Thanksgiving Menu: Host a Thanksgiving Dinner with Friends

When you're among friends, there's no need to impress with the whole bird: Simplify this Thanksgiving main attraction by serving turkey breasts instead of the whole shebang. Our recipe calls for easy preparation and an enticing, crunchy glaze in the form of a spicy rub.

Offer friends something different from the run-of-the-mill Thanksgiving side dish. Served gratin-style and loaded with creamy, buttery, nutty Fontina cheese, you'll hardly be able to tell the difference between this cauliflower recipe and cheesy mashed potatoes.

Like to plan ahead? Make these cheesy, crunchy pastries two days before the big Thanksgiving dinner. As your guests begin to arrive, simply reheat in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes to make them warm and crisp.

Bring a light side dish to the table this Thanksgiving with our savory wild rice dressing. Not only is it a great alternative to your usual heavy stuffing, but it has all the flavors you crave from the bread-based classic.

Get double duty out of this recipe: Serve first as Thanksgiving dessert topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, and again as breakfast muffins for overnight guests. Simply save a few unfrosted cupcakes, and voila -- it's a two-in-one recipe!

Impress your friends with a homemade salad dressing that tastes better than any bottled version. The delicious smoky ranch dressing that tops this Thanksgiving salad recipe can be prepped the day before for a more intense flavor. Keep the salad fresh by assembling the lettuce, tomatoes, and bacon as guests arrive.

Homemade pumpkin ice cream takes any holiday dessert to the next level. Not only is it delectable with apple, pear, or oatmeal pie, but once it's made, the ice cream can be stored in the freezer for later.