If you're a college student and you've never celebrated Friendsgiving, you're doing it wrong. Having a Thanksgiving feast with your friends is an awesome way to celebrate the season before the pressure of finals, not to mention that it means you get to have Thanksgiving twice.
Generally, the best way to do Friendsgiving is to make it a potluck-style meal, in which everyone brings something and no one is overburdened. But a lot of students get deterred from the idea of cooking for Friendsgiving, because they think it will be too hard, too expensive, or too time consuming.
The truth is that there are a TON of delicious seasonal recipes out there that are quick and easy to make, even on a budget. Here are a few:
Roasted Turkey Breast
Turkey is the Thanksgiving classic, but roasting a whole bird can be both intimidating and pricey. With this turkey breast recipe from Foodie Crush, you can still have the ~turkey experience~ for a fraction of the cost, time, and effort. It uses minimal ingredients and packs lots of flavor, all in about 45 minutes. If you're up for the challenge and do want to go all out with the full bird, this Food Network recipe is super doable!
Roast Chicken
Another great option for a Friendsgiving main is chicken. Some may say this is blasphemy, but chicken is perfect for people who want some festive roasted poultry but don't want to commit to a giant turkey, especially if the gathering is on the smaller side. This recipe has got you covered.
Mashed Potatoes
Mmm...mashed potatoes. So essential, yet so simple. No peeler? No problem! This peel free recipe uses red bliss potatoes with parsley and sour cream for a low maintenance twist on the classic dish, and it's bound to be a crowd pleaser.
Sweet Potato Skins
Sweet potato casserole is a Thanksgiving staple for good reason. This recipe straight from Spoon University is equally as delicious as the original, but way easier because it's more adjustable to the number of people at your Friendsgiving, and doesn't require a casserole dish.
Macaroni & Cheese
Admittedly my family doesn't make mac & cheese for Thanksgiving dinner, but when I found out some do, I incorporated it into Friendsgiving because, c'mon, it's mac & cheese. This recipe for baked mac has a short ingredients list, and would definitely be a comforting and delicious addition to your meal.
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole may not be the most aesthetically pleasing item on the Thanksgiving menu, but it's a classic, and this recipe might be one of the easiest (and cheapest) dishes to make on this list thanks to canned soup and pre-made fried onions.
Brussels Sprouts
In my experience people either really hate or really love brussels sprouts, but if you're a fan then they're a great seasonal veggie to include in Friendsgiving. This recipe incorporates cranberries, walnuts, and bacon for festive flavor, but feel free to omit any ingredients you aren't feeling.
Corn Casserole/Corn Pudding
You should seriously make this recipe. It's the ultimate comfort food - sweet and salty and sooo good. Plus, it'll taste like you slaved away in the kitchen even though it's really inexpensive and easy to make.
Cranberry Sauce
Homemade cranberry sauce is sweet and tangy and better than the canned stuff. There, I said it. And, this recipe only has 3 ingredients!
Pumpkin Pie
It's not Friendsgiving without dessert, especially pie! Pumpkin Pie is always a fan favorite, and this 5-ingredient recipe is simple and tasty.
Apple Pie
Next up is sweet, cinnamon-y apple pie, another delicious classic. To speed up the baking process, you can use pre-made crust with this recipe. Don't forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Pecan Pie
Pecan Pie is the third and final dish in the Thanksgiving dessert trifecta, and it's so yummy. It's also one of those desserts that seems complicated but in actuality is very simple. Try this recipe.
Friendsgiving might require a little work and forethought, but the result is so worth it. You'll have the opportunity to eat good food with some of your favorite people and make awesome memories. These recipes are relatively quick, simple, and won't break the bank, and they can help you gain confidence in the kitchen. Happy Friendsgiving!