If you are anything like me, you panic whenever a potluck comes up, especially during the holidays. Pumpkin pie? Everyone is going to bring that. Cranberry sauce? Nobody eats that. Mashed potatoes? Maybe. You can’t go wrong with too many potatoes, right? Gravy? If I bring that, people will think I don’t care. I don’t know what to bring and I have to work with my minimal cooking skills.
To spare you some trouble, here are some EASY Thanksgiving recipes for you to try out on turkey day!Photo courtesy of flickr.com
Pumpkin Crunch
It’s like pumpkin pie, but crunchier.
Ingredients
1 Can pumpkin puree
1 Yellow cake mix
1 Can evaporated milk
3 Eggs
1 Cup sugar
1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ Teaspoon salt
1 Cup chopped pecans
2 Sticks of butter melted
Whipped cream (optional)
Directions
-
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
-
Grease the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan.
-
In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
-
Pour the pumpkin mixture into the pan.
-
Sprinkle the cake mix evenly over the pumpkin mixture.
-
Top the entire pan with pecans.
-
Drizzle the top with butter.
-
Bake for 50-55 minutes or until golden brown.
-
Let cool to room temperature. When ready to serve, flip the pan over onto a platter and top with whipped cream.
Garlic Mashed CauliflowerPhoto courtesy of photopin.com
An alternate twist to mashed potatoes, but with the same delicious taste!
Ingredients
1 Head of cauliflower chopped up
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 clove of garlic, smashed
1 tablespoon cream cheese
½ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
-
Steam cauliflower by placing a steamer into a saucepan with boiling water. Make sure the water does not touch the steamer. Cook the cauliflower for 10 minutes or until tender.
-
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for around 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
-
In a food processor or blender, add the cooked cauliflower in small amounts of a time. Blend until the cauliflower has a creamy texture.
-
Blend in the remaining ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference.
Bacon Mac and Cheese
Photo courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org
Are you in need of a last-minute potluck dish? This mac and cheese is simple and fast to make!
Ingredients
2 Boxes Kraft Mac and Cheese
1 Package of Bacon
1 Package of Mozzarella or Cheddar cheese (if you want it more cheesy)
¼ Cup of milk
Directions
-
Cook the Kraft Mac and Cheese according to the box in one pot.
-
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
-
Line a baking sheet with foil to catch the bacon grease.
-
Arrange bacon on the foil.
-
Cook bacon for 10 to 20 minutes or until your crispiness preference.
-
Crumble bacon and add it to the pot of mac and cheese.
-
Serve on a platter and enjoy!
(for cheesier options continue reading)
-
Turn on the stove and add milk and cheese to the mac and cheese.
-
Stir mac and cheese and keep adding milk and cheese until desired creaminess.
Chocolate Macadamia Toffee Cake
Ingredients
1 Chocolate cake mix
1 Package of instant chocolate pudding
1 Package of toffee bits
½ Cup of chopped Macadamia nuts
1 Container of whipped cream
Directions
-
Prepare cake mix according to the box.
-
Prepare instant chocolate pudding according to the box.
-
Once the cake has cooled, break cake into smaller pieces.
-
In a large clear container, place a portion of the cake on the bottom. On top of that, add a layer of pudding. Next, add a layer of whipped cream. Keep alternating between cake, pudding, and whipped cream until the container is filled.
-
Top of the trifle by sprinkling the macadamia nuts and toffee bits evenly.
-
Chill in fridge until ready to serve.
I hope everyone has a delicious Thanksgiving feast!