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 (choose one or more)
- 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.
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-Does-It Menu
The foods in this menu were selected because they can be prepared easily.
- The stuffing is baked in a dish separate from the turkey.
- Potato-Spinach Swirl Casserole can be made a day ahead so there's no last-minute potato mashing.
- 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.
Preparation Guide
Up to 1 Month Before
- Freeze purchased dinner rolls tightly wrapped.
Two Days Before
The Day Before
- Make Praline Pumpkin Dessert.
- Chop onion and celery for Bread Stuffing; cover and store separately in refrigerator. Cut bread cubes; store covered at room temperature.
- Make Potato-Spinach Swirl Casserole through step 2; refrigerate covered.
- Chill cranberry sauce.
About 3 Hours Before Serving
- Prepare Oven-Roasted Turkey Breast.
- Remove rolls from freezer; store at room temperature.
About 1 Hour Before Serving
- Bake Potato-Spinach Swirl Casserole.
- Prepare the stuffing, and bake in casserole or baking dish using recipe tip for baking separately from turkey.
About 30 Minutes Before Serving
About 20 Minutes Before Serving
About 15 Minutes Before Serving
- Place rolls in oven to heat.
- Place cranberry sauce in serving bowl.
- Toss the salad greens with dressing.
- Carve the turkey breast.