Stuffing, Sides and Sweet Traditions
We asked, you answered. Team members share the Thanksgiving dishes they love most—from classic stuffing to creative family favorites.
I love them all, but my absolute favorite Thanksgiving dish is stuffing. I used to help my grandmother prepare Thanksgiving dinner because my mom always worked. She made everything with love! Her stuffing recipe is one I make every year when I can. It starts with broth slow-cooked from the turkey giblets and chestnuts we’d roast the night before, then peel and chop — we used lots of chestnuts. I don’t have a written recipe; it’s all from memory. The usual toasted breadcrumbs, eggs, celery, onions, spices, chopped apples and raisins all go in. Bake for at least an hour in a lasagna pan. Super delicious! It’s always moist and the best ever.
Gabby Kelly, Receptionist, Heritage at Falmouth
My favorite thanksgiving dish is my dad’s/grandfather’s meat stuffing! My grandfather created it years ago and my dad carries on his legacy by making it every year and teaching me how to as well (I forget it every year).
Lauren Gendron, Social Media & Marketing Specialist, Marketing Communications
I actually have two favorites:
Thanksgiving breakfast: My husband’s famous biscuits and gravy
Side dish: My sister’s buffalo chicken dip (I know not traditional, but it is requested every holiday, as it is SOOOOO good.)
Dawn Hagen, Manager of Food Service Staffing and Budgeting, Cape Cod Hospital
Love the side dishes the most—especially this broccoli-corn bake casserole! Here is the recipe:
Dana Morrison, MSN, RN, CM, Case Management
My favorite Thanksgiving dish is mashed potatoes! I love it all times of the year, so much so that my in-laws even got me a shirt I wear every Thanksgiving that says, ‘I ❤️ Mashed Potatoes!’”
Megan Harvey, Float Receptionist, MACC
My favorite Thanksgiving item is making Cranberry Pumpkin Bread.
The recipe is from Libby’s, and even though it probably has too much sugar, I only make it once a year, so I feel it’s worth it. Everything in moderation!
I usually get a few loaves from one recipe, but sometimes I double it so I have enough for smaller breads to give as gifts. Everyone enjoys it.
Thank you and Happy Holidays,
Julie Keene, CPC, MACC Coder, Cape Cod Healthcare
It’s definitely the stuffing. There basically isn’t a recipe that I don’t like. Obviously, gravy needs to be involved, too.
Brian L’Heureux, Certified Oncology Pharmacist, CCH Oncology Clinic
Homemade stuffing.
Not the healthiest dish on the table, but I have only one time in a year!
Judy Gaylord
My husband’s family always made mashed potato stuffing, which everyone loves! My mother-in-law's father used to make it. It is mashed potatoes with celery, onions, bacon and stuffing seasoning, then baked in the oven. I usually make 15 to 20 pounds of potatoes, and we only make it for Thanksgiving. As soon as the leaves start to turn colors, my family starts craving mashed potato stuffing.
Sandra Garabedian
Garlic mashed potatoes!
Meghan Falvey
I can't live without my cornbread sausage stuffing. It’s the best.
I typically buy the bag of premade Pepperidge Farm corn bread stuffing (but you can make your own cornbread from a mix or scratch):
Ingredients
Diced onions
1 stick butter
Dried sage
1 package, 16 ounces of Jimmy Dean Regular premium pork sausage
1 cup chicken broth
Directions
Sauté the diced onions in the stick of butter until onions are translucent
Cook the sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat until it’s well browned, stirring often to break up the meat. Pour off any excess fat.
Stir sage, diced onions and butter in the skillet. Add the stuffing and stir lightly to coat. Add the broth and mix lightly. Spoon the stuffing mixture into a greased 2-quart casserole and cover.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, or until the stuffing mixture is heated through.
Judi Campbell, Senior Benefits Specialist, Human Resources
