9 Thanksgiving dishes easy

Thanksgiving is all about family, gratitude, and of course—great food. But that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated.

Whether you’re hosting or bringing a dish to share, these 9 easy Thanksgiving dishes are simple to prepare, delicious, and guaranteed to impress your guests.

1. Garlic Butter Roast Turkey Breast

A juicy, flavorful alternative to a full turkey—perfect for smaller gatherings or quick prep.

Ingredients:

  • 1 boneless turkey breast

  • ¼ cup butter, melted

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 tsp rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. Rub turkey breast with butter, garlic, and seasonings.

  3. Roast for 45–55 minutes until golden and cooked through.

  4. Rest before slicing for maximum juiciness.

2. Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Classic, fluffy mashed potatoes ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs potatoes, peeled and cut

  • ½ cup butter

  • ¾ cup warm milk

  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Boil potatoes until tender, then drain.

  2. Mash with butter and milk.

  3. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

3. Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet and creamy potatoes topped with crunchy pecans or gooey marshmallows.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes

  • ¼ cup butter

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • 1 tsp vanilla and cinnamon

  • 1 cup mini marshmallows or pecans

Instructions:

  1. Mix sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.

  2. Spread in a dish, top with marshmallows or pecans.

  3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.

4. Green Bean Casserole

Creamy green beans topped with crispy fried onions—a Thanksgiving must-have.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups green beans

  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup

  • ½ cup milk

  • 1 ½ cups fried onions

Instructions:

  1. Mix green beans, soup, and milk.

  2. Pour into a baking dish, top with fried onions.

  3. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.

5. Cranberry Sauce

Tangy and sweet homemade cranberry sauce that takes only 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz (340 g) cranberries

  • 1 cup sugar

  • ½ cup orange juice

  • ½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.

  2. Simmer 10–15 minutes until cranberries pop and sauce thickens.

  3. Cool before serving.

6. Cheesy Mac and Cheese

Comforting, creamy mac and cheese that both kids and adults will love.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups macaroni

  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

  • 2 tbsp butter

  • 2 tbsp flour

  • 2 cups milk

Instructions:

  1. Cook macaroni and set aside.

  2. In a pan, melt butter, stir in flour, and whisk in milk until thick.

  3. Add cheese, stir until melted, then mix with pasta.

  4. Serve creamy or bake with breadcrumbs for extra crunch.

7. Roasted Vegetables

Colorful roasted carrots, parsnips, and potatoes for a healthy, easy side dish.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups chopped vegetables (carrots, potatoes, etc.)

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • Salt, pepper, rosemary

Instructions:

  1. Toss vegetables with oil and seasonings.

  2. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25–30 minutes until tender.

8. Dinner Rolls

Soft, buttery rolls that complete any Thanksgiving meal.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups flour

  • 1 cup warm milk

  • 2 tsp yeast

  • 2 tbsp sugar

  • ¼ cup butter

  • 1 egg

  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Mix yeast, milk, and sugar; rest 10 minutes.

  2. Add flour, butter, egg, and salt; knead into dough.

  3. Let rise 1 hour, shape rolls, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes.

9. Pumpkin Pie

A simple, classic Thanksgiving dessert that’s easy to make and full of fall flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pie crust

  • 1 ½ cups pumpkin puree

  • ¾ cup sugar

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 cup cream

  • 1 tsp cinnamon and nutmeg

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients, pour into crust.

  2. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50 minutes until set.

  3. Cool and top with whipped cream.


These 9 easy Thanksgiving dishes prove that you don’t need to spend all day in the kitchen to enjoy a festive, flavorful meal.

With simple ingredients and quick steps, you can create a Thanksgiving spread that’s stress-free and full of love.

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