21 Stress-Free Thanksgiving Recipes For Just Two People

Just because you're sharing your holiday meal with fewer people doesn't mean you can't enjoy great food.

Hosting Thanksgiving for two this year?

These simple recipes are a great place to start — from classic main dishes, to sides and desserts, to much-needed drinks — all scaled down or easily adaptable for two people. That way, you don't have to deal with endless leftovers or spend a fortune on ingredients upfront. 🥧

1. 3-Ingredient Cranberry Bourbon Fizz

gimmesomeoven.com

First thing first: booze. You'll only need three ingredients (bourbon, cranberry juice, and ginger beer) to make this festive cocktail.

Get the recipe: 3-Ingredient Cranberry Bourbon Fizz

2. Loaded Sweet Potatoes

damndelicious.net

If you don't want to make a whole casserole, these loaded sweet potatoes are a great alternative.

Get the recipe: Loaded Sweet Potatoes

3. Thanksgiving Dinner on Two Sheet Pans

chelseasmessyapron.com

Your whole menu in two sheet pans. How easy is that? For easier cleanup, line the sheet pans with foil or parchment first.

Get the recipe: Thanksgiving Dinner on Two Sheet Pans

4. Skillet Turkey With Bacon and White Wine

pinchofyum.com

Cooking for two on Thanksgiving doesn't mean you need to ditch turkey entirely. Instead of roasting a whole one, why not toss turkey thighs in a skillet? Faster, cheaper, and honestly — better.

Get the recipe: Skillet Turkey With Bacon and White Wine

5. Mashed Potatoes for Two People

thekitchn.com

You can definitely whip up buttery mashed potatoes without making a giant pot full — and this ultra-practical version doesn't even require a masher or ricer.

Get the recipe: Mashed Potatoes for Two People

6. Walnut Tartlets

smittenkitchen.com

The recipe makes for six tartlets but you can either save some for the next day or even freeze them for later.

Get the recipe: Walnut Tartlets

7. Maple Glazed Carrots With Goat Cheese and Pistachios

ambitiouskitchen.com

A great side that only requires a handful of ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time.

Get the recipe: Maple Glazed Carrots With Goat Cheese and Pistachios

8. Quinoa With Butternut Squash, Cranberries, and Pistachios

gimmesomeoven.com

A wholesome salad that'll work great as a side to your meal.

Get the recipe: Quinoa With Butternut Squash, Cranberries, and Pistachios

9. Cranberry White Chocolate Pudding

Lindsay Hunt / Jenny Chang / buzzfeed.com

You can easily halve the portions of this recipe — which requires only three ingredients (white chocolate, heavy cream, and cranberry sauce). Pro tip: make this a day ahead so the pudding has time to chill in the fridge and so you have fewer things do to on T-day.

Get the recipe: Cranberry White Chocolate Pudding

10. Blistered Green Beans

alexandracooks.com

All you need to make this delicious side is 20 minutes and five ingredients – green beans, garlic, red pepper flakes, capers, and olive oil.

Get the recipe: Blistered Green Beans

11. 15-Minute Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce

ambitiouskitchen.com

If you prefer homemade cranberry sauce to the canned variety but also don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen, this is a great option. The recipe makes a ton of sauce though, so make sure to halve the quantities when you make it.

Get the recipe: 15-Minute Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce

12. Roasted Chicken With Garlic and Bread

James Ransom / food52.com

You can still roast a whole bird even if you're not feeding a crowd – you might just need to reconsider its size. This roasted chicken with garlic and bread will make for an impressive centerpiece to your meal and it might be even more delicious than your traditional turkey.

Get the recipe: Roasted Chicken With Garlic and Bread

13. Scalloped Potatoes

tasty.co

This rich and creamy potato dish is the perfect indulgent side.

Get the recipe: Scalloped Potatoes

14. Mushroom and Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

dishingouthealth.com

Served with Parmesan and a balsamic reduction, this stuffed acorn squash is the perfect Thanksgiving vegetarian main.

Get the recipe: Mushroom and Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

15. Ina Garten's Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

alexandracooks.com

Trust Ina to turn Brussels sprouts into the most delicious side.

Get the recipe: Ina Garten's Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

16. Squash Toasts With Ricotta and Cider Vinegar

smittenkitchen.com

Whether you serve them as an appetizer or a side, you can't go wrong with these toasts.

Get the recipe: Squash Toasts With Ricotta and Cider Vinegar

17. Duck Leg Confit

alexandracooks.com

The good thing about cooking for fewer people is that you can fancy things up a bit. Instead of turkey, why not make this amazing French duck specialty?

Get the recipe: Duck Leg Confit

18. Roasted Autumn Vegetable Pot Pies

thecandidappetite.com

Between the crust and the filling, this recipe is a bit of an undertaking. But if you don't go all in for Thanksgiving dinner, when will you?

Get the recipe: Roasted Autumn Vegetable Pot Pies

19. Apple Frangipane Galette

alexandracooks.com

This French galette is a great alternative to the traditional apple pie. The portions will be smaller but the taste just as satisfying – especially with the addition of frangipane to the recipe.

Get the recipe: Apple Frangipane Galette

20. Crispy Sweet Potato Roast

smittenkitchen.com

Yummy AND photogenic? Sign me up!

Get the recipe: Crispy Sweet Potato Roast

21. Marshmallow Pumpkin Cake

Lindsay Hunt / Jenny Chang / buzzfeed.com

Did you know you could make cake by mixing ice cream with flour? Well, you can! And this recipe shows you how.

Get the recipe: Marshmallow Pumpkin Cake