Required Skills:

Basic mixing and baking

Key Ingredients:

• •½ cup butter
• •⅔ cup white sugar
• •2 large eggs
• •1 cup buttermilk
• •½ teaspoon baking soda
• ...and 3 more

Variations:

Add jalapeños and cheddar for a savory kick, or fold in honey and creamed corn for extra moisture.

Required Skills:

Sauce-making (roux), cheese melting, baking

Key Ingredients:

• •1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
• •¼ cup butter
• •¼ cup all-purpose flour
• •½ teaspoon salt
• •ground black pepper to taste
• ...and 2 more

Variations:

Mix in different cheeses like Gruyère or fontina. Add lobster or bacon for a luxurious upgrade.

Required Skills:

Bread prep, seasoning balance, moisture control

Key Ingredients:

• •30 slices white bread, lightly toasted
• •2 tablespoons butter
• •1 large onion, finely chopped
• •2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• •2 cups chicken broth
• ...and 5 more

Variations:

Add sausage, dried cranberries, or chestnuts for extra flavor and texture. Use cornbread instead of white bread for a Southern twist.

Required Skills:

Basic mixing and baking

Key Ingredients:

• •2 (15-ounce) cans cut green beans, drained
• •1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• •¾ cup milk
• •1 (2.8-ounce) can French fried onions
• •salt and ground black pepper to taste

Variations:

Use fresh mushrooms and make your own cream sauce for a from-scratch version. Add bacon bits for extra savory flavor.

Required Skills:

Basic prep and boiling, mashing technique

Key Ingredients:

• •5 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes
• •2 cups Parmesan cheese
• •1½ cups cream cheese
• •1 cup chopped fresh chives
• •½ cup butter
• ...and 2 more

Variations:

Add roasted garlic, cream cheese, or sour cream for extra richness. Try using Yukon Gold for a naturally buttery flavor.

Required Skills:

Basic stovetop cooking and stirring

Key Ingredients:

• •12 ounces cranberries
• •1 cup white sugar
• •1 cup orange juice

Variations:

Add diced apples, pears, or a splash of bourbon for complexity. Use honey or maple syrup instead of white sugar.

Required Skills:

Roasting, blending, seasoning

Key Ingredients:

• •2 tablespoons butter
• •1 small onion, chopped
• •1 stalk celery, chopped
• •1 medium carrot, chopped
• •2 medium potatoes, cubed
• ...and 3 more

Variations:

Top with toasted pumpkin seeds or crispy sage. Add apple or pear for extra sweetness.

Required Skills:

Roasting or boiling, mashing, topping assembly

Key Ingredients:

• •4 cups peeled, cubed sweet potatoes
• •2 large eggs, beaten
• •½ cup white sugar
• •½ cup milk
• •4 tablespoons butter, softened
• ...and 6 more

Variations:

Skip the marshmallows for a savory version with herbs and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Add orange zest for brightness.

Required Skills:

Basic cooking and preparation

Key Ingredients:

• •ground pork sausage
• •ground spicy pork sausage
• •frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

Required Skills:

Advanced techniques, precise timing, multiple steps

Key Ingredients:

• •onion, chopped
• •carrots, chopped
• •celery, chopped
• •vegetable oil
• •turkey wings
• ...and 8 more

Required Skills:

Basic roasting and seasoning

Key Ingredients:

• •1½ pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• •3 tablespoons olive oil
• •1 teaspoon salt
• •½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Variations:

Toss with maple syrup and pecans, or add crispy pancetta and Parmesan cheese for extra richness.

Required Skills:

Roux technique, deglazing, seasoning balance

Key Ingredients:

• •¼ cup turkey pan drippings
• •¼ cup all-purpose flour
• •2 cups turkey or chicken stock
• •salt and ground black pepper to taste

Variations:

Add white wine or cognac for depth. Use cornstarch instead of flour for a gluten-free version.

Required Skills:

Basic cooking and preparation

Key Ingredients:

• •frozen puff pastry, thawed
• •cream cheese with herbs
• •sliced Swiss cheese

Required Skills:

Basic roasting or stovetop glazing

Key Ingredients:

• •1 pound carrots, sliced
• •¼ cup butter
• •¼ cup packed brown sugar
• •salt and ground black pepper to taste

Variations:

Roast with honey and cumin for a Middle Eastern twist, or add ginger and orange juice for brightness.

Required Skills:

Boiling eggs, mixing filling, piping

Key Ingredients:

• •12 large eggs
• •¼ cup mayonnaise
• •1 teaspoon white vinegar
• •1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• •⅛ teaspoon salt
• ...and 2 more

Variations:

Add bacon bits, chives, or sriracha for a twist. Use avocado instead of mayo for a healthier version.

Required Skills:

Basic cooking and preparation

Key Ingredients:

• •sliced bacon, cut into thirds
• •beef cocktail wieners
• •toothpicks
• •brown sugar, or to taste