Our Test Kitchen Experts Recommend: 8 New Classic Dishes to Introduce This Thanksgiving

Everyone has their go-to recipes for Thanksgiving, whether it’s Grandma’s stuffing, that fabulous bechamel and greens recipe you made last year, or the pie that just defines the feast for your family. But as a creative cook, it’s always good to add a little something new to the mix. Maybe there's room in your menu for a new salad, or perhaps you’d like to streamline prep with a sophisticated make-ahead potato dish?

"Everyday Food" host Sarah Carey says, “These fancy mashed potatoes are custom-made to hold a pool of gravy in the 'well.'" Best of all, they are also completely make-ahead. They can be frozen up to three days ahead and baked (from frozen) on the big day.

“This is exactly what you want to eat after a heavy meal,” says food editor at large Shira Bocar, “especially since fennel aids in digestion. Crisp, crunchy, and mustardy, this salad refreshes your palate. And I love that it can be fully prepped and stowed in the fridge until you're ready to toss.”

Martha & Marley Spoon culinary director (and former MSL editorial director of food) Jennifer Aaronson has three sweet picks that are “crazy good and overlooked. They need to be on your Thanksgiving table.” She is not necessarily advocating the dumping of pumpkin or pecan, just suggesting you add these to the holiday dessert mix.

First off, chess tart. “Why? It's gooey, its crust is a crumble of vanilla-flavored crunch, and the topping is sugary and gooey in all the best ways. Guests will literally lick their plates.”

“The crust of this pie looks like toasted spaghetti, and the filling is a comforting semolina custard that is sandwiched between two layers of caramelized sliced apples,” says Aaronson. “Each mouthful is to die for.”