Every November, Friendsgiving sneaks up on me — and so does the question of what to bring. Between classes, work and a tight budget, cooking something from scratch isn’t always easy. This year, I decided to take a shortcut and let Target do the cooking for me. I headed to the store to see which easy-to-prepare dishes or sides could hold their own on the Friendsgiving table.
My mission: to figure out what’s truly worth bringing to your gathering. At the end of the day, Friendsgiving is about showing up, sharing a meal and enjoying time with your favorite people.
I taste-tested six different foods from Target’s Good & Gather brand that had quick cooking instructions and cost less than $10. Depending on how many people you’re celebrating with, you might need to grab more than one package for each dish — which could affect the cost — but it still beats the stress of prepping a homemade dish when you’re short on time. Here are a few dishes to consider bringing to your gathering, or use as inspiration for your own.
Mac and Cheese Bread Crumbs, 16 ounces, Good & Gather — $4.99
Although this wasn’t highly rated on Target’s website, this mac and cheese gave me nostalgic school cafeteria vibes — and honestly, I kind of loved it. Maybe it’s controversial, but I always liked that classic cafeteria mac and cheese, and this one hit that same comforting note.
It was mildly cheesy, very creamy and one-note-flavored. I liked the addition of breadcrumbs for texture, but I think they could have been crunchier or toasted more. If you have mac and cheese lovers attending, you can’t go wrong with bringing this.
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, 24 ounces, Good & Gather — $3.99
Pass the potatoes — literally. Next up, I tried Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, and for the price, I felt like they were a solid value. They weren’t quite creamy, but had a starchy texture and chunks of potatoes throughout. There was a hint of salt as well, but the flavor wasn’t too overwhelming.
Honey Pumpkin Goat Cheese Ravioli, 9 ounces, Good & Gather — $4.99
These ravioli immediately caught my eye with their festive stripes — they’d make quite the centerpiece dish on any table. The pumpkin flavor was definitely the most noticeable, while the goat cheese was more subtle. I thought these would be great topped with some cheese and extra light olive oil to bring out that cheese flavor more.
Mashed Sweet Potato, 16 ounces, Good & Gather — $4.99
This one’s for sweet potato fans who never reach for regular potatoes. The mash was on the sweeter side and had a slight creamy texture, though it was a bit stringy in parts, with a few small chunks mixed in. I really appreciated the cinnamon and brown sugar topping which elevated the sweetness and added a nice depth of flavor.
Butternut Squash Soup, 16 ounces, Good & Gather — $3.19
Despite its lower rating, I found this dish pleasantly reminiscent of fall — warm, sweet and comforting. It’s definitely one of the sweeter soups I’ve tasted, so it may be great for those who lean towards sweeter flavors. The squash flavor was also very prominent, and it could be enjoyed with some warm bread, too.
Caramel Dip, 14 ounces, Good & Gather — $4.49
Of course, no Friendsgiving is complete without something sweet. After I prepared some apple slices, I dipped them into the container. The dip was smooth with a mild caramel flavor, and it was not as sweet as I expected.
I could see this working as a take on the viral butter board — replace the butter with this dip, add your favorite toppings and pair it with apple slices. It would make a fun, interactive dish for friends to share. Though be careful, this dip is really runny and gets messy fast.
By the time I finished taste-testing all these dishes, I had a new appreciation for just how many options Target offers.
Some dishes surprised me and others gave me comfort. The variety made it feel like I could put together a whole Friendsgiving spread without leaving the store.
Think of the dishes I tried as inspiration rather than a checklist — everyone’s preferences are different. Part of the fun is exploring the store yourself, discovering new dishes and finding what fits your group’s tastes. Whether it’s something sweet, savory or unexpected, the best part is sharing it with friends.
Friendsgiving doesn’t have to be stressful, expensive or homemade to feel special. What matters most is thought and the time you spend with friends around the table.
Target’s easy-to-prepare foods might not replace your family’s recipes, but they definitely make it easier to show up with something shareable. And honestly, when you’re juggling classes, work and life, convenience can be its own kind of comfort food. So if you’re short on time this Friendsgiving, a quick Target run and good company are all you really need.
