Thanksgiving, a holiday known nationwide as a time for family, friends, and phenomenal food, is fast approaching. For many college students, going home to family for the five-day break just isn’t a reality. However, that doesn’t mean that the friends and food need be forgotten! With these easy and inexpensive recipes that utilize ingredients found at the local Kroger or Walmart, college Friendsgiving can be as comforting as your mom’s Thanksgiving.
Green Bean Casserole
Nothing beats mom’s green bean casserole except maybe this recipe! Fool your friends into thinking you’re a trained chef with this quick and easy recipe. Creamy mushroom soup with the crunchy fried onions and soft green beans makes for the perfect side dish at your Friendsgiving table.
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 35 min
Ingredients:
- 1 can (10 1/2 oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- ¾ cup milk
- ⅛ tsp. black pepper
- 4 cups cooked cut green beans or 2 cans (14.5 oz each) green beans, drained
- 1⅓ cups fried onions
Directions:
- Mix soup, milk and pepper in a 1½ -qt. Baking dish. Stir in beans and ⅔ cup fried onions
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 min. Or until hot. Stir.
- Top with remaining ⅔ cup onions. Bake 5 min. Until onions are golden.
Mashed Potatoes
Ah, the classic mashed potatoes. Although not necessarily unique to Thanksgiving, mashed potatoes just bring to mind those sit-down meals with your family from way back when. It just wouldn’t be a holiday dinner without this tasty staple.
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds baking potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup milk
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes; drain.
- In a small saucepan heat butter and milk over low heat until butter is melted. Using a potato masher or electric beater, slowly blend milk mixture into potatoes until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Apple Crisp
The aroma of apple pie wafting through the kitchen and into the living room create a sense of warmth and peace, knowing that the stress of the day is over and the final course is nearing. This apple crisp is a simple take on a fan favorite. Ditch the complicated crust and go for this clean, easy dish. Cook time is a little long so it’s recommended to put this in after everyone has just sat down to eat their other delicious dishes.
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: 55 min
Ingredients:
- 6 apples – peeled, cored and sliced
- 1 cup water
- 1 (18.25 oz) package white cake mix
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Arrange apples in an even layer in bottom of baking dish. Pour water over apples.
- In a medium bowl mix together cake mix, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter or margarine until ingredients are thoroughly blended; mixture will be crumbly. Sprinkle mixture over apples.
- Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes.
