There’s something to be said for the nostalgia and comfort that comes along with classic Thanksgiving dishes. Roasted turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts… the quintessential menu that wouldn’t be complete if it wasn’t swimming in gravy and a few dollops of cranberry sauce. Top it all off with a big slice of pumpkin pie and you’re ready for your food coma.

Indeed, Thanksgiving dinner is comfort food at its finest, and some people won’t be willing to stray from tradition, but what if you enjoy a little creativity and experimentation in the kitchen? Will the Thanksgiving police show up at your door and if you don’t serve these traditional dishes for your holiday meal? I don’t think so. There’s no reason you can’t build on these classic flavors while trying something a little different this year. Here’s our round up of unusual yet incredibly delicious Thanksgiving recipes to get your imagination going:

Spicy Sweet Potatoes

The Food Network’s Alton Brown puts a spicy spin on a classic Thanksgiving ingredient with his recipe for Chipotle Smashed Sweet Potatoes. It’s a super easy way to surprise your dinner guests’ taste buds in the most delicious way.

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

This one is a little more advanced and requires your undivided attention during the cooking process (plus a fully functioning fire alarm): Crispy Brussels Sprouts with a roasted garlic citrus dressing and fried shallots on top. Dayum!

Quinoa Stuffing

Whether bread is a problem for you, or you’re just not afraid to take things into a different directions for your Thanksgiving stuffing this year, why not try a quinoa-based version instead? This Quinoa Stuffing with Sweet Potatoes, Cranberries and Pecans looks downright delish.

Charred Green Beans

Who said green beans had to be boring at Thanksgiving? My guess is a green bean casserole would look pretty lacklustre beside this pile of spicy goodness: Bon Appetit’s Charred Green Beans with Harissa and Almonds. If you’re unfamiliar, harissa is a hot chili pepper paste made with roasted red peppers and a medley of hot chilis and spices, but with this recipe, you’re making your own version from scratch.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

It’s no secret that we think everyone should eat more pumpkin since it’s delicious and good for you. So we pretty much had no choice but to include this recipe for Creamy Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake in our Thanksgiving round up.

Try one of these unusual Thanksgiving recipes and who knows, you may just find a new favorite that sticks around long enough to create a new tradition.

Happy eating!

Ps – if you simply can’t wait for the big day to enjoy the classic flavors of Thanksgiving, our Turkey Meatloaf & Mashed Potatoes should tide you over.