These Thanksgiving Dishes Will Win Over Any Crowd

So the host of your Thanksgiving dinner just asked you to bring something to the table that isn't mashed potatoes, and you're stumped and panicking. Well, pour yourself a glass of wine and calm down, because here are some easy Thanksgiving recipes to bring to dinner. Depending on your host, Thanksgiving can be a potluck of BYO-delicious dishes, or it can be so full of host-made food, it would almost be rude to bring something. Either way, it's nice to offer to bring a plate of a dish you'd like to share, and if your host takes you up on it, then get cooking.

Thanksgiving tends to sneak up on those of us who aren't hosting. One day you're at work, and the next you are watching the parade and getting ready to eat a ton of food. There isn't really a lot of time to dedicate to preparing a meal. The good news is, there is a ton of easy-to-make dishes out there that even the most cooking challenged chef could master. Spoiler alert: roasted autumnal veggies are always so simple, and so tasty.

The recipes that follow are simple, savory, and great to share with a table of friends. Snack on the crunchy asparagus sticks as the turkey cooks, pass out hand-pies as you say what you're thankful for, and enjoy the day.

1. Crunchy Cheesy Asparagus Sticks

These delicious crunchy sticks from A Beautiful Mess are made with string cheese — talk about a throwback.

2. Simple Meat Loaf

You can't go wrong with a simple meatloaf like this one from Five and Spice.

3. Quinoa Chickpea Salad

This salad from Food Doodles only requires a couple of ingredients and is low on actual cook time. Perfect if you are tight on time too.

4. Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Stuffing

This stuffing from Gluten-Free Canteen is pretty simple, plus it's gluten-free. Hooray!

5. Maple Buttered Sweet Potato Wedges

This dish from Foodie Crush is so good, it's almost candy.

6. Blueberry And Blackberry Crumble

This crumble from Green Kitchen Stories is actually exceedingly simple to make, not to mention colorful.

7. Restaurant-Style Salsa

This salsa dish from Good Life Eats is perfect to keep the family satisfied as the turkey cooks.

8. Pomegranate Roasted Carrots With Feta And Brown Butter

This dish from How Sweet It Is is so simple, and the pomegranate seeds give it a twist.

9. Bacon Potato Salad With Soft Boiled Eggs

Who can say no to bacon? This dish from How Sweet It Is would make a great breakfast side dish for the holiday.

10. Apple Hand-Pies

I'm not sure if guests will be able to take just one of these hand-pies from My Baking Addiction.

11. Raspberry Chia Seed Jam Squares

Introduce chia to your less hipster family member with this tasty recipe from Oh She Glows.

12. Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies

Everyone loves a chocolate chip cookie, and everyone loves cheese. Kitchen Confidante combined the two for a treat that is sure to be a new Thanksgiving staple.

For more Thanksgiving food ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.

Images: A Beautiful Mess; Five and Spice; Food Doodles; Gluten Free Canteen; Foodie Crush; Green Kitchen Stories; Good Life Eats; How Sweet It Is; How Sweet It Is; My Baking Addiction; Oh She Glows; Kitchen Confidante