This Is the Menu You Need to Host the Best Friendsgiving Ever

Melty, shareable, and over-the-top decadent, this cheese from Switzerland is ideal for a friends’ dinner. The cheese pulls will surely be Instagram-worthy, plus the cast-iron skillet keeps it warm for all-cocktail-hour-long nibbles. Plate with cured meats, toasted bread slices, boiled sturdy vegetables, and fresh fruit for a scoopathon for the ages. Easily put it all together with a mini cast iron skillet ($13, Crate & Barrel) and fondue forks. 

If you’re among those who believe hosting Thanksgiving dinner with friends is the best part of the holiday (hand raised), extend the affair by welcoming guests with a cocktail hour spread. Make a pitcher of crowd-pleasing drinks, then set out platters of these garlic-scented squash and ricotta toasts and bowls of fresh fruit and nuts. A slate serving tray ($27, West Elm) will make the bright squash pop for a very Instagram-able spread. 

Craving a more casual, snackable turkey recipe for your Friendsgiving menu? Our turkey-topped pita chip platter is layered with fresh mint, pomegranate seeds, turkey (of course), and a sprinkling of feta cheese. This nontraditional Thanksgiving turkey recipe is a simple reminder of what we’re most grateful for during the holiday season: making fresh memories with cherished friends. And the best part? You can serve the dish on the same sheet pan ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond) you cooked it on for easy clean-up.

Want to plan ahead for your Friendsgiving celebration? Make these cheesy, crunchy pastries two days before the big dinner. As your guests arrive, simply reheat in the oven 5 to 10 minutes to warm and crisp them up. This tasty appetizer pairs well with a glass of Thanksgiving wine before the meal, or save them for the table. The savory bites also perfectly accompany any turkey recipe. They're a great example of why we love make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes so much: They're huge time-savers on Turkey Day!

Reinvent your turkey recipe for Thanksgiving dinner with friends by making these quick and easy burgers. (There’s no better way to channel your inner child that was perked up during the morning’s Thanksgiving Day parade!) This juicy turkey burger topped with fresh vegetables will delight friends and serve as the comforting star of your Friendsgiving menu. Don’t forget to offer classic Thanksgiving sides with the meal—like mashed potatoes and cranberries—to balance this new turkey recipe with old traditions.

When you're among friends, there's no need to impress with a whole bird. Simplify your traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece by serving turkey breasts instead of the entire roast. Our delicious entree recipe is easy to prepare and comes topped with a crunchy glaze made from a spicy turkey rub and tangy cranberry sauce.

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner with friends who are interested in the latest food trends? For a modern twist on a sweet potato side, use a spiralizer ($17, Target). The spud spirals (try a mix of orange and purple) soak up a delicious amount of the warmly-spiced honey butter sauce. Tart pomegranate seed “croutons” add a pop of color and freshen up your menu even more.

Related: How to Use a Spiralizer

From gnocchi and soups to steaks and even smoothies (yes, really!), there’s little this low-carb veggie swap can’t do. As an alternative to potatoes, consider this cauliflower recipe that’s  loaded with greens and cream. This recipe makes six generous servings to feed your whole crew, so if you're having a small Thanksgiving dinner with friends, there'll still be plenty of creamy goodness leftover the next day.

Bring a colorful side dish to the table this Thanksgiving with our savory wild rice dressing. Not only is this Friendsgiving idea a great alternative to your usual heavy stuffing, but it has all the flavors you crave from the bread-base classic. Served alongside any turkey entree, this easy dressing might end up being the star of your Thanksgiving menu!

We’re crushing on these crispy spuds. For your Thanksgiving dinner with friends this year, take a break from standard mashed potatoes and whip up these chive-topped brown butter potatoes. The easy to achieve smashed format helps them please fans of fries and those who think mashers are a must all at once. Plate them on a pretty serving platter ($29, Pottery Barn) and garnish with lemon slices and chives—no one will know how easy they actually were!

Impress your Friendsgiving guests with a homemade salad dressing that tastes better than any store-bought bottle. The delicious smoky ranch dressing that tops this Thanksgiving salad recipe can be prepped the day before for a stronger flavor. Keep the side salad fresh by assembling the lettuce, tomatoes, and bacon as guests arrive at your Thanksgiving dinner with friends.

Sometimes it’s good to be corny, like with this blue cornmeal-based Friendsgiving idea. Get double duty out of this recipe: Serve first as Friendsgiving dessert topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, and again as breakfast muffins for overnight guests. Simply save a few unfrosted cupcakes, and voilá—it's a two-in-one recipe perfect for every Friendsgiving menu.

Raise a glass to all of your cider-loving pals with this Friendsgiving menu dessert. In place of fussier peeled and sliced apples, this creamy custard pie gets a big dose of fall flavor from four cups of apple cider. Bake in your favorite pie dish ($15, Target), then top with pretty whipped cream peaks and everyone will be snapping photos—and savoring every last crumb.

Delight guests with a turkey-shape snack that's sweeter than Thanksgiving pie. These chocolate-covered marshmallow treats are topped with a classic peanut butter cookie then decorated with candies for a festive option that will delight kids and adults alike. Our easy-prep sweet also makes a perfect Friendsgiving activity for everyone to assemble together.

Here’s the scoop: No fall feast is complete without a serving of squash. But instead of a traditional pie, put the pumpkin on ice for your friends Thanksgiving. The holiday treat is delectable with apple, pear, or oatmeal pie, and once it's made, the ice cream can be stored in the freezer for later. Leftovers, here we come.