15 Thanksgiving Recipes That Taste Like Childhood

Updated on Nov 28, 2019 at 8:05 AM

Ah, nostalgia! There's nothing like Mom's (or Grandma's) signature dishes on Thanksgiving, and when you're craving the classics like green bean casserole, turkey, cranberry sauce, pecan pie, and stuffing, you want to turn to trusted instructions. These savory and sweet go-tos are exactly what you need to pull off the home-cooked Thanksgiving of your childhood.

Turkey Gravy

The starring bird just isn't the same without the condiment du jour: gravy. It may have been the last thing on the table once Gram wrapped up in the kitchen, but you better believe it's the most important.

Get the recipe:turkey gravy

Sweet Potato Pie

A scrumptious pie made of yams that can be cooked in the microwave? Sounds like a grandma hack to us!

Get the recipe: sweet potato pie

Cinnamon Butter Baked Carrots

Veggies might be used to being on the sidelines on Thanksgiving, but these carrots that are smothered in cinnamon butter and then baked in the oven will steal the show.

Get the recipe: cinnamon butter baked carrots

Creamy Mashed Poatoes

Family matriarchs are pros at mashed potatoes. Channel yours with this old-school comfort food topped with chives.

Get the recipe:creamy mashed potatoes

Perfect Roast Turkey

Perfectly golden, perfectly juicy . . . here's a 101 crash course for mastering the turkey when you're a novice.

Get the recipe: perfect roast turkey

Back-to-Basics Bread Stuffing

There may be a million gourmet stuffing variations out there, but sometimes you just want the real deal.

Get the recipe:back-to-basics bread stuffing

Mac 'n' Cheese

Better than the boxed version, but just as easy to whip up and made with much more love . . . like Grandma's.

Get the recipe: mac 'n' cheese

Green Bean Casserole

You just can never go wrong with crunchy green beans and onion bits, and this one tastes just how you remember it.

Get the recipe: green bean casserole

Pumpkin Cornbread Biscuits

Biscuits make everything better and are definitely a must after parade viewing and football.

Get the recipe: pumpkin cornbread biscuits

Fresh Cranberry Gelatin Mold

Even for something that bears the name "mold," it's a sweet staple item around most dinner tables come Turkey Day.

Get the recipe: fresh cranberry gelatin mold

Pecan Pie

Flaky and delicious — this nutty dessert belongs in the family cookbook.

Get the recipe: pecan pie

Sweet Potato Casserole

Many childhood memories revolve around marshmallows, so it only makes sense to bring them back when entertaining this year.

Get the recipe:sweet potato casserole

Corn Pudding

Corn pudding is one of those foods from our youth that seems questionable when you're devouring it, but you just can't stop yourself. It's that good.

Get the recipe: corn pudding

Glazed Ham

If your squad goes ham on T-Day, then this one's for you. We can give thanks for any form of meat glazed in apricot and mustard.

Get the recipe:glazed ham

Twice-Baked Butternut Squash

Twice baked = twice the yum.

Get the recipe:twice-baked butternut squash