When having to feed a large group of people, it can be a bit stressful, even for the most practiced chefs! My best tips to you are, to make things that you have made before, or at least do a trial run of a new recipe days or weeks beforehand. This allows you to make sure it not only works, but tastes good, you have confidence and practice making it, and you can make any minor adjustments before making it for company.

Make anything and everything that you possibly can in advance, so that you have minimal mess, minimal stress, and you just basically have to pop (preprepared) dishes into the oven and turn on a  few crock pots. This way, too, you can spend time with your guests and enjoy the day along with everyone else!

Lastly, have appetizers, even if just a few nibbles, or something simple/no-cook  like a nice assorted meat, fruit, cheese, olives, pickles and cracker/toasted baguette tray set out, so that people will have something to keep them busy, and they won’t be breathing down your neck stressing you out! 😉

I also like to set out a mini bar, a large bucket of ice with pops and juices, and a cooler of beer. Just let guests help themselves while you finish things up!

If this is your first Thanksgiving and you’re really nervous, don’t be. Just get all of your ducks lined up and you’ll be fine! 🙂 😀

I’ve put together a huge collection of plenty of recipes for you to choose from, but remember when deciding on what to fix – – keep it simple. Don’t try to tackle too many different dishes or you’ll end up with way too much food, an empty bank account, and you’ll be too tired to enjoy the day!

 

In this collection you’ll find
recipes for :

 

Breakfast, Drinks, Appetizers,
Breads, Salads, Main Dishes,
Side Dishes & Desserts!

 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

~ BREAKFAST ~   

 

1. Heirloom French Toast Casserole w/Praline Pecan Topping (Make-Ahead)
2. Autumn Spice Pumpkin Pancakes with Chocolate Chips and Golden Raisins
3. Cinnamon Apple Fritters
4. Exquisite French Toast with Cinnamon & Nutmeg
5. Puff Pastry Apple Pie Turnovers with Apple Spice Glaze
6. Good Old-Fashioned Buttermilk Pancakes

 

~ DRINKS ~

 

7. Orange-Pomegranate Mimosa with Grenadine
8. Autumn Embers Martini
9. Creamy Mocha Almond Coffee Cocktail
10. Creamy White Chocolate Mint Coffee with Four Liqueurs
11. The “Slipper Tub” Caramel Coffee Cocktail
12. Espresso Hot Chocolate with Kahlua

~ APPETIZERS ~

 

13. Sweet ‘n Spicy Cranberry Balsamic Barbecued Sticky Wings
14. Super Creamy Basil Pesto Deviled Eggs
15. Spicy Garlic Chili Pepper Mushrooms
16. Smoked Oyster & Veggie-Ranch Cream Cheese Crackers
17. Ultra Creamy Classic Deviled Eggs with Crisp Bacon & Chives
18. Petite Smoked Oysters & Assorted Cheese Crackers with Homemade Cocktail Sauce

~ BREADS ~ 

 

19. Buttery Cheddar & Herb Drop Biscuits
20. Soft Buttery Garlic Breadsticks
21. Sweet Southern Apple Spiced Cornbread
22. Carefree Braided Italian Bread
23. Mile-High No-Fail Sour Cream Biscuits
24. Lemon Rosemary Bread with Pecans
25. Clean Out the Cupboard Pumpkin Banana Bread

 

~ SALADS ~

 

26. Retro Sweet & Creamy Red Grape Salad with Pecan & Brown Sugar Topping
27. Retro Watergate Salad
28. Retro Overnight Bacon Cauliflower Salad 
29. Chardonnay, Whole Grain Mustard & Honey Salad Dressing with Poppy Seeds
30. Classic Catalina Salad Dressing
31. Creamy Italian Salad Dressing
32. Best Homemade Ranch Salad Dressing
33. Creamy French Salad Dressing
34. Classic Thousand Island Salad Dressing
35. Thick Rich & Chunky Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

 

~ MAIN DISHES ~

36. Best Holiday Roast Turkey with Make-Ahead Instructions
37. Oven-Roasted Rotisserie Chicken
38. Honey, Orange & Whole Grain Mustard Glazed Ham
39. Best Sweet Brown Sugar Honey-Mustard Glazed Holiday Ham
40. Restaurant-Style Prime Rib

 

~ SIDE DISHES ~

 

41. Holiday Green Bean Casserole from Scratch
42. Asparagus with Velvety Orange Cream Sauce
43. Company Cheese Cauliflower
44. Old-Fashioned Oyster Dressing with Sausage, Mushrooms & Bacon
45. Pumpkin Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Red Onions & Crispy Bacon
46. Perfect Every Time Turkey Gravy from Scratch
47. Easiest Rich & Creamy Chicken Gravy (*Can sub Turkey Broth or Stock)
48. Creamy 3-Cheese Zucchini Rice
49. Country Ranch Green Beans ‘n Potatoes with Bacon
50. Steakhouse Potatoes with Roasted Elephant Garlic, Caramelized Onions & Bacon
51. Creamy Cheesy Corn
52. Oven-Roasted Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus with Whole Grain Mustard Butter
53. 3-Cheese Risotto with Cremini Mushrooms, Kale & Chives
54. Sweet Southern Pineapple Dressing with Pecans & Dried Fruits
55. Holiday Apple Sausage Stuffing with Bacon, Mushrooms, Pecans & Dried Craisins ‘n Pomegranates
56. Creamy Garlic, Onion & Chive Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
57. Maple, Butterscotch & Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes with Pecans & Marshmallows
58. Country-Style Green Beans w/Bacon, Brown Sugar, Caramelized Onions & Balsamic
59. Best Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes

 

~ DESSERTS ~  

 

60. Best Ever Pumpkin Pie
61. Salted Caramel Apple Upside-Down Gingerbread Tea Cake
62. Best Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
63. Spiced Apples ‘n Pears Crumb Top Pie
64. Cinnamon Eclairs with Spiced Pumpkin-Banana Cream, Milk Chocolate Ganache & Pecans
65. Chocolate Chip & Pecan Banana Cake with Maple Cinnamon Glaze
66. Spiced Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Pecan Crust
67. Best Old-Fashioned Nooks ‘n Crannies Apple Cake with Pecans & 5-Minute Caramel Sauce
68. Mile-High Fresh Pear Pie
69. Chocolate Frangelico Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Pecan Topping
70. Yesteryear Baked Stuffed Apples
71. Triple Chocolate Zucchini Bread with White Chocolate Chips, Blueberry Craisins & Pecans
72. Salted White Chocolate Butter Rum Pudding Cookies with Pecans
73. Decadent Triple Chocolate Zucchini Bread 
74. Wild Blueberry Pie with Crumb Top
75. Raspberry French Silk Chocolate Truffle Pie with Chambord

 

Hope this helps to make your
Thanksgiving Holiday extra special! 

 

 

*Original Turkey and Wine cartoon image found on Free Clip Art via Google.
*Antique Postcard image found on Free Thanksgiving Images via Google.