Got Guests? 15 Dinner Ideas That’ll Impress Before Turkey Day

Hosting pre-Thanksgiving guests? These 15 dinner ideas are the perfect way to keep everyone fed and happy before the big feast. From quick bites to filling meals, you’ll find the perfect dish for any crowd.

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Cast Iron Chicken Thigh in Creamy Tomato Sauce with a spoon in a cast iron skillet. — Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Your new favorite dinner is here! This Cast Iron Keto Chicken Thigh Recipe in Creamy Tomato Sauce is a crowd-pleaser made with easy ingredients. Bonus: it’s dairy and gluten free!
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

One Pot Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff

A close-up of a pot of beef stroganoff with wide egg noodles being scooped by a spoon, showcasing one of our 14 easy dinner recipes. The dish is garnished with parsley. — One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Weeknight dinners don’t have to be rushed or bland! This One Pot Easy Ground Beef Stroganoff brings all the classic flavors without the hassle. Fresh mushrooms, lean ground beef, and egg noodles make it a hit — no canned soup needed!
Get the Recipe: One Pot Ground Beef Stroganoff

Easy Broiled Chicken Leg Quarters

Want dinner that’s simple yet tasty? These chicken leg quarters are the perfect solution, seasoned with garlic and lemon. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a meal that works for almost any diet!
Get the Recipe: Easy Broiled Chicken Leg Quarters

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.

If you’re craving a dish that’s as comforting as it is flavorful, these Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops hit the mark. The creamy garlic Parmesan sauce, packed with fresh vegetables, will have everyone coming back for seconds. And with the brine keeping the pork chops tender, this meal’s a weeknight winner.
Get the Recipe: Tuscan Smothered Pork Chops

Best Blackstone Chicken Breast

Blackstone Chicken Breast with green beans on a white plate with a fork. — Best Blackstone Chicken Breast. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

This Blackstone chicken recipe is your new weeknight favorite! With a juicy, flavorful chicken breast that’s perfect for a BBQ or a quick dinner, it’s also low carb and keto-friendly for a guilt-free meal.
Get the Recipe: Best Blackstone Chicken Breast

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 hassle-free dinner that’s as tender and juicy as it gets! Let your crock pot do the work while the pork chops soak in a rich mushroom and onion gravy. It’s a simple, comforting meal everyone will love.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops & Vegetables

Traeger Smoked Pork Chop

These Traeger Smoked Pork Chops are perfectly cooked, with a smoky flavor and incredible tenderness. The rich, smoky taste will have you craving more with every bite. Discover the secret to making these juicy, flavorful chops that everyone will love!
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Pork Chop

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.

When the weather turns cool, this Slow Cooker French Onion Chicken is just what you need! With tender chicken thighs, caramelized onions, baby potatoes, and melted Gruyere, it’s a one-pot wonder your family will ask for again and again.
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.

These Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos are the perfect way to upgrade Taco Tuesday! With succulent, citrusy pulled pork ready in an hour, these tacos are packed with bold Mexican flavors that will make your family’s taste buds do a happy dance.
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.

BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese in your Instant Pot is the perfect twist for your next cookout! This creamy, cheesy side dish with leftover grilled chicken comes together in just 30 minutes, making it a quick and delicious addition to your spread.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Mac and Cheese

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.

The key to this Marinated London Broil’s incredible flavor and tenderness is all in the timing! A day of marinating in a simple balsamic-wine blend transforms the meat, making for a quick, mouthwatering dinner that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Tender Marinated London Broil Recipe

Sesame Salmon Bowl

Sesame Salmon Bowls are the perfect healthy dinner, ready in under 15 minutes! The nutty sesame dressing brings an extra burst of flavor to the tender salmon and fresh ingredients, making this a quick and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Salmon Bowl

Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

Instant Pot Baby Back Rib dipped in barbeque sauce in a glass bowl — Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

These Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs are so tender, they practically fall off the bone! Packed with flavor, they taste just like the ones from your favorite BBQ joint, and you can make them in under an hour with your pressure cooker.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs

The Best Instant Pot Rump Roast Recipe

The easiest Instant Pot Rump Roast is here! No matter how you cook it—Instant Pot, pressure cooker, or slow cooker—this juicy, flavorful dish is guaranteed to be a hit with your entire family.
Get the Recipe: The Best Instant Pot Rump Roast Recipe

Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

A baked casserole dish filled with a cheesy, golden-brown lasagna garnished with fresh parsley leaves, just one of the 21 addictive casseroles you need to try. — Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

This Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole is a simple, one-pot wonder, loaded with broccoli, bacon, and ranch. Easy to prepare and bursting with flavor, it’s sure to become your family’s go-to comfort meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

Meatball Pasta Bake

A casserole dish with meatballs and pasta. — Meatball Pasta Bake. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

This easy meatball casserole is the ultimate no-fuss dinner. Just toss everything into one pan, give it a stir, and bake for a quick, satisfying meal everyone will enjoy!
Get the Recipe: Meatball Pasta Bake

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole

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

Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole combines the comfort of a classic casserole with a spicy kick, making it the perfect flavorful dish for any night. It’s versatile and sure to please everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole