Thanksgiving is famous for its tables full of food. From turkey to mashed potatoes to cranberries, our bellies are stuffed full of the flavors of Thanksgiving. But, making all this food can take hours, hours you'd rather be spending watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade, cheering on your favorite football team, or chilling with your family. Well, these easy dishes can prepared ahead of time to make your Thanksgiving even better!
Curried Pumpkin Soup
For a different side dish to match that golden turkey, try this curried pumpkin soup. This soup is rich in flavor and pairs a little extra spice in the curry seasoning. Find the recipe here.
Slow-Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider
This cranberry apple cider is the perfect drink to go with a full Thanksgiving meal. Made in the slow-cooker, it’s easy to prepare in the morning before watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade and it’ll be ready come dinner! Thank you Culinary Hill for the recipe!
Millet, Lentil And Pomegranate Salad
This salad is made with all the right ingredients providing you with quite a few nutrients this Thanksgiving season. The added tartness of the cranberries is perfect for a Thanksgiving side. Find the recipe here.
Slow-Cooker Butternut Squash Cornbread
Mmm, cornbread. Melt in your mouth cornbread. It’s so satisfying and the honey topping is the perfect sweet treat. This cornbread uses butternut squash for a little extra flavor and it’s made in the slow-cooker with ease. Yum! Check out Life Made Sweeter for the recipe.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
For a pre-Thanksgiving dinner snack, try these roasted pumpkin seeds. You can use a variety of flavors on your pumpkin seeds, from ranch seasoning to sweet cinnamon sugar. Find the recipe here.
Rosemary Sesame Pecans
Another savory treat are these Rosemary Sesame Pecans. The distinct flavor of rosemary paired with the nutty flavor of the pecans is the perfect combination. Find the recipe here.
Squash Casserole
This squash casserole is sure to win over your heart after one bite. Whether you make this as a side dish or your main dish, everyone will love this filling casserole! Find the recipe here.
Twice-Cooked Sweet Potatoes
Stuff yourself with sweet potatoes this Thanksgiving to fully satisfy that sweet tooth. These buttery sweet potatoes are covered in brown sugar and we’re pretty sure they’re better than regular mashed potatoes. Find the recipe here.
Apple Pie
Classic apple pie is a must at your Thanksgiving meal. It’s warm apple and flaky crust is just to die for. It’s easy to make ahead of time and can be heated right before serving. Don’t forget to pair with a cool scoop of vanilla ice cream. Find the recipe here.
Pumpkin Pecan Pie
If you can’t decide between making a pecan pie or a pumpkin pie, just make both in one dessert. The creamy, pumpkin flavor mixed with crunchy pecans is just mouth watering. We’re definitely trying this recipe!
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
What’s Thanksgiving without a heaping plate of mashed potatoes?! These mashed potatoes are fluffy and will melt in your mouth instantly. Get the amazing and easy recipe here!
Stuffing
Mmm, stuffing. Ugh, now we’re just craving all things Thanksgiving. There’s no need to get fancy with your stuffing. The basic bread stuffing will wow your guests just as much as that fancy version you found in an old cook book. Find the recipe here.
Cranberry Sauce With Orange Zest
Ditch your boring canned cranberries for this zesty cranberry sauce. It’s tart, sweet, citrusy, and exactly what we need in a cranberry sauce. Whether you pair it with your Thanksgiving meal, or drench a piece of cheesecake with it, we’re sure you’ll love this recipe.
Butternut Squash Soup
If pumpkin isn’t your favorite flavor, try this butternut squash soup instead. This flavorful soup can be made in thirty minutes so it’s a must for a pre-dinner appetizer. Your guests will fall for this fall soup. Find the recipe here.
Cranberry Pear Wild Rice Stuffing
We’re definitely trying this take on stuffing this year! This version is a little healthier but it still has all the flavor. It uses whole-grain bread, tender pears, wild rice, dried cranberries and fresh apple cider to create a dish that smells, and tastes like fall. Find the recipe here.
Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Sometimes Thanksgiving gets hectic and it would be awful if you forgot the mashed potatoes. Make sure you have a big bowl full by making them in the crockpot. Once the potatoes are done, you can keep them on low until the Thanksgiving dinner! Check out A Beautiful Mess for the recipe.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is definitely Thanksgiving’s signature dish, well besides the turkey of course. Nothing beats a classic slice of pumpkin pie with a dollop of cool whip. Instead of the store bought version, make your own homemade pumpkin pie this year. Find the recipe here.
Roasted Chestnut Cornbread Stuffing
For a nuttier take on stuffing, try your hand at this version. With a combination of homemade corn bread, bacon and a variety of other ingredients, this dish is bound to leave everyone’s bellies happy and full. Find the recipe here.
Cranberry Sauce With Caramelized Onions
Another take on the typical canned cranberries is this sauce with caramelized onions. Homemade cranberry sauce is way better than any canned version and it’s so easy to make you’ll never buy the cans again. Find the recipe here.
Cinnamon Apple Crisp
How cute are these individual cinnamon apple crisps?! Normal apple crisp can become messy in no time and the layers of apple and crisp just fall apart. Keep those flavors combined by making it in these individual cups. Check out Cooking Classy for the recipe.
Cranberry Swirled Gingerbread Cake
Get a jump start on Christmas with this twist on gingerbread cake. The addition of cranberries gives us the best of both worlds where Thanksgiving and Christmas become one. This looks so good! Find the recipe here.
