12 Dishes for Your Thanksgiving Menu

What's on your Thanksgiving menu??

Are you in charge of sides? Desserts? Do you spearhead the turkey? Do you just show up and eat??

I know that Thanksgiving is as early as it can possibly be this year, but WOAH. It feels like it is really sneaking up and coming fast. (Though I might just be feeling this because fall started in Virginia approximately 3 days ago, versus the late September onset we were used to in Michigan, so in my mind Thanksgiving is still about 2 months away.)

If you are meal planning, here are 12 dishes perfect for your Thanksgiving day menu!

Double Layer Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Cookie Crust - All the flavor of your favorite spicy pumpkin pie, with the texture and richness of a cheesecake. The gingersnap cookie crust MAKES THIS. Also, any leftovers would make a delicious day-after breakfast!
Cheese Board - In my mind, the perfect appetizer. Easy to prep ahead, fun to eat together, and has something for everyone. A printable cheese board shopping list is included in the cheese board post, so you don't even need to worry about adding to your growing Thanksgiving grocery list.
All-Purpose Pie Crust - Easy, flaky, crispy pie crust for any pie you might be making! Can prep ahead and freeze. I'm all about cutting down on week-of tasks!
Charred Brussels Sprouts - A quick veggie side dish that is delicious! Can make ahead and reheat.
Au Gratin Potatoes - If you want a (very cheesy) alternative to mashed potatoes, this is for you! These can be made ahead.
Baked Applesauce - It seems silly to me that the only fruit traditionally included in the Thanksgiving meal is cranberry sauce. Applesauce seems like the perfect companion to potatoes and turkey and dressing. I love this applesauce in particular because it is all in the oven.
Roasted Winter Vegetables - A super easy vegetable side dish that adds some much-needed color to a very beige meal.
Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting - These might be the easiest muffins you'll ever make. They make a great breakfast for the day-of!
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread - Another festive day-of breakfast! A slightly more intensive option than the muffins, but so, so delicious and great for a bigger crowd!
Homemade Boursin - As easy as appetizers come. Make this ahead, pop into a cute dish, and serve with crackers for a pre-feast appetizer.
Winter Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette - I view salad as kind of a boring, obligatory addition to the Thanksgiving meal, but this one is a star in its own right. There's bacon and candied pecans and shredded Brussels sprouts and it is good. If you want to up the fanciness of this salad, you could even make a pretty layered display in a trifle dish.
Macaroni & Cheese - I am a proponent of mac & cheese being a part of the Thanksgiving meal. This is my tried-and-true mac & cheese recipe. You can assemble it ahead of time and bake before serving.

Happy meal planning!