Fall has come and it’s time to cook the turkey and stuffing. While many people celebrate with their families, just as many enjoy the holidays with friends as well! After all, who doesn’t love a good Friendsgiving celebration?

What is Friendsgiving?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Friendsgiving can be defined as “a large meal eaten with friends either on or near Thanksgiving.” The technical term dates back to 2007 according to their sleuthing, though we have a hunch we’ve all been celebrating it a little longer than that (see: Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving episode).

Really, Friendsgiving can be what you make of it. It could be done potluck style or with your most kitchen-savvy friend taking over. Either way, we have some ideas for dishes that you can try out with your crew!

Five Easy Friendsgiving Recipes You Can Cook Up: 

Sausage Herb Stuffing

What You Need:

• 16 c. 1-inch bread cubes
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 2 c. diced yellow onions
• 1 c. diced celery
• 2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled and diced
• 2 tbsp. chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp. Kosher salt
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper
• ¾ lbs. Uncle Charley’s Hot or Sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 c. chicken stock
• 1 c. dried cranberries

What to Do:

• Heat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 
• Place the bread cubes on a pan and bake for 7 minutes, then raise the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Move the cubes to a very large bowl.
• As the cubes are baking, melt the butter and add the onions, celery, apples, parsley, salt, and pepper to a large saute pan. Saute over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are softened, then add to bowl with bread cubes.
• In the same saute pan, cook the sausage for about 10 minutes. Break it up and cook until it is cooked through and browned. Add to the bread cubes and vegetables.
• Add chicken stock and cranberries to the mixture, combine well, and pour into a 9×12-inch baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until browned on the top and hot in the middle. Serve warm.

Serves up to 10 people.

Prep/Cook time: 85 mins.

Brown Butter and Honey Glazed Carrots and Sausage

What You Need:

• 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 5 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 lb. rainbow carrots
• 1 package Uncle Charley’s Cinnamon Apple Maple links.
• ½ tbsp. honey 
• ¼ tsp. salt 

What to Do:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In an oven-safe skillet over medium heat, cook butter until it starts to foam and turn golden brown.
• Add garlic to skillet and saute lightly before adding the carrots and sausage.
• Stir the carrots and sausage so they are well coated, then add honey and salt.
• Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes or until the carrots are tender and the sausages browned.

Serves up to 10 people.

Prep/Cook time: 35 mins.

Sausage and Sweet Potato Bites

What You Need:

• 5 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-in. cubes 
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• ½ c. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon 
• 1 package Uncle Charley’s Pork Sausage, chopped into 2-in. cubes
• Toothpicks 

What to Do:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Coat sweet potato cubes and sausage with olive oil in a mixing bowl.
• In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar with cinnamon.
• Season the sweet potatoes and sausage with the brown sugar mixture.
• Skewer the sweet potatoes and sausages on toothpicks.
• Roll the toothpicks in any remaining brown sugar mixture.
• Place the toothpicks on a pan and bake for 30 minutes.

Serves up to 10 people.

Prep/Cook time: 55 minutes

Sausage, Veggie and Apple Bake

What You Need:

• One package Uncle Charlie’s Sweet Italian Sausage, chopped
• Butternut squash, cubed
• Brussel sprouts, chopped
• Red onion, chopped
• Minced garlic
• Olive oil
• Dried thyme, sage, and rosemary
• Apples
• Fresh parsley

What to Do:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and grease your baking sheet.
• Add your sausage, veggies, and apples to the pan.
• Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with herbs, season with salt and pepper, and toss.
• Roast for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through.

Serves up 8-10 people.

Prep/Cook time: 45 mins.

Smashed Potato Salad with Hot Italian Sausage, Aioli, and Scallions

What You Need:

• 2 lbs. Small red-skinned potatoes
• Kosher salt
• ¾ c. plus 2 tbsp. vegetable oil, divided
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 package Hot Italian Sausage, casings removed
• 1 large egg  yolk
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• 2 tsp. lemon joice
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced
• Chile powder

What to Do:

• Preheat oven to 440 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place potatoes in a large pot and pour in cold water to cover, then season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 20-25 minutes. Drain and return to pot to dry and cool.
• Transfer the potatoes to a rimmed baking sheet and flatten with your hands or the bottom of a mug.
• Meanwhile, heat ¼ c. vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion for about 5 minutes, then add the Italian sausage and break up with a spoon. Cook for another 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve and drain, pressing until you have about a ¼ c. of oil. Add ½ c. vegetable oil and set both mixtures aside.
• Whisk your egg yolk, garlic, and 1 tsp. water in a medium bowl, gradually adding the sausage oil until the aioli is thick and smooth. Whisk in lemon juice and season with salt.
• Drizzle the potatoes with the remaining vegetable oil and coat with both oil and salt. Roast, tossing once, for 20-25 minutes. 
• Toss potatoes with half of the aioli, half of the scallions, and the sausage mixture. 
• Spread the remaining aioli on a platter and place potato salad on top, then sprinkle with the rest of the scallions and chili powder.

Serves up to 8 people.

Prep/Cook time: 90 minutes

Let us know if you try these recipes out! We can’t wait to hear about your Friendsgiving celebrations and see the photos