52 Thanksgiving Dishes To Make You The Star Of Friendsgiving

We love our families. Chances are, you probably do, too. At least some members. But there are times when family time goes into overdrive and we need a break from Aunt Karen. Or perhaps you're not able to join your family for Thanksgiving Day. That's where Friendsgiving comes in. Initially popularized by the TV show "Friends," social media, and even a Bailey's Irish Cream promotion, the word "Friendsgiving" has gained a spot in the American lexicon and a place in our hearts (via Real Simple). As far as we're concerned, you can have as many Friendsgiving celebrations as you'd like: one for the book club, one for the soccer moms, one for your grunge band — hey, we don't judge — the more Friendsgivings, the merrier.

So, whether you're hosting your gang for Friendsgiving or are in charge of bringing a dish over to a friends' house, you'll need an arsenal of recipes to choose from to ensure everyone ends up full and happy, and, perhaps most importantly, you're invited back next year. Luckily, there's something for everyone in our list of 52 dishes that will make you the star of Friendsgiving.

We all know that pumpkin + spice = everything nice, but what about a pumpkin-shaped dish without the seemingly obvious key ingredient: pumpkin? Turns out "pumpkin" cheese balls are not only a creative app that will impress your friends, they're also incredibly easy to make. The pumpkin shape comes from wrapping the cheese in plastic wrap and rubber bands then chilling it in the fridge, while the color comes from adding Red Leicester cheese on top. Serve with fresh veggies or crackers, and you just might convince your pumpkin-adoring friends that cheese is just as wonderful.

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Creamy, ooey, gooey mac and cheese is a hit at any dinner party, never mind just at Friendsgiving. This mac and cheese is prepared in a single saute pan, so there's no need to dirty up separate pots for the roux and pasta. Check out the recipe for the perfect cheeses to use and for the secret ingredient that will bring this dish together. Your friends will not only ooh and ahh over the dish, they'll be dying to get the recipe once they learn how easy it is to make.

Recipe: One-Pot Mac And Cheese

Visiting a cider mill or apple orchard is basically a required fall activity (bonus points if you and your crew are wearing matching flannel shirts). Chances are, one of your favorite goodies to buy in the cider mill's adorable little country-style stores are cinnamon sugar-covered apple cider donuts. Bring the taste of this autumn-inspired dessert to your Friendsgiving table with this simple recipe. Instead of making a syrup, you'll use an apple cider concentrate to flavor the donuts, which your friends are sure to chow down with gusto — flannel shirts optional.

Recipe: Easy Apple Cider Donuts

Maybe you're all sick of a traditional roast turkey, or perhaps you misjudged your timeframe — hey, timing out all those dishes so they're all done at once takes genius coordination — and you're looking for a tasty roast turkey alternative you can make on the fly. Enter: Cajun fried turkey wings that can be whipped up in under two hours, including marinating time. Turkey wings are a tasty variation on classic chicken wings, and the Cajun seasoning offers a unique kick your friends will be raving about.

Recipe: Cajun Fried Turkey Wings

The assignments for your Friendsgiving potluck have been doled out by the type-A planner — let's be real, there's one in every group — and you've drawn the dessert card, specifically, pumpkin pie. Whether you've never made a pumpkin pie before or you're a veteran baker looking for a quick, simple recipe, this version of the Friendsgiving Day staple is for you. You'll use a store-bought pie crust and easy-to-make pumpkin pie filling for your masterpiece that will please even your most perfectionist friend.

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie

It's no surprise you'll generally need plenty of extra virgin olive oil to prepare an Italian focaccia flatbread, and this Anne Burrell-inspired recipe is no different. Combined with sundried tomatoes and sage, the olive oil makes for a rich flavor that will dazzle your friends. Serve the bread as an app with dipping sauce — or with even more olive oil if you're a super fan — or with butter for the main meal. Bonus points for this recipe: you can use the remaining bread for the leftover sandwiches you're sure to be eating for days after.

Recipe: Anne Burrell's Focaccia

Your initial reaction to the name of this unique dish might be one of wariness, but we promise this recipe will charm the gang. We all love the sweet, salty combo of chocolate and pretzels, and the added orange food coloring to create the adorable pumpkins — complete with green M&M "stems" — will have you sold on this dessert perfect for snacking on. Calling for just four ingredients, making these little goodies is simple, and the cute finished product will put a smile on your face and have your friends applauding.

Recipe: Pumpkin Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

Yes, charcuterie boards are all the rage these days, but consider the crostini. It's kinda like an all-in-one charcuterie board app. The ingredients for these crostinis are simple: just top French bread with Brie cheese, apples, honey, and prosciutto. The secret is to cook the apples in butter and honey before stacking them on the sliced bread and baking the mini slices of deliciousness. Serve on their own or alongside a traditional charcuterie and cheese selection for variety and a touch of extra class.

Recipe: Brie Apple Honey Crostini

Okay, making this version of the just-combine-sour-cream-and-onion-soup-mix onion dip you know and love might be more complicated, but trust us, it's a major upgrade. Once you go caramelized, you'll never go back. The time it takes to caramelize onions is no joke and constantly stirring gets boring, but once you see the look of pleasant surprise on your friends' faces after dipping a potato chip or veggie stick, it will all be worth the while.

Recipe: Caramelized Onion Dip

Perhaps your friends are still scarred from their parents making them eat spinach as children and generally turn their nose up at the leafy greens. Chances are, however, you'll convert even the pickiest of eaters with this creamed spinach recipe, thanks to the addition of heavy cream, some Parmesan cheese, and a little nutmeg for added flavor. While the side dish may seem traditional, this version will complement pretty much any Friendsgiving Day feast and will become your new favorite staple.

Recipe: Creamed Spinach

We all love classic snickerdoodles, with their soft texture and generous dusting of cinnamon sugar. This Friendsgiving-inspired version teeming with pumpkin flavor only elevates our affinity for the cookie because, as any fall food aficionado knows, the sweet combo of cinnamon and pumpkin is a must on the dessert table. You'll also sprinkle in some cloves, nutmeg, and ginger to elevate the flavor. This recipe makes 16 cookies, so depending on how many friends you plan to have over, you may want to make more batches, as cookie-lovers are bound to grab at least two.

Recipe: Best Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

While delicious, regular cheesecake can get boring and redundant; who hasn't had a slice of the traditional flavor? That's where these caramel apple streusel cheesecakes come in. The 'cakes' are made from perhaps surprising ingredients: cinnamon-flavored graham crackers and cinnamon applesauce. The layered cheesecakes are baked in a simple muffin tin in liners so they'll pop out nice and easily. The result? A delightfully tiny treat you can eat in just a couple bites.

Recipe: Mini Caramel Apple Streusel Cheesecake

Bump plain, boring roasted carrots up a notch with two of everyone's favorite breakfast ingredients: bacon and maple syrup. The concept is simple: take a whole carrot — you don't even have to slice it up! — wrap bacon around it, and brush with maple syrup. The result is an enhanced, indulgent version of the orange root vegetable that your friends will devour. The recipe below also contains a variation for a vegetarian option you can make to be sure to please everyone at the table.

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Maple-Glazed Carrots

Be honest: despite not being children anymore, we still scream for ice cream, and there's nothing better than grabbing a cone on a summer day with friends. But that feeling doesn't have to end when fall comes, as you'll have everyone reminiscing about those summer bonding sessions over a dish of this pumpkin ice cream. What's great about this version is that it's a no-churn recipe and instead uses a beater or stand mixer to combine the ingredients in just minutes. Have an accompanying spread of toppings including nuts, sprinkles, and classic maraschino cherries for your guests to choose from.

Recipe: Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream

This mac and cheese recipe takes some serious time and dedication to prepare, but the creative twist on the comfort food classic inspired by Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten's version is nothing short of delicioso. Garten places sliced tomatoes on top of her mac and cheese, but Mashed's recipe takes this one step further, also adding roasted garlic, mozzarella, and fresh basil, resulting in a caprese-like topping for a fresh take on the dish that will have your friends intrigued and satisfied.

Recipe: Ina Garten's Mac And Cheese

By now, you're probably catching on that we think apples should play a major role as an ingredient in many of your Friendsgiving desserts. This apple cobbler recipe is one of the simplest apple desserts on this list as it condenses the required ingredients into only three necessities: store-bought cinnamon rolls (yes, the kind that come in a tube), cinnamon sugar, and apples. Preparation variations are offered so you can tailor the dessert to meet your friends' discerning tastes.

Recipe: The Best 3-Ingredient Apple Cobbler

Cornmeal-based cornbread has a history of being a time-tested Friendsgiving Day classic, but why not put a spin on the traditional dish to impress your friends? This 'cornbread' is actually a casserole because it's egg-based. You'll use whole, frozen corn kernels and add milk and cheddar cheese for the 'creamy' part. Be sure to read the whole recipe post to find a tip involving a special ingredient that will add a kick to your casserole for a cornbread variation that's anything but bland.

Recipe: Creamy Cornbread Casserole

Chances are, you've seen these popular peanut butter blossom cookies with Hershey's Kisses on top. But why choose a Friendsgiving dessert you've had a million times when you can dig into its fall-inspired cousin: pumpkin Hershey Kiss cookies! These mini masterpieces are not only pumpkin flavored, they also resemble a tiny version of the gourd. The total time for prepping and baking these little loves is only 30 minutes. Plus, the recipe is fairly basic and great for novice bakers.

Recipe: Pumpkin Hershey Kiss Cookies

Sometimes we think easy and simple steps make for a not-as-tasty dessert, but that's not the case with this easy apple pie. But let your friends be the judge. They'll never know you used a pre-made pie crust unless you fess up, but be sure to let them know you did the impressive lattice on the top all by yourself. This recipe also contains tips for what types of apples to use to achieve certain tastes and what kinds of textures to look for.

Recipe: Easy Apple Pie

We all like our friends, but if we're being honest, there are some friends we really love more than others. If you're planning on having a smaller Friendsgiving gathering with just a handful of your closest pals, roasting a whole turkey might result in too much food, which presents a problem. The solution? Grab your Instant Pot and some turkey breast and prepare for the quickest turkey-cooking experience you've ever had. The breasts' cook time is just six minutes per pound!

Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey Breast

When you're looking to dazzle your friends with a unique pumpkin dessert that's different from regular 'ole pumpkin pie, this pumpkin cream cheese sheet cake is your ticket to success. This dessert doesn't skimp on fall-inspired ingredients, calling for canned pumpkin pie filling and applesauce, which help to result in a cake fit for even the most festive Friendsgiving dessert table. The cream cheese frosting takes the sweetness to another level that will have your friends licking their forks clean.

Recipe: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Sheet Cake

Okay, so pretty much all of your friends have heard of and tried a spinach and artichoke dip, but how many have had the pleasure of eating bite-sized button mushrooms filled with a unique, homemade version of the dip? These little morsels of goodness would best serve as an app, and you'll want to be sure to make plenty because your friends will be popping them into their mouths at record speed. After baking, squeeze a little lemon juice on the crispy breadcrumb topping to round out the dish.

Recipe: Easy Stuffed Mushrooms

Holy moly. These pumpkin whipped cream-filled cream puffs look delectable enough to entice even the most insistent dessert-abstainer at your Friendsgiving celebration. This recipe includes special tips to help make sure your cream puffs come out perfectly, from what to do if your dough is too thick to what to avoid doing to make sure your shells don't collapse in the oven. Not only will you be impressed with your dessert upon completion, your friends will be in awe of your skill and baking prowess.

Recipe: Pumpkin Cream Puffs

Something cranberry-flavored is practically a requirement for a Friendsgiving feast, but chances are your friends are divided on whether canned cranberry sauce is gross or delicious. Instead of perpetuating this endless debate, try serving this moist cranberry bread, which is made from either fresh or frozen cranberries and orange juice, the latter of which adds the "moist" component to the bread. Drizzle the top of this dessert bread with orange-sugar glaze for added sweetness.

Recipe: Moist Cranberry Bread

Your friends will be both charmed and impressed by your sudden foray into European baking when you serve this free-form, French version of apple pie. Even if you haven't just returned from the French countryside, you'll find this apple galette surprisingly easy to make and aesthetically adorable. Make some café au lait to serve with the dessert and your friends will feel as though they've been transported from an American Friendsgiving celebration to a quaint Paris cafe.

Recipe: Apple Galette

The basket of crescent rolls tends to get passed around the table quickly at Friendsgiving. Everyone dives in, and grabbing at least one of the buttery, flaky rolls to either slather with butter or dip in gravy. What could be better? How about a crescent roll stuffed with mashed sweet potato, pecans, and marshmallows? Now that's a crescent roll upgrade! Serve these babies at the dinner table or as an app, and be sure to have extras on hand; your friends will devour them quickly.

Recipe: Best Sweet Potato Crescent Roll

Whether your friends are fans of the pumpkin spice trend or have jumped off the bandwagon, there's no denying that pumpkin is one of the most popular fall flavors, and when pumpkin spice flavor is mixed into cinnamon sugar-topped donuts, it's a practical autumn explosion in your mouth. These donuts will take you only 25 minutes to make, and are baked right in the oven. Serve with coffee or tea after dinner for a dessert that may just win over those pumpkin spice haters at your Friendsgiving table.

Recipe: Baked Pumpkin Donuts

Cold spinach artichoke dip is a tried-and-true favorite, and most of your friends probably already dig it. This version of the app calls for cream cheese, mozzarella, frozen spinach, and a can of artichoke hearts. What could be easier? Serve it with pita or potato chips, and be sure to point it out on the appetizer table to less adventurous eaters at your Friendsgiving feast who may be looking for something familiar yet definitely still yummy.

Recipe: Cold Spinach Artichoke Dip

Air fryers are all the rage, and, chances are, if you have one, you're looking for any excuse to use it. Wow your friends with your new cooking appliance and fry up some of these easy-to-make mini apple pies that are as adorable as they are sweet and delectable. These little triangular morsels are designed to just pop into your mouth and take just 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to fry, so you'll have plenty of extra time to spend with your friends mingling around the dessert table.

Recipe: 20-Minute Air Fryer Apple Pie

Those familiar with Korean cuisine are no strangers to kimchi, and those familiar with American cuisine are certainly no strangers to mac and cheese. These two worlds come together with this dish combo that might surprise your friends. But trust us: it'll be a delicious surprise when they taste the blend of ingredients including cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, gochujang, Dijon mustard, and kimchi mixed in with macaroni and topped with baked breadcrumbs.

Recipe: Kimchi Mac And Cheese

You heard us right. Three ingredients! What could be an easier dessert to make and a sure-fire hit among your friends with fall favorite flavors like apple and cinnamon? Don't want to or don't have time to make an apple pie crust? For this recipe, you'll only need store-bought puff pastry to create a flaky, sweet dessert that will have your friends begging for the recipe. There are also tips in the recipe for how to make an easy icing to drizzle over the pastries to make them even sweeter.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Apple Cinnamon Pastries

We've all had a slice of pumpkin pie, but pumpkin pie dip, you say? Now that's a new one. Impress your friends with this original, unique creation. The ingredients — pumpkin puree, dairy-free whipped topping, vanilla pudding, and caramel sauce — are simple and each yummy on its own, never mind when combined. The recipe suggests serving the dip with graham crackers or apple slices, making it perfect for either the app or dessert tables, or both.

Recipe: Quick Pumpkin Pie Dip

We love easy peasy apple flavored dessert recipes, especially ones that will leave you plenty of time to either make even more desserts or spend hanging out with your buddies on Friendsgiving. We recommend using Golden Delicious apples for these masterpieces, a variety that will take the overall sweetness up a notch. This recipe only yields four turnovers, so you may want to make more if you have lots of apple-loving friends attending your Friendsgiving event.

Recipe: Easy Apple Turnovers

The only thing that's perhaps more satisfying than a donut is a tiny donut that leaves us with less guilt. These pumpkin donut holes combine two of our favorite fall flavors, pumpkin and cinnamon, into mini morsels of delectable fun that will have your friends popping them into their mouths one after the other. Bonus points: they take just nine minutes to prep and fry. Just don't be tempted to eat them all yourself and make sure they make it to the dessert table.

Recipe: Fried Pumpkin Donut Holes

Chances are your friends who are fans of the restaurant chain Longhorn Steakhouse have tried its comfort-style, super cheesy mac and cheese alongside their chosen cut of juicy steak. Charm these meat-lovers with a surprise copycat version of everyone's favorite side dish made with fun, corkscrew noodles, bacon, and four types of cheese: Gruyère, fontina, sharp cheddar, and grated parmesan. The secret ingredient? Panko breadcrumbs that when sprinkled on top give the mac and cheese just enough of an added crunch.

Recipe: Copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Mac And Cheese

Oh, baby! These mini apple pies are not only delicious, they're also cute as a button. Your friends will ooh and ahh over these tiny versions of the Friendsgiving Day classic pie and gobble up the individual servings. You'll use pre-made pie crust and an apple mixture including cinnamon and maple syrup to make these little guys, which you'll cook to perfection in a simple muffin tin. Your friends will be begging for seconds, especially when you tell them that each serving clocks in at under 200 calories.

Recipe: Mini Apple Pies

Seafood lovers rejoice! Crab isn't just for summer anymore; it's the perfect addition to your Friendsgiving app spread, in the form of dip, of course. Mashed's recipe was developed by a Baltimore-based food blogger — so you know it's legit — and gives step-by-step instructions on how to combine ingredients including lump crab, Old Bay Seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, cream cheese, mozzarella, and cheddar to make a hot dip that will have your friends reminiscing about warmer weather. There's even a great tip in the recipe for giving your dip some extra spice.

Recipe: Hot Maryland Crab Dip

The only words we like better than "cranberry," "orange," and "cheesecake" are "simple" and "no-bake." Combine all those words and you get Friendsgiving perfection! This cheesecake, which includes a cranberry and orange cream cheese filling, fresh whipped cream, and — surprise! — a Nilla Wafer crust, simply sets in the fridge for a few hours before you can serve it to your friends who will be moved by your ability to prepare such a unique recipe.

Recipe: Simple No-Bake Cranberry Orange Cheesecake

So, you and your friends are all about pumpkin spice, but if you have to eat one more slice of regular pumpkin pie or drink another PSL, you might just lose your taste for it. That's where these easy pumpkin bars come in; not only are they simple to make, they're a yummy twist on a pumpkin dessert that will satisfy your pumpkin cravings. One of the key ingredients is a box of yellow or white cake mix, so you know this recipe can't be too hard to whip up.

Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Bars

"Pass the yams, please!" said maybe no one ever. Yams aren't the most popular Friendsgiving dish, but that's all about to change with this recipe, which your friends will ask for year after year. You'll make a sauce of butter, maple syrup, rosemary, and spices to pour over your yams before you put them in the oven, where the heat will meld all the flavors together and make the end result ever so tasty. Be sure to pay attention to the end of the recipe, which will provide variations to please all your friends at the table.

Recipe: Candied Yams

An interesting twist on a cookie, this recipe requires only two — you read that right, two — ingredients: frozen, pre-made pie crust and apple pie filling. These dessert morsels are so simple to make: after rolling out the dough, you'll essentially create round pockets filled with the apple pie filling, leaving your friends wondering, "Is it a pie? Is it a cookie?" "Don't worry about it," you'll say with a smile. "It's just delicious." Feeling ambitious? Try making your own pie crust for the cookies.

Recipe: Easy Apple Pie Cookies

Okay, hear us out on this one. Making the decision to tweak a tried-and-true hummus recipe might sound a bit questionable, but this roasted pumpkin hummus might just change your mind, and those of your friends. The regular hummus ingredients, like chickpeas and tahini, are still featured in this recipe, but you'll be adding some pumpkin to spice up your appetizer table and keep everything feeling autumn-esque. Mashed recommends serving the hummus with crusty bread or crackers.

Recipe: Easy Roasted Pumpkin Hummus

The chef who developed this recipe for Mashed is from Paris, so you know he's the real deal when it comes to concocting French desserts. Your friends are certain to be mesmerized by this tart that is as gorgeous as it is tasty. As soon as you pull it out of the oven, pop it out of the mold, and sprinkle it with powdered sugar, you'll be so proud of yourself, you might almost go off and start a French bakery. Almost.

Recipe: Classic French Apple Tart

Your traditional friends are going to want some classic dishes on your Friendsgiving Day table, and what better dish to wow them with than a traditional yet fabulously delicious mac and cheese? All the usual players are here for this one: elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, and, of course, breadcrumbs to top it all off with. This dish isn't for the faint of heart, though; the rich, creamy decadence lends to some serious caloric intake, so this might be best as a side dish to eat in moderation.

Recipe: Creamy Homestyle Mac And Cheese

Everyone deserves to indulge in something pumpkin flavored at Friendsgiving. You'll need something for everyone on your dessert table, and this homemade pumpkin pudding is perfect for your vegan friends. Your nonvegan friends will love it, too! Whip it up using almond and coconut milks, then once it sets, spoon it into tiny serving cups so your friends can enjoy individual servings. Check out the recipe for topping suggestions to add a little crunch or some added creaminess.

Recipe: Homemade Pumpkin Pudding

Blue cheese dip probably conjures up images of football games and buffalo wings, and that's why it's perfect for your Friendsgiving gathering, as this dip will please everyone, no matter what team they're rooting for. And, bonus for you, it doesn't get any easier than this blue cheese dip recipe. There are only a few ingredients and its two preparation steps (stir and chill) will literally take you all of two minutes. Be sure to have plenty of napkins ready, because this dip will have your friends digging in between touchdowns.

Recipe: Homemade Blue Cheese Dip

Sliced French baguette, honey, and slices of apples and Brie cheese might sound like the start of a gold star cheese plate, but in this case, they're all ingredients for a tasty fall twist on a classic bruschetta. This recipe yields perfect, bite-sized nibbles that will have your friends popping one after one into their mouths as they hover around the appetizer spread, plus, they're super simple to make. You just toast the bread, melt the cheese, assemble each piece, and voila! You'll have an instant app hit on your hands.

Recipe: Easy Apple Bruschetta

Sure, you've probably made a pot roast in your slow cooker, but have you ever thought about using this go-to kitchen appliance to make a hot beverage? As with many slow cooker recipes, the slow cooker does the work for you with this apple cider, you simply add apple juice, spices, and sliced oranges. The recipe will also give you tips on garnishes you can add on when serving to enhance visual appeal and tastiness.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Apple Cider

It's a pumpkin pie! It's a cheesecake! No, it's a pumpkin cheesecake, and it's the perfect marriage of the two amazing desserts that absolutely deserves a place on your dessert spread. Your friends will be intrigued by the concept, but you'll have them won over with the very first bite with ingredients like a graham cracker crust, pumpkin puree, and cream cheese. The recipe offers some ideas when it comes to decorating your pumpkin cheesecake, but follow your gut when it comes to what you think will be tasty and beautiful.

Recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake

When you think of dishes from Outback Steakhouse, you probably think of grilled steaks and Bloomin' Onions. But the steakhouse also serves some delectable sides, including its signature mac and cheese made with rigatoni. Our version uses Velveeta and plenty of butter to create the creamy cheese that oozes ever so nicely into the nooks and crannies of the pasta. Your friends will be pleasantly pleased by the gooey dish, so be sure to have plenty on hand for seconds.

Recipe: Copycat Outback Steakhouse Mac And Cheese

We knew there aren't too many desserts that can beat an apple turnover, but then we thought, hey, what about if we added caramel? Bingo! Instant upgrade. For this recipe, you'll caramelize the apples in brown sugar and butter, wrap them in puff pastry, then drizzle caramel over the finished turnovers for an extra special touch. These turnovers are a must for your friends who love fall-inspired pastries with a bit of sweetness.

Recipe: Caramel Apple Turnovers

This recipe is perfect for anxious bakers. It's seriously hard to mess up this dessert; the only three ingredients are literally in its name: marshmallow creme, pumpkin pie mix, and a box of white cake mix. That's it! Once your friends taste the pumpkin-flavored cake complete with marshmallow frosting, they'll not only be craving more, they'll be thinking what a baking genius you must be. Leave the cake as-is or brainstorm some original garnishes to take your cake to the next level.

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Marshmallow Pumpkin Cake