Unique Thanksgiving Recipes for Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving: The celebration of thanksgiving with friends, instead of the traditional Thanksgiving spent with family. Let’s be honest, Friendsgiving can be much more fun and much less drama, so who doesn’t want to celebrate Friendsgiving?

Thanksgiving is about tradition and Friendsgiving is about making new ones. So you’re going to want to bring some of the best and newest recipes to the party! Below is a list of our favorite recipes that are sure to make you win the unspoken contest of "who brought the best dish." Let's get started!

Rigatoni with Red Peppers & "Sausage"

An amazing vegan pasta that tastes good even for non-vegans—ready in under 40 minutes!

You can check out the full recipe here.

Cook time: 40—50 mins.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 Italian Field Roast Sausages, sliced (or another vegan sausage)

2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced into strips

2 medium sweet onions, thinly sliced

4 garlic cloves, minced

3/4 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

2 tbsp. tomato paste

1/2 cup red wine

1 (14.5oz.) can diced tomatoes

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 pound rigatoni, whole wheat or gluten-free if preferred

Pigs in an Everything Blanket with Cream Cheese Dip

Everyone loves pigs in a blanket and these take it to the next level with an everything blanket with cream cheese dipping sauce!

Check the full recipe here.

Cook time: 25—35 mins.

Ingredients:

PIGS

1 pound refrigerated prepared pizza dough, at room temperature

1 package franks (42 franks)

8 cups of water

1/4 cup baking soda

2 tablespoons honey

1 large egg

1 tablespoon half-and-half

2 tablespoons poppy seeds

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

4 teaspoons dried minced onion

4 teaspoons dried minced garlic

1 teaspoon coarse salt

CREAM CHEESE DIP

6 ounces cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Herb Roasted Turkey

Your traditional Thanksgiving dinner: roasted turkey, but cooked with fresh herbs, making it mouth-watering!

Click here for the full recipe.

Cook time: 1-hour prep, 6 hours cooking.

Ingredients:

1 (14-lb.) whole fresh turkey*

kitchen string

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon ground sage

1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon

3 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup butter, softened

2 medium onions, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 garlic bulb, halved

1 cup dry white wine

fresh sage leaves, for garnish

Sweet Potato Rounds with Herbed Ricotta and Walnuts

Simply fold them in half and they make a perfect one-bite app! These are great for a last-minute snack idea and everyone is sure to love it.

Cook time: 30—40 mins.

Ingredients:

1 large sweet potatoes sliced into ¼-inch rounds

1 Tbsp avocado oil

1 pinch ground cinnamon

1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese

1-½ tsp Italian seasoning

1 Tbsp + 1 tsp honey

¼ tsp sea salt

1 cup raw walnuts roasted and chopped

¾ cup dried cranberries

honey

Cheesy Mashed Potato Puffs

These are crispy, creamy and cheesy deliciousness - this is a must bring to any Friendsgiving party. They also are great for next-day leftovers!

You can find the whole recipe here.

Cook time: 30—40 mins.

Ingredients:

cooking spray or butter

2 cups cooked mashed potatoes

3 large eggs, beaten

1 cup grated cheese, such as Parmesan or Gruyère, divided

1/4 cup minced fresh chives

1/4 cup diced cooked bacon or ham (optional)

Kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

sour cream, for serving

Bacon-Wrapped Brussel Sprouts

If you’re looking for something super simple to make, yet amazingly delicious, this is your plate! With only six simple ingredients to handle, just about anyone can make this it.

Check it out here.

Cook time: 35—45 mins.

Ingredients:

8-12 strips of bacon

12 medium/large brussel sprouts

1 tablespoon of brown sugar

pepper

maple syrup

honey

Pumpkin Mousse

For something that is easy and sure to bring a smile to everyone's face, the pumpkin mousse should be your go too. Everyone brings pies, pies and more pies - be unique and make some mousse!

Here is the full recipe.

Cook time: 10—15 mins. prep, 2 hours cooking.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter

24 marshmallows

½ cup milk

½ cup canned pumpkin

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

⅓ cup of sugar

1 cup heavy cream

Apple Cranberry Crisp

If you want to make something a little more traditional, then there isn’t anything better than apple cranberry crisp. Just make sure to serve it with a side of vanilla ice cream.

Here is the full recipe.

Cook time: 30—40 mins.

Ingredients:

3 cups chopped peeled tart apples

1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed

3/4 cup packed brown sugar, divided

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup cold butter, cubed

Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

This dessert is a mouth-watering cheesecake with pumpkin - perfect for Friendsgiving. Full of creamy spices and a crispy gingersnap crust, you really can’t go wrong with this one.

You can find the full recipe here.

Cook time: 40 mins prep, 6 hours cooking.

Ingredients:

24 gingersnap cookies (about 5.7 ounces)

Kosher salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

24 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup canned pure pumpkin puree

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1 cup of sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 cup whipped cream

Friendsgiving is an opportunity to break the rules and make whatever it is you want - the more unique the better! and remember to shop local and buy the freshest ingredients. These are just a few of our favorites and are sure to bring a smile to everyone's faces. Pick one out and start cooking!