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If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, you’ve got a lot on your plate—in more ways than one! Add some of our easy Thanksgiving recipes to your menu and make the holiday a bit simpler without sacrificing on flavor.
Thanksgiving dinner is a time when many of us go all out, pulling out all of the stops and the recipes that we don’t make any other time of year.
But maybe you want to keep things simple this year. Or maybe you just want to make things easier on yourself without sacrificing flavor.
I can totally relate and I’ve got you.
I’ve got a whole bunch of easy Thanksgiving recipes that will keep the compliments rolling in without anyone knowing just how simple they were to pull together. Your friends and family will still get a delicious holiday meal, and you’ll get a relax a bit more.
I’d call that a win/win!
Making Thanksgiving hosting easier
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be a lot, especially if you have a lot of friends and family coming over.
My friend Megan is the queen of Thanksgiving hosting and has a whole post with Thanksgiving prep tips that I encourage you to check out. Some of my favorites hosting tips include:
Plan ahead: Start planning out your menu now! The big day may be a few weeks away, but knocking out your menu early will save you from scrambling later.
Get your grocery list ready: You can start buying non-perishables now, which also helps spread out some of the cost so you don’t blow your whole grocery budget in one trip. Organize what you need by section of the grocery store to make it even easier to get in and out.
Start prepping now: You can start making things like pie crust and brown and serve rolls now and store them in the freezer until you need them. Then you can save the big day for focusing on the turkey and other last-minute finishing touches.
Don’t forget about the details: Small touches make the holiday extra special. That could mean buying pretty dessert plates. Or making sure your guests have something other than water to drink—my friend Susannah has a list of Thanksgiving mocktails that are delicious and easy to make. Pick a couple of small things and they’ll wow your guests.
My favorite easy Thanksgiving recipes
Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be as complicated as you’d think. You can fill your menu with easy recipes that still taste great!
Below are 24 of my favorite easy Thanksgiving recipes. From breakfast to side dishes to dessert, these are recipes that are simple to make but don’t skimp on flavor.
Some of these recipes are made from scratch, while others use a few shortcuts. All of them are absolutely delicious.
For even more ideas, be sure to check out my entire archive of Thanksgiving recipes, including Thanksgiving dessert ideas that aren’t pie.
Breakfasts
It’s easy to forget about breakfast when you’re focusing on making Thanksgiving dinner. But these breakfast recipes are easy to make and will keep everyone happy until it’s time for the big meal!
Cinnamon Roll Casserole
This sweet breakfast recipe is a cross between french toast casserole and cinnamon rolls. It takes canned cinnamon rolls and pairs them with apple pie filling to turn them into something special that only needs minutes of prep time.
2-Ingredient Pumpkin Bread
You read that right! You can make a delicious seasonal quick bread with just two simple ingredients for everyone to snack on all morning long.
Puff Pastry Apple Strudel
Store-bought puff pastry is the secret to this delicious apple strudel. You can make this ahead of time and freeze it until you’re ready to bake it off.
Bisquick Breakfast Casserole
I love a good breakfast casserole for feeding guests on holiday mornings. Prep this one the night before and bake it in the morning for an even easier breakfast option.
Easy Monkey Bread
This easy monkey bread uses canned biscuits and one secret ingredient to make it taste like you used homemade dough.
Cheesy Sausage Biscuits
Serve these cheesy sausage biscuits on their own or use them as a base for breakfast sandwiches!
Appetizers
Set out a couple of delicious appetizers for everyone to snack on while you finish working on dinner. These are a few of my favorite hassle-free options:
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
Baked brie is an appetizer that always impresses. This one gets topped with a bit of honey, fresh herbs, and pecans before being wrapped in puff pastry. Your guests will think you spent ages making it!
Cranberry Brie Bites
You only need 3 ingredients for these delicious bites. They’re a little sweet, a little savory, and so elegant!
Marinated Cheese
I love making marinated cheese for any party or holiday meal. Prep it the day before, then all you have to do is transfer it to a platter and set out some crackers. Guests will love this one!
Sausage Balls
These sausage balls are savory and cheese and perfectly dippable. They use Bisquick mix as a shortcut, so they’re also quick to make!
Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Ball
Cheese balls are another great make-ahead appetizer. Mix up the cheese ball base the day before, then all you have to do is roll it in the toppings just before serving.
Candied Pecans
Candied pecans can be made up to a week ahead of time. Set them out on their own or add them to a cheese or charcuterie board.
Side dishes
Let’s be honest: The side dishes are everyone’s favorite part of a good Thanksgiving feast.
Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Is it Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce? Homemade cranberry sauce is so easy to make and tastes so much better than the canned stuff!
Honey Glazed Carrots
These carrots are quick and easy to make but are a flavorful addition to any holiday menu.
Fresh Green Bean Casserole
This green bean casserole has all of the nostalgia of the one you grew up with, but brings even bigger, better flavors to the table thanks to fresh green beans and a few other simple ingredient swaps.
Jiffy Corn Casserole
This corn casserole is a classic for a reason! No one can resist this one—and you’ll love how easy it is to make!
Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Balsamic
These Brussels sprouts pack a lot of flavor while being simple to make. Cook them in your air fryer to save room in the oven!
Hash Brown Casserole
Potatoes are a must-have Thanksgiving side dish. This hash brown casserole can be prepped in a matter of minutes and made 1-2 days ahead of time. All your guests will know is that they can’t get enough of the cheesy potato goodness!
Desserts
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie
Get everything you love about pumpkin pie but in a fun, no-bake version.
No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls
These no-bake pumpkin cheesecake bites are a fun twist on cookie balls and pumpkin pie! Decorate them with cookie crumbs, sprinkles, or a drizzle of white chocolate.
Pumpkin Trifle
Mini Pumpkin Pies
These bite-size pumpkin pies are so cute and so simple to make! They’re especially perfect for smaller gatherings.
Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake
A spice cake mix provides the perfect shortcut for this pumpkin twist on a classic St. Louis favorite.
Mini Pecan Pies
Forget making a full-size pecan pie. Make these bite-size mini pecan pies instead! They use pre-made phyllo tart shells and bake in just minutes for a super easy dessert recipe.
