Simple Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
Introduction
A Simple Thanksgiving Dinner Menu doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor or variety. With a few well-chosen mainstays, you can craft a holiday spread that captures all the warmth and festivity of Thanksgiving—without the overwhelm. Whether you’re hosting for the first time or looking to streamline your celebration, this menu delivers classic flavors, a stress-free prep process, and plenty of crowd-pleasing moments.
The Magic of a Simple Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
Simplicity is the secret to enjoying Thanksgiving as much as your guests will. By focusing on tried-and-true favorites—with easy-to-follow recipes—you’ll create a meal that’s both comforting and impressive. Classic roasted turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, savory stuffing, and a perfect pumpkin pie: every element shines, and together, they make everyone at the table feel welcome and well-fed.
Easy-Prep Turkey
Instead of wrestling with complicated brines or intricate stuffing methods, this menu uses an herb-butter rub for a flavorful, juicy roasted turkey. Prepping ahead with a simple blend of fresh herbs, butter, and garlic ensures big flavor with minimal effort. Let the oven do the work, and use the drippings as a rich base for easy homemade gravy.
Effortless Sides That Steal the Show
Classic mashed potatoes, oven-roasted green beans, and a savory bread stuffing round out the menu. Each side dish requires minimal ingredients and can be prepped ahead, freeing up your time to focus on family and relaxation. Don’t forget a simple cranberry sauce—bright, tangy, and made in one pot.
Sweet Finish: Classic Pumpkin Pie
No Thanksgiving would be complete without a traditional pumpkin pie. This version uses canned pumpkin purée and a ready-made crust, letting you focus on the creamy, perfectly spiced filling. It’s the grand finale every guest looks forward to!
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This menu serves 6 to 8 people. Each serving of turkey and 2 sides averages about 550 calories, while a slice of pumpkin pie adds approximately 280 calories. The recipes are balanced for comfort and indulgence—perfect for a once-a-year celebration.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate an organized Thanksgiving shopping list—grouped by store section for a streamlined, stress-free grocery run!
Instructions
- Roast the Turkey: Preheat oven to 325°F. Pat the turkey dry. Mix the softened butter with herbs and minced garlic; spread evenly under the skin and on the outside of the turkey. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Place turkey breast side up in a roasting pan and roast for about 13 minutes per pound, or until a thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 165°F. Let rest before carving.
- Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, return to the pot, add butter and milk, and mash until creamy. Season to taste.
- Roast the Green Beans: Toss trimmed beans with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast at 425°F for 15 minutes, until tender and slightly golden.
- Make the Stuffing: Sauté onion and celery in butter until soft. In a bowl, combine vegetables with bread cubes, broth, parsley, salt, and pepper. Bake in a covered casserole dish at 350°F for 30–35 minutes. Remove cover for last 10 minutes to crisp the top.
- Easy Cranberry Sauce: Simmer cranberries, sugar, and water over medium heat until berries burst and sauce thickens, 10–15 minutes. Cool before serving.
- Bake Pumpkin Pie: Preheat oven to 425°F. Whisk pumpkin, eggs, sugar, spices, and evaporated milk until smooth. Pour into pie crust. Bake for 15 minutes, reduce oven to 350°F, and continue baking for 40–45 minutes or until set. Cool completely, then serve with whipped cream.
Weekly Meal Planning
Thanksgiving recipes are ideal to prepare ahead or spread over several days. Save and schedule this menu on CookifyAI to break up your prep—get reminders for what to make when, and generate an interactive shopping list with total quantities from all recipes.
Planning Benefits:
- Auto-calculate ingredient totals across all dishes
- Categorize groceries by store area for speedy shopping
- No duplicate or missed ingredients; everything in one organized list
- Straightforward, stress-free holiday cooking and shopping
Pro tip: Schedule recipes for Thanksgiving week so you know exactly when to prep sides, bake pies, and roast the turkey. Effortless planning leaves more time to relax and celebrate!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 4 hours (much of it hands-off, prepping multiple dishes at once)
This Simple Thanksgiving Dinner Menu delivers holiday magic without stress—a meal that’s classic, comforting, and easy to enjoy, together.
