If you’re stuck on campus this Thanksgiving or you’re looking to host a Friendsgiving, you might be wondering how to serve a traditional turkey, stuffing and gravy this weekend. But, if you’re cooking in a small kitchen or only have a couple hours to put your meal together, traditional Thanksgiving courses can be tricky to prepare. 

A&E put together three recipes inspired by fall flavors to make your Thanksgiving preparations easier and your menu more exciting.

Turkey-Apple Meatballs

Inspired by the flavors of  traditional turkey and stuffing. 

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey

½ cup of plain bread crumbs

1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil

1 egg, beaten

½ of an apple, finely chopped

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

¾ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon sage

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. 

2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix with either your hands or a fork. 

3. Roll mixture into small, two inch meatballs.

4. Place meatballs on a greased baking sheet.

5. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

6. Serve on their own, or with a side of cranberry sauce. 

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

The key to enjoying the vegetables you hated as a kid? Olive oil and lots of spices. 

Ingredients: 

1 pound brussels sprouts

4 tablespoons of olive oil

¼ teaspoon of red chili pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

Honey

Sea Salt

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 

2. In a large bowl, toss brussels sprouts with olive oil, chili pepper and garlic. 

3. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

4. Spread brussels sprouts evenly across baking sheet, and drizzle with more honey. 

5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until brussels sprouts are crispy. 

6. Drizzle with more honey and sprinkle with sea salt. 

Chai-Spiced Pumpkin Bars

Somewhere in between a pumpkin spice latte and a pumpkin pie. 

Ingredients: 

4 eggs

1 and 2/3 cups sugar

1 cup of vegetable oil

1 can of pumpkin puree

2 cups of flour

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¾ teaspoons of cardamom

¾ teaspoons ginger

¼ teaspoon of cloves

1 package cream cheese

½ cup of butter

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 cups of powdered sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

2. With an electric mixer, combine eggs, pumpkin, sugar and oil in a bowl. 

3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and remaining spices until well-mixed. 

4. Slowly add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture until well-combined. 

5. Spread batter into a 10-by-13-inch cake pan. 

6. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

7. For frosting, mix cream cheese and butter with electric mixer, and then add vanilla. 

8. Add powdered sugar in small portions until the frosting is smooth and creamy. 

Spread frosting on cooled bars and cut into squares.