Easy Thanksgiving Recipes: Top 15. Whether you’re hosting a large gathering or having an intimate celebration, preparing a scrumptious Thanksgiving meal doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
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Looking to make your Thanksgiving meal a breeze without sacrificing flavor?
As the air turns crisp and the leaves transform into vibrant hues, Thanksgiving brings a sense of warmth, gratitude, and of course, a feast of delicious food. With a collection of easy Thanksgiving recipes, you can create a memorable and satisfying feast without spending hours in the kitchen.
We’re here to help you whip up a delicious feast with minimal stress! Imagine serving up a spread of mouth-watering dishes that impress and make your holiday cooking a joy, not a chore. We’ve gathered 15 fantastic recipes that are not only easy to prepare but also packed with all the traditional flavors you love. Each recipe comes with a step-by-step guide, making it simple for you to follow along and create a memorable meal.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, these recipes will help you shine without breaking a sweat. From savory main courses to delectable sides and sweet treats, you’ll find something to please everyone at your table. Plus, we’ve included tips and tricks to make your cooking process smooth and enjoyable.
Get ready to take the stress out of Thanksgiving and have fun preparing dishes that will leave your guests raving. Ready to transform your holiday cooking experience?
Roll up your sleeves, grab your apron, and let’s embark on a culinary journey filled with mouthwatering aromas, warm gatherings, and the joy of sharing a bountiful meal with loved ones.
PRO TIP: Play around with using your air fryer instead of baking to make things easier. Also, save some time by using grocery items like premade stuffing, cranberry sauces, and mashed potatoes!
No-bake desserts are also always a great idea! Don’t forget about one-pot dinner options!
Now, let’s explore a variety of easy Thanksgiving recipes that will make this holiday season a delicious success.
Roasted Turkey
- Ingredients:
- 1 whole turkey (10-12 lbs)
- 1/2 cup olive oil or melted butter
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
- 2-3 garlic cloves, smashed
- Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage) for stuffing
- Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Prepare Turkey: Remove the turkey giblets and pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- Season Turkey: Rub the entire turkey with olive oil or melted butter. Season generously with salt, black pepper, rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder.
- Stuff Turkey: Stuff the cavity with lemon quarters, onion, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs.
- Truss Turkey: Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wing tips under the bird.
- Roast Turkey: Place the turkey breast-side up on a rack in a roasting pan.
- Cover and Roast: Cover the turkey loosely with aluminum foil and roast for about 15 minutes per pound.
- Remove Foil: About 45 minutes before the turkey is done, remove the foil to allow the skin to brown.
- Check Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
- Rest Turkey: Let the turkey rest for 20-30 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute. This. is a must in your Easy Thanksgiving Recipes list!
Mashed Potato : Easy Thanksgiving Recipes
- Ingredients:
- 2 lbs potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet work well)
- 1/2 cup milk (or more as needed)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2-3 cloves garlic (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh chives or parsley for garnish (optional)
- Instructions:
- Peel and Cut Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into even chunks.
- Cook Potatoes: Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
- Prepare Garlic (Optional): If using garlic, add peeled garlic cloves to the pot for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Drain Potatoes: Drain the potatoes and garlic (if used) and return them to the pot.
- Mash Potatoes: Mash the potatoes with a potato masher until smooth. For extra creaminess, you can use a potato ricer.
- Heat Milk and Butter: In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter over low heat until the butter is melted.
- Mix Milk and Butter: Gradually add the warm milk and butter mixture to the mashed potatoes, stirring until the potatoes reach your desired consistency.
- Season: Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Garnish (Optional): Garnish with chopped fresh chives or parsley if desired.
- Serve: Serve hot as a perfect side dish for your meal. This is one of the Easy Thanksgiving Recipes that will warm your guests’ hearts and feel the comfort this season brings!
Classic Stuffing
- Ingredients:
- 1 loaf of bread (about 12 cups of cubes; French, sourdough, or whole wheat works well)
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2-3 celery stalks, chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2-3 cups chicken or vegetable broth (adjust as needed)
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Bread: Cut the bread into cubes and spread them out on a baking sheet. Toast in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until slightly crispy. Remove and let cool.
- Cook Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery, and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Season: Stir in the dried sage, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute to release the flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes, cooked vegetables, and any remaining butter from the skillet. Toss to combine.
- Add Broth: Gradually add the chicken or vegetable broth, stirring gently until the bread cubes are moistened but not soggy. You may not need all the broth.
- Add Eggs: Stir in the beaten eggs to help bind the stuffing together.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Transfer the stuffing mixture to a greased baking dish.
- Bake: Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot as a delicious side dish for your holiday meal.
Cranberry Sauce
- Ingredients:
- 12 oz (340g) fresh cranberries (about 3 cups)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- Zest of 1 orange (optional)
- Instructions:
- Rinse Cranberries: Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water and discard any that are soft or damaged.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, granulated sugar, and water. If using, add the lemon juice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and orange zest.
- Cook Cranberries: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes. You’ll notice the cranberries start to burst and the sauce will begin to thicken. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Check Consistency: The sauce should thicken as it cooks. If it gets too thick, you can add a little more water to reach your desired consistency.
- Cool: Remove from heat and let the cranberry sauce cool to room temperature. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Serve: Transfer the cooled sauce to a serving dish or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Garnish (Optional): Garnish with a few extra orange zest strips or a sprinkle of cinnamon before serving if desired. An absolute must for your Easy Thanksgiving Recipes.
Green Bean Casserole
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups French fried onions (divided)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Blanch Green Beans: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Add Cheese (Optional): If using, stir in the grated cheddar cheese.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the blanched green beans to the soup mixture and stir to coat the beans evenly.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the green bean mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top with Onions: Sprinkle 1 cup of the French fried onions evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly.
- Add More Onions: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of French fried onions over the top, and return to the oven.
- Final Bake: Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown and crispy. What a great idea for one of the Easy Thanksgiving Recipes.
Delicious Sweet Potato Casserole : Easy Thanksgiving Recipes
- Ingredients:
- 4 large sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs or 900g)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
- Topping:
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows (optional)
- Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into chunks. Place them in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until tender.
- Mash Sweet Potatoes: Drain the sweet potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl. Mash until smooth using a potato masher or a hand mixer.
- Mix Ingredients: To the mashed sweet potatoes, add the granulated sugar, milk, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well combined and smooth.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the sweet potato mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread evenly.
- Prepare Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and chopped pecans (if using). Mix until crumbly.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the topping mixture evenly over the sweet potato casserole.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the casserole is heated through.
- Add Marshmallows (Optional): If using marshmallows, remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the mini marshmallows evenly over the top, and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the marshmallows are melted and lightly browned.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving.
Classic Thanksgiving Gravy
- Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups turkey or chicken broth (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup drippings from roasted turkey (optional, for added flavor)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon dried sage or thyme (optional, for additional flavor)
- Instructions:
- Collect Drippings: After roasting your turkey, pour the drippings from the roasting pan into a heatproof container. Let it sit for a few minutes to allow the fat to rise to the top. Skim off the fat and set aside.
- Make Roux: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes, until the mixture is golden and bubbly. This creates a roux, which will thicken the gravy.
- Add Broth: Gradually whisk in the turkey or chicken broth. Continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
- Incorporate Drippings: If using, add the skimmed turkey drippings to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let the gravy simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Season: Taste the gravy and season with salt and black pepper as needed. If you like, add a pinch of dried sage or thyme for extra flavor.
- Strain (Optional): For a smoother texture, strain the gravy through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps or bits of fat.
- Serve: Transfer the gravy to a serving dish or gravy boat and keep warm until ready to serve.
Cornbread : Easy Thanksgiving Recipes
- Ingredients:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease an 8-inch square baking dish or a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat together the milk, melted butter, and eggs until well combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir until just combined. The batter may be a bit lumpy, but that’s okay—don’t overmix.
- Pour Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the cornbread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Serve: Enjoy your cornbread warm, with a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey if desired.
Easy Roasted Vegetables
- Ingredients:
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
- 2 cups baby carrots or sliced carrots
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare Vegetables: Wash and cut all vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Try to keep them roughly the same size for even cooking.
- Season Vegetables: In a large bowl, toss the vegetables with olive oil, dried thyme, dried rosemary, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the seasoned vegetables in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Make sure they are not crowded to allow for even roasting.
- Roast: Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized. Stir halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
- Check for Doneness: The vegetables should be golden brown and easily pierced with a fork.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving dish. Serve warm. Easy Thanksgiving Recipes.
Pumpkin Pie
- Ingredients:
- For the Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 2-3 tablespoons ice water
- For the Filling:
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- For the Crust:
- Instructions:
- Prepare the Crust:
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in Butter: Add cold butter pieces to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Water: Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough begins to come together. Avoid adding too much water.
- Form Dough: Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Mix well.
- Add Eggs and Cream: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the heavy cream until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Pie:
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Transfer the dough to the pan and trim any excess.
- Add Filling: Pour the pumpkin filling into the prepared crust.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for 35-40 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown. You can check for doneness by inserting a knife into the center of the pie; it should come out clean.
- Cool and Serve:
- Cool: Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before serving. This helps the filling set completely.
- Serve: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream if desired. This is a major must in your collection of Easy Thanksgiving Recipes.
- Prepare the Crust:
Apple Crisp
- Ingredients:
- For the Filling:
- 6 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples (about 6 medium apples)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- For the Crisp Topping:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- For the Filling:
- Instructions:
- Prepare the Apple Filling:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour until the apples are evenly coated.
- Prepare the Crisp Topping:
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
- Cut in Butter: Add cold butter pieces to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers to cut the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Assemble the Crisp:
- Layer Apples: Transfer the apple mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or an equivalent oven-safe dish.
- Add Topping: Evenly spread the crisp topping over the apples.
- Bake:
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender and bubbly.
- Cool and Serve:
- Cool: Allow the apple crisp to cool slightly before serving. This helps the juices thicken a bit more.
- Serve: Serve warm, ideally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
- Prepare the Apple Filling:
Cornbread Stuffing : Easy Thanksgiving Recipes
- Ingredients:
- For the Cornbread:
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- For the Cornbread:
- For the Stuffing:
- 1 batch of homemade or store-bought cornbread, crumbled
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Instructions:
- Prepare the Cornbread:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, combine buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs.
- Combine: Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Bake: Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch square baking dish or similar oven-safe dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cornbread cool, then crumble into large pieces.
- Prepare the Stuffing:
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and celery, and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine crumbled cornbread with the sautéed vegetables. Stir in chicken or vegetable broth, dried sage, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper until well mixed. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Add Parsley (Optional): Stir in chopped fresh parsley if using.
- Bake the Stuffing:
- Prepare Baking Dish: Transfer the stuffing mixture to a greased baking dish (about 9×13 inches).
- Bake: Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the stuffing is heated through.
- Serve:
- Cool Slightly: Allow the stuffing to cool slightly before serving. This helps the flavors meld together.
- Prepare the Cornbread:
Baked Mac And Cheese
- Ingredients:
- For the Macaroni:
- 8 ounces elbow macaroni (or any pasta shape you prefer)
- Salt, for boiling
- For the Cheese Sauce:
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (or use more cheddar)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
- For Topping (Optional):
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- For the Macaroni:
- Instructions:
- Prepare the Macaroni:
- Boil Pasta: Cook the macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cheese Sauce:
- Melt Butter: In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add Flour: Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Add Milk: Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps form. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble.
- Add Cheese: Reduce heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar and Gruyère cheeses until melted and smooth.
- Season: Add mustard powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well to combine.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce:
- Mix: Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce, stirring until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Bake:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Baking Dish: Transfer the macaroni and cheese mixture to a greased baking dish (about 9×13 inches).
- Prepare Topping (Optional): In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.
- Serve:
- Cool Slightly: Let the baked mac and cheese cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps the cheese sauce set a bit. A crowd favorite and is one of the most anticipated Easy Thanksgiving Recipes.
- Prepare the Macaroni:
Roasted Brussel Sprouts
- Ingredients:
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (optional, for added flavor)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for finishing)
- Instructions:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Brussels Sprouts:
- Trim and Halve: Rinse the Brussels sprouts and trim off the stem ends. Remove any yellow or damaged outer leaves. Cut each Brussels sprout in half lengthwise.
- Season:
- Toss: In a large bowl, toss the halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil until evenly coated.
- Add Seasoning: Season with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes, if using. Toss again to distribute the seasonings.
- Roast:
- Arrange: Spread the Brussels sprouts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding to ensure they roast evenly.
- Roast: Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the Brussels sprouts are tender and caramelized, with crispy edges. Stir halfway through for even cooking.
- Finish:
- Add Balsamic Vinegar: If desired, drizzle the roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic vinegar during the last 5 minutes of roasting for a touch of sweetness and tang.
- Top with Parmesan (Optional): For added flavor, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese right after removing from the oven.
- Serve:
- Enjoy: Transfer the roasted Brussels sprouts to a serving dish and enjoy them hot as a side dish or a healthy snack.
- Preheat Oven:
Pecan Pie Bars : Easy Thanksgiving Recipes
- Ingredients:
- For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- For the Filling:
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups pecan halves
- For the Crust:
- Instructions:
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Crust:
- Mix Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press and Bake: Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden.
- Prepare the Filling:
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the corn syrup and brown sugar until fully combined. Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.
- Mix Eggs and Vanilla: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and vanilla extract together. Gradually stir the egg mixture into the syrup mixture until well combined.
- Add Pecans:
- Stir in Pecans: Fold in the pecan halves, making sure they are evenly distributed.
- Assemble and Bake:
- Pour Filling: Pour the pecan filling over the pre-baked crust and spread it out evenly.
- Bake: Return to the oven and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and the top is golden brown.
- Cool and Cut:
- Cool Completely: Allow the pecan pie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares.
- Serve:
- Enjoy: Serve as a delicious treat for holidays or any special occasion. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Not only is this one of the best Easy Thanksgiving Recipes, but also a great to-go gift for your guests!
- Preheat Oven:
What You Really Need To Know
Crafting an easy Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With simple and delicious Thanksgiving recipes like green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, you’ll have a Thanksgiving menu full of comfort food everyone will love. For those pressed for time, using tools like the instant pot, air fryer, or slow cooker can make cooking your Thanksgiving dinner a breeze.
Whether you’re whipping up green beans, sweet potatoes, or even a classic pumpkin pie, these easy Thanksgiving recipes will save you time while still delivering incredible flavors. Roasted potatoes or even a green bean casserole are perfect side dishes that bring out the best in your turkey. And don’t forget the cream cheese to make your sweet potato dish extra creamy!
With these kitchen tips and ideas, you can enjoy your holiday with less stress and more delicious food. Plus, you’ll have more time to focus on family, friends, and making memories rather than spending all day in the kitchen. From quick recipes like apple crisp to classic dishes, these ideas will fill your home with the smells and tastes of the season. Get ready to dive into the ultimate Thanksgiving feast with dishes that taste great without taking up too much of your time. So, get your grocery list ready and plan the best Thanksgiving dinner yet!