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Home » Recipes » Recipe Roundups

Last Updated: Apr 17, 2024 by Angela Latimer · Leave a Comment

Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Ideas

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These easy Thanksgiving dinner menu ideas will reduce the stress of hosting a holiday dinner without sacrificing flavor. I've included everything from appetizers to desserts! You can copy my menu or pick and choose your ideal Thanksgiving recipes!

For even more Thanksgiving recipes, check out my posts on what to serve with Thanksgiving turkey, Thanksgiving side dishes, and easy Thanksgiving desserts.

Square multi split image showing different easy Thanksgiving menu ideas.
Jump to:
  • 1. Antipasto Platter
  • 2. Pickle Roll-Ups
  • 3. Air Fryer Turkey Breast
  • 4. Ham Steaks
  • 5. Campbell's Green Bean Casserole
  • 6. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
  • 7. Easy Stuffing
  • 8. Crockpot Macaroni & Cheese
  • 9. Microwave Acorn Squash
  • 10. Sweet Potato Muffins
  • 11. Slow Cooker Candied Yams
  • 12. Microwave Carrots
  • 13. Pumpkin Dump Cake
  • 14. No Bake Pumpkin Pie
  • 15. Apple Cider Cranberry Sauce
  • 💭 Tips For Making Thanksgiving Dinner Easy
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Ideas (15+ Super Easy Holiday Recipes!)
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

You don't have to be an experienced chef to pull off a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. It might seem daunting, but with a good game plan and a few of my easy Thanksgiving recipes, you can't fail!

Most of these recipes will serve anywhere between 4-6 people. If you're expecting a larger crowd, you can use the 2x or 3x button at the top of each individual recipe card to scale it up as needed.

Whether you're a pro at hosting Thanksgiving dinner and holiday parties or giving it a try for the first time this year, you're sure to find my ultimate guide to planning Thanksgiving a help! Don't forget to safely thaw your holiday turkey early, too!

1. Antipasto Platter

Nothing beats an appetizer you don't have to cook, plus, it doubles as a distraction to keep people out of the kitchen! Arrange cured meats like salami, roasted nuts, hard and soft cheeses, and olives on a platter for grazing.

Antipasto Platter
This antipasto platter is an excellent appetizer for parties with a variety of tasty meats, cheeses, olives, and more to snack on! It's super simple to assemble, and you don't have to cook a thing! You can even prepare all the ingredients the day before, which means more time to spend at your party!
Check out this recipe
Wide close up image of antipasto platter, with mostly mixes of cheese and meat.

2. Pickle Roll-Ups

With just 3 ingredients, these pickle roll-ups are still the first thing to disappear at my house on Thanksgiving every year. Deli ham or turkey, cream cheese, and pickles, it's simple but so delicious!

Pickle Roll Ups
These pickle roll ups are the perfect super quick snack or appetizer for any pickle fans you may be serving! They only use 3 ingredients, have no cooking required, and can easily serve a crowd! Not to mention, they are low-carb and gluten-free!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of pickle roll up appetizers.

3. Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Utilizing alternative kitchen appliances like crockpots, air fryers, and Instant Pots is a great way to lessen the load on Thanksgiving. If you aren't confident cooking a whole bird, give these perfectly juicy turkey breasts with crispy skin a try!

Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Air fryer turkey breast is an easy, meaty main dish that's equally suited for a fabulous family meal as it is a holiday gathering. Perfectly tender and superbly moist turkey is practically effortless whether you're using bone-in turkey breast or boneless turkey breast. This recipe is quick, delicious, and ridiculously simple!
Check out this recipe
Closeup on the air fryer turkey breast sliced and served on wooden cutting board.

4. Ham Steaks

Ham steaks are an easy way to satisfy any Thanksgiving ham fans without cooking a whole honey-baked ham. They cook super quickly and are coated in caramelized butter and brown sugar, which gives them the same effect!

Ham Steaks With Brown Sugar Glaze
These ham steaks are browned and then cooked in a sweet brown sugar glaze for a dish that is quick, easy, and delicious. It is such a versatile protein that you can enjoy it any time of the day, from breakfast or brunch all the way to dinner. Plus, it only requires 3 ingredients and is ready to go in only 15 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Wide image of ham steaks with eggs on a plate.

5. Campbell's Green Bean Casserole

Campbell's classic green bean casserole recipe made with canned green beans and cream of mushroom soup couldn't be easier! Pick up a tub of French's fried onions for the crispy topping and bake until golden!

Classic Campbell's Green Bean Casserole
Campbell's green bean casserole is a classic recipe that takes minimal prep work, is ready in a snap, and tastes delicious. This casserole is packed with green beans and a creamy sauce, perfect for the holidays, and then topped with crispy French fried onions. Plus, it only uses a handful of ingredients.
Check out this recipe
Close up square image of Campbell's green bean casserole in a glass baking dish.

6. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

These super rich and creamy mashed potatoes are made with just 5 ingredients, and they're ready to eat in 30 minutes! This is the perfect recipe for anyone with an Instant Pot that hasn't made mashed potatoes before.

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Instant Pot mashed potatoes only use 5 ingredients to make some rich and creamy potatoes with minimal effort. They’ll be your easiest side dish yet, making them perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners. Using your pressure cooker also means that your stove top is free to whip up any other dish you like!
Check out this recipe
Easy Instant Pot mashed potatoes served in a bowl and topped with melting butter.

7. Easy Stuffing

Ready-to-use stuffing cubes make this stuffing a breeze, yet it still tastes homemade! Many grocery stores even sell a mix of pre-diced onions and celery that you can snag to cut down the prep time even further!

Easy Stuffing Recipe
My easy stuffing recipe is a cornerstone for Thanksgiving dinner, holiday meals, and tasty family dinners all year. Classic ingredients including celery, onion, and ready-to-use stuffing cubes are combined with tasty herbs to complement all your favorite dishes. It only takes minutes to prep this classic Thanksgiving side dish staple that the whole family loves.
A single serving of this recipe is baked in an 8x8 dish and yields 10 side servings, or 6-8 heartier portions. It's also easy to 2x or 3x this recipe for larger gatherings.
Check out this recipe
Easy stuffing with tasty herbs served in glass dish with serving spoon.

8. Crockpot Macaroni & Cheese

The convenience of crockpot mac and cheese is that you just dump the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do the rest! This macaroni is rich, creamy, and delicious, with 3 kinds of cheese!

Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Crockpot mac and cheese is about to be your new favorite method of making macaroni and cheese. It's so easy, and there are no dishes. There's no boiling your macaroni noodles; just toss them in your slow cooker with the other ingredients and let it do all the cooking.
Check out this recipe
Closeup on the crockpot mac and cheese after dishing it up into a white pasta bowl.

>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<

9. Microwave Acorn Squash

Acorn squash is one of my favorite fall ingredients, and it adds to the Thanksgiving ambiance. The squash is steamed until tender in the microwave, then coated with butter and brown sugar (or cinnamon)!

If you prefer, you can make acorn squash in the Instant Pot too!

Microwave Acorn Squash
This easy Microwave Acorn Squash cooking method yields perfectly tender acorn squash in no time at all! Load up your favorite fillings like the comfort food classic combination of butter and brown sugar for a super quick vegetable side that everyone loves!
Check out this recipe
Perfectly cooked microwave acorn squash filled with butter and brown sugar.

10. Sweet Potato Muffins

Sweet potato muffins aren't overly sweet and are an easy bread option that can be served right alongside dinner. Not to mention, they freeze beautifully, so you can make them in advance!

Sweet Potato Muffins
These sweet potato muffins are an easy-to-make treat that can be enjoyed as breakfast, a snack, or even a side dish at dinner! They are moist, flavorful, and packed full of delicious warming spices! Not to mention, these muffins can be frozen so that you always have them on hand whenever the craving strikes!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of sweet potato muffins.

11. Slow Cooker Candied Yams

These tender yams are sweet and warmly spiced with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. You can even add mini marshmallows if you like your candied yams with marshmallows!

Slow Cooker Candied Yams
My tasty slow cooker candied yams are the easy, sweet side dish you didn't know you were missing in your life. They can be made in your crockpot, with or without marshmallows as a topping. Plus, this simple dish is equally suited to weekday dinners as it is to Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday feasts.
Check out this recipe
Square image of slow cooker candied yams in a white serving bowl.

12. Microwave Carrots

You can quickly steam sliced carrots in the microwave as an easy vegetable side dish. They're tasty with just salt & pepper, or you can experiment with different seasonings!

Microwave Carrots
These microwave carrots are so quick and simple, and they are also some of the tastiest steamed carrots you'll ever enjoy. With only a splash of water and a few minutes of cooking time, this has to be the best way to get a veggie side dish on the table in no time at all. Serve up some microwave carrots at the holiday dinner table and everyone will be none the wiser.
Check out this recipe
Large square overhead of microwave carrots with parsley garnish.

13. Pumpkin Dump Cake

It's called a dump cake because you just 'dump' all the ingredients in a baking dish and pop it in the oven! There are practically no baking skills required!

Pumpkin Dump Cake
This pumpkin dump cake uses spice cake mix for an extra effortless yet extraordinarily delicious fall dessert! It features both pumpkin puree and homemade pumpkin pie spice for a truly warming flavor! As an added bonus, it is completely beginner-friendly, so anyone can make it!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of a slice of pumpkin dump cake on a white plate.

14. No Bake Pumpkin Pie

Skip the classic pumpkin pie and try this cool and creamy no-bake pumpkin pie instead! I like to make this pie the night before and keep it refrigerated until it's time for dessert on Thanksgiving day!

No Bake Pumpkin Pie
No-bake pumpkin pie is a sweet and tasty fall time treat that is perfect for any occasion and incredibly easy to make! You'll only need about 15 minutes of prep work, and then just let the pie chill in the fridge all night! Go ahead and make two because your guests will be coming back for seconds!
Check out this recipe
Wide image of a slice of no bake pumpkin pie.

15. Apple Cider Cranberry Sauce

Some people are perfectly happy with canned cranberry sauce, and that's okay! If you want to try your hand at making your own, my apple cider cranberry sauce is super flavorful and surprisingly simple!

Apple Cider Cranberry Sauce
My apple cider cranberry sauce is the perfect blend of spiced apples, sweet sparkling apple cider, and tangy cranberries for Thanksgiving! It is tart, sweet, and full of juicy apple flavor! This easy-to-make cranberry sauce is sure to be a new family favorite for the holidays!
Check out this recipe
Wide side image of the apple cider cranberry sauce in crystal serving dish.

💭 Tips For Making Thanksgiving Dinner Easy

Going in with a game plan in mind is the most important part of hosting Thanksgiving dinner. Follow these steps to keep yourself organized!

  1. Plan your menu in advance. You're already on track just by being here! You can't do much until you know the number of guests and the menu.
  2. Create a timeline. Make a detailed timeline of when you need to start each dish and when they need to be finished.
  3. Prepare as much as possible in advance. Chop vegetables and measure ingredients the day before. Some dishes can even be partially cooked or assembled in advance and finished on Thanksgiving day.
  4. Delegate tasks. Friends and family will likely offer help, and there's no shame in accepting! They can focus on setting the table and cleaning up if you don't need help in the kitchen.

I hope these recipes help ease the holiday stress so you can enjoy it! Be sure to come back and tell me how your Thanksgiving dinner turned out in the comments below!

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

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5 from 2 reviews

Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Ideas (15+ Super Easy Holiday Recipes!)

These easy Thanksgiving dinner menu ideas will reduce the stress of hosting a holiday dinner without sacrificing flavor! I've included everything from appetizers to desserts! You can copy my menu or pick and choose your ideal Thanksgiving recipes!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 306kcal
Prep 30 minutes minutes
Cooking 20 minutes minutes
Total Time 50 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes (rinsed and scrubbed)
  • ½ cup butter (melted, cooled slightly)
  • 2 large eggs (beaten, at room temperature)
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream (or sour cream, or Greek yogurt)
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (or allspice)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spoon and leveled)
  • ½ cup pecans (optional, chopped)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

Prep the Whipped Sweet Potatoes

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4). Lightly grease your muffin pan or use cupcake liners.
  • Place 2 medium sweet potatoes on a baking dish, then bake until the sweet potatoes until tender (about 35-45 minutes). Remove from the oven and allow to cool until you can easily handle the sweet potatoes.
  • Scrape the meat of the potatoes into a bowl and then whip using a hand mixer on low speed until nice and creamy. Set aside to cool.

Mix The Muffin Batter

  • In a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, combine ½ cup butter, whipped sweet potatoes, 2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon heavy cream, and 2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  • Add ¾ cup sugar, ½ cup light brown sugar, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix thoroughly.
  • Stir in 2 cups all-purpose flour until just combined (do not over-mix the batter). Fold in the optional chopped ½ cup pecans if desired. *The muffin batter will be thick!

Portion & Bake the Muffins

  • Use a scoop or ¼-cup measuring cup to portion the batter into the muffin pan.
  • Bake for 20-22 minutes at 350°F (175°C/Gas Mark 4), or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean from the center of your muffins. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
  • Transfer the muffins to a cooling rack to cool completely or serve warm.

Notes

Tips:
  • 2 large sweet potatoes are equivalent to about 1½ cups of mashed sweet potatoes.
  • If you’re a cinnamon fan, up to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon works well in this recipe.
  • Do not fill the muffin tin all the way full, or it will overflow. Instead, only fill it ⅔ of the way full, or use a ¼-cup measuring cup to portion the batter.
  • If making mini muffins, start checking them for doneness after about 9-10 minutes.
Storage:
  • Store any leftover sweet potato muffins in an airtight container with paper towels on the bottom. They can be kept at room temperature for 3-4 days or up to a week in the fridge. 
  • These muffins can also be frozen. I recommend wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then placing all of them in a large storage bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 306kcal (15%) | Carbohydrates: 46g (15%) | Protein: 4g (8%) | Fat: 12g (18%) | Saturated Fat: 6g (38%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 53mg (18%) | Sodium: 285mg (12%) | Potassium: 212mg (6%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 23g (26%) | Vitamin A: 5646IU (113%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 41mg (4%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Muffin Recipes, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American, Southern

Originally published October 31, 2023

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Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

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