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Braciole
In our family braciole was served as a special treat for birthdays and as a Thanksgiving main dish. When the meat and sauce were fully cooked, Grandma called us into the kitchen to watch her lift the big braciole roll from the sauce to the cutting board to slice it. The pinwheels of meat, laid side by side on the platter, topped with Grandma’s delicious sauce, made a colorful picture. —Cookie Curci, San Jose, California
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Baked Spiral Ham
This is my favorite spiral ham recipe. It will feed a crowd, or use what's remaining in two recipes. No one groans about ham leftovers when these items are on the menu. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon
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Roasted Pumpkin Lasagna
This is a hearty meatless Thanksgiving main dish that my family enjoys. If you’re not a fan of pumpkin, you can use butternut squash instead. —Wendy Masters, East Garafraxa, Ontario
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Duck Breasts with Apricot Chutney
When serving this Thanksgiving main dish as part of a buffet, try using chafing dish to keep it warm. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Pear and Pomegranate Lamb Tagine
Pomegranate, pear and orange go together so well that I decided to use them to prepare a Middle Eastern-themed tagine with lamb. This tastes delicious served over couscous, polenta or cauliflower mashed with feta cheese. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
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Sheet-Pan Salmon with Simple Bread Salad
If you’re looking for a new take on a Thanksgiving main dish, try this salmon. The abundant fatty acids in salmon make it extremely healthful and ideal for baking. The vibrant salad, made on the same sheet pan, complements the rich fish perfectly. —Laura Wilhelm, West Hollywood, California
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Glazed Cornish Hens
If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your Thanksgving main dishes, we suggest these Cornish game hens topped with a sweet apricot glaze. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Spaghetti squash, like zucchini, can take over a garden. This is an excellent way to put that abundance to good use. I got the original spaghetti squash casserole recipe at a cooking class, and I've made it many times since. It's unique and tasty. —Mina Dick, Boissevain, Manitoba
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Cranberry-Stuffed Beef Tenderloin
Fresh cranberries and cranberry juice lend a satisfying sweet-tart taste to beef tenderloin. Serving plated dishes to guests makes for a pretty presentation.—Carolyn Cope, Allston, Maryland
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Herby Chicken with Apricots and Feta
Mix up your Thanksgiving menu with a flavorful braised chicken dish with Middle Eastern flair. I love to serve it with couscous. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
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Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti
Turkey is amazing, but sometimes you need to switch things up when it comes to your Thanksgving main dish. This slow cooker ziti is perfect if you’re looking for a recipe that’ll free up some space in your oven. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
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Air-Fryer Garlic and Wine Lamb Chops
This recipe is special to me because the flavor reminds me of my mother’s lamb roast. It’s a special Thanksgving main dish that doesn’t take much time or effort, so you can actually have it all year. — Dorice Winston, Concord, North Carolina
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Pork Chops with Sauerkraut
In Omaha, Nebraska, Stephanie Miller pairs tender pork chops with tangy sauerkraut in this filling main dish. “It’s so quick and easy to put together,” she notes.
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Sheet-Pan Steak Dinner
Rather than roasting a bird, I like to serve this steak as my Thanksgiving main dish. It comes together quickly and is much easier than preparing an entire turkey.
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Sausage-Stuffed Shells
I wanted to make manicotti one day but was out of the noodles. So I came up with this recipe for stuffed shells with Italian sausage. The jumbo shells were much easier to work with. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
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Italian Pan-Fried Chicken
I love this recipe for many reasons, but mostly because it is both simple and delicious. It was passed down from my Italian grandmother, and I modified it only slightly. I have used it and enjoyed it for years, and it’s even been my Thanksgiving main dish for a year or two. —Karen Mahlke, Estero, Florida
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Warm Squash & Quinoa Salad
Whenever I see butternut squash at the supermarket, I buy one. It’s amazing tossed with earthy quinoa, Italian spices and crunchy pine nuts. And don’t get me started on the browned butter! I like to serve it as a Thanksgiving main dish for my family members who don’t eat meat. —Carly Taylor, Libertyville, Illinois
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Best Ever Roast Beef
This is the best roast beef recipe ever, and it’s great for family dinners! Cube leftover meat and save any extra sauce; they’ll add new flavor to basic fried rice. —Caroline Flynn, Troy, New York
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Pennsylvania-Style Pork Roast
Our children first had this tender and juicy pork roast with sauerkraut at a family celebration. They devoured it and went back for seconds! Now it's a mainstay in my recipe file.
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Grandma’s Roasted Duck
When I was growing up, my grandma always served roast duck for the Thanksgiving main dish, and for other family events throughout the year. I always thought it was better than turkey! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Tortellini with Sausage and Mascarpone
When I crave Italian comfort food on a busy night and don't have a lot of time to cook, this sausage tortellini skillet recipe is fast and yummy. You can have it on the table in less time than a takeout order. —Gerry Vance, Millbrae, California
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Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb with Mushroom Sauce
With this easy, surefire recipe, you don’t have to be intimidated to prepare rack of lamb for a Thanksgiving main dish. Rice pilaf and roasted asparagus are a lovely way to round out the meal.
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Rotisserie-Style Chicken
My mother used to fix this rotisserie-style chicken when I lived at home, and we called it Church Chicken because Mom would put it in the oven Sunday morning before we left for church. When we got home, the aroma of the roasted chicken would hit us as we opened the door. —Brian Stevenson, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Homemade Ragu Sauce
My family loves homemade spaghetti sauce and this one is a big hit. I always make sure to serve this ragu sauce recipe with plenty of garlic bread. —Kate Gaul, Dubuque, IA
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Sheet-Pan Pork Supper
I created this pork tenderloin sheet-pan dinner to suit our family's needs. It's so quick and easy to clean up since you use one pan for everything! Use any variety of small potatoes—fingerlings or other colored potatoes are a fun and delicious option. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri
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Louisiana Chicken
Green peppers and mint add a surprise to this Thanksgiving main dish. A roasting bag keeps the chicken moist and flavorful. —Jill Werle, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
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Honey-Maple Glazed Ham
My graham cracker-crusted ham gets a double coating of a simple honey-maple glaze. The first half melts into the ham while the second half forms a sweet caramelized topping. —Alan Sproles, Knoxville, Tennessee
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Shrimp in Cream Sauce
Looking for an extra-special Thanksgving main dish to delight your busy crowd? My family always manages to make time for this rich shrimp dish. We enjoy it over golden egg noodles.
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Roasted Tuscan Chicken Dinner
When an Italian friend shared many years ago that she often added Italian sausages to her pan of baked chicken, I had to give it a try! Over the years, I’ve turned it into a one-dish meal by adding potatoes, onions and peppers. It has become a family favorite that I often use for my Thanksgiving main dish, spur of the moment company and Sunday dinners. —Teri Lindquist, Gurnee, Illinois
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Slow-Cooker Beef Tenderloin
I created this slow-cooker beef tenderloin recipe when I was having guests over. It tastes incredible with little effort. —Amanda Wentz, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Herb-Stuffed Roasted Cornish Hens
If you’re looking for an elegant Thanksgiving main dish for two, we suggest these delightful Cornish game hens. As a bonus, crisp, tasty potatoes cook right alongside the meat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Mom's Celery Seed Brisket
Warning: Keep a close eye on this tangy pot of goodness. Because it’s been fine-tuned to perfection, it tends to vanish at gatherings. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
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Easy Vegetable Lasagna
Bursting with garden favorites, this easy vegetable lasagna is a vegetable lover's dream. The pasta layers are generously stuffed with roasted zucchini, mushrooms, peppers and onion in homemade tomato sauce. —Susanne Ebersol, Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania
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Easy London Broil
A mild marinade prepared with lemon juice, thyme and oregano seasons this easy London boil recipe. It feeds a family of four with lots left over to enjoy in satisfying second-day dishes later in the week. —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona
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Moist Cranberry Pork Roast
I love to serve this tender, flavorful pork as my Thanksgiving main dish. You don’t have to toil away in the kitchen to prepare it, yet it tastes like a gourmet meal. —Kimberley Scasny, Douglasville, Georgia
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Festive Fall Tortellini Toss
Fall is my favorite season and I love the foods of autumn, such as mushrooms, squash, apples and walnuts. I combined these all with pasta to make a delicious dish perfect for sharing at a potluck; the recipe can easily be doubled and can be served either warm or at room temperature. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
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Holiday Crown Pork Roast
Crown roast makes a regal Thanksgiving main dish. Flavored with rosemary, sage and thyme, it’s elegant and simple, a real blessing during the hectic holidays. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
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Herb-Brined Cornish Game Hens
Instead of a turkey or a big roast, why not serve individual Cornish game hens for the holidays? They cook in a fraction of the time and they're guaranteed to impress all your guests. —Shannon Roum, Cudahy, Wisconsin
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Citrus-Herb Roast Chicken
This dish is one of my all-time favorites. The flavorful, juicy chicken combines with the aromas of spring in fresh herbs, lemon and onions to form the perfect one-pot meal. I make the gravy right in the pan. —Megan Fordyce, Fairchance, Pennsylvania
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Garlic Herbed Beef Tenderloin
You don't need much seasoning to add flavor to this beef tenderloin recipe. The mild blending of rosemary, basil and garlic does the trick. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
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Pumpkin Lasagna
I especially like this comforting fall dish because it's vegetarian. Even friends who aren't big fans of pumpkin are surprised by this delectable lasagna. Canned pumpkin and no-cook noodles make it a cinch to prepare. —Tamara Huron, New Market, Alabama
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Cranberry-Orange Roast Ducklings
I came up with this recipe few years ago. The first time I served it, there wasn't a speck of food left on the platter and I knew I had a winning recipe. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
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California Roast Lamb
This recipe is very easy to make and requires little attention. It goes well with any rice dish, and it's perfect for just about any occasion. —Ann Eastman, Santa Monica, California
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Chicken with Sugar Pumpkins & Apricots
When we have family gatherings, we give the slow cooker kitchen duty. This yummy chicken with pumpkin and apricots has the warm flavors of Morocco. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Baked Ham with Honey-Chipotle Glaze
Your Thanksgiving celebration will be so simple to orchestrate with this sweet, smoky ham recipe at your fingertips. It feeds a crowd and the baked ham glaze tastes fantastic. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Orange-Spiced Brisket
Give tender beef a festive touch with cinnamon, cloves, coriander and a kiss of sweetness from orange and dates. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Glazed Cornish Hens with Pecan-Rice Stuffing
Cornish hens bake up with a lovely golden brown shine when they are basted with my sweet and tangy glaze. The traditional rice stuffing has some added interest with crunchy pecans and sweet golden raisins.—Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
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Sweet Potato Tortellini with Hazelnut Sauce
Using wonton wrappers instead of fresh pasta dough makes homemade tortellini easy to prepare. For more formal dinners, this makes an impressive vegetarian entree. —Charlene Chambers, Ormond Beach, Florida
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Orange-Glazed Pork Loin
This is one of the best pork recipes I've ever tried. My family looks forward to this roast for dinner, and guests always want the recipe. The flavorful rub, and the glaze brightened with orange juice, are also outstanding on pork chops. —Lynnette Miete, Alna, Maine
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Apple-Butter Barbecued Roasted Chicken
I love cooking so much I sometimes think of recipes in my sleep and wake up to write them down! This dream-inspired dish is my family's favorite way to eat chicken. —Holly Kilbel, Akron, Ohio
Originally Published: November 21, 2022