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60 Easy Recipes For The Best Friendsgiving Ever

BFFL (Best Friendsgiving For Life).

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mashed potatoes baked in a casserole topped with cheese and bacon
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Newsflash: It's finally the most magical time of the year, especially for eating. Yes, get ready to gather your squad, because it's Friendsgiving! If you're on hosting duty this year, no need to sweat. We've got tons of delicious (and super-easy) Thanksgiving recipes, like classic stuffing, butternut squash mac & cheese, and pumpkin pie bars. The only thing that's hard about these 60 easy recipes? Making sure you don't fill up on all our favorite side dishes before you can get a slice of cranberry apple pie.

We love Friendsgiving so much, not only for the inevitable leftovers, but also that it brings a potluck approach to Thanksgiving. We'll always say yes to less stress in the kitchen, so have everyone bring their favorite dish (and plenty of Thanksgiving desserts). Plus, if you find yourself not in the mood to roast a whole turkey, there's really no need to when you can make turkey tenderloin, a festive turkey roulade, or this air-fryer garlic herb turkey breast that are all perfect for a small crowd. We even have a gravy without drippings recipe, which is perfect for when you're roasting a smaller portion of turkey. Who knows, this might just be the year the turkey steals the spotlight away from the stuffing!

Speaking of Thanksgiving sides, we tested (and tested, and tested) our recipes so you can rest assured you'll be digging into the most perfect mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and sweet potato casserole ever. Let's just say you'll be very happy you have leftovers for one of our Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches. After Thanksgiving dinner, be sure to toast to all that you're grateful for with one of our favorite Thanksgiving cocktails! And if you're stumped on how much turkey to serve for your friends, we made a handy size chart for how much turkey to cook per person.

1

Sausage Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Sauce

sausage stuffing bites with cranberry sauce
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Some people love a classic homemade turkey stuffing using sourdough bread, while others prefer a cornbread stuffing. Some families want a meatier stuffing like our sausage or oyster stuffing, and others will be very happy with our vegetarian cranberry stuffing. The only thing better than any of these stuffing recipes? MORE. STUFFING. Enter a bite-sized, stuffing-centered appetizer with a tangy, three-ingredient dipping sauce. Not just for Thanksgiving, these savory bites are perfect for any fall or winter gathering.

Get the Sausage Stuffing Bites With Cranberry Sauce recipe.

2

Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole

sweet potato casserole with marshmallows in a crockpot
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

If you're feeling the stress that comes with preparing for Thanksgiving, take some of the work off your plate by using the Crockpot to make this classic Thanksgiving side. This slow-cooker version is every bit as delicious as the one you make in the oven, with way less work required. Just throw it all together, let it sit, and like magic you'll have a sweet, melty casserole to complete your Thanksgiving spread—minimal work (and dishes!) required.

Get the Crockpot Sweet Potato Casserole recipe.

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3

Loaded Green Bean Casserole

loaded green bean casserole topped with bacon
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Wave goodbye to that can of cream of mushroom soup and meet your new favorite green bean casserole! It's got bacon, chives, and SO much cheese. If you've got vegetarian company, feel free to leave the bacon out—it's got plenty of cheese to make up for it. 😏

Get the Loaded Green Bean Casserole recipe.

4

Roasted Turkey Legs

seasoned turkey legs
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Slow-cooked turkey legs are this year’s ultimate Thanksgiving hack. No basting, no inevitable dry meat—no fuss at all. All you have to do is make an easy festive herb butter, wrap everything in foil, and let it roast unsupervised.

Get the Roasted Turkey Legs recipe.

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5

Krispie Turkey

rice krispie treats shaped into a turkey filled with candy
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Forget the kitchen nightmares of overcooked turkeys and dry white meat. With a Rice Krispies turkey, your worries are over! It’s a work of art and a culinary delight rolled into one. Channel your inner Michelangelo as you sculpt the perfect gobbler, ensuring every curve and contour is a testament to your creative prowess. Nonstick cooking spray will be your best friend as you unlock your artistic genius, so don’t be afraid to use it liberally.

Get the Krispie Turkey recipe.

6

Loaded Mashed Potato Bake

mashed potatoes baked in a casserole topped with cheese and bacon
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This loaded mashed potato bake will take your average mashed potatoes over the top. It's basically a loaded baked potato in casserole form, which can help free up your stovetop for other Thanksgiving menu items too. 😍

Get the Loaded Mashed Potato Bake recipe.

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7

Creamed Brussels Sprouts

cheesy, bubbling creamed brussels sprouts in a white oval casserole dish
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

We'll take Brussels any which way, but we also love giving them the traditional Thanksgiving treatment—with plenty of butter, cream, and cheese. This method upgrades even the most humble vegetables while still allowing them to be the star of the show—even skeptics will be asking for seconds.

Get the Creamed Brussels Sprouts recipe.

8

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Turkeys

chocolate covered strawberry decorated with pretzel sticks and mini marshmallows to look like turkeys
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Forget plain ol' pumpkin pie—these adorable Thanksgiving turkeys have us on cuteness overload. Made popular on TikTok, these chocolate-dipped strawberries are shaped like a plump roasted bird (though perhaps a tad on the burnt side...😉), thanks to a clever combination of marshmallows, pretzel rods, and melted chocolate.

Get the Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Turkeys recipe.

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9

Gnocchi Stuffing

gnocchi and sausage stuffing in a white baking dish
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Heading to Friendsgiving and need a fun, different dish? This gnocchi stuffing is a creative twist on classic stuffing everyone will love. Using gnocchi instead of bread gives you dumpling-like bites with all the traditional flavors of Thanksgiving.

Get the Gnocchi Stuffing recipe.

10

Sweet Potato Fries

crispy, baked sweet potato fries seasoned with freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

Sweet potato fries can sometimes have a bad reputation—especially the oven-baked ones. It doesn’t have to be that way! There’s a way to get crisp and savory sweet potato fries fresh out of the oven, and we’ve got a few tips and tricks to get you there.

Get the Sweet Potato Fries recipe.

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11

Thanksgiving Cauliflower

whole roasted cauliflower
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Forget turkey—this impressive whole roasted cauliflower is the only centerpiece you'll need this Thanksgiving. We've included a mushroom gravy recipe here as well. It's so good, no one will miss the meat.

Get the Thanksgiving Cauliflower recipe.

12

Cranberry Brie Biscuit Dip

brie dip in a cast iron skillet swirled with cranberry sauce and surrounded by herby biscuits
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Not only is this dip perfect for fall parties of any kind, it's the best way to use up any extra homemade cranberry sauce! If you don't have any, canned works too. Just make sure you use whole berry—not jellied—canned cranberry sauce.

Get the Cranberry Brie Biscuit Dip recipe.

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13

Friendsgiving Nachos

tortilla chips on a sheet tray topped with melted cheese, turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and jalapenos
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Friendsgiving nachos are the ultimate way to enjoy Thanksgiving leftovers (with minimal effort). It’s all the elements of Thanksgiving—turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce—PLUS cheese served on top of a bed of crunchy nacho chips.

Get the Friendsgiving Nachos recipe.

14

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

caramelized brussels sprouts on a silver sheet tray
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Cheesy green bean lovers, take note: The caramelized Brussels sprouts have arrived. Tossed in a honey and vinegar dressing and roasted until glazed and crisp, these sweet and tangy sprouts will steal the (side) show wherever they go.

Get the Caramelized Brussels Sprouts recipe.

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15

Apple Cheddar Bundles

apple cheddar bundles with puff pastry honey pecans and thyme
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Think this sounds like a strange combo? You've gotta trust us on this one. If the aroma of toasted puff pastry, roasted apples, and nutty cheddar cheese doesn’t wake up your spirit… we're not sure what will.

Get the Apple Cheddar Bundles recipe.

16

Cheesy Kale Orzo With Herbed Bread Crumbs

cheesy kale orzo with breadcrumbs and lemon
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

To make this side dish, we treat orzo like risotto, then top it with crunchy herbed breadcrumbs for added texture. The orzo soaks up the cheese sauce, and you get an incredible sauce to pasta ratio with multitudes of creaminess in every bite.

Get the Cheesy Kale Orzo With Herbed Bread Crumbs recipe.

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17

Stuffed Turkey Breast

gouda, mushroom, and bacon stuffed turkey breast with lemon cream sauce
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

A savory mushroom and bacon filling keeps this roasted turkey breast juicy while making it fancy and hearty enough to take the place of a whole bird on the holiday table. If you end up with leftover filling, you can even use it as a pre-dinner snack!

Get the Stuffed Turkey Breast recipe.

18

Apple Pie Stuffed Cupcakes

apple pie stuffed cupcakes sprinkled with demerara sugar
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Nothing says Thanksgiving like a warm apple pie. Unfortunately, we don't always have time to make and chill pie dough. These cupcakes are the perfect solution!

Get the Apple Pie Stuffed Cupcakes recipe.

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19

Cornbread Stuffing

cornbread stuffing in an oval casserole dish
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Stuffing and cornbread lovers unite: Your favorite Thanksgiving side dish has arrived. Crisp cornbread croutons are tossed with buttery sage, onion, and celery and baked until toasty golden brown on top and warm and custardy inside for a cornbread stuffing that will upstage even the turkey.

Get the Cornbread Stuffing recipe.

20

Cranberry Brie Jalapeño Poppers

jalapeños stuffed with brie and wrapped with bacon, topped with cranberry sauce on a sheet tray
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Cranberry brie bites are by far one of our favorite appetizers for the holidays, but jalapeño poppers also have place in our hearts too... So why not combine them? The spice of the jalapeño goes so well with the tart cranberries.

Get the Cranberry Brie Jalapeño Poppers recipe.

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