to any Friendsgiving meal. 22. Harvest Pasta If you have a garden and are growing root veggies, this is a great way to get rid of them. You’ll have orecchiette pasta with greens, sweet potatoes and a pinch of Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. It’s a fast, easy dish to make, and even the pickiest eaters are sure to like it. 23. Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Enchiladas Creamy and delish? Sign me up. These chicken enchiladas are instantly made Friendsgiving-friendly with the addition of pumpkin puree, cinnamon and cumin. Add in a splash of Mexican-style cheese and green chilies, and it’s a spicy, savory dish that your guests are sure to love. 24. Pork and Apple Sausage Rolls with Honey Mustard A sort of flaky appetizer, this is the perfect starter for Friendsgiving and includes delightful sausage rolls filled with apple and pork and served with a mouthwatering honey mustard sauce that is sweet and tangy. Related: 25+ Easy Friendsgiving Recipes to WOW Your Guests 25. Stuffed Mini Pumpkins Pull out your cast iron skillet and get ready to make these delightful mini, stuffed pumpkins. You’ll stuff the pumpkin with pumpkin puree, ground beef, onion, olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs and pumpkin spice. And if you cook the mini pumpkins properly, they’re perfectly edible and delicious. 26. Autumn Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash Croutons Fifteen minutes of prep and just 25 minutes of cooking time are all that you need for this flavorful dish that serves 2 – 4 people and includes: Kale Shallot Lemon Squash croutons (you’ll make these) Pine nuts Parmesan cheese Cesar dressing 27. Pumpkin Baked Ziti with Sage Sausage Ziti with sage sausage, pumpkin puree and Parmesan cheese is truly delightful. You’ll love the flavor of the garlic, onion, sage leaves, nutmeg, cinnamon and vegetable stock that mixes perfectly well with the rigatoni noodles. It turns a traditional ziti into one that tastes like autumn.
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Top 25+ Thanksgiving Finger Food Ideas We’re Crushing On
Thanksgiving is all about the food, but it’s not just the turkey or the side dishes we love – it’s the appetizers. If you’re hosting dinner this year or plan to bring a dish of your own, these Thanksgiving finger food ideas will satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Top 25+ Thanksgiving Finger Food Ideas We’re Crushing On 1. Smoked Salmon Crostini How fancy is this finger food idea? If you want to serve something other than the usual Thanksgiving suspects, these crostini are perfect and refreshingly light. You’ll need smoked salmon, cream cheese, dill, lemon juice, spices, green onions, capers, arugula, cucumber and – of course – a delicious baguette. 2. Honey Balsamic Bacon Goat Cheese & Pistachio Bites Phyllo cups are the perfect finger food. They’re light and flaky, and you can fill them with just about anything you want. This recipe has a sweet and savory filling of bacon, goat cheese and pistachio with a balsamic glaze and fresh basil. Best of all? These little bites are ready in about 10 minutes. 3. Nutella & Puff Pastry – Turkey Shape This Nutella & puff pastry turkey is the perfect combo of festive and delicious! Flaky pastry filled with gooey Nutella, shaped into a cute turkey—what’s not to love? It’s easy to make, looks amazing on the table, and is sure to impress your Thanksgiving guests. 4. Caesar Salad Wonton Cups Salad as a finger food? Yes! These wonton cups are filled with just a bite or two of Caesar salad. The salad is super simple – lettuce, chicken, bacon, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese and fresh herbs. The recipe even shows you how to make your own tangy homemade dressing. You’ll need a muffin tin to shape and bake your wonton cups. With a light and crispy shell, your guests will gobble these up. 5. Mushroom Vol-Au-Vents These mushroom vol-au-vents sound and look fancy, but they’re really simple. It all starts with a puff pastry base that’s topped with a garlicky mushroom sauce. You’ll need just a few ingredients for the sauce – flour, milk, mushrooms, fresh parsley, salt and pepper. In total, these little bite-sized treats will be ready in less than an hour. 6. Cranberry Pecan Cheeseball This cranberry pecan cheeseball is a total showstopper for Thanksgiving! Creamy, tangy, and rolled in crunchy pecans and sweet cranberries, it’s the perfect balance of flavors. Serve it with crackers or veggies, and watch it disappear in minutes! 7. Pomegranate and Pear Crostini Appetizers We love easy Thanksgiving finger food ideas that still have all the best fall flavors. These crostini definitely fit the bill. They’re super simple to make, but everyone is sure to love them. Great food doesn’t have to be complicated! For this recipe, you’ll need a baguette, pears, pomegranate arils, maple syrup, cinnamon cream cheese, butter, cinnamon and balsamic vinegar. 8. French Onion Tartlets These French onion tartlets are the perfect bite-sized appetizer for Thanksgiving. If you can get your hands on mini phyllo shells, they’ll be even easier to make. Otherwise, you can use regular phyllo dough and a muffin tin to make your tartlets. To make the filling, you’ll need yellow onions, fresh thyme, butter, white wine, cream cheese, parsley and a few other pantry staples. They cook up in 15 minutes, so you won’t be spending hours in the kitchen. 9. Edible Flower Bruschetta This edible flower bruschetta is as gorgeous as it is tasty! Topped with heirloom tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic glaze, and colorful edible flowers, it’s the perfect blend of fresh flavors. A stunning appetizer that’s sure to wow your guests! 10. Cranberry and Brie Phyllo Crackers These little firecrackers are fitting for the holiday season, and they’re stuffed with a creamy cranberry and Brie filling. The presentation makes this finger food look like it took hours to make, but the ingredients are super simple. Along with phyllo dough, you’ll need Brie, cranberry sauce, black sesame seeds and almond flakes. The trickiest part is shaping each one into a cracker shape. 11. Blue Cheese, Fig and Caramelized Onion Palmiers These Palmiers are dangerously delicious, but you only need four ingredients to make them: puff pastry, caramelized onions, fig preserves and blue cheese. Using pre-made puff pastry will save you so much time. Just roll out the dough (you’ll need a good rolling pin), add the preserves, onions and cheese, and bake. These Palmiers are ready in just 15-20 minutes. 12. Sweet Cream Cheese Wontons Stuffed wontons are irresistible, and these ones are so tasty. You can keep it simple and stick to plain cream cheese, or you can add other ingredients to your filling: Nutella Orange marmalade Garlic, onion and cheddar cheese Along with cream cheese, you’ll need wonton wrappers, egg and some powdered sugar (you can skip this one if you’re making a savory version). Related: 10 Surprising Nutella Recipes That Will Blow Your Mind 13. Show-Stopping Purple-Themed Cheeseboard This stunning purple-themed cheeseboard is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds! Featuring creamy Chevoo goat cheese, marinated to perfection, it’s paired with vibrant fruits and spreads for an unforgettable flavor experience. Perfect for wowing your guests at any gathering! 14. Cheesy Garlic Cruffin A cruffin is a hybrid of a muffin and a croissant. This recipe puts a savory twist on classic recipes and uses sheets of crescent roll dough (no perforations). In between each layer is a rich cheddar cheese, chive and butter sauce. These cruffins are super simple to make, ready in 25 minutes and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. 15. Little Smokies Wrapped in Bacon and Brown Sugar One of our favorite Thanksgiving finger food ideas is pigs in a blanket, and this recipe trades the flaky wrapping for bacon and brown sugar. You’ll need a pack of little smoked sausages (or cocktail sausages) along with a pound of bacon and a cup of brown sugar. Just wrap each sausage in a slice of bacon, sprinkle with brown sugar and bake for 40-50 minutes. 16. Spinach Balls Simple Joy shares their award-winning spinach balls, and they’re a great appetizer that has chopped spinach (so it’s good for you), Parmesan cheese, thyme, butter, breadcrumbs and a few other ingredients. But the one odd item you’ll need to make these is a cookie scoop. Related: Planning a Friendsgiving Party? Here Are 10+ Creative Ideas to Spice Up Your Gathering 17. Baked Crab Bites If you’re a fan of crab meat, you’ll love these light bites. You’ll need crispy phyllo cups and just 30 minutes to make these bites. Add your crab meat with spices, mayo, lime juice, cream cheese, gruyere cheese and red bell peppers into a bowl and mix. You’ll then fill your cups, place them on a baking sheet and wait 15 minutes while they bake to an amazing golden color. 18. Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms These vegetarian stuffed mushrooms are a holiday must-have! Packed with cheesy, flavorful goodness, they’re the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer. Perfect for serving at any festive gathering! 19. Potato Poppers Potato poppers are simply small, baked potatoes garnished with cheddar and brick cheese. You’ll want to add parsley, clove, salt and pepper. And if you like sour cream, you can add it for flavor. 20. Prosciutto-Wrapped Caprese Salad Thanksgiving finger food ideas are often not as easy to put together as these salad bites. You’ll find that with just four ingredients and a few minutes, you’ll be ready to devour this appetizer. Ingredients that you’ll need are buffalo mozzarella, grape tomatoes, fresh basil and prosciutto (which will be your wrap). And don’t forget that you’ll need toothpicks to hold everything together. 21. Cream Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms Tasting with Tina brings you delectable finger food, but you need to love mushrooms because you’ll be filling mushroom caps with cream cheese, parmesan, sage and rosemary. And in 20 minutes, you’ll be popping these mushroom bites in your mouth. 22. Peach and Honey Ricotta Crostini Super simple yet delicious is a great way to describe this appetizer. You’ll need some crostini, ricotta, peach and honey. You can skip the prosciutto if you’re not a meat eater or swap it for another ingredient. Related: 15 Insanely Fun and Healthy Edible Thanksgiving Centerpieces 23. Mini Croque Monsieur Add a taste of France to your dinner table with these delicious puff pastries, filled with ham, mustard, gruyere cheese and just a handful of ingredients. Butter & Baggage does an amazing job explaining where you can get the perfect puff pastries (if you’re in the U.S.). 24. Mini Potato Korokke In just a few minutes, you’ll be able to cook up these korokke and have more than enough to feed your guests. You’ll be making small potato balls with panko breadcrumbs, spices and a touch of micro herbs on top. But the one ingredient that you may struggle to find is the Japanese mayonnaise. You can find some sellers on Amazon that will ship this creamy mayo to you, such as Kewpie. 25. Mini Pecan Pie Cheesecakes Dive into these Mini Pecan Pie Cheesecakes combining rich cheesecake and nutty pecan toppings on a spicy graham cracker base. A perfect bite-sized delight for your holiday spread. 26. Jalapeño Avocado Cream Cheese Wontons Wontons were always a delight when growing up, but I never imagined how easy they were to make. And with some jalapeno, and this recipe certainly has a kick of spice that your guests won’t expect. You’ll need an avocado, jalapeno, cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, cilantro and wonton wrappers. If you want to make your own wonton wrappers, you can, but this recipe calls for premade ones to make it a little easier. 27. Porcini Truffle Arancini Balls Here’s one of the most interesting Thanksgiving finger food ideas on this list: truffle arancini balls. You’ll need to be a fan of mushrooms if you’re trying this recipe because it will require porcini mushrooms, which are really the core of this idea. You’ll also need to have: Eggs Chicken stock Marinara sauce Arborio rice Flour Spices Breadcrumbs Butter Mozzarella 28. Cheesy Crispy Baked Potato Bites Baked potato bites will fill your entire kitchen with a wonderful aroma. And if you know how to make a baked potato, it’s really as easy as: Scooping out some of the potato Adding cheese, herbs and, if you like, a bit of bacon Baking the potatoes until the cheese is nice and melted 29. French Cheese Puffs If you’ve never had homemade French cheese puffs before, you’ll be happy to hear that they’re so easy to make. You’ll love the abundance of mozzarella and parmesan cheese flavors mixed with the lightness of the puffs. And you’ll be making the puff yourself with eggs, flour, butter and a few spices. The puff pastry that you’re making is truly delicious and only needs to cook for 30 – 35 minutes until they’re golden brown. 30. Bruschetta Bar With Your Favorite Toppings A bruschetta bar is the ultimate crowd-pleaser! Load it up with your favorite toppings—fresh tomatoes, cheeses, spreads, and more—and let everyone create their own perfect bite. It’s simple, delicious, and guaranteed to impress! 31. Meatball Parm Skewers Meatball parm skewers are just like their larger counterparts (if you’ve ever had a meatball parm before), but they’re bite-sized. You’ll love this easy recipe. It teaches you how to make a basic marinara sauce, but you can spruce it up with more spices if you like. If you like meatballs and mozzarella cheese, you’re going to love this appetizer. 32. Artichoke Dip Bites Creamy. Cheesy. Wrapped in a puff pastry. What’s more to like? You’ll love this sinful finger food because it’s filled with flavor and you can make a dozen – or more – at a time. You’ll need a muffin baking pan and quite a few ingredients: Artichoke hearts Cream cheese Mayonnaise Sour cream Mozzarella Parmesan cheese Green chilis Bacon (optional) Parsley Other herbs In less than an hour, you’ll be serving these delightful appetizers.
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21+ Mouthwatering Friendsgiving Desserts We Can’t Resist
You can’t have a Friendsgiving party without dessert, but what should you serve? There are so many options. We have 21+ mouthwatering Friendsgiving desserts to inspire you and help you find the perfect treats to serve your friends this season. 21+ Mouthwatering Friendsgiving Desserts We Can’t Resist 1. Caramel Pear Pie We all love a good apple pie, but why not make something different for Friendsgiving? This pie has a rich caramel sauce, fresh pears, ginger, cinnamon and a flaky lattice crust. You can follow the recipe to make your own crust, or you can just buy a pie crust from the store (no one will know the difference). 2. White Chocolate Cranberry Tart How beautiful is this dessert? But it’s also delicious. Cranberries and white chocolate are the perfect pair. And while it looks like a complicated dessert, each step is simple. You only need a handful of ingredients, including cranberries, white chocolate, rosemary sprigs, graham crackers and the usual baking supplies. 3. Pumpkin Brownies These pumpkin brownies are perfect for Friendsgiving, and they’re so easy to make. You can follow the recipe to make your own brownie mix, or buy your favorite box of brownie mix from the store. You’ll also need cream cheese, canned pumpkin, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, chocolate chips, egg and sugar. The whole thing comes together in a little under an hour from start to finish. 4. Easy Mini Pumpkin Pies This recipe puts a spin on one of our favorite Friendsgiving desserts: mini pumpkin pies. These bite-sized treats are perfect for your party because they’re so easy to serve. And as the name says – these pies are super easy to make. You’ll need pie dough, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and the usual baking supplies. Don’t forget to top each pie with a little whipped cream. 5. Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars Don’t have time to make an apple pie? These apple pie bars are a great alternative, and they’re so easy to make. These delicious bars have a layer of shortbread crust, apple filling and streusel. The best part? It’s easy to feed a crowd with this dessert. 6. Mini Pecan Pies These mini pecan pies fit in the palm of your hand and are the perfect dessert to serve at Friendsgiving. But they’re also so easy to make. This recipe uses premade pie dough to save time, and the filling takes just a few simple ingredients: corn syrup, brown sugar, butter, egg, vanilla and pecans. 7. Salted Honey Pie Here’s a dessert that’s a little different: a salted honey pie. It needs just a few ingredients and will impress your guests. You can use a store-bought pie crust or make your own. Of course, you’ll also need honey. Use local honey if you can, but if you can’t, look for raw honey in the store. Related: Planning a Friendsgiving Party? Here Are 10+ Creative Ideas to Spice Up Your Gathering 8. Maple Apple Blondies These maple apple blondies are so easy to make and so tasty. You’ll need fresh apples, high-quality maple syrup (not pancake syrup!) and the usual baking supplies. It’s easy to double or even triple this recipe if you’re having a big gathering. Everyone will love the gooey maple icing on these blondies. 9. Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars These cheesecake bars are divine, and they have the fall flavors that you love. If you’re intimidated by the idea of making cheesecake, this recipe is a great way to give it a try because it’s super simple. We recommend using Granny Smith apples for this recipe. 10. Praline Pumpkin Pie We love Friendsgiving desserts like this one because they combine our favorite desserts. This praline pumpkin pie has everything you love about pumpkin pie and praline pecan pie. The topping is super simple to make, too. All you need are pecans, butter and sugar. Make sure that you’re using pumpkin puree and not canned pumpkin pie filling for this recipe. 11. Apple Crisp Mini Cheesecake These mini cheesecakes are adorable and the perfect finger dessert food. The recipe is a little complex, but it’s worth the effort. Plus, there are step-by-step instructions, so you can’t go wrong. These little cheesecakes are baked in cupcake liners in a muffin pan, so you don’t need any fancy equipment to make this dessert. Related: 25+ Fancy Friendsgiving Finger Food Ideas on a Budget 12. Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse Most holiday desserts are pies, cakes or brownies, but if you’re looking for something different, this dessert idea is perfect. This pumpkin cheesecake mousse is light, airy and has the best fall flavors. You can serve them in little yogurt jars and top with whipped cream. 13. Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Hundreds of people rate this recipe a 5-star, but you will need to have almost six hours to bake your pie. But, trust me, if you want to “wow” your guests, this pie is a great option. You’ll have a buttery, flaky top and a sweet apple filling. If you love apple pie, you’ll love the sweetness and aroma of this dessert. 14. Baked Pears with Ice Cream I’m going to make this once I’m done writing this article because it looks absolutely delightful. If you’re a fan of pears, you’ll love that this recipe incorporates pears, oats and a walnut crumble. When you pull them out of the oven, you’ll top them with vanilla ice cream (or any flavor you like) and your taste buds will thank you. Of course, if you’re not a big fan of ice cream, you can skip this addition and just enjoy the pears, brown sugar and cinnamon on top. 15. Air Fryer Apples Sweet, healthy and gluten-free. These air fryer apples are a warm treat that takes just 15 minutes to make, so you won’t be slaving over the stove for hours on this one. And, they’re sugar-free, which is something I bet you didn’t expect on this list. All you need are apples, cinnamon, coconut oil and maple syrup to make them. 16. Mini Hummingbird Loaves Just take a moment to really appreciate these Friendsgiving desserts. Don’t they look amazing? You’ll appreciate the cream cheese icing, caramel sauce and tastes of walnuts. And for presentation purposes, you’re even adding edible flowers that really complete the look. You will need a few loaf tins for this recipe. 17. Cannoli Bites Cannoli are one of my faves, and while they’re traditionally difficult to make, these bites are worth every second. You’ll learn a lot through this recipe, such as how to make cannoli cups, and cannoli filling. You will need a ton of ingredients for this one: White wine vinegar Butter Salt Apple or grape juice Powdered sugar Ricotta cheese Mascarpone cheese Quite a few others 18. Lemon, Thyme, and Rosemary Cupcakes Do you know what sunshine tastes like? These cupcakes. You’ll love the fresh herbs, lemon mascarpone frosting and lemon curd. You will need quite a few tools that you may not have in your home already: Whisk Hand mixer And in 20 minutes, these cupcakes will be flying off the platter. Related: 25+ Easy Friendsgiving Recipes to WOW Your Guests 19. Mixed Berry Tart A mixed berry tart is a fan favorite at friendsgiving, and while it’s heavy with a pastry cream and graham cracker crust, it is also deliciously sweet with fruit on top. The tart has blackberries, strawberries, blueberries and other sweet fruits on top. You’ll need a 10-inch pan, but your guests are sure to love the classic cheesecake taste. 20. Mini Gingerbread Hazelnut Crunch Trifles Gingerbread hazelnut crunch truffles are a sweet treat filled with flavor. You’ll need tall glasses (like these), and then you’ll make the: Gingerbread cake Cinnamon ginger buttercream Hazelnut crunch topping You will need a brownie pan, and in 30 – 45 minutes, you’ll have a delightful treat ready to eat. 21. Honeyed Pears in Puff Pastry One of the “healthier” friendsgiving desserts on our list is this delightful, honeyed pear puff pastry. The pastry is a truly delightful treat that doesn’t need many ingredients because the honeyed pear is delicious on its own. This treat requires you to: Peel and boil the pear Wrap the pear in a puff pastry Add a few ingredients Bake It’s one of those recipes that will make your mouth water, and it’s filled with flavor. 22. White Chocolate Cheesecake Tartlets w/Blood Orange Orange goes so well with desserts, doesn’t it? You’ll find this recipe by Kate Wood makes use of delicious blood oranges and has delectable ingredients, such as: Cinnamon White chocolate Vanilla Walnuts Cream cheese Heavy whipping cream You’ll need a baking sheet and some tart cups for the delightful tarts you’ll be baking. 23. Nutella and White Tea Sugar Cookies with Hibiscus Glaze Nutella is mouthwatering on its own, but when you make sugar cookies out of them, you have a sinful treat that is chewy and delicious. And when following this recipe, you’ll be happy to know that the cookies are made from scratch. So, you’ll do a lot of baking and need some interesting ingredients, such as white tea leaves!
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Planning a Friendsgiving Party? Here Are 10+ Creative Ideas to Spice Up Your Gathering
Are you hosting a Friendsgiving party this year? There’s less pressure for everything to be perfect when you’re just hanging out with your friends, but you still want to make the day special. Most importantly – you want everyone to eat well and have fun. If you’re not sure where to start with planning your gathering, these Friendsgiving party ideas will inspire you. 10+ Friendsgiving Party Ideas to Celebrate This Year 1. Send Awesome Invitations Invitations make your Friendsgiving official. Whether you’re planning a small gathering or a big Friendsgiving party, one fun place to start is with your invites. There are so many awesome invitations out there. You can find funny and adorable invitations on Etsy or even on Amazon. You can find free invites, too, like the one in the Pin above. You can send your invites digitally or in the mail. You know your crowd, so choose the delivery method they’ll prefer. 2. Make Cute Place Cards for the Table If you want to make your dinner a little more formal, you can create cute place cards for your table. Place cards let everyone know who’s sitting where. You can set the place cards yourself and assign seats for your guests, or your guests can grab their name cards when they arrive and choose their own seats. It’s up to you. Places cards have a practical use, but they also make your table look fancy. You can use a design tool like Canva to make your own design, or you can find printable place cards online. There are plenty of free options out there, but you’ll also find sellers on Etsy and Amazon. You can also get creative and use Thanksgiving-themed items as place cards. For example, you can write each guest’s name on a mini pumpkin and use them as name cards for your table. 3. Have a Buffet Style Dinner One of our favorite Friendsgiving party ideas is to have a buffet-style dinner. Serving your food buffet-style makes the event feel a little more casual, but it also allows everyone to serve themselves at their own pace and keeps your table clean. If you have a bar or island in your kitchen, you can set up the buffet here and even decorate it with fall-themed decor: Pumpkins Artificial leaves Candles You can even add a chalkboard menu listing all the dishes at the buffet. Don’t forget to add plates, silverware, napkins and other essentials to your bar. 4. Have Everyone Write What They’re Thankful For Friendsgiving is not just about the food – it’s also about spending time with your besties. Planning a few activities will make your party memorable and fun. One simple activity you can plan is to have everyone write what they’re thankful for. You can hang a large sheet of kraft paper on the wall and have everyone write what they’re thankful for, like in the Pin below. Or you can use kraft paper as a table runner and give everyone a Sharpie to write what they’re thankful for on it. We love this party idea because everyone should stop and appreciate all of the great things in their lives. It’s an activity that embodies the spirit of Thanksgiving. Related: 15 Inspiring Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas To Make Your Guests Feel Special 5. Set a Beautiful Table We love Friendsgiving games and activities, but let’s face it – this party is mostly about sharing a meal together. It’s a dinner party. So, make your table beautiful. What makes a table beautiful? That depends on your personal style and the size of your table, but here are a few elements you should have: A nice table runner like one of these Pretty fabric napkins A centerpiece – here are a few amazing ideas Place settings for each guest (plates, silverware, glasses, etc.) Place cards Candles You can add or remove whichever elements you want. If you need a more visual guide on how to set an elegant table, check out the tutorial below. 6. Play Games Planning a few games will help keep everyone entertained while the food is finishing or after dinner. Games are a great way to get your guests laughing and making memories. You can play a board game if that’s what your friends are into. If you’re not sure what to play, here are a few Friendsgiving party ideas for games: Family Feud Here’s a fun game to play with a bigger group of friends. The game family feud asks each “family” or team to name certain things, and if their answer matches the most common answers, they earn points. To play this game, you’ll need a set of family feud cards and to break the group into two teams. You can find Thanksgiving-themed Family Feud printables on Etsy, or you can get the official Family Feud game. The team with the most points wins a prize. Fact or Fiction Here’s a fun, simple game. Print out a list of Thanksgiving-related statements and have everyone write down whether each statement is fact or fiction. The person with the most correct answers wins. Riddle Game Another fun printable Friendsgiving game is the riddle game. Create a list of riddles and a key with all of the possible answers. Everyone writes down their answers, and the one with the most correct answers wins. 7. Set Up a Photo Wall Friendsgiving is an event to remember, so make it fun and easy to capture those memories. Set up a photo wall with: Friendsgiving balloons – like this ones from Amazon Pumpkins A backdrop Props – like this set from Amazon You can get as simple or extravagant as you want. The most important thing is to make sure that everyone has fun when taking pictures together. 8. Give Party Favors Everyone loves party favors. Send your friends home with something to remember the event and enjoy. The Pin above has an adorable favor idea: little jars of mulling spices. It’s so easy to make these favors. Here’s what you’ll need: Mini jars to fill with your mulling spices A big bag of mulling spice mix – like this one from Amazon Spoons Twine Fill the jars with the mulling spice mix, and use the twine to attach a spoon to each jar. Attach a tag with instructions on how to use the mix. If mulling spices aren’t your thing, you can give: Jars of apple cider mix Jars of apple butter Bags of simmering potpourri S’more kits Find a favor that you know your friends will love. You can DIY the whole thing, or find items from the store to repackage as a favor. 9. Make it a “Bring a Board” Party Throw the whole potluck and traditional “Thanksgiving” meal idea out the window. Instead, host a “bring a board” Friendsgiving. Everyone loves a good charcuterie board, right? Take this idea to the next level by asking everyone to bring their own board to share. Here are some ideas: Fresh fruit and dipping sauces (chocolate, yogurt, etc.) Dessert with cookies, brownie bites, donuts and other sweets A variety of chips and dips Sushi board Bruschetta board with different toppings Appetizer board with tasty finger foods The idea is similar to a potluck in that everyone brings a board to share. If you don’t care about eating traditional Thanksgiving food, then a board party is a great idea. You’ll have more food than you’ll know what to do with and so many different kinds of foods to try. Related: 25+ Fancy Friendsgiving Finger Food Ideas on a Budget 10. Make a Killer Friendsgiving Playlist We’ve shared so many fun Friendsgiving party ideas, but here’s one that you absolutely can’t forget: music. Every good party needs a good playlist, so make sure that you have one for your Friendsgiving party. You can add whatever kind of music you and your friends like. Your playlist doesn’t necessarily have to be festive, but we still recommend sneaking in a few Thanksgiving or holiday songs for fun. 11. Set Up a Pie Bar for Dessert Dessert is the best part of a party, right? And pie is the obvious choice for Friendsgiving dessert. So, why not set up a pie bar? Food bars are a fun way to serve food, and you can decorate it however you want. Add a “pie bar” sign Set up a few pie stands Add signs for each pie, so your guests know what you’re serving Add some garland and other fall decor Don’t forget to provide your guests with plates, forks and flatware. You can also offer a pot of coffee or tea to go with your dessert. Related: 20 Insanely Good Pumpkin Dessert Recipes We Absolutely Love 12. Send Everyone Home with Leftovers We all love Thanksgiving leftovers. There’s a good chance you’re going to have plenty of leftovers after the party, so why not share? If you’re feeling creative, you can print out these adorable leftover bags and give them to your guests to take their leftovers home in. The tutorial above will show you how to print on paper bags. You may also want to make sure that you have food storage containers for your friends to put their food in, or ask them to bring their own.
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