November is officially here, which means it’s time to start thinking about the most important part of Thanksgiving… the FOOD! And if you’re anything like me, you’ve already started thinking about all the mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, stuffing, and everything else that deserves a spot on your Thanksgiving plate.
So we’re kicking things off with a round up of all my favorite Thanksgiving recipes in one place to help inspire your holiday menu! This list is jam packed with recipes I (and many of you guys!) come back to every year because they are just THAT good, as well a few fun twists on the classics to keep things interesting. From my crowd favorite Hella Good Mac n Cheese and foolproof Turkey recipe, to everyone’s favorite Dutch Apple Pie, to a crisp Spiced Pear Spritz to sip on while cooking, there’s something for everyone to love here.
So whether you’re hosting the whole dang feast, looking for some fresh inspiration to switch things up, or just need a hero dish to bring to Friendsgiving, consider this your one stop shop for all things Thanksgiving. Pick a few favs to mix and match, then let’s get cookin!
And for all my fellow Thanksgiving hosts, keep an eye out for my annual Thanksgiving Menu + Prep Guide for 2026, coming soon! I’ll be sharing my full menu, make-ahead prep schedule, and all my tips & tricks for pulling off Thanksgiving dinner without losing your mind in the process. In the meantime, you can check out my 2025 Thanksgiving Menu + Prep Guide to get a head start on planning!
Now the only question is, what’s making it on your menu this year?!
Appetizers
Thanksgiving is a marathon, not a sprint, and no one wants a hangry crowd hovering in the kitchen waiting for the turkey to be done. I love prioritizing apps that are easy to make ahead so it’s one less thing you need to stress about on the big day, and most importantly, aren’t overly filling (getting full early is a rookie move!)
Honeynut Squash Whipped Ricotta
The fall version of my famous whipped ricotta dip, this has roasted honeynut squash whipped in with the ricotta and gets topped with fried sage, brown butter, and pecans.
Caramelized Shallot, Bacon and Fig Whipped Goat Cheese
If I were to curate the perfect bite that tastes like the holidays, it would be a bite of this. Sweet figs, salty bacon, and deeply caramelized shallots top whipped goat cheese to make a crowd pleasing dip.
Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail
I love a shrimp cocktail for Thanksgiving because it’s an easy, yet elevated cocktail that doesn’t make you too full for the bangers to come.
Grown Up Pigs in a Blanket
A nostalgic party favorite that’s just as great room temperature as it is hot, making it a fantastic make ahead app.
Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Bites
Melty brie and cranberry go together like PB&J for the holidays, and this recipe could not be any easier. Use any extra cranberry sauce you have laying around to make this a 3 ingredient app!
Cocktails
If there’s one thing I love when hosting, it’s a batch cocktail. The last thing you want to do when cooking a big meal is also playing bartender all night.
Apple Cider White Wine Sangria
The IT girl of a Thanksgiving spread – easy to make ahead and make a big batch, making the perfect drink to sip all night long.
Spiced Pear Spritz
Apples and pumpkin tend to get all the hype this time of year, but we can’t sleep on pears. A light, bubbly cocktail with a spiced pear liquor that tastes like fall.
Holiday Cranberry Sangria
We had to have a holiday sangria for the red wine lovers too! It’s fruity, festive, and gets even better as it sits.
Cranberry Kentucky Mule
Turn your extra cranberry sauce into an easy festive 4 ingredient cocktail.
Espresso Martini
The only thing saving me from a post Thanksgiving meal nap, this will ensure you actually make it to that fourth game of Monopoly Deal.
Sides
Without a doubt, the best part of Thanksgiving. They are the star of the show, and usually take the cake for everyone’s favorite bite.
Hella Good Mac n Cheese
This mac n cheese has earned me a bit of a reputation over the years, and it brings me so much joy to know how much you all love it too. It’s ultra-creamy, cheesy, and baked to golden perfection.
Herb & Sausage Stuffing
I have had many people tell me over the years this is their favorite stuffing they have ever had (don’t tell their grandmas!). It’s a classic, just done really well and packed with flavor.
Garlic Confit Mashed Potatoes
Cooking garlic in olive oil gives it a mellow, slightly sweet flavor that will elevate any tater. Then we mash the soft garlic cloves into mashed potatoes for a truly epic side.
Boursin Creamed Spinach with Crispy Lemon Panko
This dish took the cake for crowd favorite at my Friendsgiving last year. It’s ultra creamy, easy to make, with a nice little crunch in every bite.
Spiced Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
Creamy sweet potatoes get topped with a crunchy spiced pecan topping for a delicious sweet and savory side.
Lu’s Mango Cranberry Sauce
This is my godmother’s recipe for cranberry sauce, and one that converted me from a cranberry sauce hater to a lover. I will never make another!
Harvest Kale Salad
If I’m going to ask you to give up real estate on your plate for a salad, I’m going to make sure its a dang good one. The tangy maple dressing helps cut through the richness of all the other dishes, and it’s just textural heaven.
Roasted Squash with Figgy Date Crunch
One of my favorite squash varieties that doesn’t get enough love is delicata squash. In this recipe it gets roasted and topped with a fig, date, crunchy topping for a recipe guaranteed to be repeated.
Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad
While I love a roasted brussel, I’m not using up oven space for a veggie, so this shredded brrusels sprout salad solves that with a welcome fresh crunch to your plate.
The Ultimate Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole wasn’t something I grew up eating, but after a few college Friendsgivings, I learned to appreciate this Thanksgiving classic. This is my take on it, with a few upgrades to make it extra flavorful!
Mama Hazlett’s Easy Cornbread
The cornbread recipe to dethrone all other cornbreads. Buttery, fluffy, and perfectly moist, it’s the only bread I need on my Thanksgiving table (besides a can of crescent rolls, obviously).
Mains
Turkey may be the star of the Thanksgiving show, but who says it has to be the only option?! From a foolproof holiday bird to a few cozy alternatives, these mains are worthy of the center of your Thanksgiving table.
Thanksgiving Roast Turkey
You won’t find dry turkey over here, and it’s thanks to my foolproof roast turkey recipe. It’s juicy, flavorful, and worthy of being the star of the show. I’ve also included the recipe for my favorite make ahead gravy!
Pumpkin Sage Stuffed Shells
If you couldn’t tell by my copious amount of recipes with this combo yet, pumpkin and sage go together like peanut butter and jelly. Jumbo pasta shells stuffed with a creamy pumpkin filling and baked until bubbly. YUM.
Apple Cider Braised Pot Roast
Fall apart tender beef slow-braised with apple cider and cozy herbs for a comforting alternative to turkey.
Honeynut Squash Mac n Cheese
Vegetarians often get neglected on Thanksgiving, but if you serve them a bowl of this mac n cheese, I promise they won’t want anything else.
Desserts
Because no matter how full you get on Thanksgiving, there’s ALWAYS room for dessert. From classic holiday pies, to a few fun twists on the classics, these sweet treats are worth saving a little extra room for.
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Creamy pumpkin cheesecake packed with warm spices and a buttery gingersnap crust for the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert. Make it in a springform pan, or keep it easy and make it into bars, either way is delicious!
Brown Butter Dutch Apple Pie
This is the recipe I look forward to making every apple season. The crumble has nuttiness from the brown butter, the apples get all jammy and tender. It’s the perfect bite with a big ole scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ginger Molasses Cookies
Soft, chewy, and packed with warm spices, these cookies are the perfect little sweet treat after a big holiday meal.
Aba’s Pumpkin Pie with Salted Maple Whip
A family favorite pumpkin pie made even better with a cloud of sweet and salty maple whipped cream.
Dirty Chai Tiramisu
A fall twist on classic tiramisu with warm chai spices layered into the creamy, coffee-soaked dessert. Cozy without relying on pumpkin or apple for once.
If you make any of these recipes, be sure to leave a comment and review on the recipe page, I love hearing from you guys! And if you’re sharing your creations on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @rockinmeals. It absolutely makes my day to see what you’re cooking up in your kitchens!
Wishing you all a Thanksgiving full of good food, good company, and full bellies! Happy Cooking!
xoxo,
Rocky
