Life

18 Friendsgiving Recipes That Only Require A Crockpot To Make

by Brittany Bennett

Don't spend too much time wallowing in piles of Halloween candy wrappers. The end of one fall holiday beckons the start of another and it's never too early to start begin building a menu. Stuck on what to contribute? You won't get stuck basting the turkey with crockpot ideas for Friendsgiving 2017. Just compile all the ingredients in a magical cooking basket, press the start button and relax as you're bringing a guaranteed to be impressive dish to the dining room table.

November marks two holidays on our calendar. We all wait to relish in the abundant number of specialties our family members whip up for occasions such as Thanksgiving. It's a familial potluck our offices give us a day or two off for. But if you can't make it home to be with family, that doesn't mean there's none of Grandma's baked Macaroni and Cheese for you. That's because Friendsgiving exists. A holiday in which you and your fam get to gather around coffee tables and kitchen counters to show gratitude for one another. Consider this the time of year you say thank you to your best friends for keeping that secret, for getting you that job, for rescuing you from that boring-as-ever Tinder date with the most elaborate series of texts and phone calls.

It can be on whatever date you want it to be on, one that works for all of your schedules, and you'll get to say, "hey, thanks" with casserole dishes of food. Make your fam something really good this Friendsgiving with a list of ingredients and directions that does not surpass the length of a Russian novel. Crockpots make the difficulty level easy and will keep everyone coming back for seconds.

No Boil Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Turkey may be the main event but what comes to mind at the thought of a Thanksgiving spread are all of the sides. With all of the friends completing your fam, everybody can bring a side to the table. This crockpot mac and cheese is so delightfully cheesy and even more so delightfully easy to throw together. As the cheese melts, so will your heart.

Crock Pot French Onion Soup

French Onion soup might not be on many typical Thanksgiving menus. But we're talking Friendsgiving here, not your traditional family gathering. Anything can be brought to the Friendsgiving table and the French Onion soup is an appetizer course that appropriately harbors for the flavors of this time of year. It's warm, cheesy and stocked with onions. Nobody will be upset when they see you ladling this soup by How Sweet Eats into their bowls.

Crock-Pot Maple Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix

There has to be snacks. There always has to be snacks. The snack table is a crucial dining portion of the Friendsgiving evening. As you mingle, the table stocked with pre-dinner munches provides fuel for conversation. This maple pumpkin spice chex mix concoction by Averie Cooks provides the best flavors of the season and an easy recipe to follow.

Crock Pot Turkey Pumpkin Chili

OK, so you don't want to cook a whole turkey. No problem. Even though I have total faith in your ability to conquer it, there's no harm done in whipping up some turkey chili instead. Table for Two has a go to recipe that involves ~pumpkin~ so we can all praise your addition to the table.

Crock-Pot Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin + Balsamic Glaze

When you announce your dish expect "oohs" and "ahhs" to ring throughout the living room. This recipe by A Spicy Perspective brings protein other than turkey to the table. Balsamic glaze? Your friends might suspect you hid your culinary school education from them this whole time.

Crock Pot Caramel Apple Crumble

There always needs to be dessert when it comes to feasting. Apples are at their peak in fall, making this crumble by How Sweet Eats the perfect sweet dish to serve.

Crock Pot Applesauce

Someone has to make the applesauce by My Baking Addiction. The side might seem out of place but the subtle sweetness provided here adds not only extra flavor, but texture to all the things on your plate. Apple sauce turkey? Try it. Trust me.

Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

If you're aiming to wow your friends, bring a ~whole chicken~ to the party. While it may not be a turkey, it'll surely be the centerpiece of the table. And, it's not difficult to make. Tori Avey describes how to achieve the wow factor.

Slow Cooker Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

You might scoff at brussels sprouts, but hold off on that frown. These balsamic wonders by Damn Delicious will have you re-thinking everything that is green.

Crock Pot Caramel

A simple dessert that won't take much to throw together but will be remembered much past your Friendsgiving holiday. This recipe by Dessert Now, Dinner Later is best served alongside freshly sliced apples from your local orchard.

Slow Cooker Garlic Mashed Potatoes

What is Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes? What is ~life~ without this mashed joy? Add garlic to your creamy potatoes like Damn Delicious advises and prepare to be complimented by the harmony of "mmm"s heard around the table.

Slow Cooker Spiced Cranberry Chutney

Cranberry sauce is a necessary addition to any holiday table. It's tart yet sweet and the perfect condiment for any Thanksgiving leftover sandwich. Bring this edible glue by Mom On Timeout to your friends this Friendsgiving.

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Vegetables are an important component to your dinner table. They play well with the protein the meat provides. This creamed corn by Damn Delicious gives you that and a little more of those mac & cheese vibes, making this the ultimate side.

Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Stuffing

Stuffing. Soggy croutons with vegetables never tasted so fantastic outside a bowl of soup. Get the best crockpot version from A Spicy Perspective.

Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey Pie Soup

It might not even be Thanksgiving yet when you decide to celebrate Friendsgiving, but that doesn't mean you can't start celebrating the leftovers early. This recipe calls for three cups of cooked turkey, but you can most likely find that already in stores. This recipe by Baked by Rachel is everything that is right with Thanksgiving found in a bowl.

Crockpot Three Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Half Baked Harvest brings us what would happen if mashed potatoes and mac & cheese crossed paths. The result is scrumptious and drool worthy and will most likely be gone within the hour you set it down on the table.

Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Ham

You might think ham is reserved for other holidays. But it has a place on traditional Thanksgiving tables too. Don't wait for it to cook over a fire, just plop it in your crockpot and tote this recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe to your friend's house in no time.

Slow Cooker Candied Sweet Potatoes

Is it a dessert or a side? Who knows and to be honest, who cares? Candied sweet potatoes are something to savor on the table. Enjoy it along the main courses or with a neighboring slice of crumble. Either way, you'll finish every last bite.