Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes to Make Your Holiday Meal Extra Special

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food. Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or just a small family dinner, you’ll want to make sure your holiday meal is extra special. Here are some delicious Thanksgiving recipes to make your holiday meal extra special.

Main Dishes

One of the most important dishes for Thanksgiving is the main course. Whether you’re serving a traditional turkey or something a bit more creative, you’ll want to make sure it’s delicious. Here are some main dish recipes to make your holiday meal extra special:

Roast Turkey with Herb Butter

This classic Thanksgiving dish is sure to be a hit. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Rub a 4-5 pound turkey with a mixture of melted butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and sage. Place the turkey in a roasting pan and roast for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Baste the turkey with the herb butter every 30 minutes. Let the turkey rest for 15 minutes before carving.

Stuffed Pork Loin

This delicious pork loin is sure to be a hit. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Butterfly a 2-3 pound pork loin and stuff it with a mixture of cooked wild rice, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans. Place the pork loin in a roasting pan and roast for 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Let the pork loin rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Vegetarian Lasagna

This vegetarian lasagna is a great option for those who don’t eat meat. Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees. Layer a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooked lasagna noodles, a mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, and mushrooms, and a jar of your favorite marinara sauce. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Side Dishes

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without some delicious side dishes. Here are some recipes to make your holiday meal extra special:

Mashed Potatoes

This classic side dish is sure to be a hit. Start by peeling and cubing 5 pounds of potatoes. Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a boil and cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, or until they are fork tender. Drain the potatoes and mash with a potato masher. Add butter, milk, and salt and pepper to taste.

Green Bean Casserole

This classic side dish is sure to be a hit. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine 2 cans of green beans, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 cup of French fried onions. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Cranberry Sauce

This classic side dish is sure to be a hit. Start by combining 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water, and 1 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the sauce has thickened. Let the sauce cool before serving.

Desserts

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without a delicious dessert. Here are some recipes to make your holiday meal extra special:

Pumpkin Pie

This classic dessert is sure to be a hit. Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine 1 can of pumpkin puree, 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of ground ginger, and ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Pour the mixture into a 9-inch pie crust and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is set. Let the pie cool before serving.

Apple Crisp

This delicious dessert is sure to be a hit. Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees. Peel and slice 6 apples and place them in a 9×13 inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of oats, 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ½ cup of melted butter. Sprinkle the mixture over the apples and bake for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown. Let the crisp cool before serving.

Pecan Pie

This classic dessert is sure to be a hit. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of light corn syrup, 3 eggs, 1 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Pour the mixture into a 9-inch pie crust and top with 1 cup of chopped pecans. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the center is set. Let the pie cool before serving.

FAQs

What are some traditional Thanksgiving dishes?

Some traditional Thanksgiving dishes include roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.

What are some creative Thanksgiving dishes?

Some creative Thanksgiving dishes include stuffed pork loin, vegetarian lasagna, apple crisp, and pecan pie.

How do I make sure my Thanksgiving meal is extra special?

To make sure your Thanksgiving meal is extra special, try making some creative dishes like stuffed pork loin or vegetarian lasagna. You can also add some special touches like homemade cranberry sauce or a unique dessert like apple crisp or pecan pie.