Who Says Turkey Has to Be the Star of Thanksgiving?

Don’t get me wrong – I love a classic Thanksgiving feast! But if you’re not in the mood for roasted turkey and all the usual fixings this year, why not switch things up?

Thanksgiving is all about gathering around the table and sharing a really good meal, and there’s no rule that says it has to look the same every year.

Whether you’re craving a cozy pasta dinner, an impressive roast, or a few unexpected sides, these non-traditional Thanksgiving recipes are perfect for putting your own spin on the celebration!

Delicious Ideas for a Different Thanksgiving Dinner

A slice of cheesy lasagna with visible layers of pasta, sauce, and cheese, garnished with fresh herbs, served on a white plate with a gold fork. Another slice is in the background.

Truly, the Best-Ever Lasagna Bolognese

Inspired by my time working in a fine-dining Italian restaurant, this Lasagna alla Bolognese is a showstopping take on the traditional favorite. It’s an 8-layer masterpiece of my slowly simmered beef and pork bolognese, creamy garlic and herb-infused béchamel sauce, tender pasta, and Parmigiano Reggiano, baked until bubbly and golden. This is it: the last lasagna recipe you’ll ever need!

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Citrus & Maple Glazed ham on a white serving platter, with fresh bay leaves, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, & oranges.

Perfectly Juicy Citrus & Maple Glazed Ham Recipe

This simple Citrus and Maple Glazed Ham recipe is a treasured family recipe that creates the most perfect citrusy and smoky-sweet oven baked ham! Smoky bone-in ham is studded with thinly sliced oranges and whole cloves, and basted with a simple maple syrup ham glaze as it bakes. The perfect holiday roast for any celebratory dinner!

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An overhead shot of three thanksgiving meatballs served atop mashed potatoes with gravy on a speckled ceramic plate that sits atop a creamy white textured surface. One of the turkey meatballs have been cut in half to reveal an inside core of stovetop stuffing inside. The meatballs have been drizzled with gravy and garnished with fresh chopped herbs.

Thanksgiving Meatballs (Turkey Stuffing Meatballs & Gravy)

These Thanksgiving Meatballs taste just like a classic turkey dinner, but in meatball form! Season ground turkey with festive sage, thyme, rosemary, and garlic, then shape into balls around classic Stovetop stuffing for next-level Thanksgiving flavor. Bake the turkey stuffing meatballs, finish them in rich turkey gravy, and serve on creamy mashed potatoes for the ultimate Thanksgiving-inspired comfort food meal!

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An overhead shot of large pieces of beef tenderloin on a white oval platter atop an orange cloth on a black surface. Dishes of mashed potatoes, horseradish sauce, green beans and sea salt sit alongside the platter.

Foolproof Oven-Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary & Thyme

This Foolproof Oven-Roasted Beef Tenderloin is the easiest holiday centerpiece you’ll ever make. The secret is roasting at two different temperatures: first, low and slow to gently cook the beef tenderloin to a perfect medium rare, then a quick blast of high heat creates a golden-brown herb crust. It’s a melt-in-your-mouth show-stopper that’s flawlessly tender every single time.

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Individual Beef Wellington, cut in half, one half facing up, on a white ceramic plate, served with mashed potatoes and roasted mushrooms. The plate is on a black surface, next to a black plaid linen napkin, gold flatware, a glass of wine and twinkly lights.

Individual Beef Wellington

The British classic, but make it mini – Individual Beef Wellington! This show-stopping dish is the epitome of elegance and indulgence: seared filet mignon is encased in herbed mushrooms and prosciutto then wrapped into individual pockets of flaky, golden-brown puff pastry. This mini Beef Wellington recipe is the perfect luxe touch for your most special occasions.

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An overhead shot of an individual pot pie in a white ramekin atop a grey surface. A striped cloth, two gold forks and two additional pot pies sit alongside it.

Individual Chicken Pot Pie with Flaky Herbed Crust

A classic comfort food recipe, made mini: Individual Chicken Pot Pie! A creamy pot pie filling with tender chicken and hearty vegetables is individually portioned and topped with homemade all-butter crust made with fresh herbs for extra savory flavor. Bake until the pastry is flaky and golden for a simple, super cozy dinner.

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Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Garlic Herb Brown Butter sauce fills a gray ceramic bowl. The gnocchi is garnished with fresh sage leaves and freshly grated parmesan cheese. The bowl sits atop a creamy white textured surface with a blue and white striped linen napkin tucked alongside & a parmesan rind & loose fresh herbs surrounding the bowl.

Homemade Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Garlic Herb Brown Butter

Treat yourself to the ultimate fall comfort food meal, Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter. These dumplings are perfectly light, pillowy-tender, and extra flavorful thanks to the addition of freshly grated parmesan and nutmeg. For the perfect fall meal, finish the sweet potato gnocchi with brown butter sauce infused with garlic, fresh sage and rosemary, and chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture.

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Two bowls of beef French onion soup topped with fresh herbs, served with toasted bread slices covered in melted cheese, on a stone surface with a glass of red wine and a blue-patterned plate.

Slowly Braised Beef French Onion Soup with Melty Gruyère Toasts

Slowly simmer a chuck roast with wine and aromatics until spoon-tender, then turn the flavorful braising liquid into a beefy broth for the soup, a clever 2-for-1 method for rich flavor in every spoonful. Just stir in the jammy caramelized onions, then serve with melty Gruyère sourdough toasts on the side. Deliciously rich without being heavy, this soup will keep you warm and satisfied long after the last bite.

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A bowl of creamy baked butternut risotto topped with shaved parmesan and fresh herbs sits on a green-patterned plate, next to a green napkin, a glass of white wine, and a small dish of cracked black pepper.

Hands-Free Baked Butternut Squash Risotto (No Stirring!)

This Baked Butternut Squash Risotto is the easiest comfort food you’ll make this fall—totally hands-off, no stirring required! Diced butternut squash practically melts into arborio rice as it bakes in the oven, creating a naturally creamy dish with an autumn twist. Bring everything together with a swirl of butter, a splash of white wine for brightness, and a handful of nutty parmesan to balance the squash’s natural sweetness.

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Creamy pumpkin mac & cheese shown on a white ceramic plate, topped with brown butter breadcrumbs & crispy sage leaves.

Creamy Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Brown Butter Sage Breadcrumbs

The ultimate mac and cheese recipe for fall! Pasta is tossed into a velvety, rich pumpkin cheese sauce made with warm fall spices and 3 types of cheese, finished with crispy brown butter sage breadcrumbs, and baked until bubbly and perfect. This homemade pumpkin macaroni and cheese is savory, rich, creamy and decadent. Perfect for the best cozy dinner this fall, or to serve as a festive side dish at Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving.

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A side angle shot of a serving of wild mushroom ragu pasta inside of a brown speckled ceramic bowl. The pasta has been garnished with freshly grated parmesan and herbs and has gold silverware resting inside of the bowl. The bowl sits atop a creamy white textured surface with a light gray linen napkin, a small wooden pinch bowl filled with black pepper, and a glass of white wine resting alongside.

Best-Ever Wild Mushroom Vegetable Ragu

This Best-Ever Wild Mushroom Ragu is seriously bold, rich, and flavorful Italian-style comfort food. And it’s totally meatless! Fragrant aromatics like garlic and fresh thyme simmer in a porcini mushroom-infused stock to create a rich and earthy mushroom flavor. Add some crispy pan-roasted wild mushrooms, freshly grated parmesan, and a drizzle of truffle oil for an extra-luxe finishing touch.

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