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:
-
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Rub turkey breast with butter, garlic, and seasonings.
-
Roast for 45–55 minutes until golden and cooked through.
-
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:
-
Boil potatoes until tender, then drain.
-
Mash with butter and milk.
-
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:
-
Mix sweet potatoes, butter, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon.
-
Spread in a dish, top with marshmallows or pecans.
-
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:
-
Mix green beans, soup, and milk.
-
Pour into a baking dish, top with fried onions.
-
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:
-
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.
-
Simmer 10–15 minutes until cranberries pop and sauce thickens.
-
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:
-
Cook macaroni and set aside.
-
In a pan, melt butter, stir in flour, and whisk in milk until thick.
-
Add cheese, stir until melted, then mix with pasta.
-
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:
-
Toss vegetables with oil and seasonings.
-
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:
-
Mix yeast, milk, and sugar; rest 10 minutes.
-
Add flour, butter, egg, and salt; knead into dough.
-
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:
-
Mix all ingredients, pour into crust.
-
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50 minutes until set.
-
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.