25 Thanksgiving Main Dish Recipes That Keep Guests Coming Back

Thanksgiving meals have a way of turning calm people into food strategists. There’s always that one guest plotting how to get seconds without looking greedy. With 25 main dishes ready to steal attention, it’s no wonder plates get stacked high and chairs stay filled. Each dish brings a reason for another round, another story, and maybe one more nap. After all, returning guests are the best review a meal can get.

Sliced roast beef served on a bed of mashed potatoes, garnished with fresh rosemary.
Tender Roast Beef. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Tender Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

A close-up of meatballs in a creamy sauce with herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and a side of white rice, with a fork picking up one meatball.
Tender Marry Me Chicken Meatballs. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

When you want everyone around the table chatting and reaching for seconds, these meatballs make that a sure thing. The richness of Tender Marry Me Chicken Meatballs leaves plates empty and people asking for leftovers. Sauce soaks right into sides for bonus flavor with every bite. This one often runs out before anyone’s finished with their first round.
Get the Recipe: Tender Marry Me Chicken Meatballs

Classic Meatloaf

A close-up of a savory meatloaf slice topped with a glossy sauce. The hearty meatloaf reveals visible chunks of vegetables like carrots and celery.
Classic Meatloaf. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Main dishes that show up hot in the middle of the table always look good for a family meal. Classic Meatloaf have a way of disappearing as people grab extra pieces for a second sandwich. There’s just something about that homestyle flavor. Cleanup is easy since nothing sticks around on the platter.
Get the Recipe: Classic Meatloaf

Easy Cornbread Casserole

A portion of a cheesy, golden-brown savory cornbread casserole is being lifted from the dish, showing its flaky crust and gooey cheese filling.
Easy Cornbread Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Cornbread baked in a new way means guests keep dipping in for just another scoop. Squares of Easy Cornbread Casserole partner with anything else on the plate and always get those “how-did-you-make-that” questions. You never need extra toppings for this one. The tray empties sooner than you planned.
Get the Recipe: Easy Cornbread Casserole

Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

A bowl of rigatoni pasta with creamy sauce, topped with grated cheese, pumpkin seeds, and sprinkled with herbs.
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Pasta gets a sweet spin with smooth sauce that creates a crave-worthy main dish for the whole group. Serving up Creamy Pumpkin Pasta brings out the spoon fights for the last helping every time. There’s real comfort packed in each bite. Leftovers barely last an extra day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

Golden Roasted Turkey

A roasted turkey garnished with herbs, boasting a golden brown, crispy skin, presented on a gleaming glass platter.
Golden Roasted Turkey. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Folks always wait for that first slice off the bird at a big dinner. Golden Roasted Turkey gives everyone something to talk about as the platter gets passed around. The crispy outside and juicy middle keeps people lined up for more. Carving board stays busy until the last bit gets claimed.
Get the Recipe: Golden Roasted Turkey

Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Close-up of a serving of chicken cordon bleu casserole with shredded chicken, ham, melted cheese, and breadcrumb topping, garnished with parsley.
Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Bringing homestyle favorites together in one dish makes dinner feel a little more special. Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole gives every plate a creamy touch with something a bit different. The topping adds crunch so each scoop feels extra. Any leftovers are gone the next day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Perfect Spatchcock Turkey

Close-up of sliced roasted chicken with crispy skin, garnished with herbs.
Perfect Spatchcock Turkey. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Getting dinner on the table fast is easy when every slice is juicy all the way through. Perfect Spatchcock Turkey means nobody fights over the best parts since it cooks up even. The crisp outside keeps things interesting for sandwich lovers too. You’ll have your kitchen cleared out quick.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Spatchcock Turkey

Tender Roasted Broccoli

A bowl of roasted broccoli topped with grated cheese and seasoning.
Tender Roasted Broccoli. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Green dishes shine when they get that simple roasted finish and add color to every plate. Tender Roasted Broccoli makes it easier for folks to grab some veg without arguing. The edges get crisp while the inside stays soft. Dishes come back for a refill every time.
Get the Recipe: Tender Roasted Broccoli

Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Baked rice casserole with melted cheese on top, garnished with chopped herbs.
Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Casseroles built for big crowds make main dish planning a breeze. Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole fill every plate quickly with just enough sauce for comfort. Seconds usually go fast so extras are rare. The pot wipes clean before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

Easy Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner

Sheet pan meal with sliced roasted chicken breast, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, pecans, and pomegranate seeds, garnished with herbs.
Easy Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Throwing it all on one tray keeps dinner times easy and keeps guests coming back for extras. Easy Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner gives you the major hits all in one go with very little fuss in the kitchen. Cleanup is almost too easy. Every tray looks empty quick.
Get the Recipe: Easy Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner

Elegant Beef Wellington

Beef Wellington sliced on a wooden board with a side salad in the background.
Elegant Beef Wellington. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Main courses feel like a party when you set something fancy right in the middle of the table. Elegant Beef Wellington make each plate look like extra effort went in without all the stress. The flakey crust gets plenty of praise. Before dinner ends people are already hoping for another piece.
Get the Recipe: Elegant Beef Wellington

Golden Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Stuffing

A roasted turkey stuffed with vegetables is served on a platter, surrounded by various side dishes including rolls, salad, and stuffing.
Golden Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Stuffing. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Stuffing baked right inside the main dish makes everything blend together like it should. Every bite of Golden Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Stuffing has something sweet and savory. Spoons go back for more until nothing’s left but the bone. This one is always a repeat request.
Get the Recipe: Golden Roasted Turkey with Cranberry Stuffing

Comforting Turkey Casserole

Close-up of a plate of creamy turkey casserole topped with bread crumbs and garnished with fresh basil leaves, reminiscent of a comforting turkey casserole.
Comforting Turkey Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Turning leftovers into a new meal makes things simple and keeps everyone smiling. Comforting Turkey Casserole fills up the plates and makes the fridge a little less crowded. The sauce brings everything together for an easy main dish. Seconds are a given with this on the table.
Get the Recipe: Comforting Turkey Casserole

Sweet Maple Glazed Turkey Breast

Close-up of sliced glazed turkey breast with visible seasoning.
Sweet Maple Glazed Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Switching it up with a twist on classic flavors means guests get a fresh experience. Slices from Sweet Maple Glazed Turkey Breast go fast so it’s smart to set out extra from the start. The sweet finish turns sandwiches into something special. You get more thank yous than usual after this one.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Maple Glazed Turkey Breast

Loaded Thanksgiving Casserole

A golden brown Thanksgiving casserole of baked stuffing garnished with fresh herbs.
Loaded Thanksgiving Casserole. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Piling up all the favorites into one big pan saves time and gets people talking. Layers in Loaded Thanksgiving Casserole guarantee someone will ask if you have the recipe handy. Spoons dip back in for extra helpings more than once. All the flavors play nice on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Thanksgiving Casserole

Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Roasted cauliflower head cut in half, garnished with chopped parsley, on a white plate.
Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Serving something bright and bold makes main courses more than just meat and potatoes. Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower gives everyone a wholesome option that nearly steals the spotlight. The edges crisp up while the middle stays soft and easy to slice. You usually see folks come back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Perfectly Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Crispy Pork Belly

Sliced roast pork with crispy, golden-brown skin on a wooden surface.
Crispy Pork Belly. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Main dishes with a little crunch get the table buzzing as soon as they arrive. Slices of Crispy Pork Belly pair up with all the sides and never need extra sauce to be a hit. Friends eye the tray until each serving is gone. The crispy finish gets everyone’s attention first.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Pork Belly

Classic Turkey Meatloaf

Close-up view of sliced turkey meatloaf with a browned crust on top, revealing a moist and textured interior. The meatloaf appears to contain pieces of onions and possibly sun-dried tomatoes.
Classic Turkey Meatloaf. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Meatloaf takes on a new life when you swap up the protein without losing the heartiness. Plates filled with Classic Turkey Meatloaf get grabbed for seconds and make great leftovers for sandwiches. Guests ask what’s different in each slice. This one lives up to the name every time.
Get the Recipe: Classic Turkey Meatloaf

Flaky Chicken Pot Pie

A slice of chicken pot pie being lifted, showing its creamy filling with chunks of chicken and vegetables, garnished with thyme.
Flaky Chicken Pot Pie. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Creamy filling under a crust brings out big smiles every time dinner rolls around. Flaky Chicken Pot Pie reveals all the goods tucked inside and keeps plates full for the whole meal. The golden crust just calls for an extra bite. Extras never last into the next day.
Get the Recipe: Flaky Chicken Pot Pie

Hearty Turkey Chili

A close-up of a pot of chili with beans, avocado slices, red onion, sour cream, and garnished with chopped cilantro.
Hearty Turkey Chili. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Bowls get passed around the table fast when there’s a bit of spice in the air. Hearty Turkey Chili clears out quickly because the warmth and depth in every bite keep guests coming back. Adding toppings on top is the fun part for everyone. This one freezes well if you get lucky with leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Turkey Chili

Classic Shepherds Pie

A baked shepherd's pie with a golden mashed potato topping, partially served to reveal ground meat, peas, carrots, and gravy in a white dish.
Classic Shepherds Pie. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Old favorite casseroles make sure everyone leaves the table full. Scooping out Classic Shepherds Pie gives each plate a comforting layer of creamy topping over a hearty base. It’s the one people look for as soon as the main meal starts. Extras are never a problem since it packs up so well.
Get the Recipe: Classic Shepherds Pie

Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow cooker pot roast with mushrooms and carrots garnished with fresh rosemary.
Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Main dishes that take all day let you worry about more fun things at dinner time. Slices of Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast come out fork-soft with barely any effort. You always see plates wiped clean and requests for a to-go box. The leftovers still taste great next day.
Get the Recipe: Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Flaky Turkey Pot Pie

A steaming chicken pot pie with a golden-brown crust, partially cut open to reveal chunks of chicken, peas, carrots, and mushrooms. Sprigs of rosemary garnish the top.
Flaky Turkey Pot Pie. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Dinner with a flakey golden top always brings applause at the table. Cutting into Flaky Turkey Pot Pie gives up creamy insides and keeps everyone guessing how you made it so rich. The texture wins compliments without fail. Leftovers get boxed up right away for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Flaky Turkey Pot Pie

Hearty Stuffed Cabbage

Close-up of stuffed cabbage rolls filled with rice and ground meat, topped with tomato sauce and garnished with chopped herbs.
Hearty Stuffed Cabbage. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Rolling comfort into every bite helps meals last beyond the first round. Hearty Stuffed Cabbage stack up high and keep plates colorful and filling. The sauce makes every forkful taste like it took all day. Cleanup is just one pan and some empty dishes.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Stuffed Cabbage

Tender Roast Beef

Sliced roast beef served on a bed of mashed potatoes, garnished with fresh rosemary.
Tender Roast Beef. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Roast beef has a way of reaching everyone’s plate before it cools off. Slices from Tender Roast Beef soak up every drip from sides and sauces for total comfort. The main dish always gets praise for hitting that classic flavor. Even the pickiest eaters get seconds.
Get the Recipe: Tender Roast Beef

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