I am one of the lucky people that doesn’t have to host Thanksgiving because my sister loves this holiday (she even wrote this entire Thanksgiving planning calendar for busy parents). But that doesn’t mean I’m off the hook entirely: I always bring dishes to share and have learned–sometimes the hard way—that not everything is easy to transport from house to house.
So skip the fussy dishes that need to be served right away or recipes that need loads of precious oven or freezer space and try one of these 8 Thanksgiving potluck dishes that are able to go over the river and through the woods. . .and still look and taste delicious when they arrive at their final destination.
Top image: White ceramic dishes from Crate and Barrel
8 easy-to-transport Thanksgiving potluck recipes
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Add some sweet crunch and a big pop of color to your potluck Thanksgiving with this vibrant Thanksgiving Fruit Salad recipe from Lori at Foxes Love Lemons. The tangy salad dressing elevates this beyond just a “bowl of fruit”, and read her tips for keeping diced apples or pears from turning brown. Also love her idea to create single-serve salads for each place setting. If you’re looking for an easier way to get your salad from point A to point B without spilling, consider a covered salad bowl like this porcelain serving bowl with an acacia wood lid at Crate and Barrel. Makes it so easy to store leftovers in your fridge afterward too.
A Thanksgiving casserole without a can of “cream of something” dumped inside? Yes! We love this cheesy and nutrient-packed Better Broccoli Casserole recipe from Cookie and Kate. Not only does it get some crunch from the broccoli and the garlicky bread crumbs, it is packed with protein from quinoa which makes this dish a great option for the vegetarians around your table. . .though even meat eaters will happily dig into this dish.
Related: 14 Thanksgiving dinner essentials you will want to buy right now
What makes How Sweet Eats’ stuffing recipe worthy of the label Best Stuffing Recipe? Loads of fresh herbs and lots of butter. Hey, it’s only Thanksgiving once a year. Shown above in this sturdy, versatile, and easy to carry ceramic casserole dish from STAUB.
You might also consider serving your stuffing inside this white ceramic pumpkin serving bowl from Crate and Barrel which would look perfect on your Thanksgiving table.
Photo by Franzi Meyer on Unsplash
Even if you’ve never baked bread before, our roundup of 7 easy yeast bread recipes for beginners, plus all the tips you need will make you a pro in time for the big holiday. If you’re feeling ambitious, make a second loaf for leftover turkey sandwiches!
And to get that beautiful loaf of fresh bread to Thanksgiving dinner, wrap it up in a pretty tea towel like these from The High Fiber which double as a hostess gift. You’ll find directions on how to wrap that bread neatly in a dish towel at Make and Takes.
Not for kids only, a bubbling dish of yummy mac and cheese at Thanksgiving is irresistible. We are digging the Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese recipe from Two Peas and Their Pod as the mellow squash blends beautifully with the sharp cheddar cheeses. Bake it at home and then transport in an insulated casserole carrier to help retain some of the heat.
Related: 6 decadent mac and cheese recipes for comfort food perfection.
While we aren’t above using shortcuts, this easy, corn-filled Spoon Bread recipe from Once Upon a Chef is so easy to create from scratch. This can even be made a couple of days in advance and reheated just before it’s time for dinner.
Though I love the stuff in the can, I’ll also make room on my plate for the “real stuff” like this delicious Cranberry Sauce recipe from Natasha’s Kitchen. Using orange and honey to complement the tang of cranberries, this only takes 10 minutes to make and is so easy to bring along to your Thanksgiving potluck. Scoop into small glass bowls from Pottery Barn and place around the table to show off that brilliant hue.
Photo by Sally McKenney
This Nutella-Swirled Pumpkin Pie recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction is a tasty twist on the classic pumpkin pie. I mean, isn’t everything better with Nutella? Crunchy gingersnaps make a quick and easy replacement for a traditional rolled pie crust, and the finished pie can be made up to five days beforehand so you don’t even have to rush Thanksgiving day. Consider baking in a pretty dish like this this hand painted holly and pear pie dish from Anthropologie which will look festive on any dinner table through the holidays.
