12 Thanksgiving Breakfast Ideas for a Crowd

Feeding a crowd on Thanksgiving? Tide everyone over until dinner with these Thanksgiving breakfast ideas! They include make-ahead egg casseroles, cozy fall brunch recipes, and more.

These Thanksgiving breakfast ideas are perfect for feeding a crowd on Thanksgiving morning! You’ll find sweet dishes that celebrate cozy fall flavors like pumpkin pancakes and cranberry orange muffins. But there are plenty of savory brunch ideas here as well, including a make-ahead breakfast casserole and my go-to frittata. If you have a house full of guests, they’ll love starting the day with one of these recipes. Thanksgiving side dishes can steal the spotlight on the holiday, but I think a good Thanksgiving breakfast is worth planning too. It fuels everyone up for a day of cooking (or watching football…)…

GET THE RECIPE >

Cranberry Orange Muffins

These cranberry orange muffins are soft, moist, and flavorful, filled with tart, juicy cranberries and bright orange juice and zest. Add a quick orange glaze for an extra pop of citrus flavor!

These cranberry orange muffins are moist and tender, with juicy, ruby red cranberries in every bite. Fresh orange juice and zest fill the batter with citrus flavor, and an optional orange glaze gives them a zesty pop. I love these muffins for breakfast on any fall or winter morning, but they’re especially perfect for the holidays. They’d be a delicious way to kick off Thanksgiving or Christmas! I adapted this cranberry orange muffins recipe from my favorite cranberry orange bread. Just like that recipe, these are easy to make with basic ingredients and equipment (you can mix up the batter in…

GET THE RECIPE >

Au Gratin Potatoes

This au gratin potatoes recipe belongs on your holiday table! A delicious, decadent side dish, it features thinly sliced potatoes, onion, and cheese baked in a rich, garlicky cream sauce.

This first time I made this au gratin potatoes recipe, Jack and I polished off half the pan ourselves. The thinly sliced potatoes are baked in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with onion and plenty of cheese (cheddar, Gruyère, AND Parmesan for a tangy, nutty punch). I developed the recipe with the holidays in mind. These creamy au gratin potatoes would be an absolutely perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas. They taste decadent and flavorful, yet they’re simple to put together (and you can even make them ahead). If you’re looking for a show-stopping recipe for your table this…

GET THE RECIPE >

Corn Casserole

This corn casserole recipe has golden brown edges, a creamy center, and a delicious sweet and savory taste. It's easy to make with simple ingredients!

This corn casserole has a delicious creamy center and sweet and savory corn flavor. It’s like a softer, almost spoonable version of cornbread, with plenty of whole corn kernels mixed in for crunch. The recipe is inspired by classic corn casserole with Jiffy mix, but instead of relying on a boxed cornbread mix and canned corn, it stars fresh corn and a homemade blend of flour, cornmeal, and baking powder. (Though don’t worry—if you prefer to use a mix or canned or frozen corn, I’ve tested them all and have tips for using them below!) I love making this recipe…

GET THE RECIPE >

Stuffed Mushrooms

This stuffed mushrooms recipe is a delicious, easy party appetizer that you can make ahead! The filling is a crispy, savory mixture of breadcrumbs, garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese.

stuffed mushrooms

This stuffed mushrooms recipe is one of my favorite party appetizers, especially for the holidays. I stuff tender mushroom caps with a crispy, garlicky mixture of breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Sun-dried tomatoes add savory flavor, pine nuts add crunch, and parsley freshens everything up. Grab two while you’re at the snack table—these bite-sized apps disappear fast. Another reason to love these stuffed mushrooms: they’re easy to make! They come together with 10 simple ingredients and about 20 minutes of hands-on prep. Better yet, you can make them ahead. I love assembling them the day before and popping them in the oven just…

GET THE RECIPE >

51 Thanksgiving Side Dishes

These Thanksgiving sides include classics like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole, plus seasonal veggies and salad recipes. They'll be the highlight of your holiday menu!

These Thanksgiving side dishes feature everything you need to plan a crowd-pleasing holiday dinner! Of course, you’ll find traditional Thanksgiving recipes like sweet potato casserole, dinner rolls, and cranberry sauce, but I’ve got plenty of fresh, seasonal menu inspiration in here too. Wow your guests with roasted root vegetables with crispy sage or a lemony shaved Brussels sprout salad. At the end of the meal, everyone will still be talking about the sides—not the pumpkin pie or roast turkey. I hope this collection of side dishes helps you create a Thanksgiving menu you love! Our Best Classic Thanksgiving Sides Easy…

GET THE RECIPE >

15 Best Thanksgiving Cocktails

Our best Thanksgiving cocktails! Find simple classics like an Old Fashioned as well as fun, festive fall drinks. You and your guests will love them!

I love adding a few Thanksgiving cocktails to my holiday menu each year. Sometimes, I stick with the classics, serving up warming mulled wine or dry martinis. Other years, I lean into the season, making signature Thanksgiving drinks that are packed with fall flavors—think cranberry margaritas or apple cider sangria. Either way, they put the perfect festive finishing touch on the meal. I’ve rounded up my best Thanksgiving cocktail recipes below. Check them out if you’re looking for drink ideas for your celebration. I hope you find some you (and your guests) love! Our Best Thanksgiving Cocktails

GET THE RECIPE >

Green Bean Casserole

This green bean casserole is a from-scratch take on the classic Campbell's recipe. It features fresh green beans in a creamy mushroom sauce with crispy french-fried onions on top.

In this green bean casserole recipe, tender green beans are tossed in a creamy homemade mushroom sauce, then baked with french-fried onions on top. It has the same basic components as the Campbell’s casserole I ate at Thanksgiving growing up—green beans, creamy sauce, crispy onions—but it’s fresher and more flavorful by far. My whole family went back for seconds the first time I served it to them. I hope yours does too! Green Bean Casserole Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe: Green beans, of course! I like this recipe best with fresh green beans, especially haricots verts,…

GET THE RECIPE >

20 Best Thanksgiving Desserts

Our best Thanksgiving desserts! Ranging from classic pies to non-pie ideas like cakes and bars, these delicious recipes will wow your holiday guests.

Have you chosen your Thanksgiving desserts yet? I’m still deciding. I might go the classic pie route, or I might go pie-free, creating a Thanksgiving dessert table with fall crisps, festive cakes, or even a show-stopping pumpkin tiramisu. In case you’re on the fence too, I’ve rounded up our best Thanksgiving dessert ideas below. You’ll find recipes for traditional holiday pies like pumpkin and apple, plus plenty of non-pie Thanksgiving desserts. Pick one direction, or make a mix of both. No matter which you choose, these Thanksgiving desserts will be a hit! Classic Thanksgiving Desserts Thanksgiving Desserts That Aren’t Pie

GET THE RECIPE >

Cranberry Orange Bread

This cranberry bread recipe is packed with fresh cranberries and topped with a zesty orange glaze. It's a perfect easy treat for the holiday season!

I love keeping this cranberry orange bread around the house during the holidays. Packed with tart, juicy cranberries, this loaf is perfectly moist and tender. Orange juice and zest give it a lovely bright flavor, and a simple orange glaze takes it over the top. This cranberry orange bread is sweet enough to pass as dessert, but it’s not so sweet that you can’t enjoy it with an afternoon coffee or for breakfast with holiday guests. Easy to make with 10 basic ingredients, this recipe will be on repeat in my kitchen this season. I hope it will be in yours…

GET THE RECIPE >

Best Stuffing Recipe

This homemade stuffing recipe is easy and delicious, made with bread cubes, broth, herbs, and a buttery mixture of onions and celery. It's perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday meal!

This stuffing recipe is my favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Based on my grandma’s homemade stuffing, it’s buttery and flavorful, made with dried bread cubes, celery, onions, and fresh herbs like sage and thyme. As it bakes, it gets crisp and golden on top but stays moist and gooey in the middle. This year, I’ve re-tested and updated the recipe to make a larger quantity because it always disappears too quickly from my family’s Thanksgiving table. Simple, classic, and delicious, it’s hands down the best stuffing recipe I’ve tried. If you’re looking for a traditional stuffing to complete your Thanksgiving menu, I…

GET THE RECIPE >

Fresh, easy
recipes for
every day.

Jeanine Donofrio in her kitchen

I'm Jeanine, a New York Times bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and founder of Love & Lemons, a trusted recipe resource for millions of home cooks. I create fresh, easy, and delicious vegetarian recipes that celebrate seasonal ingredients and flavors.

About Us >

Start here

Get our Recipes

We’ll send our top 10 recipes straight to your inbox, along with weekly recipe inspiration!