Are you tired of the same old potatoes and mac ‘n’ cheese recipes and looking for some new Thanksgiving dishes to grace your dining room table this Thanksgiving? Try expanding your dinner plate this holiday by trying one of the dishes below! This article contains three easy Thanksgiving recipes designed to spice up your traditional Thanksgiving spread this fall. Including recipes from all different areas of the dinner table, these dishes will no doubt make it difficult to save space for dessert!

Recipe 1: If you are tired of the same mashed potato recipe, “Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes” from allrecipes.com is perfect for you!

Recipe and Photo from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/15925/creamy-au-gratin-potatoes/

All you need is:

• 4 russet potatoes (sliced into ¼-inch slices)
• 1 onion, sliced into rings
• Salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of milk
• 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Yields: 4 servings

Instructions:

• Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Then, butter a medium-sized casserole dish.
• Step 2: Layer one-half of the potatoes on the bottom of the casserole dish. Place onion slices over top. Add the remaining potatoes over the onion slices. Use salt and pepper for seasoning.
• Step 3: In a medium-sized saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour and salt and stir constantly with a whisk (for one minute). Next, stir in milk. Continue cooking until the mixture has thickened. Add all the cheese at once, and continue stirring until melted (about 30 to 60 seconds). Pour the cheese over the potatoes. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
• Step 4: Bake for 1 ½ hours.

Recipe 2: Cranberry sauce is one of the best parts of any Thanksgiving meal, and this “Cranberry-Blueberry Sauce” from allrecipes.com serves as a great healthy alternative.

Recipe from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/277903/cranberry-blueberry-sauce/

Photo from: https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cran-blueberry-sauce-candied-ginger

All you need is:

• 4 cups of fresh cranberries
• 1 ½ cups of water
• 1 orange (zested and juiced)
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 2-inch piece of fresh ginger (grated)
• 6 whole cloves
• ½ teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon of ground allspice
• 1 pint of blueberries
• ¾ cup of maple syrup

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Additional Time: 6 hours

Total Time: 7 hours

Yields: 10 servings

Instructions:

• Step 1: Mix the cranberries, water, orange zest, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, ginger, vanilla extract, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice in a large saucepan until well combined and bring to a boil.
• Step 2: Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently. Continue until most of the cranberries have popped and the sauce starts to thicken (about 20 minutes).
• Step 3: Add blueberries and maple syrup. Continue to cook and stir the mixture until it returns to a simmer. Cook, while stirring frequently, until desired consistency (about 20 minutes).
• Step 4: Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely. Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves.
• Step 5: Refrigerate for 6 hours overnight.

Recipe 3: Although not traditionally found on a Thanksgiving table, mac ‘n’ cheese has somehow found its way onto many Thanksgiving plates. This recipe “Pumpkin Macaroni and Cheese” from allrecipes.com is sure to add a fun fall twist to your traditional mac ‘n’ cheese recipe!

Recipe and Photo from: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/268434/pumpkin-macaroni-and-cheese/

All you need is:

• 2 cups of elbow macaroni
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
• 2 cups of milk
• 1 teaspoon of ground mustard
• 2 ¼ cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups of finely chopped broccoli
• 1 cup of pumpkin puree
• ¼ cup of dry breadcrumbs

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yields: 6 servings

Instructions:

• Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
• Step 2: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni in the boiling water. Continue to stir occasionally until the pasta reaches desired tenderness (about 8 minutes).
• Step 3: Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in flour until the mixture is smooth. Then, stir in milk and bring to a simmer. Continue to cook and stir until thickened (about 1 minute). Remove from heat. Stir in the mustard, pepper, and nutmeg.
• Step 4: Add 2 cups of cheddar cheese plus broccoli and pumpkin puree into the mixture, stirring until the cheese is completely melted. Drain the macaroni. Mix in the cheese mixture until the pasta becomes well coated. Pour the macaroni and cheese into a baking dish. Top with the remaining ¼ cup of cheese and the breadcrumbs.
• Step 5: Bake in the oven until lightly browned (about 25 to 30 minutes).

Those were three Thanksgiving recipes designed to change up your traditional Thanksgiving plate with some fun new flavors. To prevent your spread from becoming too repetitive, there are still so many other fun options that are easily available if you are ever looking for some more new recipes to try. Although the meal is one of the best parts of Thanksgiving, always remember it is the company you keep that really matters. Make sure to be thankful for all that you are given. Have a great Thanksgiving!