Turkey is widely viewed as the staple of traditional Thanksgiving meals. However, there may be times when someone has grown tired of tradition, or wants to open their palette to different kinds of meals. Listed below are several main dishes to try that go against that same old, tired turkey, yet still remain filling and unique all the same!
Lasagna – Though an admittedly controversial choice, lasagna is a great go-to food for pasta-heads and Garfield-adjacent cats! It does not necessarily need to be the simple lasagna that Aunt Beth makes, either. Do not be afraid to throw in some extra cheese, or add a layer or two to make it the best lasagna it can be! Homemade meat sauce will also do great to drive that sensational flavor home, and in no time the entire dinner table will be asking to have it next year, too.
Mac and cheese – “But mac and cheese is a side dish,” said the doubters. Well, time to upgrade it! There are a plethora of ways to make mac and cheese unique and memorable, including but not limited to the inclusion of ingredients like bacon, vegetables, and seafood. Do not be afraid to get creative! Make sure to taste test before serving to guests, lest the experimental prototype turn out less than favorable.
Fried chicken – Say goodbye to turkey and welcome to the superior bird meat! Fried chicken is a certified classic at any other point in the year, so why not on Thanksgiving too? Like the previous options, there are many avenues a chef can take to make Thanksgiving chicken so good that family members are practically fighting over who gets to eat the last wing. If your guests like having their taste buds tingle, make them extra spicy! If they prefer something more mellow, keep it simple and classic. Just to rub it in the uncooked turkey’s face, add some gravy to top things off!
