Since Thanksgiving is on just about every American’s mind this week, I’m dedicating the next few posts to the greatest food holiday there is. Today, I’ve searched the internet high and low for the nine recipes that I’d make for my ideal Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe next year, I’ll actually try a few of these out! Until then, I’ll just be here drooling on my laptop.

(All pictures taken from the original sites listed)

1. Rosemary Lemon Roasted Turkey from Diethood
Rosemary and lemon is one of my very favorite combinations, and just imagining it on a roasted turkey totally has my mouth watering. It seems like the perfect mix of classic and different, and I’d love to have this as the star of my Thanksgiving dinner.

2. Parmesan Hasselback Baked Potatoes from Family Fresh Cooking

I’ve never been a big fan of mashed potatoes, so I’d absolutely choose these tasty looking, cheese-filled potatoes over the the “normal” mashed kind. The fact that they’re heavy on garlic just makes them sound even more delicious.

3. Roasted Broccoli with Garlic, Parmesan, and Lemon from Virtually Homemade

Broccoli is my very favorite vegetable, so I’d like to pile this lemony, garlicky, cheesy broccoli next to my turkey. No offense, green beans, but broccoli wins the best green vegetable award every time.

4. The Best Ever Oven Roasted Corn from The Slow Roasted Italian

From the looks of this picture, “best ever” doesn’t seem to be an exaggeration. I want this corn and I want it now!

5. Smokey Gouda Mac and Cheese from The View From Great Island

Macaroni and cheese is the best side dish of all-time, and gouda is one of the most delicious types of cheese, so this recipe seems like a given.

6. Honey Butter Pull-Apart Rolls from High Heels and Grills 
There’s honey butter baked right into these rolls, which means THEY’RE PERFECT. I would probably cut back on eating all of the other food if it meant getting to have two or three of these instead.

7. Cranberry Orange Spritzer from Oh My Veggies

I don’t really like cranberry sauce, but I love cranberry juice (I never claimed to make much sense), so I’d prefer to have my Thanksgiving cranberry fix in drink form. Add in some orange juice and sparkling water, and I’d be a pretty happy camper.

8. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cake Balls from Just Jenny Lynne

When it comes to Thanksgiving, I think there should be (at least) two types of desserts – one with pumpkin and one without. This is one day of the year where it’s perfectly acceptable to eat several pieces of dessert in one sitting, so why not take advantage of it, right? These pumpkin and cream cheese cake balls look delicious, and they’re the perfect size for when you want a piece of dessert, but you had a little too much turkey and you’re closing in on being stuffed.

9. Quick and Easy Caramel Pie from Something Swanky

Pie and Thanksgiving just go together, but instead of the traditional pecan or pumpkin, I’d be all over this caramel pie with a tasty chocolate cookie crust. The perfect ending to a delicious meal.

What would be on your ideal Thanksgiving menu? Do you prefer dark or white meat? (I’m a dark fan, all the way)