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    Home » Thanksgiving Recipes

    Easy Thanksgiving Dinner | Best Thanksgiving Feast

    Published: Nov 17, 2022 · Modified: Nov 14, 2023 by Kushi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    You can make this simple and easy Thanksgiving dinner in 4 hours or less.

    Easy and simple thanksgiving dinner menu ideas.

    This post is my way of saying thank you to all my lovely readers who have continuously supported me in my blogging journey. If you have tried anything from our menu, tag us here on Instagram, and we would love to see your creations.

    Suppose you are looking for a more extensive menu for a large crowd or family of 4 or more, from soup, salads, and appetizers to side dishes. You can check here for 100 + Thanksgiving recipes, Thanksgiving side dishes, and Thanksgiving dessert ideas.

    Jump to:
    • Recipe card
    • Top 10 Thanksgiving Foods
    • My simple, elegant Thanksgiving menu idea
    • Main Dish
    • Sides
    • Breads / Rolls / Biscuits
    • Desserts / Sweets
    • FAQ
    • User Reviews

    Recipe card

    Best, cheap, easy thanksgiving dinner menu idea in less than 4 hours.

    Easy Thanksgiving Dinner Menu | Thanksgiving Feast

    Kushi
    This is a simple and easy Thanksgiving dinner menu you can make in 4 hours or less. If you are looking for a bigger menu for a large crowd or family of 4 or more, from soup, salads, and appetizers to side dishes, then you can check here for a 100 + Thanksgiving food list, Thanksgiving side dishes, Thanksgiving desserts
    5 from 59 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 hour hr
    Cook Time 3 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs
    Course Appetizer, Bread, Dinner, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, North America, South America
    Servings 8
    Calories 1346 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • Roast Chicken or Spatchcock Chicken
    • Whole Roasted Cauliflower
    • Green Bean Casserole
    • Garlic Butter Green Beans
    • Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Garlic Roasted Potatoes
    • Crispy Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole
    • Corn Cheese Casserole
    • Mac and Cheese
    • Dinner Rolls or Yeast Rolls
    • Buttermilk Biscuits
    • Pumpkin Pie with Streusel Topping
    • Persimmon Apple Pudding

    Instructions
     

    Make ahead recipes

    • Dinner rolls, pumpkin pie, biscuits, persimmon pudding, etc., can be made ahead of time and stored the previous day, all at room temperature.
      Dinner Rolls or Yeast Rolls, Pumpkin Pie with Streusel Topping, Persimmon Apple Pudding, Buttermilk Biscuits
    • Corn casserole, sweet potato casserole, and green bean casserole reheat very well in your oven and also in a microwave. So you can consider making this even ahead of time. Follow the make-ahead instructions in the recipe.
      Green Bean Casserole, Crispy Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole, Corn Cheese Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole
    • If you have plans to brining meat you can start the brining process a day or two in advance.

    On the day of Thanksgiving

    • If you are planning for something like salads, I recommend making it on the same day. You can prep everything in the morning and keep it in the refrigerator and just toss the salad before serving.
    • Crispy potatoes or any vegetables can be spread out in the same pan you are going to roast the meat.
      Roast Chicken or Spatchcock Chicken, Whole Roasted Cauliflower, Garlic Butter Green Beans, Garlic Roasted Potatoes, Mac and Cheese
    • I recommend roasting chicken, turkey, or even cauliflower just 15 to 30 minutes before you are ready to serve. The main dish, which is the star tastes the best when served warm and fresh.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1346kcalCarbohydrates: 180gProtein: 25gFat: 59gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 21gMonounsaturated Fat: 23gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 3441mgPotassium: 823mgFiber: 4gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 7IUCalcium: 215mgIron: 12mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Top 10 Thanksgiving Foods

    I know every individual and family has their favorite food list, but these are always my top choices.

    • Roasted Turkey or Roast Chicken
    • Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic Cream Sauce
    • Green Bean Casserole
    • Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Corn Casserole
    • Crispy Potatoes
    • Dinner rolls and/or Buttermilk biscuits
    • Mac and Cheese
    • Pumpkin Pie
    • The Best Persimmon Apple Pudding
    Best, simple and easy Thanksgiving dinner ready in less than 4 hours.

    My simple, elegant Thanksgiving menu idea

    When I create a menu for any occasion, I like to work on the logistics. With the fridge, oven, and stove space restrictions, plus wanting to do it all by myself, I only choose items that are practically possible to do within a reasonable time. But let me tell you, there is no compromise on the menu, and all my guests are always happy after the meal!

    The simple guide that I keep in mind while making a dinner menu

    I decide on the menu based on the number of people I will host. If it is a smaller family of 2 or 4, you can be as creative as you want. But if you feed a larger crowd, you cannot spend time decorating your cupcakes or mini pizzas. Roasts, casseroles, and pies are some things that you should pick. Also, be aware of any diet restrictions of your guests - nut allergies, vegan, vegetarian, etc. It is easy to customize dishes around these dietary restrictions so that everyone gets a sumptuous meal without compromising on taste.

    Decide which items can be made ahead of time and which must be freshly prepared. Making ahead means you only have to warm the meal before serving it and not worry about the dish on Thanksgiving day. Some dishes are served chill, so you don't even have the task of warming them up before serving.

    Prepare a schedule so that you are relaxed on the big day. If you are overwhelmed, you can even bring desserts, rolls, and stuffing from the store and mix and match.

    Ultimately, all that matters the most is spending quality time with your family and friends and having fun. There is no reason for you to get stressed out in the kitchen while all others are having a great time eating the appetizers or side dishes you made.

    This is what my thanksgiving dinner looks like. I also have ideas for swapping some items, so check them out and make your Thanksgiving menu unique.

    Main Dish

    Roast Chicken or Spatchcock Chicken

    Roasting a spatchcock chicken will give you juicy, moist, and tender chicken meat with super crispy skin. This is the best roast chicken you will make for thanksgiving dinner and can be prepared in less than 2 hours. We have used herb butter and homemade spice mix. You can also roast the vegetables with the same spice mix and pan.

    Top View of the best spatchcock chicken roast recipe with vegetables for Thanksgiving dinner.

    Whole Roasted Cauliflower

    If you are looking for a turkey or meat alternative for your vegetarian thanksgiving dinner, try our whole roasted cauliflower topped with cheese and garlic cream sauce. This is going to be a total crowd-pleaser.

    Whole roasted spiced cauliflower recipe, vegetarian substitute for turkey, meat served with garlic cream sauce.

    Sides

    Green Bean Casserole

    Thanksgiving dinner is incomplete without one side dish with green beans. This green bean casserole is our all-time favorite, as it tastes great and is easy to make. And when you make everything at home from scratch, it even becomes budget-friendly.

    green bean casserole recipe from scratch with fresh beans, and fried onions, without mushroom soup

    Garlic Butter Green Beans

    If you love green beans but are looking for the easiest recipe, then try this sauteed garlic butter green beans that are ready in less than 10 minutes.

    Easy dinner side dish - butter garlic green beans for Thanksgiving and Christmas

    Sweet Potato Casserole

    How about substituting the traditional sweet potato casserole with healthy, creamy, and savory mashed sweet potato casserole with nut toppings? This casserole complements very well with any roast meat.

    Creamy and savory, healthy sweet potato casserole topped with nuts

    Garlic Roasted Potatoes

    Any dinner is incomplete without potatoes in the main dish, side dish, or salad. Garlic Roasted Potatoes are a crowd favorite. The potatoes are crispy on the outside with a creamy texture inside. Add it to your menu if your guests love anything potatoes. Else skip this and do the roasted potatoes with the chicken mentioned above.

    Roasted garlic-herb potatoes garnished with fresh dill leaves in a baking pan.

    Crispy Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

    If you want something different from oven-roasted potatoes, add this cheesy potato casserole with crispy cornflakes topping.

    creamy and cheesy potato casserole with crispy cornflake topping served in a white appetizer plate.

    Corn Cheese Casserole

    If there are several kids at your Thanksgiving party, add this Corn Cheese Casserole and the Mac n Cheese recipe, which kids will love, and you can have a more relaxed time with your family. Corn and cheese is a match made in heaven.

    cheesy corn casserole served in a baking pan along with a slice of toasted bread.

    Mac and Cheese

    This recipe for mac and cheese is my family's favorite. It is rich and creamy with a crispy topping. The best side dish that you can serve for holiday dinner.

    Best American mac and cheese recipe for Thanksgiving dinner party.

    Breads / Rolls / Biscuits

    Dinner Rolls or Yeast Rolls

    This six-ingredient recipe is one of the best make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes. The rolls are soft and buttery and can suck up all those meat drippings on your plate.

    Best Homemade Dinner Rolls, how to make soft fluffy yeast rolls, Christmas & thanksgiving dinner.

    Buttermilk Biscuits

    If you are looking for no yeast, no-knead, or quick bread to serve for thanksgiving dinner, then you should try these crispy and flaky buttermilk biscuits.

    stack of flaky and easy homemade buttermilk biscuits from scratch.

    Desserts / Sweets

    Pumpkin Pie with Streusel Topping

    When it comes to dessert, I can't think of anything better than traditional pumpkin pie, which you can make more special with streusel topping.

    pumpkin pie with streusel topping just out of the oven in black pie pan.

    Persimmon Apple Pudding

    If you are looking for something special and unique to make this Thanksgiving dinner, then try this persimmon pudding which is topped with secret butter-flavored sauce.

    Persimmon Pudding, apple Pudding, Christmas pudding, thanksgiving and christmas desserts, apple desserts, fall desserts, winter recipes,

    FAQ

    What is a good menu for Thanksgiving dinner?

    A good menu would be a good roast meat (chicken or turkey), a side dish with potatoes, sweet potatoes, or green beans, and a dessert, mainly pumpkin pie. Of course, this list can vary from one family to another..

    What to make ahead for Thanksgiving dinner? 

    You can make dinner rolls, biscuits, green bean casserole, corn casserole, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie, persimmon pudding, etc., a day or two before and store.

    Did you like this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    Note: We originally posted this easy Thanksgiving dinner menu idea in Nov 2022. It has now been modified in Nov 2023 with Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.

    More Our Best Thanksgiving Recipes

    • Avocado chicken salad with lemon dressing - simple leftover chicken recipe.
      Avocado Chicken Salad | Simple Leftover Chicken Recipe
    • Whole roasted chicken with herb butter| Crispy and juicy roasted chicken recipe for dinner.
      Whole Roasted Chicken with Herb Butter
    • Crispy lemon-roasted potatoes | Garlic herbed potatoes - Best side dish and appetizer for dinner.
      Lemon Roasted Potatoes | Herbed Potatoes
    • Best potato rolls or Easy Potato buns - Classic dinner rolls for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
      Potato Rolls Recipe | Potato Buns

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Justine

      November 16, 2023 at 2:17 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a great and easy way to put together a big meal! Love the inspiration!

      Reply
    2. Sisley

      November 16, 2023 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      This is so helpful and I can't wait for thanksgiving dinner now.

      Reply
    3. Bobby

      November 17, 2023 at 1:08 am

      5 stars
      Such a great resource for Thanksgiving recipes. I am definitely going to try the mac and cheese this Thanksgiving!

      Reply
    4. Conchetta P

      November 20, 2023 at 9:23 am

      5 stars
      I have been trying your recipes all month. Delicious- great test-runs- We will enjoy them again beyond the Holidays!

      Reply
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    Hi, I'm Sridevi! I am a Software Engineer by qualification, a full-time Food Blogger by passion, a self-published Author, and a happy person two kids (monsters) ago.

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