Kaitlyn Hart

Life Editor

I’m about to lay some truth on you, turkey isn’t that good. I’m more of a sweet potato casserole, stuffing and cranberries kind of girl myself if I’m being completely honest.

Now sure, the seasoning on a turkey can really change the game, but then it’s just the skin that tastes good and you’re sitting there like a barbaric wolf eating the skin of a dead bird. Which I guess is what we kind of end up doing every Thanksgiving, anyway.

This year I decided that I want to spice up Thanksgiving and try some dishes I’ve never had before. 2020 has been a hellscape to say the very least, so why not throw together some new and exciting, unique dishes for one of the only Thanksgivings (hopefully) that we won’t be around our extended family and friends. That way, if it’s gross, it doesn’t matter because nobody will know! Thanks, COVID!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls

Don’t even tell me that this doesn’t sound like something that would barely make it to the table before Thanksgiving dinner. Fried to crispy perfection and filled with soft and buttery mashed potatoes mixed with cooked bacon, cheddar, chives and garlic powder, and seasoned with salt and pepper these sound impossible to hate.

Find the full recipe by searching “Fried Mashed Potato Balls” on Delish.com!

Green Bean Casserole with Onion Rings

Yeah. You did read that right. No need to go back and proofread, this is literally green bean casserole with onion rings. Normally green bean casserole isn’t the first thing I’m reaching for at the Thanksgiving dinner table, but dump some home-breaded and fried onion rings on top and just hand me the platter now, thank you.

Find the full recipe by searching “Green Bean Casserole with Onion Rings” on Delish.com!

Bacon and Cheese Brussels Sprouts Casserole

I’ve gotta be honest here, I have never understood why people hate brussels sprouts so much. How dare you direct all of that negative energy onto these beautiful vegetables that can be cooked literally however you want. And with bacon and cheese? No. It’s gotta be fake. Personally, I don’t think this is safe to make for Thanksgiving because I’m genuinely afraid that I would eat the entire pan, but if you think that you have enough self-restraint, Godspeed.

Find the full recipe by searching “Creamy Cheesy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon” on Diethood.com!

Apple Pie Salsa and Cinnamon Sugar Chips

I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited about a recipe before. It includes all of my favorite things. Chips and salsa, apples and cinnamon and Mexican food. Okay without context that sounds pretty gross so I’ll break it down a bit. Inside of the salsa you put Granny Smith apples, lemon juice, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, vanilla and whipped cream (optional). Then you make your cinnamon chips and bam, Instagram ready and in my mouth ready.

Find the full recipe by searching “Apple Pie Salsa And Cinnamon Sugar Chips” on FrostingAndASmile.com!

Cornbread Stuffing Muffins with Apple and Pancetta

I am a sucker for making food into other foods. The idea of taking a square piece of cornbread, one of the world’s greatest and most luxurious treasures, and stuffing which is the best Thanksgiving side dish, and jamming it full of sweet and crispy baked apples with pecans, baked herbs and pancetta, is something that I imagine came directly from the mind of God. Not to mention, they’re really fricken cute.

Find the full recipe by searching “Cornbread Stuffing Muffins with Apple and Pancetta on ASpicyPerspective.com!

Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath

Aside from the food and festivities (socially-distanced this year, I hope), the beautiful winter aura and the happiness people feel by simply experiencing the holidays, the next best thing about this time of the year is decorating! And this pull-apart garlic butter bread wreath is both delicious and decorative. What more could you ask for? It’s garlic bread and it’s beautiful!

Find the full recipe by searching “Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath” on HalfBakedHarvest.com!

Cranberry Baked Brie

This is a staple in my household and something I begin to crave at exactly 12 a.m on November 1st. I apologize, that was a lie, I still ask my mom to make this on my birthday, and my birthday is in July. A warm and gooey wheel of brie cheese coated in a layer of cranberry sauce either cold or hot, however, you prefer, served on top of a piece of bread, a cracker, (or how I like it, a spoon), is enough to make you want to make one just for yourself.

Find the full recipe by searching “Cranberry Baked Brie” on AverieCooks.com!

This year might look a little weird with a substantially reduced number of people together for the holidays, but it’s important to make the best of a tough situation. Make your favorite foods, try some new things and be especially grateful this year for your loved ones who are safe, happy and healthy at home.