Whether you’re having loved ones over for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or any fall get-together in between, home cook Trace Barnett, host of our series Garden Party, has a list of delicious, cozy recipes that are sure to be crowd pleasers!
1. Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good
Instead of a “One Pot Meal,” this scrumptious fall recipe is a “One Pumpkin Meal!” Filled with Gruyere cheese, savory sausage, fresh green onions, crispy bacon, a drizzle of rich, velvety cream, and slices of crusty French bread, this delightfully delicious dinner will have you going back for seconds. This dish is the perfect centerpiece for any fall party or Thanksgiving spread!
2. Pumpkin Coconut Soup
Transform traditional pumpkin soup with a vibrant tropical twist by incorporating creamy coconut milk that creates a warm, satisfying soup with an unexpected burst of island flair.
3. Harvest Grain Bowl with Maple Dijon Dressing
This healthy farro grain bowl is packed with fall flavors—roasted squash, brussels sprouts, cranberries, and a sweet-savory maple Dijon dressing. Enjoy a vibrant combination that brings out the best in every ingredient, making the dish both satisfying and nutrient-packed.
4. Sweet Tea Turkey with Molasses Glaze
This is a perfectly Southern turkey recipe with a sweet tea and bourbon brine that gives the turkey a delightful caramel color. The sticky, sweet glaze really turns this turkey into the star of your holiday table.
5. Sweet Potato Chili
It’s not fall until you’ve cooked a warm and hearty bowl of chili for your friends and family! Trace’s Sweet Potato Chili is a comforting take on traditional chili where the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes complements the savory notes of garlic, diced tomato, and onion. Try pairing this recipe with crunchy cornbread or 10-minute fried corn pones to make it even more filling!
6. Cheddar Apple Crisp
You can’t go wrong bringing a Cheddar Apple Crisp along as a side dish or dessert this holiday season. This delicious fall dish perfectly marries sharp cheddar and crisp apples for an unexpectedly delicious union! Try pairing this with a succulent roast chicken or a tender cut of pork.
7. Vegetarian Wellington with Balsamic Glaze
This vegetable Wellington is a stunning combination of flavors and textures. Cut into its center, and you’ll find vibrant roasted root vegetables, such as carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes, seasoned and caramelized to perfection. Surrounding the vegetables is a rich mushroom duxelles—a finely chopped mixture of mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and herbs that adds earthy depth.
8. Southern Fried Apple Hand Pies
These hand-held delights feature buttery, flaky dough, fried to a golden crisp, and oozing warm, spiced apple filling or whatever sweet fruit suits your fancy.
9. Lunchroom Lady Rolls
Soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet, these yeast rolls are reminiscent of the ones served in Trace’s school cafeteria, lovingly made from scratch. Every good Southerner knows that any holiday or group gathering isn’t complete without some dinner rolls, and these do the job wonderfully! We recommend pairing them with Trace’s apple butter for the full fall experience.
10. Autumn Squash Soup
This warm, comforting soup will have you thinking of golden leaves collecting in the yard, brisk mornings, and the smell of campfires. This blend of autumn squashes, along with the addition of creamy coconut milk and indulgent heavy cream, will have you begging for sweater weather all year long.
11. Chicken Dumpling Pot Pie with Buttermilk Cathead Biscuit Crust
Picture tender strips of chicken nestled among plump dumplings, all swimming in a savory broth that’s been lovingly seasoned to perfection. Topping it all off are hearty Cathead biscuits, golden-brown and slightly crispy on the outside, yet soft and pillowy on the inside. Elevate this filling dish by substituting chicken for pheasant or quail. We’re confident your whole crew will be stuffed and satisfied!
12. Peach & Blueberry Cobbler
A golden, buttery “cup cobbler” made the old-fashioned, Southern way with equal parts simplicity and soul. Fresh peaches, plump blueberries, and tender, caramelized crust baked right in a cast-iron skillet? Yum! Try substituting the blueberries and peaches with in-season fall fruits like apples or figs!
13. Classic Southern Cornbread
Cornbread is a staple in most Southern homes. Whether you prefer a classic skillet-baked cornbread or a rustic fried corn pone, cornbread is a timeless comfort food that brings a taste of the South to any meal. It pairs perfectly with a sweet potato chili or crumbled in Trace’s Fried Chicken Dressing below!
14. Fried Chicken Dressing
A southern classic with crumbled cornbread combined with a savory mixture of ingredients, such as sautéed onions, celery, broth, and various seasonings. Poultry seasoning, sage, and sometimes even hard-boiled eggs contribute to the distinctive flavor profile. Made in an iron skillet, like some of our previous recipes (check out our iron skillet maintenance video), this dressing will be a knockout at Thanksgiving dinner! If you have the time, try making your own homemade broth!
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