Friendsgiving is all about spending time with your best friends. But whether you celebrate it before or after the actual day of Thanksgiving, one thing is for sure – you’ve had enough turkey. The great news is that there are so many great recipes that don’t involve this holiday staple. In fact, I have 27+ awesome Friendsgiving food ideas not turkey to try this year.
27+ Friendsgiving Food Ideas That Are Not Turkey
1. Butternut Squash Lasagna Roll-Ups
Who doesn’t love lasagna? These roll-ups put a festive twist on the classic recipe. The filling adds butternut squash to the ricotta cheese. Fresh sage and a bechamel sauce make this dish perfect for Friendsgiving.
2. Crostini Bar
Here’s a fun idea for Friendsgiving: set up a crostini bar. Crostini are the perfect appetizer, and you can top them with just about anything. For Friendsgiving, you can offer whipped feta, pumpkin butter, whipped goat cheese, dried cranberries, candied pecans, honey, sliced fruit and more.
3. Pumpkin Risotto
Risotto is a great alternative to turkey. It’s filling, it’s delicious, and it’s satisfying. This recipe uses pumpkin, which makes it even more fitting for Friendsgiving. The best part? You probably have most of the ingredients in your pantry already.
4. Chorizo Cornbread Stuffing
Looking for unique Friendsgiving food ideas not turkey? You’ll love this cornbread stuffing, which uses chorizo instead of the usual sausage. Chorizo is so flavorful and a little spicy, so you can add something unexpected to your table. The ingredients for this recipe are super simple and also include some spicy jalapeno cornbread (yum!).
5. Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi
Gnocchi is the ultimate comfort food, and this recipe adds fall flavors everyone will love: butternut squash, thyme, sage and sausage. The butternut squash sauce is creamy, flavorful and the perfect pair with fresh potato gnocchi.
6. Pumpkin Ricotta Flatbread
Instead of the usual Thanksgiving-style fare, why not make something completely different for Friendsgiving this year? This pumpkin ricotta flatbread is still seasonal, but it’s also a fun food that everyone will love. You can make your own pizza dough, or buy refrigerated dough to save time. Instead of tomato sauce, you’ll use pumpkin puree and ricotta cheese.
Related: 23 Surprisingly Easy Gluten-Free Flatbread Recipes That Will Make You Forget Pizza
7. Macaroni and Cheese Dinner Board
One of my favorite Friendsgiving food ideas not turkey is a macaroni and cheese board. Macaroni and cheese is always a crowd-pleaser, and it’s the perfect comfort food for fall. But instead of just serving it plain, why not serve it with a board full of toppings they can add? You can include crostini, bacon, deli meat, apples, grapes, crackers, jalapeno pepper – anything that would pair well with macaroni and cheese.
8. Cinnamon Fried Apples
Apples are synonymous with fall and the Thanksgiving holiday. These fried apples are the perfect addition to your Friendsgiving table, and they’re crazy easy to make. Just bake sliced apples with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and a splash of lemon. I love using a festive baking dish, so I can take it with me without having to dirty more pans.
9. Pumpkin Pie Tacos
Forget the usual pumpkin pie – serve pumpkin pie tacos for dessert at your Friendsgiving. Stuff cinnamon and sugar-coated tortillas with pumpkin pie filling and top with a simple whipped cream topping. It’s a dessert that’s so simple yet so delicious and fun to eat. I recommend adding fresh cinnamon, nutmeg and chopped pecans on top of the whipped topping.
10. Thanksgiving Wild Rice
This wild rice is the perfect side dish for your main course. It’s loaded with fall flavor – leeks, bell peppers, carrots, cranberries, thyme, sage and other delicious herbs. Not only is this rice delicious and satisfying but it’s also on the healthy side. Your guests can eat it guilt-free.
11. Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Grapes with Bacon
Another perfect side dish for your Friendsgiving meal. Brussel sprouts are roasted to perfection with sweet red grapes, thyme, garlic and bacon. Top with balsamic vinegar and toss with walnuts and goat cheese for a delicious dish everyone will be talking about.
12. Savory Apple Sausage Balls
These sausage balls are slightly sweet and savory. They’re the perfect addition to your Friendsgiving table, and they couldn’t be easier to make. You need just four ingredients: baking mix, breakfast sausage, apples and cheddar cheese. Serve with dipping sauce for a tasty appetizer or side dish.
Related: Top 25+ Thanksgiving Finger Food Ideas We’re Crushing On
13. Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage, Dried Cranberries, Spinach and Pecans
Stuffed acorn squash is a great alternative to turkey, and it’s such a fun dish because you can customize it any way you want. Just stuff acorn squash with sausage, cranberries, pecans, spinach and whatever other ingredients you want. Each guest can eat one-half of a squash.
14. Pumpkin Bacon Lasagna Rolls
Lasagna rolls are one of my favorite Friendsgiving food ideas not turkey because they are easy to make, delicious and loved by everyone. For this recipe, you’ll fill your lasagna rolls with a creamy pumpkin sauce. Gooey mozzarella and bacon make this dish so satisfying.
15. Roasted Fall Vegetables
I love this dish because you can serve it with anything you want. It’s the ultimate side dish for Friendsgiving. You’ll roast all of your favorite fall vegetables: Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, shallots and cranberries. Walnuts, cinnamon, maple syrup and goat cheese add so much flavor to this simple dish.
16. Roasted Mushrooms in a Browned Butter, Garlic and Thyme Sauce
Simple yet filled with nutrients and perfect for anyone who loves the taste of mushrooms. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, this isn’t the recipe for you. You’ll roast up your favorite type of mushrooms (cremini works well) with oil, butter, garlic, thyme, a touch of lemon juice and spices.
17. Potato & Onion Galette with Goat Cheese
I didn’t know what a “galette” was prior to seeing this recipe, but it’s now one of my favorites. Rustic and a bit messy, a galette – like this one – is simply a dough recipe with a filling.
For the filling, you’ll add yellow onion, goat cheese, russet potato, Parm cheese, fresh rosemary, eggs and everything bagel seasoning.
18. Apple Cranberry Sausage Stuffing
Stuffing is a meal of its own sometimes, and it’s always so good. You’ll need a large sauté pan for this recipe, which will require you to heat the onions and celery until they’re hot before adding sausage, spices, herbs, diced apples, cranberries and other fall-inspired ingredients.
19. Parmesan-Butternut Squash Gratin
Betty Crocker has such a great recipe for Friendsgiving that I just had to include it. You’ll make a butternut squash gratin with parm cheese that takes a total of just one hour and fifteen minutes to make.
Crunchy and filled with butternut squash, parm cheese, garlic, breadcrumbs and other goodies, your friends will be sure to appreciate this dish.
20. Cheesy Pumpkin and Spicy Sausage Stuffed Shells
Friendsgiving food ideas not turkey related? How about this variation of stuffed shells with cheesy pumpkin and spicy sausage? You’ll start by gently cooking the shells so that they’re still slightly uncooked before stuffing with spicy sausage and broccolini. The sauce has shredded cheese, nutmeg, ricotta cheese, pumpkin puree and other ingredients mixed in.
21. Best Loaded Thanksgiving Pizza
Pizza on Friendsgiving? You’ve never tried a pizza like this. It’s loaded with savory and sweet ingredients. A garlic parmesan sauce, a homemade crust and things like roasted broccoli, kale, cranberries and other ingredients come together to make this a great addition to any Friendsgiving meal.
22. Harvest Pasta
If you have a garden and are growing root veggies, this is a great way to get rid of them. You’ll have orecchiette pasta with greens, sweet potatoes and a pinch of Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
It’s a fast, easy dish to make, and even the pickiest eaters are sure to like it.
23. Creamy Pumpkin Chicken Enchiladas
Creamy and delish? Sign me up. These chicken enchiladas are instantly made Friendsgiving-friendly with the addition of pumpkin puree, cinnamon and cumin. Add in a splash of Mexican-style cheese and green chilies, and it’s a spicy, savory dish that your guests are sure to love.
24. Pork and Apple Sausage Rolls with Honey Mustard
A sort of flaky appetizer, this is the perfect starter for Friendsgiving and includes delightful sausage rolls filled with apple and pork and served with a mouthwatering honey mustard sauce that is sweet and tangy.
Related: 25+ Easy Friendsgiving Recipes to WOW Your Guests
25. Stuffed Mini Pumpkins
Pull out your cast iron skillet and get ready to make these delightful mini, stuffed pumpkins. You’ll stuff the pumpkin with pumpkin puree, ground beef, onion, olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs and pumpkin spice.
And if you cook the mini pumpkins properly, they’re perfectly edible and delicious.
26. Autumn Caesar Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash Croutons
Fifteen minutes of prep and just 25 minutes of cooking time are all that you need for this flavorful dish that serves 2 – 4 people and includes:
- Kale
- Shallot
- Lemon
- Squash croutons (you’ll make these)
- Pine nuts
- Parmesan cheese
- Cesar dressing
27. Pumpkin Baked Ziti with Sage Sausage
Ziti with sage sausage, pumpkin puree and Parmesan cheese is truly delightful. You’ll love the flavor of the garlic, onion, sage leaves, nutmeg, cinnamon and vegetable stock that mixes perfectly well with the rigatoni noodles.
It turns a traditional ziti into one that tastes like autumn.
