Easy-Does-It Thanksgiving
Easy does it with this simple Thanksgiving menu featuring do-aheads and easy steps to guide you through preparation. Keep your Thanksgiving holiday warm with traditions while making preparation so simple that even as host, you can enjoy yourself! The key is to plan ahead, be organized, accept all helping hands and take advantage of a few already-prepared foods.
Make It Special!
Simple Decorations
- Group various sizes of potted mums on buffet and/or dinner table.
- Scatter colorful leaves (pressed between waxed paper for longevity) over the tabletop.
- Arrange fall garden goods such as squash, gourds, pumpkins and bittersweet as a centerpiece.
Plan for Family Fun
- Pull together a selection of games, books, movies or puzzles that can entertain and engage all ages and create memories for years to come.
- Take some pictures. Add a chapter to the family scrapbook.
- Share decorating baked goodies such as Turkey Cupcakes or Turkey Cookie Treats.
Success Strategies
Save-the-Day Tableware
- Use sturdy, disposable large plates, napkins and tablecloth in a decorative fall design.
- Use a disposable roasting pan for the turkey.
Plan and Work Ahead
- Make two shopping lists, one for items that can be purchased up to two weeks ahead and the other for items to purchase one or two days before Thanksgiving.
- Select the serving dishes and utensils, and set aside.
- Set up the buffet table the day before.
Easy Thanksgiving Menu
The foods in this menu were selected because they can be prepared easily.
- The stuffing and veggies come in one easy recipe.
- Whether you choose Ultimate Creamy Party Potatoes or Make-Ahead Baked Sweet Potatoes, both can be made a day ahead so there's no last-minute potato mashing.
- Having two ovens helps when entertaining. If you don’t have two, skip the Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip. Or, free up your oven by cooking a turkey breast on the grill. Or, bake the dip the day before; store in the fridge and heat in the microwave before serving.
- Using purchased gravy, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce and bagged salad greens eliminates extra time and work.
- Praline Pumpkin Dessert can be made a day ahead and serves 12.
Serve Buffet Style
- With a buffet, all the food is set out in a central place and guests take a plate and help themselves, leaving you free to enjoy the holiday.
Easy Thanksgiving Preparation Guide
Two Days Before
The Day Before
- Make Praline Pumpkin Dessert.
- Prepare Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip (if serving) through step 2; cover and refrigerate.
- Make Ultimate Creamy Party Potatoes through step 1; cover and refrigerate. Or, make Make-Ahead Baked Sweet Potatoes through step 3.
- Chill or thaw cranberry sauce.
- Wrap purchased dinner rolls tightly in foil.
About 3 Hours Before Serving
- Prepare Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast.
About 1 Hour Before Serving
- Prepare and bake Easy Vegetable Stuffing.
About 45 Minutes Before Serving
- Bake Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip.
- Offer with sparkling cider or wine when family and friends arrive.
About 30 Minutes Before Serving
- Remove turkey from oven; keep warm with a covering of foil.
- Heat Ultimate Creamy Party Potatoes or Make-Ahead Baked Sweet Potatoes.
About 20 Minutes Before Serving
- Heat purchased gravy (if serving).
- Place rolls in oven to heat.
- Place cranberry sauce in serving bowl.
- Toss the salad greens with dressing.
- Carve the turkey breast.