Hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean marathon cooking sessions and flour on every surface. With 41 homemade options, you can whip up favorites that appear lovingly crafted, while still sneaking in time for parade-watching or a power nap. Whether you’ve got a crowd or just a few hungry relatives, these recipes make it look like you worked magic in the kitchen.

Chef Jenn’s Fully Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole

Bringing together a mix of comfort and heartiness, Chef Jenn’s Fully Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole features sweet potatoes layered with pecans, brown sugar, and marshmallows. This recipe gives you those special flavors associated with homemade favorites while keeping preparation simple. You get to serve a dish that most people think took hours to prepare, thanks to its impressive variety of textures and toppings.
Get the Recipe: Chef Jenn’s Fully Loaded Sweet Potato Casserole

Puff Pastry Pumpkin Turnovers

Flaky and golden, Puff Pastry Pumpkin Turnovers offer a warm spiced pumpkin filling tucked inside layers of crisp pastry. These turnovers present an inviting way to add homemade charm to any table, and they’re surprisingly straightforward to make. You can bake a batch quickly and still present something that tastes as though it required lots of attention.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Pumpkin Turnovers

Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup

Rich flavors are blended together in Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup, which features pureed squash and sweet potato in a buttery, smooth base. With each bowl, it becomes clear that you can achieve a homemade taste that feels comforting and complex but doesn’t require advanced cooking skills. This soup works as a starter or as a meal, holding up well to toppings or sides.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup

Apple Dump Cake

Warm fruit mingles with a tender, lightly crisp topping in Apple Dump Cake, a dessert that produces a homemade flavor with minimal steps. Layers of spiced apples are topped with cake mix and baked together, creating a classic finish that tastes like it came from a treasured family recipe. This cake is convenient and suitable for different skill levels, so it allows anyone to achieve a classic baked treat without much fuss.
Get the Recipe: Apple Dump Cake

Smoked Dill Pickle Wings

Bringing together smoke and tang, Smoked Dill Pickle Wings offer a punch of flavor that feels exciting and homemade all at once. These wings are tossed in a pickle juice marinade, giving them a unique taste that sets them apart from other recipes. You can achieve the effect of slow smoking in less time with an efficient method, making these accessible even to newer cooks.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Dill Pickle Wings

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Simple steps lead to impressive results in Pumpkin Dump Cake, a dessert where canned pumpkin and warm spices meet a buttery cake topping. This recipe achieves homemade richness without complex directions or specialized techniques, making it easy for anyone to pull off. Quick assembly allows you to offer up a sweet treat that tastes layered and memorable.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Dump Cake

Chef Jenn’s Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe

Fast and flavorful, Chef Jenn’s Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe transforms fresh apples into a smooth, cinnamon-scented sauce with almost no effort required. By letting the Instant Pot do most of the work, you get a result that has a homemade taste in a fraction of the time. This applesauce works as a side, snack, or even a dessert, adding versatility to its appeal.
Get the Recipe: Chef Jenn’s Instant Pot Applesauce Recipe

Garlic & Rosemary Braised Potatoes

Full-bodied flavors shine in Garlic & Rosemary Braised Potatoes, which feature tender potatoes cooked with fresh herbs in a fragrant broth. Slow simmering infuses the potatoes with garlic and rosemary, resulting in depth and aroma that people typically associate with home-cooked meals. Despite the impressive outcome, the steps are quite manageable and require little hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Garlic & Rosemary Braised Potatoes

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Soft dough and spiced pumpkin filling come together in Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, bringing freshly baked comfort to your kitchen. The combination of pumpkin and cinnamon in the swirl makes each roll feel like a treat you spent hours preparing. These rolls showcase that baked-from-scratch feeling without an involved process.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Moist and flavorful, Air Fryer Turkey Breast is an option for cooks who want the depth of a traditional roast without the lengthy oven process. Using an air fryer keeps preparation quick while maintaining a homemade texture and flavor profile that people appreciate. Juicy turkey with a crispy skin becomes achievable on even the busiest cooking days.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Best Ever Pumpkin Bread

Moist and warmly spiced, Best Ever Pumpkin Bread comes together with classic baking ingredients and a minimum of fuss. The comforting, from-scratch taste speaks to hours in the kitchen, even though quick mixing is all it takes. Slices stay tender and flavorful, making this recipe one of the more memorable quick breads.
Get the Recipe: Best Ever Pumpkin Bread

Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill

Fresh cauliflower takes on bright flavor in Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill, where simple seasoning makes a notable impact. Steamed or roasted cauliflower is enlivened with a squeeze of lemon and chopped fresh dill for an easy yet memorable side. This dish shows off how basic vegetables can taste like a special homemade recipe with just a few everyday ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower with Lemon and Dill

Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Flaky pastry and tender apples are featured in Puff Pastry Apple Tart, a recipe designed to look and taste as though it required hours of meticulous baking. Sliced apples are arranged on top of crisp pastry, then baked until golden and fragrant. Quick assembly and minimal hands-on time make it easier to achieve impressive results at any skill level.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Apple Tart

Cream of Onion Soup

Rich and soothing, Cream of Onion Soup brings together sweet, caramelized onions in a smooth, velvety base. This recipe gives you a restaurant-style result with techniques that are approachable for most home cooks. Perfect for enjoying on its own or alongside a sandwich, each bowl has a comforting, homemade quality.
Get the Recipe: Cream of Onion Soup

Pumpkin Spice Scones

Tender on the inside with a light crust on the outside, Pumpkin Spice Scones combine pure pumpkin and seasonal spices for a bakery-style treat. Quick mixing and shaping lead to triangles that look like they came from a café, especially when finished with a vanilla glaze. These scones are great for breakfast, a snack, or sharing at gatherings, with a taste and aroma that make them a standout.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Scones

Classic Corn Pudding Casserole

Sweet corn and a creamy custard mix together in Classic Corn Pudding Casserole, a dish often found at home-cooked meals. With straightforward preparation and familiar pantry staples, you can present a casserole that’s rich and spoonable. Each bite gives off the sense that it was perfected through years of tradition.
Get the Recipe: Classic Corn Pudding Casserole

Easy Pumpkin Waffles

Wholesome and crisp, Easy Pumpkin Waffles are a breakfast favorite that manages to feel both comforting and special. Pumpkin puree is blended with a light batter for waffles that look and feel homemade after a quick trip through the waffle iron. The recipe allows for fast assembly, yet the finished product brings a sense of care and effort.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Waffles

Maple Pecan Pie Bars

Sticky and rich, Maple Pecan Pie Bars combine a shortbread base with a pecan and maple topping to offer the familiar taste of a pie in a portable shape. These bars give you the experience of hours spent on a classic dessert, but come together much faster. The nutty, buttery layers hold up well to cutting and serving, making them great for sharing.
Get the Recipe: Maple Pecan Pie Bars

Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon

Tasty bacon and tangy red cabbage are featured in Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon, which manages to deliver homemade flavor through a balance of just a few ingredients. Soft cabbage is cooked down with a touch of sweetness and acidity, then finished with crisp bacon pieces. The result feels like something that’s been simmered on the stove for hours, though it’s quite straightforward to make.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage with Bacon

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Textures play an important role in Pumpkin Crunch Cake, which uses a blend of spiced pumpkin, nuts, and a buttery topping for a familiar home-baked effect. This recipe stands out for its straightforward assembly while presenting a complex finish. When served warm or at room temperature, it has the kind of layered taste people expect from a scratch-made dessert.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Nanna’s Apple Cake

Rustic and comforting, Nanna’s Apple Cake is inspired by time-honored baking traditions yet keeps the process simple. Chunks of apple are folded into a tender batter, resulting in a cake that feels like it was handed down through generations. Each slice gives you the experience of homemade goodness without demanding much from the baker.
Get the Recipe: Nanna’s Apple Cake

Broccoli Rice Casserole with Fresh Broccoli

Creamy consistency and subtle crunch define Broccoli Rice Casserole with Fresh Broccoli, a classic recipe that balances convenience with homemade character. Fresh broccoli and rice are baked together in a sauce that delivers old-fashioned appeal with modern simplicity. This casserole pairs well with many main dishes, holding its own as a staple side.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Rice Casserole with Fresh Broccoli

Apple Crisp with Ice Cream

Tender baked apples topped with a crumbly oat mixture define Apple Crisp with Ice Cream, bringing a classic dessert experience to any table. Preparation is quick, but the finished taste could convince anyone you spent hours peeling, slicing, and baking. Serving warm apple crisp with a scoop of ice cream brings balance and comfort.
Get the Recipe: Apple Crisp with Ice Cream

Turkey à la King

Creamy sauce, diced turkey, and vegetables are featured in Turkey à la King, a recipe designed for using leftover poultry in a way that feels completely new. The steps are manageable, yet the meal appears as though it required long simmering and careful attention. Flavors mingle in the sauce to provide richness that is both filling and reassuring.
Get the Recipe: Turkey à la King

Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cake

Chocolate and pumpkin combine in Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cake, offering up dense, fudgy layers that catch the eye and taste homemade. Each square shows off color and marbling, suggesting a baking project that took time and skill. Reality, though, is that this cake is easy to assemble, making it a great choice for enthusiastic bakers and beginners alike.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cake

Smoked New York Strip Roast

Deep smokiness and a tasty crust make Smoked New York Strip Roast stand out as a restaurant-style centerpiece for any event. This roast achieves slow-cooked taste and tenderness without requiring a full day at the smoker. The straightforward process lets you serve family and friends a dish that appears impressively time-consuming.
Get the Recipe: Smoked New York Strip Roast

Easy Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Classic cake sandwiches filled with sweet pumpkin cream give Easy Pumpkin Whoopie Pies the look and flavor of traditional home baking. They seem elaborate, but basic mixing and assembly make them achievable, even on a tight schedule. Soft cookies with creamy filling are easy to transport and share.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Fluffy, creamy potato mash is redefined in Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese, providing a richer update to the familiar side. The method is accessible, but using cream cheese gives an extra boost that feels like a secret home kitchen trick. Smooth results are quick to achieve and always welcome at any dinner table. It’s a comfortable, reliable dish that complements a wide range of mains.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes with Cream Cheese

Dutch Apple Danishes

Puff pastry and caramelized apples make Dutch Apple Danishes an appealing addition to any spread, channeling a bakery’s homemade flair with straightforward prep. The combination of buttery pastry and spiced apples results in treats that appear far more involved than they are. These danishes bake up beautifully, showing off golden, flaky layers and fragrant filling.
Get the Recipe: Dutch Apple Danishes

Sweet Potato Chili with Quinoa

Wholesome and filling, Sweet Potato Chili with Quinoa combines tender chunks of sweet potato and protein-rich quinoa in a flavorful tomato sauce. This chili comes together with easy steps but gives off a feeling of slow-cooked comfort. Each bowl delivers a blend of textures and flavors that seems like it required much more effort. It’s perfect for anyone searching for a hearty, vegetarian entrée.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Chili with Quinoa

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Rich pumpkin and tangy cream cheese share the spotlight in Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, perfect for a breakfast or snack that doesn’t ask for much hands-on work. Swirling the cream cheese into the batter means each muffin comes out unique and attractive. This recipe produces moist, flavorful results that hold up even a day after baking.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

White Bean Salad

Bright, tangy, and packed with protein, White Bean Salad brings fresh flavors and various textures in a dish that easily passes for a homemade staple. The salad mixes beans, herbs, and a light vinaigrette for a simple but effective result. Quick assembly and no-cook preparation make it practical for busy days. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a side or a light main course.
Get the Recipe: White Bean Salad

Crumbl Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel

Soft and chewy, Crumbl Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel take inspiration from bakery favorites but require just a few mixing steps at home. Each cookie features a gooey caramel center surrounded by pumpkin-spiced dough. The cookies bake up thick and hearty, offering that sought-after homemade finish. Friends and family are sure to ask for the recipe after just one bite.
Get the Recipe: Crumbl Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel

Leftover Turkey Mashed Potato Patties

Bringing together leftovers in a creative way, Leftover Turkey Mashed Potato Patties combine cooked turkey and mashed potatoes into crispy, pan-fried patties. This recipe is an efficient way to give yesterday’s meal a flavorful new life, with minimal effort. Each patty browns up nicely and can be served plain or with a favorite sauce or gravy.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Turkey Mashed Potato Patties

Apple Fritter Bread

Chunks of apples and swirls of cinnamon sugar are baked into Apple Fritter Bread, which mimics the taste of a bakery treat without the effort of frying. The loaf comes together with simple mixing and layering, giving the impression of a much more involved baking process. Slices are moist with bursts of apple in every bite. Warm from the oven or toasted the next day, this bread is an easy favorite.
Get the Recipe: Apple Fritter Bread

Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Smooth and comforting, Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin allows anyone to serve up a restaurant-style dish while sticking to pantry basics. Using canned pumpkin keeps preparation easy, but each spoonful tastes freshly made. Garnishes like toasted seeds or cream make the presentation even more inviting. The recipe is quick, adaptable, and perfect for a simple homemade meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Soup with Canned Pumpkin

Bacon and Mushroom Tartlets

Rich mushroom flavor pairs with smoky bacon in Bacon and Mushroom Tartlets, which can double as appetizers or a small bite for breakfast. Puff pastry serves as the base, making each tartlet crisp and easy to prepare. Despite the elegant appearance, this recipe involves little more than sautéeing and filling pastry shells. Their delicious taste and handy size make them a reliable option for gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Bacon and Mushroom Tartlets

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

Cool, creamy, and easy to assemble, No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake lets you skip the oven without losing any homemade charm. A graham cracker crust is topped with a pumpkin-spiced cream cheese mixture that sets in the refrigerator. The result is a dessert that feels celebratory and homemade, yet only takes minimal time to prepare.
Get the Recipe: No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

Chef Jenn’s Famous French Onion Soup

Deeply caramelized onions and rich broth are hallmarks of Chef Jenn’s Famous French Onion Soup, a recipe that yields big flavor with surprisingly simple steps. Slices of bread and melted cheese on top create a familiar look and texture reminiscent of classic home-kitchen meals. Making the soup from scratch signals care, without taking all day.
Get the Recipe: Chef Jenn’s Famous French Onion Soup

Pumpkin Brownies

Fudgy chocolate mingles with earthy pumpkin in Pumpkin Brownies, which offer a colorful and unexpected twist on a tried-and-true dessert. The dual layers appear as if they required hours of careful baking, though the process is straightforward. Lemon juice or nuts can be added for variety. Each bite has just the right balance of chocolate and spice.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Brownies

Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans

Tender green beans simmer slowly with flavorful seasonings in Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans, achieving a homemade taste with maximum convenience. You simply add everything to the slow cooker, letting gentle heat unlock comforting flavors over a few hours. Bacon and onion add richness without complicating the steps.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Southern Green Beans