15 Thanksgiving Main Dish Recipes That Make Hosting Easy

ByMandy

Thanksgiving can feel like a full-time job, but these 15 main dish ideas keep the table busy without the stress. Each option is designed to handle a crowd and avoid awkward empty-plate moments. Guests get a mix of choices that cover all tastes, and hosts can breathe without running in circles.

A slice of lentil loaf on a plate with sprigs of thyme.
Lentil Loaf. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Butternut Squash Risotto

A bowl of risotto topped with roasted pumpkin pieces, grated cheese, and fresh parsley, with a checkered napkin and herbs nearby.
Butternut Squash Risotto. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Hosting feels easier when you have one-pan dishes for big tables. Butternut Squash Risotto cooks up creamy with bursts of color in every scoop. Rice draws in a rich texture people love. It works well as a main or side for nonstop requests. Extra gets packed up in take-home containers.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Risotto

Vegan Nut Roast

A plate with a nut roast and potatoes on it.
Vegan Nut Roast. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Serve up something hearty for guests looking for plant-based choices. Vegan Nut Roast slices up firm and keeps plates full throughout the meal. Seeds and nuts give every bite crunch. Simple to plate up for big crowds. People always ask for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Vegan Nut Roast

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

A plate of golden-brown gnocchi garnished with rosemary, served with a black fork.
Sweet Potato Gnocchi. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Comfort food wins every time with a soft bite and smooth finish. Sweet Potato Gnocchi stands out on crowded tables with rich flavor in each piece. Quick to serve with sauce or just plain. It fills up guests before dessert arrives. Always leads to recipe questions at the end of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi

Eggplant Casserole

A slice of cheesy eggplant lasagna with tomato sauce is being lifted from a pan, showing stretchy melted cheese. A bowl is blurred in the background.
Eggplant Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Main dishes hit hardest when plates come out loaded. Eggplant Casserole stacks up layers for a hearty meal no one skips. Soft bite mixed with savory sauce finishes every forkful. Great for sharing with large groups. Fits well next to lighter salads as a full dinner plate.
Get the Recipe: Eggplant Casserole

Vegetarian Shepherds Pie

A cast iron skillet filled with vegetable shepherd's pie, topped with mashed potatoes and garnished with rosemary sprigs and chopped parsley. Two spoons are placed inside.
Vegetarian Shepherds Pie. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Recipe bakes up golden and feeds a bunch without much effort. Vegetarian Shepherds Pie goes deep with comfort in every spoonful. Meat gets left out without anyone missing it. The top crust seals in all the flavors for the crowd. Hot dish fills plates fast before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Shepherds Pie

Cauliflower Steaks

Cauliflower steaks with pomegranate and pistachios on a plate.
Cauliflower Steaks. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Looking for low-fuss options with big charm. Cauliflower Steaks are sliced up thick for everyone to grab their own piece. Slides right onto the grill or oven for crispy edges. Works well as a centerpiece or side. Grab these early before they’re gone.
Get the Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks

Pumpkin Pasta

A bowl of rigatoni pasta with creamy sauce, topped with grated cheese, pumpkin seeds, and sprinkled with herbs.
Pumpkin Pasta. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Rich color always stands out at parties. Pumpkin Pasta turns noodles into a creamy main that surprises people with flavor. Big bowls make serving easy. Nice paired with any green salad. Guests dig in for seconds to finish up all the sauce.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pasta

Marry Me Butter Beans

A cast iron skillet with creamy pasta mixed with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with cheese, with a wooden spoon resting inside.
Marry Me Butter Beans. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Thick stews win with hosts who need something simple but crowd-pleasing. Marry Me Butter Beans bring soft texture paired with a rich sauce. They move from stove to table with no stress. Hearty enough for every appetite. Scoop up in bowls for everyone as a quick main.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Butter Beans

Mushroom Wellington

Mushroom wellington on a white serving plate.
Mushroom Wellington. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Puff pastry around savory filling never fails for big meals. Mushroom Wellington looks fancy but slices up fast for guests. Mushrooms add a meaty depth that feels special. Table feels full with just a few pans. Great to serve with roasted veggies or salads.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Wellington

Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

A lasagna being dished up.
Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Layered casseroles always knock out hunger at gatherings. Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna swaps out meat for creamy cheese filling and sheets of pasta. Good for prepping ahead so hosting is a breeze. Cut into squares and watch the pan empty. This pairs well with simple breads or salads.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna

Roasted Broccoli

A bowl of roasted broccoli topped with grated cheese and seasoning.
Roasted Broccoli. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Sides can step up as mains for some guests. Roasted Broccoli cooks up crispy and rich with charred flavor in every bite. Easy to fill plates from a single tray. Green color pops on the table alongside more filling dishes. No waste, as leftovers store well for next day.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Broccoli

Wild Rice Casserole

A bowl of pasta with lemon slices and parmesan cheese.
Wild Rice Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Big groups need something hearty for sharing. Wild Rice Casserole gives chewy bites with nutty flavor mixed throughout. Holds up warm or cold during busy meals. Bowl empties out no matter how much you make. Great for those who want gluten-free or plant-based options.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Casserole

Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Roasted cauliflower head cut in half, garnished with chopped parsley, on a white plate.
Roasted Whole Cauliflower. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Show-stopping mains make hosting fun. Roasted Whole Cauliflower stands tall for carving right at the table. Golden crust gives a nice crunch on top. Easy to dress up with sauces. Works well sliced for plates or pulled apart for finger food.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Mushroom Risotto

A bowl of risotto with mushrooms and parmesan cheese.
Mushroom Risotto. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Creamy texture brings people back for more. Mushroom Risotto stirs up easily for a quick main or side that holds up well. Deep flavors shine with each bite from earthy mushrooms. Pour right from the pot to feed a crowd fast. Some sneak second bowls before dessert.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Risotto

Lentil Loaf

A slice of lentil loaf on a plate with sprigs of thyme.
Lentil Loaf. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Good alternative to classic roasts on holidays. Lentil Loaf mixes up firm slices that fill plates and stomachs quickly. Cuts easy for potluck-style serving. People like it warm or cold both ways work. Makes leftovers that stand up for lunch next day.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Loaf

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