The FOOD holiday is fast approaching.  You know, the one all about eating food giving thanks.  If you’re not sure what to make and/or bring to your upcoming feast, I am here to help with some favorite recipes to give you the best Thanksgiving ideas from our family’s favorites.

Of course, my viral hit recipe for THE Mac and Cheese is a great place to start! This one is the most pinned Mac and Cheese on Pinterest. Make this for your meal and win the Thanksgiving GAME!

Start your Thanksgiving morning being thankful for breakfast.

Skillet Pumpkin Pie Coffeecake will kickstart the beginning of Good Food Day! It’s a mix of pumpkin pie and sweet, cinnamon-y coffeecake that’ll make you so very food-happy.

Or how about some Pumpkin Cream Cheese Scones that can be made ahead and frozen — ready to bake Thanksgiving morning!?

If you’re still hoping to be the favorite kid, this might be the way to win the game… Buttery Dinner Rolls make everyone happy and are easier than you think!

If you’re traditional like we are, you love a perfect turkey! I’ll let you in on our turkey secrets. We roast and we smoke our birds — thoroughly enjoy both — but, I’ll tell you that Mr. That Which Nourishes’ Top Secret Turkey Brine is where its at! This imparts so much flavor that is certainly not overpowering, just adds that little extra something that takes the turkey over the top! We make our turkeys a day or two ahead and then just re-warm it with its juices in a roasting pan, low and slow to serve for the big meal! This allows us to not get caught up in the dreaded turkey timing!

Need a side that will knock their socks off?  Bring the bacon and cheese in Change Your Life Potatoes.  You think I’m exaggerating.  I most certainly am not.  Prepare to have your life changed!  And you can make this one ahead and bake it just before eating.

Need a whole different potato option to add to the usuals with gravy? I’ve got you covered with this elegant dish of garlicky, creamy potato goodness. Wedding Potatoes rank in the top few faves in our family!

Bring this Fall Harvest Kale Salad with Maple Mustard Vinaigrette and the bowl will be clean in no time! Everyone will appreciate something fresh to go with such a rich and delicious meal!

How about a new and most delicious recipe for sweet potatoes! Melting Sweet Potatoes were a huge hit at my son and wife’s beautiful wedding in February. They present so beautifully and the flavor and texture are elegant and decadent. (Shhhh…they’re easy as can be!)

Don’t like turkey?  No problem!  You can make the easiest meat you’ve ever made and wow them all!  This Best Ham Ever won’t break the bank and uses only TWO ingredients!

Or make a Pork Loin that simmers in its own juices in the crock pot all day or overnight.

Mom asked you to bring jello, hey?  They will beg for this recipe for Cranberry Cheesecake Fluff. Marshmallows, bits of tart cranberries, and pineapple nestled in a fluffy pile of cream cheese and homemade whipped cream.  How can you possibly go wrong with that?

Creamed Corn is a crowd favorite for sure!  This is our Dreamy Creamed Corn, and you will take corn to a whole new buttery level with this recipe!

Or make little individual desserts that taste much like pumpkin pie, but with a lot less fuss with Mini Maple Pumpkin Cheesecakes.

Pie, you say? This Caramel Apple Crisp Pie will serve a crowd and is unique enough to stop them in their thankful tracks. Drizzle it with caramel or a powdered sugar glaze to send it over the top.

And when the holiday is over, here are two delicious ways to use up your leftover turkey…

This one will quite possibly earn you an extra present under the tree.  Creamy Turkey with Wild Rice Soup — it’ll knock their stockings right off.

Or for something very different than a sandwich with mustard, substitute turkey for the chicken in Cheesy Chicken Pot Pies.

There!  Now you have dinner and then some!  Use the printables at the bottom of each recipe to make your grocery list, and you’re halfway there!

Have a beautiful holiday.  With each yummy bite, take as many moments as necessary to remember our many, many reasons to be thankful.