16 Dinners to Make Your Pre-Thanksgiving Guests Thank You

Pre-Thanksgiving dinners are all about good vibes and great food—and these 16 meals have both in spades. Whether you're keeping it casual or going all out, your guests won’t stop talking about these delicious dishes. Say goodbye to boring meals and hello to easy, unforgettable dinners!

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Grilled chicken skewers glazed with a dark teriyaki sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, served on a black slate tablet next to a bowl of white rice. — Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Throw these Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers on the grill and prepare for the compliments to roll in! With a perfect balance of sweet and savory, these kabobs are the ideal BBQ bite—easy, delicious, and sure to please every guest.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Chicken enchilada casserole with corn and jalapenos. — Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole is the perfect mix of creamy comfort and zesty heat. This dish takes everything you love about comfort food and adds a spicy twist that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds!
Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

Cajun Seafood Rice Casserole

Shrimp and rice in a skillet. — Cajun Seafood Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Call Me PMc.

Cajun Seafood Rice Casserole delivers a knockout combination of spice and comfort. It’s the kind of dish that warms you up from the inside out with its bold flavors and satisfying heartiness.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Seafood Rice Casserole

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

A plate of seasoned rice mixed with ground meat, diced tomatoes, and garnished with chopped parsley sits invitingly next to a spoon, resembling one of the 18 casseroles from our popular collection. — Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Forget the stuffing and still get all the tasty goodness with this Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole! This one-pot wonder is beginner-friendly, comes together in 45 minutes, and makes for a hearty, flavorful family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Baked Ravioli

Baked Ravioli brings all the lasagna vibes with none of the stress! Using frozen ravioli, marinara, and melted cheese, this one-hour wonder is the perfect quick fix for busy nights when you want something delicious and comforting.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli

Cheesy Vegetable Casserole

A plate with a serving of a vegetable casserole. — Cheesy Vegetable Casserole. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

No matter what main dish you’re serving—chicken, meatloaf, steak, or ribs—this cheesy vegetable casserole is the side that’ll tie it all together. It’s packed with flavor and makes every meal feel complete!
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Vegetable Casserole

Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole

A large scoop of a spaghetti casserole. — Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole . Photo credit: xoxoBella.

Get ready for a fiesta on your plate with this Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake! Packed with chicken, corn, black beans, tomatoes, and sour cream, this Mexican-inspired casserole is the perfect mix of bold flavors and creamy goodness.
Get the Recipe: Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole

Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops

A spoonful of creamy vegetable stew with visible carrots, herbs, and a rich sauce highlights the simplicity of 10 skillet meals enjoyed any night of the week. — Easy Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Take your comfort food to the next level with these Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops! The juicy, brined pork chops are topped with a rich, creamy herb and garlic Parmesan gravy, packed with onions, tomatoes, and spinach—guaranteed to have everyone asking for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops

Cuban Pork Belly Sliders

Close-up of a group of small sandwiches secured with skewers and topped with pickle slices, featuring 15 pork. One sandwich is being pulled away, showing melted cheese stretching from it. — Cuban Pork Belly Sliders. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Serve up something amazing with these Cuban Pork Belly Sliders! The iconic Cuban flavors shine through in each bite, but the crispy pork belly and garlic butter elevate these sliders into a truly unforgettable treat.
Get the Recipe: Cuban Pork Belly Sliders

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

In less than an hour, you can have this Chicken Tater Tot Casserole on the table! It’s the perfect combination of crispy tots, creamy chicken, and melty cheese—comfort food at its finest, and fast!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables

A plate of cooked steak garnished with herbs, served with roasted potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, onions, and covered in a brown sauce. A fork is placed on the right side of the plate. — Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

These Slow Cooker Pork Chops and Vegetables are a dream come true for busy nights! With melt-in-your-mouth pork chops and a savory mushroom and onion gravy, this no-fuss meal practically cooks itself in your crock pot.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables

Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

A dish of braised chicken, enhanced with 12 onion pieces, served with various small potatoes and garnished with herbs in a white bowl. — Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

For a meal that screams comfort, try this Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken! It’s loaded with tender chicken thighs, rich caramelized onions, baby potatoes, and gooey Gruyere cheese—making it a dish you’ll crave all season long.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken

Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos

Three tacos filled with shredded meat, slices of avocado, radishes, and other vegetables on a wooden board, garnished with lime wedges and served alongside a bowl of corn salsa. — Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos are the perfect way to spice up Taco Tuesday! In just about an hour, you’ll have juicy pulled pork bursting with Mexican garlic and citrus flavors—turning taco night into something extraordinary.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Bowl of pasta with creamy sauce, garnished with chopped green onions and drizzled with a dark sauce. A fork is in the bowl, making it one of the top 10 instant pot recipes for quick and delicious meals. — Instant Pot BBQ Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Take your cookout to the next level with Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese! This 30-minute, one-pot dish is a creamy, cheesy delight that turns leftover grilled chicken into a totally irresistible side everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Mac and Cheese

Chicken Tikka Masala

In this delectable recipe, a black bowl contains rice topped with chunks of meat in a creamy orange curry sauce, garnished with cilantro. A piece of naan bread sits on the side, all presented on a dark surface. — Chicken Tikka Masala. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Forget takeout—make Chicken Tikka Masala right on your stovetop! This creamy, spiced tomato sauce wraps around tender yogurt-marinated chicken, packed with ginger, garlic, and Indian flavors—perfect for scooping up with warm naan on a chilly night.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tikka Masala

Tender Marinated London Broil Recipe

Slices of medium-rare beef steak being drizzled with a dark sauce, displayed on a wooden cutting board with a knife in the background. — Tender Marinated London Broil Recipe. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

What makes this Marinated London Broil so irresistibly tender and full of flavor? A simple balsamic-wine marinade that works its magic overnight, giving you a mouthwatering dinner that’s quick to cook and always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Tender Marinated London Broil Recipe