17 Fabulous Thanksgiving Main Dishes That Taste as Good as They Look

Daniela Apostol

Nov 05, 2024

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This collection of Thanksgiving main dishes features the very best recipes that will no doubt be the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving dinner. Whether you are hosting a large party or you go for a smaller gathering of families and friends, I’ve got you covered! From the classic turkey to beef, pork or chicken roast, to comforting and heart-warming dishes that have a touch of Fall, there is a bit for everyone to choose from.

Table of Contents

Roasted Turkey Drumsticks

2 roasted turkey drumsticks on a plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Roasted Turkey Drumsticks with a touch of paprika and garlic, moist and succulent, and a great alternative to the whole roast turkey. These turkey legs are a lot quicker to cook, especially if you don’t have a large party for your Thanksgiving dinner.

GET THE RECIPE: Roasted Turkey Drumsticks

Orange Bourbon Turkey Breast

A sliced roast turkey breast on a white platter, garnished with fresh rosemary and thyme. Three orange slices are placed beside the turkey. The meat has a golden brown glaze.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average

Orange Bourbon Turkey Breast, a delicious addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. It’s an easy recipe bursting with fantastic flavors and it will definitely be everybody’s favourite dish at the table.

GET THE RECIPE: Orange Bourbon Turkey Breast

Whole Roast Chicken

A roasted chicken garnished with herbs and lemon slices, surrounded by baked vegetables including potatoes, brussels sprouts, and carrots, is displayed on a white plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Whole Roast Chicken with lemon, thyme and rosemary, a delicious alternative to the good old roast turkey, especially if you are looking for recipes for a small family. The chicken is succulent and delicious, and always a winner.

GET THE RECIPE: Whole Roast Chicken

Roast Pork with Crackling

A chunk of roast pork with crackling.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Roast Pork with Crackling, perfectly succulent pork and amazingly crisp crackling without effort and very little prep every single time. The best roast for your Thanksgiving dinner.

GET THE RECIPE: Roast Pork with Crackling

Roast Beef

A chunk of roast beef on a white plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

The perfect Roast Beef for your Thanksgiving dinner is here! This topside joint is cooked in the oven until tender and nearly melting in the mouth. No need for fancy ingredients, you only need 3 ingredients for this recipe!

GET THE RECIPE: Roast Beef

Slow Cooker Roast Beef

A bowl of cooked beef with carrots, celery, and potatoes, garnished with parsley. A green and red checkered cloth is to the side.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Slow Cooker Roast Beef cooked in a rich beef broth until the beef is so tender it simply melts in your mouth. No searing needed, this is one of those dump-and-go slow cooker recipes that are as easy as can be.

GET THE RECIPE: Slow Cooker Roast Beef

Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Close-up of a roasted chicken with golden-brown skin, torn to reveal tender, juicy meat inside. A whole lemon is placed beside the chicken, adding a touch of color to the dish.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

This is an easy recipe for an Air Fryer Whole Chicken that is juicy and succulent with golden crispy skin and a lovely touch of lemon. Minimal prep, and just over an hour in the air fryer.

GET THE RECIPE: Air Fryer Whole Chicken

Roasted Pork Belly

Close-up of two slices of roasted pork belly on a white plate with floral edges. The meat is tender with a crispy, golden-brown skin.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Roasted Pork Belly with a crispy and golden crackling and a moist and tender meat, a delicious dish for your Thanksgiving dinner.It’s a very easy recipe that requires minimal prep, and it’s a great roast for the whole family.

GET THE RECIPE: Roasted Pork Belly

Roast Turkey Crown

A plate with 2 slices of turkey and gravy, a gravy boat and a large plate with turkey crown on it.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

This Roast Turkey Crown is an excellent recipe for your Thanksgiving dinner. Juicy, melting in your mouth, and a nice crispy skin, this turkey crown is a great option if you are not cooking for a large number of people.

GET THE RECIPE: Roast Turkey Crown

Baked Mac and Cheese

A dish with mac and cheese topped with bread crumbs.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

A classic Thanksgiving dish, this Baked Mac and Cheese with bread crumbs is the ultimate comfort food for the big day. Imagine this: macaroni smothered in a rich and creamy white sauce that has 3 types of cheese, then topped with buttery breadcrumbs, and baked to perfection.

GET THE RECIPE: Baked Mac and Cheese

Creamy Pumpkin Risotto

A bowl of pumpkin risotto topped with fresh sage leaves and grated cheese, placed on a dark wooden table. A spoon and extra sage leaves are on the side.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

This Pumpkin Risotto with a touch of sage is a delicious vegetarian Thanksgiving recipe that is ready in 30 minutes. Made with canned pumpkin and cooked to perfection, this risotto is comforting and heart warming.

GET THE RECIPE: Pumpkin Risotto

Pumpkin Chili

The image features a bowl of chili containing ground meat, cubed orange squash, and cilantro, resting on a green and brown plaid cloth.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

My Pumpkin Chili is made with ground beef and fresh pumpkin for a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner that everybody loves. This is the best comfort food to enjoy on the big day, it uses earthy spices for a depth of flavour, and it’s hearty and heart-warming too.

GET THE RECIPE: Pumpkin Chili

Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara

A bowl of spaghetti carbonara topped with grated cheese, bacon bits, and chopped parsley.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara, a fabulous dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. It’s made with pancetta and lots of parmesan cheese for a little twist on the classic Italian dish.

GET THE RECIPE: Butternut Squash Pasta Carbonara

Turkey Cottage Pie

A small casserole with turkey cottage pie.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

My Turkey Cottage Pie is hearty, easy to make, and a great choice for Thanksgiving. It’s made with ground turkey, veggies and a creamy cheesy mashed potato topping, and is as delicious as it looks.

GET THE RECIPE: Turkey Cottage Pie

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

A portion of butternut squash risotto in a white plate.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with a lots of delicious parmesan cheese, a fantastic comfort food for Thanksgiving. It’s quick, easy and heavenly hearty for a vegetarian meal.

GET THE RECIPE: Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

A plate with a portion of utternut squash mac and cheese.
Image Credit: Daniela Apostol for My Gorgeous Recipes

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese with sage, a comforting touch on the classic mac and cheese. The cheddar cheese and parmesan bring a lovely sharpness, and the butternut squash add a touch of colour and extra goodness.

GET THE RECIPE: Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

Beef Tenderloin Roast

Sliced medium-rare beef tenderloin roast on a wooden cutting board, accompanied by a carving fork and knife. The tenderloin is seasoned and cooked evenly, displaying a juicy, pink interior surrounded by a well-seared, brown crust.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average.

A fabulous roast for your Thanksgiving dinner, this filet mignon beef tenderloin is wonderfully tender and delicious, and a great hit with everyone.

GET THE RECIPE: Beef Tenderloin Roast

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