10+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Thanksgiving That Will Delight Your Guests

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and friends, but preparing a big meal can feel overwhelming. Finding easy dinner recipes for Thanksgiving can help you enjoy the holiday without the stress. Whether you’re a beginner cook or just looking for quick options, there are plenty of delicious recipes that won’t take all day to make.

You can still create a festive and tasty Thanksgiving dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. From main dishes to sides, there are many simple meals that will please your guests and allow you to focus on what truly matters—spending time with loved ones.

Herb-Roasted Turkey

Herb-roasted turkey is a classic dish for Thanksgiving that everyone loves. It’s simple and packed with flavor. You’ll want to start with a fresh or thawed turkey.

First, mix olive oil, garlic powder, basil, sage, salt, and pepper in a bowl. This herb blend adds great taste. Make sure your turkey is clean and dry, then use a basting brush to cover it with the mixture.

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Pour two cups of water into the roasting pan to keep the turkey moist. Roast the turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Enjoy the delicious, juicy meat and crispy skin. It’s sure to impress your family and friends at dinner!

Ingredients

• 1 whole turkey
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups water

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix olive oil, garlic powder, basil, sage, salt, and pepper.
2. Clean and dry the turkey.
3. Brush the herb blend over the turkey.
4. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
5. Pour water in the roasting pan.
6. Roast until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

2) Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garlic mashed potatoes are a must-have for your Thanksgiving dinner. They are creamy, buttery, and packed with flavor. You can easily make them with just a few ingredients.

To start, you’ll need potatoes. Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes work best for mashing because they get really fluffy. Add fresh garlic to give it a bold flavor that everyone will love.

You can boil the potatoes until they are tender, then mash them with butter and milk. For extra richness, try adding a little cream.

These mashed potatoes are perfect alongside turkey and gravy. They are sure to become a favorite at your Thanksgiving table.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of russet or Yukon Gold potatoes
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1/2 cup of milk (you can use cream for a richer taste)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and cut the potatoes into chunks.
2. Boil in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
3. Drain and return to the pot.
4. Add minced garlic, butter, and milk.
5. Mash until smooth. Season with salt to taste.

3) Cranberry Orange Sauce

Cranberry orange sauce is a fresh and zesty addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. It pairs well with turkey and adds a pop of color to your table.

You can make this sauce ahead of time. It stays fresh in the fridge for up to one week. Just serve it cold, hot, or at room temperature based on your preference.

To freeze, store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to three months. This way, you can enjoy a taste of Thanksgiving later on!

Ingredients

• 12 oz fresh cranberries
• 1 cup sugar
• Zest of one orange
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the cranberries under cold water.
2. In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and orange juice.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
4. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Add cinnamon and salt if desired.
6. Remove from heat and let cool before serving.

Classic Green Bean Casserole

Classic green bean casserole is a must-have dish for Thanksgiving. It’s simple to make and adds a creamy, delicious touch to your table. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare this comforting side.

For this recipe, you can use two cans of green beans. Drain them well before mixing. The creamy base comes from a can of cream of mushroom soup, which you will combine with some milk for richness.

Don’t forget to add a splash of soy sauce for extra flavor. If you enjoy cheesy casseroles, sprinkle in some shredded cheddar cheese.

Top it off with crispy French-fried onions before baking. This gives the casserole a wonderful crunch.

Ingredients

• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) green beans, drained
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• ½ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• 1 cup French-fried onions

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix green beans, cream of mushroom soup, milk, and soy sauce.
3. Stir in cheddar cheese if using.
4. Pour mixture into a baking dish.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
6. Add French-fried onions on top and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until golden.

5) Maple Roasted Carrots

Maple roasted carrots are a simple and tasty side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. The natural sweetness of the carrots pairs perfectly with the rich flavor of maple syrup.

To prepare, start by gathering fresh carrots. You can use whole carrots or cut them into uniform pieces for even cooking. Drizzle them with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Next, add maple syrup to give your carrots a wonderful glaze. Place them on a baking sheet and roast in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 25 minutes. Toss them halfway through to ensure even roasting.

You’ll love how the edges get caramelized and crispy. These carrots not only look colorful on your table but also bring great flavor to the meal.

Ingredients

• Fresh carrots
• Olive oil
• Maple syrup
• Salt
• Pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash and cut the carrots, if necessary.
3. Toss the carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Drizzle with maple syrup.
5. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, tossing halfway through.

6) Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows

Sweet potato casserole with marshmallows is a classic dish that many people love. It adds a sweet and creamy touch to your Thanksgiving dinner. The combination of sweet potatoes and fluffy marshmallows is hard to resist.

To start, you’ll want to peel and cube your sweet potatoes. Then, boil them until they’re tender. After that, you can mash them up to make them nice and creamy.

Next, mix in butter, brown sugar, and a dash of cinnamon for flavor. Once mixed, spread the sweet potato mixture in a baking dish and top it with marshmallows.

Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) until the marshmallows turn golden brown. This will take about 20-25 minutes.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 cups marshmallows

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Peel and cube sweet potatoes.
3. Boil until tender, then mash.
4. Mix in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
5. Spread the mixture in a baking dish.
6. Top with marshmallows.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until marshmallows are golden.

7) Cornbread Stuffing

Cornbread stuffing is a tasty addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. It has a sweet and savory flavor that everyone loves. Making it is simple and can add a homemade touch to your meal.

Start with your favorite cornbread recipe or use a store-bought mix. Let it cool completely and then cut it into small cubes. For best results, let these cubes sit uncovered overnight to dry out a bit.

Mix the cornbread with chopped celery and onions for added flavor. You can also include other ingredients like spices or herbs to make it your own.

When you’re ready to bake, spread the mixture in a dish and pour some broth over it. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25-30 minutes until it’s golden brown.

Ingredients

• Cornbread (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 2-3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• Spices to taste (like sage or thyme)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the cornbread into small cubes.
2. Let the cubes sit uncovered overnight.
3. Mix in the chopped celery and onions.
4. Pour broth over the mixture.
5. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.

8) Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie is a classic dessert for Thanksgiving. It’s smooth, creamy, and full of warm spices that make it special. You can prepare it easily, making it perfect for your holiday meal.

You can use either a store-bought crust or make your own. The filling is made from pumpkin puree, sugar, eggs, and spices. This simple mix creates a rich flavor you will love.

To make it extra special, top your pie with whipped cream. You can also add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a festive touch.

Ingredients

• 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Roll out the pie crust and fit it into a pie dish.
3. In a bowl, mix pumpkin puree, sugar, and spices.
4. Add eggs and evaporated milk, and whisk until smooth.
5. Pour the filling into the crust.
6. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until set.
7. Let cool, then serve with whipped cream.

9) Apple Pie

Apple pie is a classic dessert that fits perfectly on your Thanksgiving table. Its warm, sweet flavors and flaky crust bring comfort to any meal. Making apple pie can be simple and fun.

Start with fresh apples. You can use varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a nice balance of sweet and tart. A homemade or store-bought pie crust works well.

For your pie, you’ll need some sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to spice things up. Toss the sliced apples with these ingredients to enhance their natural flavor.

Bake your pie at 400°F (200°C) until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown. This usually takes about 45-50 minutes. Let it cool before serving to let the juices settle.

Ingredients

• 6-7 cups thinly sliced peeled apples (about 8 large)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 9-inch baked pie crust

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Slice your apples and toss them with flour, sugar, and spices.
3. Place the apple mixture into the pie crust.
4. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until golden brown.
5. Cool before serving.

Buttery Dinner Rolls

Buttery dinner rolls are a must-have for Thanksgiving. They are warm, soft, and perfect for soaking up gravy. You can make them from scratch with simple ingredients.

To get started, you’ll need flour, yeast, sugar, butter, milk, and a pinch of salt. It’s great because you likely have most of these ingredients at home.

First, warm the milk and melt some butter together. Mix the yeast and sugar into the warm mixture. Once it’s bubbly, combine it with flour and salt. Knead the dough until it’s smooth.

Let the dough rise until it doubles in size. This usually takes about one hour. Then, shape the rolls and place them in a greased baking dish.

Bake in a preheated oven set to 400°F (200°C) for about 15-18 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they turn a lovely golden brown.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Warm the milk and melt the butter together.
2. Mix yeast and sugar into the warm milk.
3. Combine with flour and salt.
4. Knead the dough until smooth.
5. Let it rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
6. Shape and place rolls in a greased dish.
7. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-18 minutes.