Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a feast full of delicious new Thanksgiving recipes?
Whether you’re looking to impress your guests with gourmet appetizers or simply want to elevate your dessert game, these Thanksgiving recipes are sure to be a hit.
From savory sides to indulgent sweets and festive drinks, here are must-try dishes that will make your Thanksgiving unforgettable.
Let’s dive in!
Warning: reading may make you hungry…
Sides
Cranberry & Brie Bites
These little bites of heaven will kickstart your meal with a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. These bites are a fantastic, easy appetizer to make in advance, and their presentation is bound to impress!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 package (17 1/4 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 lb. Brie cheese
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Cut puff pastry into 3-inch squares using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, and press each square into a muffin tin.
Cube the Brie cheese into 3/4-inch cubes and place one in the center of each pastry square. Top with 2 tsp of cranberry sauce.
Bake for 10 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Bacon Wrapped Stuffing Bites
Everything’s better with bacon, and these stuffing bites are no exception. The smoky, savory flavors of bacon combined with the stuffing make these bites irresistible.
INGREDIENTS
- 9 strips of bacon
- 3 cups prepared stuffing (either packaged or homemade)
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick spray.
Cut the bacon slices in half and form stuffing into golf ball-sized balls.
Wrap each stuffing ball with half a slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy. Place bites on a paper towel before serving.
Mac & Cheese Casserole
Mac & cheese is a crowd-pleaser and this creamy, cheesy version is the ultimate comfort food.
INGREDIENTS
- 12 oz dry macaroni
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 cup light cream (about 10-12% milk fat)
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 can condensed cream of cheddar soup (optional)
- 4 cups sharp cheddar, divided
- 1/2 cup fresh parmesan cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 425°F. Cook macaroni according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, cooking for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk, cream, mustard powder, and onion powder until thickened.
Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan cheese and 3 cups of cheddar cheese until melted. Add condensed soup if desired.
Combine cheese sauce with macaroni and pour into a greased 9×13 pan. Top with the remaining cheese.
Bake for 18-24 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Desserts
Pumpkin Pie Bites
Mini pumpkin pies offer all the flavor of a traditional pie in bite-sized portions.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 premade, ready-to-roll pie crusts
- 1 (8oz) package of cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs + 1 egg for egg wash
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- Whipped cream
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F
Roll the dough or pie crust out on a floured surface. Use a 3-inch round cutter to cut 12 circles from each sheet of pastry
Carefully press each round into the mini-muffin pan. Use your fingers to round the ends into a pie crust. Brush egg wash from one egg to the top edges of each pie.
Beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating each until combined. Add pumpkin puree and beat to combine. Stir in vanilla and pumpkin pie spice.
Spoon mixture into each mini pie crust almost up to the top.
Bake for 15 minutes or until golden around the edges.
Remove from oven and let cool.
Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon on top before serving. If you’re feeling really festive, add a pumpkin sugar cookie on top for decoration.
Pecan Pie Cookies
If you love pecan pie but want something different, these cookies are a delicious alternative.
INGREDIENTS
Filling
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 3 tablespoons light corn syrup
- ¾ cup finely chopped pecans
Cookies
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
Filling
Melt 1/4 cup of butter in a saucepan; stir in confectioners’ sugar and corn syrup until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often, then stir in pecans until combined.
Refrigerate the filling for 30 minutes to chill.
Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350
Sift flour and baking powder together in a bowl; set aside.
Beat brown sugar, 3/4 cup butter, egg, and vanilla extract in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is creamy, about 2 minutes. Gradually beat the flour mixture to form a dough.
Pinch off about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball; press it into the bottom of an ungreased cupcake pan cup so it lines the bottom and sides, like a pie crust. Repeat with the remaining dough. Fill each crust with about 1 teaspoon of the prepared pecan filling.
Bake in the preheated oven until the cookie shells are lightly browned, 10 to 13 minutes.
Let the cookies cool in the pans briefly before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Apple Crisp
Who doesn’t love the smell of apples and cinnamon fresh from the oven?
INGREDIENTS
- 10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored and sliced
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 cup quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup butter, melted
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F
Place sliced apples in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Mix white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, and cinnamon together; sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over the apples.
Combine oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Add melted butter and mix with a fork until crumbly; sprinkle evenly over the apple mixture.
Bake until the top is golden brown and apples are bubbling around the edges, about 45 minutes.
Drinks
Cranberry Apple Sangria
This refreshing sangria combines fall fruits and spices, making it the perfect holiday drink.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup spiced rum
- 1500 ml red wine, 2 -750 ml bottles – I used Tempranillo
- ¼ cup orange liqueur
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 cup red apples, diced
- 1 cup club soda, chilled
INSTRUCTIONS
Add the orange slices to the bottom of a large bowl or pitcher. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon over the oranges and muddle.
Add the spiced rum, red wine, orange liqueur, and cranberry juice.
Stir to combine, then add the cranberries and red apples.
Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour (preferably overnight).
Add the club soda before serving.
Pumpkin Pie Martini
A dessert in a glass, this cocktail is perfect for wrapping up your Thanksgiving feast.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 parts Dark Rum
- 1 part Vanilla Vodka
- 1 part Pumpkin Syrup (or Substitute 3 tbsp Pumpkin Pie Filling
- Cinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS
Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass; sprinkle with cinnamon.
Spiked Apple Cider
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 gallon apple cider
- 1/2 cup dark rum
- 1/2 cup cinnamon schnapps
- 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cut into large chunks
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix together the cider, rum, and schnapps in a large pitcher. Add the apples to a small bowl and toss them with the lemon juice. Thread the diced apples onto skewers.
Pour the spiked cider into glasses filled with ice, then garnish with an apple skewer and serve.
Minto Homes Are Perfect For Hosting Thanksgiving
These Thanksgiving recipes will undoubtedly elevate your dinner or Friendsgiving. From crispy cranberry bites to pumpkin pie martinis, each dish offers a unique twist on traditional favorites.
Are you looking for the perfect home that makes hosting easy? Our Minto homes feature spacious kitchens and dining areas, giving you plenty of room to prepare, cook, and serve your Thanksgiving feast with ease.
With ample counter space for prepping appetizers and generous seating areas for your guests, hosting a holiday meal has never been more enjoyable.
Interested in experiencing all the holidays in your new Minto dream home? Contact Minto Communities today!