Bring on the canned food and casseroles

There’s no place like home for the holidays, especially when you’re from the Midwest. When it comes to a Thanksgiving table in the middle part of the country, there’s a lot of convenience cooking to optimize football-watching time and hours spent with family. Thus, it follows that Midwestern Thanksgiving staples include a lot of things that can be whipped up with just a few cans of ingredients. That means one thing: casseroles. For these dishes and many more, check out our recipe roundup of down-home things that Midwesterners always have on their Thanksgiving table.

Cheese Balls

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You need something to snack on while the turkey roasts. And no Midwestern holiday meal is complete without a ton of cheese, including a signature appetizer cheese ball.

For the Cheese Ball recipe, click here.

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Potato Skins

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The potato skin is a classic Turkey Day appetizer. For the most Midwestern experience possible, serve with ranch dressing.

For the Bacon and Cheddar Cheese Potato Skins recipe, click here.

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Deviled Eggs

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Deviled eggs may be best known as the star of Easter, but in the Midwest, this timeless appetizer has no season and is a must-have at every family event.

For the Classic Deviled Eggs recipe, click here.

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Deep-Fried Turkey

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If you aren’t putting your turkey in a massive vat of oil to get that skin irresistibly crispy, are you even cooking a turkey at all? Just be sure to cook it outside.

For the Deep-Fried Turkey recipe, click here.

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Ham

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A proper Midwestern host would never leave a diner without a protein, even if they don’t care for turkey. That’s why you’ll always find another meat option, such as glazed ham, on the buffet table.

Crispy Cheesy Broccoli Gratin

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In the Midwest, your Thanksgiving Day vegetables have to be slathered in cheese, crusted with crackers or drenched in butter. Ideally, all three.

For the Crispy Cheesy Broccoli Gratin recipe, click here.

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Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole

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The Midwest loves its potatoes, and classic, comforting mashed potatoes just aren’t enough. A cheesy hash brown casserole is a convenient dish for the pickiest eaters in your family.

For the Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole recipe, click here.

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Green Bean Casserole

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Green beans won’t even taste like a vegetable when they’re from a can — and mixed with canned mushroom soup and covered in canned fried onions.

For the Easy Green Bean Casserole recipe, click here.

Sweet Potato Casserole

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You didn’t think we were done with casseroles yet, did you? A classic sweet potato casserole (with pineapples) is a must-have for any Thanksgiving table, but especially a Midwestern one.

For the Easy Sweet Potato Casserole recipe, click here.

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Jell-O

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The Jell-O mold never went out of style in the Midwest. You’ll find this quick and easy dessert right next to the apple pie. Fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges may or may not be included. While the Jell-O mold may seem old-school, it has nothing on these other vintage Thanksgiving recipes.

Menyes, Carolyn. "10 Things Midwesterner Always Have on Their Thanksgiving Table." The Daily Meal, Nov. 4, 2019, https://www.thedailymeal.com/midwestern-thanksgiving-recipes-slideshow.