TOWAMENCIN- Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. We are preparing to enter a time of family, friends, and let’s be real, lots and lots of food. From the main course to the sides and desserts, there are endless opportunities when it comes to what will be seen on the table on Thanksgiving Day. Here is our list of the top 5 dinner foods, top 5 desserts, and 5 unique family dishes to serve during a Thanksgiving feast, along with recipes if you want to try them for yourself.

Top 5 Thanksgiving Dinner Items

Turkey– https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/easy-no-fuss-thanksgiving-turkey/

Who can say they have had a Thanksgiving meal without that juicy turkey? The turkey is the center of attention when it comes to the holiday of food and family.

Stuffing– https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-the-very-best-thanksgiving-stuffing-237564

Stuffing is the icing on top of the cake when it comes to a Thanksgiving feast. Serve it with gravy, without gravy, or even another popular way, with pineapples inside.

Mashed Potatoes – https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/mashed-potatoes-recipe-1943035

Whether mashed, baked, or sweet, potatoes are very common to see on the Thanksgiving table, so prepare it the way you like!

Green Bean Casserole –  https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/classic-green-bean-casserole/

Who can resist a sweet, flavorful Green Bean Casserole to accompany your other Thanksgiving foods.

Cranberry Sauce – https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/perfect-cranberry-sauce-recipe-2104277 This sweet, fruity sauce will go perfect with your Thanksgiving dinner.

The main course is not the only tasty part of Thanksgiving. The dessert after the traditionally big family dinner makes the holiday even better. Here are some desserts that will end your feast with one last amazing taste.

Traditional Apple pie– https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/lattice-topped-apple-pie

This dessert dates back so many years. Nobody has ever heard of a Thanksgiving without an old fashioned apple pie. With the gooey, sweet inside with baked apples and a perfected, dense pie crust on the outside, this is a dessert that can fulfill the whole family.

Pumpkin pie– https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/a23513200/sheet-pan-pumpkin-pie-recipe/

After Halloween, pumpkins are out for another use besides jack-o-lanterns: classic pumpkin pie. Making hand-pressed pie crust with a creamy inside and adding a little bit of cinnamon and whipped cream will make it  the best tasting dish at the table this year.

Ricotta Cheesecake– https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ricotta-cheesecake-with-warmed-cherries-recipe-200940

The iconic ricotta cheesecake is always the way to go. The silky outside layer of the freshly baked cheese is the best part of this classic dessert. If you want to spice things up this year, you can add a warm cherry topping to contrast the flavors. Your taste buds will be dancing with joy after eating this delicious treat

Pecan Pie– 

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/18433/irresistible-pecan-pie/?internalSource=streams&referringId=2411&referringContentType=Recipe%20Hub&clickId=st_trending_b

This pie is one of the most famous holiday desserts. I mean, who has been to a holiday party without pecan pie? This irresistible pie is made with fresh pecans and sweet, delectable syrup, usually topped with a small amount of whipped cream. The whole family will have their mouths watering over this dessert.

Sweet Potato Pie– https://www.tastesoflizzyt.com/sweet-potato-pie/#wprm-recipe-container-21121

Yes…it’s another pie. Even with all the other desserts competing at the family dinner table this year, this sweet potato pie has its appetizing appeal. This is made with a rich inside of sweet potato with a touch of vanilla and a tasty pie crust on the outside. Make Thanksgiving even better this year by baking this dessert.

Thanksgiving brings families together every year to reunite and share thanks, and when families come together, new recipes and memories are made. Here are some unique family recipes that will warm your heart through the whole meal.

Pineapple stuffing

From Brandi Marlin and the Marlin Family

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of sugar
• 1 can of 20 ounces of crushed pineapples (with juice)
• Pinch of salt
• ½ cup of butter (softened)
• 4 eggs
• 6 to 8 slices of Italian Bread (preferable Rich’s Bread) and not the King size

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cut the bread into medium to large cubes
3. Thoroughly Mix sugar, pineapples and juice, salt, eggs, butter, and bread together in a large bowl
4. Scoop the mixture into a 2 quart casserole dish for a thicker dish

OR

1. Scoop the mixture into a 13 by 9 baking dish for a thinner dish
2. Bake for 45 minutes till the top is golden

Breckenridge French Toast Casserole

From Rachel Rubins and the Rubins Family

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of challah torn into pieces (braided egg bread)
• 8 jumbo eggs
• 12 ounces of cream cheese softened
• ¾ cup of maple syrup
• 2 cups of milk
• ½ cup of sugar
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Maple Syrup
• Butter

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Place ½ of the challah pieces in a well buttered 9 by 13 inch glass baking dish
3. Cube cream cheese and arrange over challah
4. Put the remaining challah pieces on top
5. Beat eggs, syrup, milk, and sugar until well blended in a separate bowl
6. Pour over challah, cover and refrigerate overnight
7. Sprinkle with cinnamon
8. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes until firm
9. Serve with warm syrup

The Gianficaro Turkey Stuffing

From Nick Gianficaro and the Gianficaro Family

Ingredients:

• ½ pound of bacon cut into small pieces
• 1 cup of chopped celery
• 1 ½ onion chopped
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 2 teaspoons of sage
• ½ teaspoons of peppers
• ½ slick butter
• 3 teaspoons of chopped parsley
• 1 bag of stuffing bread
• ¾ cup of water
• 1 egg

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
2. Mix bacon, celery, onions, salt, sage, peppers, butter, and parsley in a pan on the stove
3. Cook slowly at low heat on top of stove
4. Add 1 bag of stuffing bread and ¾ cup of hot water
5. Cook slightly
6. Add 1 whole egg
7. Put mixture into a covered dish and bake for 1 hour

Broccoli and Cauliflower with Cheese Sauce

From Alex Kee and the Kee Family

Ingredients:

Broccoli and Cauliflower Ingredients:

• 1 bag of broccoli frozen
• 1 bag of cauliflower frozen

Broccoli and Cauliflower Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees
• Boil Broccoli and Cauliflower until tender
• Strain them
• Put in casserole dish

Cheese Sauce Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of flour
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 8 teaspoons of pepper
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cup of chopped cheese of your choice

Cheese Sauce Steps

1. Put milk and flour in a pot
2. Boil and mix it together
3. Put on low heat and add cheese, salt, and pepper
4. Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted
5. Pour cheese over broccoli and cauliflower

Topping:

• 2 tablespoons of butter
• Bread crumbs

Topping steps:

• Melt butter in a small pot
• Remove from heat
• Mix in breadcrumbs
• Sprinkle over broccoli and cauliflower
• Bake at 450 degrees until the cheese is bubbling

Quiche

From Kelly Pennegar and the Pennegar Family

Ingredients:

• 6 slices of bacon
• 2 medium onions chopped
• 2 tablespoons of oregano
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 6 eggs
• ¾ cups of milk
• Dash of pepper
• 1 ½ cups of grated Swiss cheese
• Canned mushrooms drained and sliced (optional)
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Partially fry bacon and set aside
• Add to a skillet the onions oregano and (optional) mushrooms
• Cook until onions are lightly brown
• Season with ½ teaspoon of salt and garlic powder and spread on the bottom of a 9 inch pie plate
• Beat eggs lightly with milk and ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper
• Pour the egg mixture over the onions in the pie plate and sprinkle with cheese
• Arrange bacon on top
• Bake for 30 minutes or until set