The thought of preparing a multi-course holiday meal can be overwhelming any year. Thankfully, you can create a spread of hearty, delicious sides with Panera‘s line of cafe-inspired grocery products and easy-to-make recipes created by Panera chefs. Most recipes are easy to prepare in advance. So, whether you want a new dish to start your meal or to finish it, we have tasty ideas for you.
Dips & Apps
Our soups add excitement to dips and appetizers. Try our Autumn Squash Hummus, Chicken Tortilla Dip or perfectly poppable Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms and Broccoli Cheddar Quiche Bites to kick off your holiday. A new favorite this year is our Autumn Squash Flatbread Pizza – a delectable appetizer when cut into smaller slices.
Soup & Stuffing
It doesn’t get any easier than this. Heat Panera Autumn Squash Soup, ladle into bowls and garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds, pecans or chives and crème fraiche, and you’ve got an impressive first course in seconds. And it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the stuffing. Try something a little different this time around – our Turkey Sausage & Apple Holiday Stuffing will delight everyone at the table.
Casseroles
A Thanksgiving staple, a great casserole calls for seconds, or even thirds. With the flavors of pumpkin and butternut squash thanks to Panera Autumn Squash Soup, our Autumn Squash Casserole or Autumn Squash Noodle Bake are full of fall flavor and take only 30 or so minutes to make. Or, for an alternative to the traditional mashed potatoes and gravy, try these Potatoes Au Gratin made with Panera Baked Potato Soup.
Greens, Salad & Slaw
With our Fuji Apple Vinaigrette, there’s no need to wait for pie for your apples – try this Apple Cranberry Slaw, which comes together in just minutes and adds color and crunch to your table. For a fresher, lighter take on the traditional green bean casserole give this Green Beans with Crispy Shallots recipe using our delicious Panera Poppyseed Dressing a try. You can make it on your stove top – freeing up oven space. A Thanksgiving salad needs to be hearty enough to stand up to the rich flavors that surround it, and this one most definitely does: With dried fruit and hearty grains—and Panera Balsamic Vinaigrette—this Harvest Grain Salad pairs perfectly with turkey.
Don’t forget dessert!
We have fallen in love with this Autumn Squash Bread Pudding that uses our Panera Autumn Squash Soup and Panera Sliced Bread. And Panera at Home Coffee is great for sipping with any pie, or in sweet treats for coffee lovers. Try these decadent Hazelnut Coffee Pudding Parfaits made with our Hazelnut Crème Coffee.
And what about the leftovers?
We’ve got you covered here as well. Try our Thanksgiving Grilled Cheese Sandwich to continue savoring the holiday flavors.