25 Micro-Thanksgiving Main Dishes That'll Keep Things Low-Key
This year's holidays might look different, but they can still be delicious.
The holidays obviously look a bit different this year.
Perhaps you're not traveling home to celebrate with family or you're keeping things small this year with immediate family, a partner, or a very limited group of friends. In any case, here are some small and manageable — yet still fantastic — recipes for your micro-holiday meal.
The best way to feed a whole family without the mess? Roast a whole Thanksgiving spread — from the turkey breast and sweet potatoes to the Brussels sprouts and cornbread — all on sheet pans.
Recipe: Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner
Cooking turkey breast in the Instant Pot instead of roasting a whole bird in the oven cuts down on so much time, mess, and effort.
Recipe: Instant Pot Turkey Breast
3. Jerk Turkey Wings
If you're struggling to find turkey, just opt for chicken wings. Tomato tomahto, right?
Recipe: Jerk Turkey Wings
Speaking of turkey, it doesn't have to be traditional. Make these deli turkey, brie, spinach, and cranberry sliders on soft and pillowy croissants for lunch or dinner.
Recipe: Turkey Croissant Panini
5. Roasted Delicata Squash Pasta With Kale
This vegetarian-friendly main is loaded with some of the season's best flavors, proving that you don't need any meat for a show-stopping holiday meal.
This comforting recipe features a bottom layer of turkey filling made with lots of veggies and on the top, it's got a thick layer of creamy mashed sweet potatoes.
Made with just a handful of simple ingredients like turkey drumsticks, onion, celery, thyme, and rosemary, this pressure cooker turkey pretty much falls off the bone.
8. Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potato Boats
It's like Thanksgiving dinner in one delicious sweet potato boat. Try adding some additional toppings like pomegranate seeds, dried cranberries, or shredded Brussels sprouts.
Rubbed with a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, and garlic powder, then slow cooked in the Crock Pot, this turkey breast gets super moist and flavorful.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
10. Spicy Sausage Pasta With Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Follow the recipe and use spicy Italian sausage or stick to the Thanksgiving theme and use ground turkey in its place.
The best thing about a frittata is that it's perfectly appropriate to eat any time of day. Brunch, lunch, or dinner, the choice is yours.
Recipe: Turkey and Sweet Potato Frittata
You can make this Thanksgiving casserole in advance and freeze it. On the night before Thanksgiving, just thaw it in the freezer then pop it in the oven for 20 minutes.
Recipe: Turkey and Wild Rice Casserole
Using turkey parts like thighs and drumsticks is an easy way to cut costs and reduce cooking time. Massage the turkey with butter and herbs then roast it until the skin is golden brown and crispy and the meat is cooked through and tender.
Turn this cheap cut of turkey into a gourmet meal by slow cooking it in a glaze made of olive oil, Sriracha, honey, and chicken stock.
IMHO, every holiday should include pizza. A far cry from your classic Margherita, this pie is topped with gravy, stuffing, turkey, and cranberry sauce.
Recipe: Thanksgiving Pizza
Chances are you don't need a 20-pound bird to feed a huge crowd this year. Try this decadent turkey tenderloin, which is filled with pancetta stuffing and then wrapped in prosciutto.
Recipe: Apple Stuffed Turkey Tenderloin
A serious crowd pleaser, it's OK to make things more casual this year. You never know, you might want to make these turkey, cheese, and cranberry sliders a new tradition!
Recipe: Turkey Cranberry Sliders
Make these for Thanksgiving dinner or the day after with all your leftovers. If you're not making turkey, just pick up some store bought turkey breast, ground turkey, or even shredded rotisserie chicken.
Recipe: Thanksgiving Stromboli
19. Slow Cooker Glazed Ham
Not a fan of turkey? Try slow cooking a holiday ham instead. This one gets coated in a sweet and tangy glaze made of brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, apple juice, and apple cider vinegar.
Recipe: Slow Cooker Glazed Ham
20. Thanksgiving Eggs Benedict
Here's to popularizing Thanksgiving brunch. First on the menu: this eggs Benedict inspired by turkey day.
Recipe: Thanksgiving Eggs Benedict
Made in a muffin tin and filled with a blend of turkey, celery, onion, potato, and chicken stock, these individual pot pies are guaranteed to impress. If you don't want to make the dough from scratch, use the frozen kind.
This autumnal take on lasagna features a rich and creamy pumpkin sauce layered with no-boil sheet noodles, crumbled sausage, and lots of cheese.
Recipe: Pumpkin Sausage Lasagna
23. Turkey Meatloaf With Cranberry Glaze
Ground turkey forms the base of this affordable and simple yet totally delicious meatloaf. Instead of a classic ketchup glaze, this version is coated in your favorite cranberry sauce.
24. Sausage and Cauliflower Rice Stuffed Acorn Squash
You can easily convert this recipe into a vegetarian main by leaving out the sausage. For something heartier, swap the cauliflower rice for wild rice, quinoa, or farro.
Start with ground turkey and add any of your favorite in-season veggies to make this easy yet satisfying one-pot meal.
Recipe: Turkey and Vegetable Skillet