Giada De Laurentiis’ Best Thanksgiving Recipes

Get ready for Turkey Day with Giada’s best-ever collection of classic and Italian-inspired recipes ideal for entertaining.

Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: Tara Donne ©Tara Donne

Photo By: Tara Donne

Bacon Onion Dip

Giada’s super-creamy dip is made with Greek yogurt, not the usual sour cream or mayo, so the finished product will be lighter and tangier. This is a welcome change on Thanksgiving, when the rest of the meal is traditionally heavy.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Onion Dip

Spicy Sausage Bites

The beauty of these appetizers is that they’re satisfying enough to take the edge off your guests’ hunger, but they’re not so heavy that they’ll completely fill them up. After all, you want to make sure your friends and family still have an appetite for the feast you’ve spent all day prepping!

Get the Recipe: Spicy Sausage Bites

Creamy Pumpkin Lasagna Rolls

Sure, lasagna doesn’t sound like a traditional Thanksgiving dish, but consider these fuss-free roll-ups as a hearty side. They’re full of the warm seasonal flavors you’re craving.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Lasagna Rolls

Crispy Truffled Turkey

It’s all about the black truffle salt here. It lends a bold earthy flavor without overpowering the taste of the meat.

Get the Recipe: Crispy Truffled Turkey

Slice-and-Bake Turkey Cookies

Little ones will love helping you prep — and eat! — these adorable cookies.

Get the Recipe: Slice-and-Bake Turkey Cookies

Roasted Acorn Squash Agrodolce

In Italian, "agrodolce" means sour-sweet, so Giada roasts the squash with cayenne and cinnamon, then tops it with a sweetened vinaigrette to achieve a tangy taste throughout.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Acorn Squash Agrodolce

Apple Pie Soda

Kids and grownups alike will swoon over these fizzy ice cream sodas.

Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Soda

Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

Psst. Guess what. Pumpkin and chocolate are an ideal flavor combo. Try them out in these shortcut cupcakes.

Get the Recipe: Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

Sweet Potato Puffs

Start with store-bought puff pastry to save time when prepping these cinnamon-sugar-dusted fall desserts.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Puffs

Spicy Turkey Breast

We get it — sometimes you don’t want or need to cook a whole turkey. In those cases, look to a turkey breast to save the holiday.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Turkey Breast

Wilted Baby Kale

Fresh garlic, anchovy paste and lemon zest brighten up warm, tender greens in Giada’s speedy side dish.

Get the Recipe: Wilted Baby Kale

Candied Carrots with Walnut Gremolata

A gremolata is a fancy word for herb topping; this one is made with parsley and thyme, plus crunchy walnuts, and boosts the flavor and texture of sweet-savory carrots.

Get the Recipe: Smokey Candied Carrots with Walnut Gremolata

Turkey Bolognese

When you simply can’t eat another turkey sandwich after Thanksgiving, look to this quick-fix pasta to use up leftover turkey.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Bolognese

Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips and Brussels Sprouts

This classic mix of roasted veggies is ideal for entertaining during the holidays, but it’s also a staple recipe to keep in your back pocket for any time of year.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Potatoes, Carrots, Parsnips and Brussels Sprouts

Charred Brussels Sprout Crostini

Quickly cooked Brussels are piled on top of ricotta-smeared toast for the ultimate eat-with-your-hands starter.

Get the Recipe: Charred Brussels Sprout Crostini

Turkey with Herbes de Provence and Citrus

This is the timeless Thanksgiving turkey recipe you’ve been dreaming about. Herbs, oranges and lemons flavor the bird from the inside out, guaranteeing moist, tender meat.

Get the Recipe: Turkey with Herbes de Provence and Citrus

Baked Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese and Bread Crumbs

Fact: Mashed potatoes are good, but mashed potatoes with Parm are SO much better.

Get the Recipe: Baked Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese and Bread Crumbs

Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta

Skip the usual white bread and follow Giada’s lead by using Italian ciabatta bread to form the base of this party-ready stuffing. It adds a subtle tang that balances the rich, salty pancetta.

Get the Recipe: Ciabatta Stuffing with Chestnuts and Pancetta

Butternut Squash Soup with Fontina Cheese Crostini

Smooth and creamy, Giada’s golden soup gets a boost of welcome texture from a topping of cheesy toast.

Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup with Fontina Cheese Crostini

Thanksgiving Turkeys

These turkeys aren’t like the meaty birds that’ll take center stage on your dinner table. They’re kid-friendly sweets made with store-bought candies and cookies to create the cutest-ever treats.

Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Turkeys