How To Host The Perfect Italian Thanksgiving (+ Recipes!) (2024)

Eggplant Caponata

A classic Sicilian eggplant dish made with sweet and sour flavors, better known as "agrodulce." This recipe is made with eggplant, olives, tomatoes, and celery as the base. Perfect for an antipasto platter.

Roasted Mushroom and Goat Cheese Crostini

A blend of mushrooms, herbs, and creamy goat cheese on toasted bread slices. This simple but elegant appetizer is perfect for entertaining, especially around the holidays, but is casual enough to enjoy at family dinners too.

Blue Cheese Tartines with Apples + Arugula

This recipe makes the perfect fall appetizer, but I find myself making (and craving) it all year long. Tangy blue cheese, crisp apples, walnuts, and honey all play together beautifully.

Honey Roasted Plum Crostini with Burrata + Prosciutto

An easy appetizer that's sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy, and full of flavor. While I tend to make this most often in the summer, it's fantastic any time of year.

Rosemary Maple Roasted Pecans

Within 15 minutes, you can have a warm, sweet, and savory snack that's perfect for any party or holiday gathering. All you need are 4 simple ingredients!

Brined Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Seasoned pumpkin seeds make a delicious and nutritious snack, perfect for munching on before the main meal is served. Plus, they're easy to customize with different spices and flavors.

Brown Butter Pumpkin Galette with Caramelized Onions, Goat Cheese + Sage

Making a sweet and savory pumpkin galette is a fun twist on traditional Thanksgiving dishes. Topped with caramelized onions and creamy goat cheese, this galette is full of fall flavors and sure to impress.

Pear + Leek Galette with Goat Cheese + Walnuts

If you're looking for a unique and delicious vegetarian option, this pear leek galette is perfect. The flavors of sweet pears and savory leeks come together beautifully in a flaky, buttery crust.

Butternut Squash Fritters with Spiced Yogurt

These fritters are crispy on the outside, tender and creamy on the inside, and full of delicious fall flavors. Serve them as an appetizer or side dish for your Thanksgiving meal.

Kale Gratin

A gratin recipe loaded with healthy kale and creamy Gruyere cheese. Also, has a hit of nutmeg! This dish is perfect for a vegetarian Thanksgiving, and it's easy to make ahead of time!

Spicy Pumpkin Soup with Corn and Crab Relish

This creamy pumpkin soup is made with a kick of spice from cayenne pepper and unsweetened coconut milk. Topped with a corn and crab relish, it's perfect for chilly fall evenings and makes a great first course for Thanksgiving dinner.

Detox(ish) Kale Salad

This salad is loaded with healthy ingredients and seasonal flavors, making it perfect for a holiday meal. Plus, the colors are beautiful! You can also add some sliced apples for extra sweetness and crunch.

Brussels Sprout, Kale + Apple Salad with Sharp Cheddar + Bacon

Looking for a delicious salad to serve with your Thanksgiving turkey? This Brussels sprouts salad is an excellent choice! Made with a Dijon mustard vinaigrette, dried cranberries, cheddar cheese, and sliced green apples, it's both sweet and savory.

Easy Shaved Asparagus Salad

A light and refreshing salad made with raw shaved asparagus and salty pecorino romano and topped with a homemade lemon vinaigrette.

Classic Creamy Lobster Bisque

A rich and creamy soup made with fresh lobster, heavy cream, and a touch of sherry. This decadent bisque is perfect for a special occasion like Thanksgiving dinner.

Wild Mushroom Risotto

This wild mushroom risotto recipe is the perfect dish for an Italian Thanksgiving! Making risotto requires patience and attention, but the results are always worth it. This simple and utterly delicious side can be made in under an hour!

Sautéed Broccoli Rabe (Rapini) with Garlic and Oil

Also known as rapini, this is a classic Italian side dish that's very easy to make. Broccoli rabe is cooked with fresh garlic and crushed red peppers until tender for the perfect bite!

Roasted Cauliflower with Breadcrumbs, Capers, Almonds + Raisins

Sweet, crunchy, salty - that's what comes to mind with this roasted cauliflower recipe! An incredibly simple yet tasty vegetarian dish for your Thanksgiving spread. My secret surprise? Golden raisins.

Brussels Sprouts with Anchovy Caper Butter

This is one of my all-time favorite recipes for Brussels sprouts. Salty anchovy caper butter is the perfect match for roasted, caramelized sprouts.I recommend serving this on bread, but you can also enjoy solo.

Easy Baked Cauliflower Gratin

A delicious and creamy casserole made with cauliflower, Gruyere cheese, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. This dish is sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving table.

Fennel + Onion Gratin

Caramelized fennel and onions, topped with a creamy Parmesan sauce and crispy breadcrumbs, make for one delicious side dish. Fennel is a popular ingredient in Italian cooking, and this gratin is the perfect way to showcase its unique flavor.

Classic Potato Gratin

No Thanksgiving feast is complete without potatoes, and this gratin recipe takes them to the next level. Thinly sliced potatoes are layered with cream and cheese for a cheesy and decadent side dish that's sure to be a hit.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Goat Cheese, Hazelnuts + Lime

Roasted butternut squash is a classic fall dish, but this recipe adds a twist with tangy goat cheese, crunchy hazelnuts, and bright lime juice. It's the perfect side dish for any Thanksgiving meal!

Rosemary Creamed Corn

Creamy and flavorful corn with a hint of rosemary is the perfect accompaniment to your meal. It's easy to make and can be served warm or at room temperature, making it a great choice for large gatherings.

Irish Cheddar and Stout Biscuits

Who says your Thanksgiving bread has to be plain? These Irish cheddar and stout biscuits bring something unique to the table. The recipe is easy to follow, and these fluffy, cheesy biscuits are sure to impress. Serve them warm with some butter for even more decadence.

Celery Root + Parsnip Gratin

For those looking for a healthier side dish, this celery root and parsnip gratin is the perfect choice. It's creamy and delicious but also gluten-free and vegetarian. Make it ahead of time and reheat before serving to save time on Thanksgiving Day.

Spinach with Butter + Parmesan

This simple and classic side dish is a staple of Italian meals. The butter and parmesan add richness, while the spinach adds a pop of color and nutrition. It's an easy and delicious way to incorporate some greens into your meal.

Homemade Sweet Potato Gnocchi

If you're feeling adventurous, why not try making your own gnocchi for Thanksgiving? These sweet potato gnocchi are surprisingly easy to make and taste delicious with a brown butter and sage sauce. Serve them as a side dish with some roasted turkey for a complete meal.

Pasta with Olives, Anchovies, Tomatoes + Breadcrumbs

Pasta is a staple in Italian cuisine, so why not incorporate it into your Thanksgiving meal? This pasta dish is full of savory flavors from olives and anchovies, plus a touch of sweetness from tomatoes. The breadcrumbs add texture and crunch for a perfect bite.

Chick Pea Pasta with Sausage + Broccoli Rabe

Looking for a heartier pasta dish? This chickpea pasta with sausage and broccoli rabe is the way to go. The spice from the sausage and bitterness from the broccoli rabe balance each other out, creating a deliciously satisfying dish. Plus, using chickpea pasta adds extra protein and fiber to your meal.

Linguine alle Vongole: Pasta with Clam Sauce

Clams are a popular Italian ingredient, and this pasta dish showcases them perfectly. Linguini is tossed with clams in a white wine sauce for a light yet flavorful dish. Serve it as an appetizer or side dish to start off your Thanksgiving meal.

Easy Cranberry Tart with Almond Frangipane

Cranberries may not be a traditional ingredient in Italian cuisine, but this tart combines them with classic frangipane filling for a delicious and unique dessert. Baked in a buttery shortbread crust!

Easy No Bake Pumpkin Tiramisu

Pumpkin is a fall staple, and this pumpkin tiramisu puts an Italian twist on the traditional Thanksgiving flavor. Layers of pumpkin mousse, ladyfingers, and coffee liqueur create a rich and indulgent dessert that's perfect for any holiday gathering. A great no-bake dessert.

Ricotta Pear Cake with Rosemary + Orange

This simple yet elegant cake is a great way to end your Thanksgiving meal. A light and moist ricotta-based cake is studded with pears, rosemary, and orange zest for a flavorful and fragrant dessert. Serve it with some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.

Grandma's Old Fashioned Custard Pie

For a classic and comforting dessert, try this old-fashioned custard pie. The creamy and smooth custard filling is made with a touch of nutmeg and vanilla for an extra pop of flavor.

Easy Authentic Italian Pignoli Cookies

Pignoli cookies are a traditional Italian almond-based cookie made with pine nuts, almond paste, and egg whites. Deliciously sweet and nutty, they're the perfect finish to any authentic Italian meal.

Cranberry Meyer Lemon Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Tart cranberries and tangy Meyer lemons make for a perfect combination in this delicious pie. The buttery gingersnap crust adds the perfect balance to the flavors!

Brown Butter Pear Pandowdy

Pandowdy is a traditional American dessert, but this recipe puts an Italian spin on the dish with the use of pears and brown butter. It's rustic and comforting, making it a great addition to your Thanksgiving spread. Serve it warm with some vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent treat.

Raw Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake

For those with dietary restrictions, this vegan pumpkin cheesecake is a great alternative to traditional cheesecake. It's made with cashews and coconut cream for a creamy and dairy-free dessert option. Plus, the touch of pumpkin adds a seasonal and festive touch.

Brown Butter Apple Crisp

Apples are a staple ingredient in fall recipes, and this brown butter apple crisp takes the classic dessert to the next level. The nutty flavor from the brown butter pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the apples for a deliciously comforting treat.

Grandma’s Old Fashion Apple Pie

No Thanksgiving is complete without apple pie, and this recipe is a tribute to all the grandmas out there who make the best pies. The perfect balance of tart apples, warm spices, and buttery crust will make you feel like you're at your grandma's table again. Serve with some vanilla ice cream for the ultimate indulgence.

• Turkey Pot Pies with Bacon, Caramelized Onions + Butternut Squash
• Easy Sugared Cranberries
• Oatmeal Pumpkin Dutch Baby Pancake
• Baked Apple Cider Doughnuts