Nov 13, 2015 04:00 am
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From breakfast for the whole family, to pre-dinner appetizers, and delicious side dishes, here are 25 of my favorite, easy Thanksgiving recipes!
Although Curious George’s Christmas Special has been playing on repeat around here and yes, I went there, there’s still one more holiday to enjoy before we bust out the tree and twinkly lights(though let it be known that I tried earlier this week and Ben put the kibosh on it. Grinch!)
I’m talking about Thanksgiving, of course!
We’re T-minus less than two weeks until crowding around the family table, already stuffed from eating a big breakfast and grazing on mimosas and appetizers all day long, but digging deep and finding room for one more plate of food – the Thanksgiving feast.
Every year at Thanksgiving my Dad makes us go around the table and tell everyone what we’re thankful for. Groans and eye rolls ensue, but this year I’m just feeling extra thankful that we have food on the table. That I have the opportunity to share25 different recipesfor you to make and enjoy with your family and friends this Thanksgiving. Manypeople don’t have that luxury, and there’s nothing that’s necessarily happened to make me reflect on this,but, let’s reallycount our blessings this year, shall we?
In the meantime,there’s cooking to be done, and I’m here to help!This is one of the biggest recipe roundups I’ve done all yearand that’s because, at my family’s Thanksgiving celebration anyway, we eat all. day. long. Breakfast is always cinnamon rolls and breakfast casserole along with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Chex Mix and appetizers are brought out with a deck of cards and a rousing came of Heartsaround 11, then the big meal and dessert follow in the afternoon. It’s no wonder this roundup is huge – there are lots of opportunities to eat, and these recipes are going to make each wave of food extremely easy to prepare.
Whether you’re looking for a breakfast idea to feed a crowd, a few nibbles to enjoy duringco*cktail hour, or scene stealing sides for the dinner table, I hope you find an easy recipe to enjoy with the ones you love this Thanksgiving – get ready to (literally) gobble-gobble!
Breakfast Recipes
Gluten-Free Breakfast Casserole
Gluten-Free Breakfast Casserole has become my go-to breakfast casserole for everyfamily occasion, especiallythe holidays. Bake then let sit covered with foil and family members can fill up their plates whenever they wake up. This casserole is great hot or room temperature!
Shortcut Caramel Cinnamon Rolls (not GF)
What I wouldn’t give to sink my teeth into one of these doughy, gooey Shortcut Caramel Cinnamon Rollsthat areeasily madewith frozen bread dough! Simple and totally indulgent – you MUST make these rolls onThanksgiving morning if you’re not GF!
Gluten-Free Breakfast Pizza with Hash Brown Crust
If you’re feeding a smaller crowd on Thanksgiving morning, whip myGluten-Free Breakfast Pizza with Hash Brown Crust that’s perfect for 2 or 3. This breakfast is agreat way to kick off the day.
Mini Cinnamon Rolls (not GF)
So many cinnamon roll recipes, so little time! I first posted these Mini Cinnamon Rolls, which bake in just 8 minutes, in 2011, and they’restillhugely popular on the blog. You’ll love each tiny roll that fitson the end of a spoon!
Appetizer Recipes
How to Make a Cheese Plate for Entertaining
Cheese plates are one of my very favorite things to serve whenhosting or entertaining, and the good news is they’re supersimple to assemble. Set out a big platter a couple hours before dinner thenlet your family and guests nibble away duringappetizer or co*cktail hour.
Gluten-Free French Onion and Prosciutto Stuffed Mushrooms
Gluten-Free French Onion and Prosciutto Stuffed Mushrooms are creamy, decadent, and easy to make. Plus they taste like French Onion Dip. Winning! Set out a platter during thataforementioned co*cktail hour thenwatch them fly.
Gluten-Free Honey Balsamic BBQ Meatballs
You’ll never guess the secret ingredient that replaces breadcrumbs in these poppableGluten-Free Honey Balsamic BBQ Meatballs. That SAUCE, too…incredible!
Baked Brie Bites – 3 Ways (not GF)
Baked Brie Bites are perfect finger food, and easily made in three different flavors so your family can each pick their favorite. These baby bites couldn’t be simpler to whip up!
Bacon-Wrapped Almond-Stuffed Dates
How three ingredients combine to create the most addicting bite in the world, I’ll never know. If you’ve never triedBacon-Wrapped Almond-Stuffed Dates get ON it this Thanksgiving so you can understand what I mean! These bites are also really easy toassemble ahead of time, then bake on demand.
Fig and Prosciutto Rolls Ups
Whenever my family asks forFig and Prosciutto Rolls Ups I end up with half the amount I should because I eat so many along the way! This appetizer is easy, elegant, and unbelievably tasty. They’ve got that whole salty-sweet thing going on that I can never resist.
Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle
Fresh, easy, perfectly poppable– that’s all the words needed to describe the classic, crowd-pleasing appetizer,Caprese Skewers with Balsamic Drizzle. I make theseallthe time and they’re always a hit.
Best Ever French Onion Dip
This creamy, savory dip is easy to make ahead of time and tastes great paired witheverything from crunchy chips, to sweet cherry tomatoes. The name says it all – Best Ever French Onion Dipis simply the best!
Side Dish Recipes
Beecher’s Kale & Brown Rice Gratin with Smoked Cheese Sauce
Beecher’s Kale & Brown Rice Gratin with Smoked Cheese Sauce is one of the most decadent and delicious recipes I have here on IGE. I absolutely LOVE it, and if you’ve ever been afraid to make your own cheese sauce – start with this easy smoked cheese sauce. Oh my Heavens. If you usually serve macaroni and cheese at your Thanksgiving table, swap it out with this gratinthis year. You’re welcome.
Fall Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad
Every Thanksgiving spread needs a fresh salad to completeit, andFall Shredded Brussels Sprouts Salad,a delicious mix of shaved brussels sprouts, pears, nuts, dried cranberries, and other pantry staples, will do just that. Assemble the day before then toss with the dressingright before eating. Easy!
Party Potatoes Deluxe
Ohhhh, baby! The dishthat will steal the show at your Thanksgiving Day dinner! Party Potatoes Deluxeis the first dish everyone reaches for at my family’s turkey day table, and I know it’ll be the same at yours. Stay tuned next week for an equally as delicious gluten-free version!
Roasted Balsamic Butternut Squash
Roasted Balsamic Butternut Squash is another incredibly simple, make-ahead side dish for Thanksgiving. Cube and season the squash the night before then roast while the turkey’s resting and then getting carved. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar just before serving. Sweet and savory – this side dish will WOW.
Lighter Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Shallots
If you love aclassic green bean casserole but don’t love condensed, canned soups and fried onion rings from a can – this is your new go-to dish.Lighter Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Shallots is fresh, creamy, and light. So yummy.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Smoky-Roasted Chickpeas and Bacon
A lot of people have a soup course on Thanksgiving, and this one will definitely satisfy.Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Smoky-Roasted Chickpeas and Bacon is make-ahead, and absolutely gorgeous. The perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, too.
15 Minute Green Beans and Bacon
Another IGE family holiday classic!15 Minute Green Beans and Bacon is as easy and tasty as it sounds. The flavors of bacon and green beans areall-holiday to me!
Kale and Wild Rice Bowls with Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette
I broughtKale and Wild Rice Bowls with Honey-Balsamic Vinaigrette to Thanksgiving last year and it was devoured by all. This is a great lighter option amongst the butter-laden ones at the table.
Sweet Potato Stuffed Baked Apples with Toasted Marshmallows
If I take a step back and analyze, I realizeSweet Potato Stuffed Baked Apples with Toasted Marshmallows might sound a bit odd, but holy buckets is this side dish delicious. Apples are hollowed out, stuffed with sweet potatoes, and then topped with marshmallows and broiled. Really easy to make ahead of time then bake on Thanksgiving Day.
Dessert and Drink Recipes
Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
If you’re not a fan of pumpkin pie, promise me you’ll givePumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frostinga try?I could eat 100 and still want more. Soft, cakey, and that frosting??? Unbelievable!
Grandma’s Holiday Salad
Meet Party Potato Deluxe’s biggest competition at the Thanksgiving Day table: Grandma’s Holiday Salad. Sounds (and looks!) a little odd, but man oh man is this fruity, fluffy dish delicious. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without it!
Sparkling Hard Apple Cider Sangria
If you need a festive sipper for Thanksgiving this year, bust out this seasonal Sparkling Hard Apple Cider Sangria. Just a touch sweet and sparkly, it’s perfect for any part of the holiday.
The Day After…
Back On Track Smoothie
In case you overindulge on Thanksgiving (always guilty!) push the reset button with this vitamin and nutrient rich Back On Track Smoothie. Our entire family loves this one!
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