12 Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas Your Guests Will Gobble Up

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means that it’s time for friends, family—and feasting. To help you cook up an unforgettable Thanksgiving spread, we compiled our favorite Thanksgiving recipes including side dishes and desserts. With a spread this delicious on the table, leftovers may be hard to come by!

Unfortunately we can’t cook the turkey for you, but we can give you everything you need to craft the perfect Thanksgiving dinner – from delicious side dishes like Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, to crowd-pleasing desserts like Mini Apple Tarts and Turtle Cheesecake – we’ve got you covered. 

Crowd-Pleasing Thanksgiving Appetizers 

Holiday Cheese Board

A cheese or charcuterie board is a great way to gather your guests around the table before dinner. Building a cheese board is all about visual appeal and variety of colors, textures, and flavors, both sweet and savory. Leave off the meat for a lighter, vegetarian option. And include some gluten-free crackers. Follow the recipe or use it to guide you in what types of cheeses, fruits, nuts and meat you would like to include and get your creative juices flowing. The cheese board can be made ahead and just add the crackers before serving.

Lightened-Up Warm Artichoke & Spinach Dip

Everyone loves a good spinach and artichoke dip – and this one gives you all of the rich flavors you love without the added calories. This healthy alternative combines Cabot Cottage Cheese with spinach, artichoke hearts and our favorite seasonings for a hearty dip the whole family will want to dig into. Serve with fresh cut carrots and celery, or pita crisps and tortilla chips for an easy appetizer that’s sure to please a crowd. 

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

This Pumpkin Cheese Ball is easy and fun to make. Made with Cabot Cream Cheese, Vermont Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Greek Yogurt, the cheese ball is perfect for Thanksgiving, or can be modified into other shapes and colors. How about a football for game day? Or a carrot for Easter? Get creative and have fun making this cheese ball recipe.

Cheddar with Honey, Walnuts & Dried Cherries

With the stress of the holiday season, this easy Thanksgiving appetizer is an instant favorite that can be whipped up in less than 10 minutes – and it’s healthy, too! Top the best cheddar cheese (it’s award winning!) with chopped walnuts, dried fruits and drizzled honey for a surprisingly simple, elegant appetizer. As a bonus, place it on a corner of your Thanksgiving cheese board to dress it up and give it a touch of warm Fall flavors.

Pumpkin Soup

Some of the best Thanksgiving recipes are comforting classics - that's why we love this Pumpkin Soup recipe. This Thanksgiving soup blends pumpkin with rich complimentary flavors of apple, onion and cinnamon, creating a warm and cozy base. Cabot Greek Yogurt is added for extra creaminess without the added calories, topped with Cabot Cheddar for a robust combination sure to fit any Thanksgiving menu.

Cranberry Cheddar Pita Bites

Elevate traditional Thanksgiving cranberry sauce from a mere condiment to the life of the party when you pair it with Cabot Cheddar Cheese. This simple Thanksgiving appetizer is easy to prepare and offers the perfect bite-sized combination of sweet and tangy flavors, making them easy for guests to grab as they pass your grazing table. Hang on to the recipe, too, because we guarantee you’ll want to make these again and again, even after the holiday season is over!

Mouthwatering Thanksgiving Side Dishes 

Greek Yogurt Mashed Potatoes

This twist on classic Thanksgiving mashed potatoes uses Greek Yogurt as a substitute for cream and milk to amplify the creaminess and flavor while keeping the calorie count down. These mashed potatoes are just as creamy and fluffy as their classic version, just a little healthier and lighter. Mashing with Cabot Salted Butter guarantees a smooth, rich flavor sure to keep guests going back for seconds.  

Cheddar Green Bean Casserole

Casseroles are a traditional Thanksgiving staple, and this Cheddar and Green Bean Casserole is no exception. The melted cheese adds a tangy, complex flavor that serves as a rich base for the sauce. Cabot Unsalted Butter, milk, and chicken broth round out the cheesy sauce that perfectly complements the mushrooms and fresh green beans. This casserole easily serves 10, but doubling the recipe is effortless (as long as you have a bigger casserole dish). This Thanksgiving casserole bakes for 25 minutes and cools for 15, giving you time to spend with your guests while filling your home with that classic Thanksgiving aroma.

Pumpkin Chili

Pumpkin chili is hearty, light and packed with fiber and other nutrients. Not only is it the perfect warm and cozy bowl of fall flavors, but it's an exceptional side dish to offer as an alternative to traditional Thanksgiving options - especially if you live in a cold climate. Classic chili seasonings and add-ins like black beans and pinto beans are combined with rich and flavorful pumpkin and Cabot Greek Yogurt for a creamy, zesty and earthy chili.

Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Casserole

Whether you’re already a raving fan of Brussels sprouts (like us!) or are still skeptical to try them after a not-so-great experience from a childhood meal, you need to make this Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Casserole. We’re convinced it will convert even those most opposed to this often misunderstood member of the cabbage family – how can it not when combined with melted Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar? This delectable side dish serves 10 and is an easy, quick, crowd-pleasing side that is sure to make an appearance on the table for years to come. 

Pumpkin Soufflé with Habanero Cheddar

Not only are they a delicious Thanksgiving side dish, they also make any table setting look beautiful and festive! These Pumpkin Soufflés offer a lovely Fall flavor combination of pumpkin and cheddar, with a subtle spicy kick that is sure to please. The best part (aside from being delicious attention grabbers, of course)? They can be served hot, warm or cold, meaning you can fit them into any Thanksgiving baking rotation with minimal stress. 

Roasted Carrots with Carrot Top Chimichurri Sauce

This root to stem recipe makes wonderful Thankgiving dish The use of the whole carrot is substantial enough to hold its own as a vegetarian main dish or will sing as a hearty side. There is no need to peel the carrots, just thoroughly scrub them, clean and soak the tops before processing to dislodge any garden soil still holding on. The crunchy explosive flavor of the Cabot Vermont Sharp Cheddar frico elevates the earthy caramelized roasted carrots and the addition of tangy green chimichurri finishes the dish with pop and zing.

We Hope You Saved Room for Thanksgiving Dessert

Mini Apple Tarts with Cabot Cracker Cuts

No Thanksgiving spread is complete without a sweet finale, but after filling up with hearty sides and entrees, a heavy dessert can feel a little overwhelming… the solution? Cabot’s Mini Apple Tarts. Apples and cheddar, a long-standing combination that pleases the palate, come together perfectly in these unique tartlets that are super easy to make, and a fun recipe to get the kids involved in Thanksgiving prep! Tip: keep some Cabot Whipped Cream nearby for guests who have a bigger sweet tooth - they are mini apple pies, after all! 

Maple Cheesecake

If you’re tired of pumpkin cheesecake and are looking for another type of cheesecake that is perfect for fall, you’ll have to try this maple cheesecake! While maple can sometimes be overpowering, there’s no need to fear that here, as this recipe has a beautifully delicate maple flavor, while delivering the creamy, rich goodness you expect in a cheesecake. It's the perfect Thanksgiving finale dessert.

Turtle Cheesecake

For the ultimate Thanksgiving dessert, this eye-catching chocolate turtle cake from our friends at Barstow’s Longview Farm is sure to please a crowd (and become a staple in your home). Made with a delicious Oreo crust and a Cabot Cream Cheese filling, the real icing on the cake is the fudge and caramel drizzle. This is one of the moistest, richest chocolate cake recipes we’ve ever tried – and it can be made a day ahead, giving you the perfect no-stress treat after the end of your Thanksgiving meal with family. 

Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese

If you’ve never had an apple pie with cheese before, you don’t know what you’re missing! This crowd-favorite spin on a holiday classic balances the sweetness of the apple filling with a tangy slice of cheddar – all with a beautiful golden crust, just like Grandma used to make. Or for a different twist, top with Cabot Triple Cream Vanilla Bean Yogurt in place of whipped cream. 

Pumpkin Swiss Roll with Maple Candied Pecans

This Fall take on classic Swiss Rolls is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Blending all of our favorite Thanksgiving seasonings like cinnamon, pumpkin spice and nutmeg with a creamy, zesty filling, this Swiss Roll recipe is a delicate and delectable addition to your Thanksgiving Dessert lineup. Bonus: It can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator - just be sure to let it warm to room temperature before serving! 

Classic Pumpkin Pie

What’s a Thanksgiving dessert table without a classic pumpkin pie? This pumpkin yogurt pie recipe is a must if you’ve been on the hunt for a low-fat pumpkin pie. This twist on the classic pumpkin pie filling is thick and creamy, but lighter than the original, thanks to the rich, smoothness of Cabot Plain Greek Yogurt. No need to worry if you’ve never made a pumpkin pie – this recipe is simple, straightforward and comes together in only 40 minutes, bringing Fall flavors to the table and smiles to everyone’s faces. 

Cabot Creamery’s Thanksgiving Recipes

Didn’t find the perfect recipe for your Thanksgiving meal? Not to worry – Cabot has hundreds of delicious recipes perfect for big meals and small meals alike. Be sure to check out our Recipe Page for more!