Shortcut Thanksgiving

The Starters

The Turkey & Trimmings

The Potatoes - Your Choice

The Dessert - Your Choice

What Makes an Easy-Does-It Menu?

• 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.

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 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.
  
  
• Use a disposable roasting pan for the turkey.
  
  
• Select the serving dishes and utensils, and set aside. Use sturdy, disposable large plates, napkins and tablecloth in a decorative fall design.
  
  
• Serve buffet style. 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.
  
  
• Set up the buffet table the day before.

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.
  

Two Days Before

• Thaw turkey breast, using our Poultry Thawing Chart as a guide.
• Purchase store-bought turkey gravy, ready-to-eat salad greens and dressing, cranberry sauce and dinner rolls to complete the menu. 
• Make Cranberry-Orange Chex® Mix.

The Day Before

• Make Praline Pumpkin Dessert (if served).
• 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.

Early in the Day...or the Night Before

• Bake Impossibly Easy French Apple Pie (if served).

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.