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There’s no better time of year than Thanksgiving! From reuniting with relatives to participating in your favorite fall activities, this annual holiday has a special way of bringing you closer to your family and friends. And nothing creates a sense of togetherness like sitting around the Thanksgiving table and enjoying some delectable dishes. Whether you’re on a budget or just looking to simplify things, each of these dishes has five ingredients (or fewer!) and deserves a spot on your Thanksgiving menu this year. Starting with a juicy, moist turkey and ending with the most classic Thanksgiving dessert of all time, these recipes will have you in and out of the kitchen in no time.
A Simply Perfect Roast Turkey
ALLRECIPES / ANA CADENA
This Thanksgiving showstopper is one that your family won’t soon forget. “Simple roast turkey just like grandma used to make,” says recipe submitter Syd. “Seasoned with salt and pepper and basted with turkey stock, the flavors of the turkey really stand out.”
Best Green Bean Casserole
Swap out plain ol’ green beans for this creamy casserole and watch everyone at the Thanksgiving table go, “WOW!” Made using a can of cream of mushroom soup, shredded Cheddar cheese, French onions, and the nutritious add-in of green beans, this classic casserole is perfect for your family’s Thanksgiving feast.
Basic Mashed Potatoes
Your Thanksgiving dinner wouldn’t be complete without a bowl full of rich, buttery mashed potatoes, and look no further than this top-rated recipe. “Oh my word,” raves reviewer Cheryl Gillam. “This is SO easy! Potatoes were the perfect consistency! Thank you for posting this recipe. I will be heating the milk and butter separately from now on. Who knew a simple thing like that would make all the difference?”
Simple Macaroni and Cheese
This cheesy, buttery, classic Thanksgiving side recipe is one that will have your guests reaching for seconds…and thirds. You simply can’t beat tender macaroni pasta folded in with a decadent melted Cheddar cheese sauce. With each bite, you’ll be enjoying some warm, cheesy goodness.
Really Easy Bread Stuffing
Create a simple bread stuffing that will leave your guests absolutely speechless. Packed with tender onions, pieces of white bread, and savory seasonings, this stuffing dish is overflowing with flavor. Reviewer Sandra Hale writes, “This is the best way to make stuffing ever! I just added 1 tsp of sage to this recipe and my family absolutely LOVES it! This is the recipe we use for every occasion that requires stuffing!”
Maple Glazed Carrots
Whether your family is a fan of these nutritious veggies or you’re searching for an easy side dish to make for Thanksgiving this year, these maple glazed carrots will certainly be the talk of the table. The best part? It uses just three ingredients.
Easy Creamed Onions
Add some extra creaminess and richness to humble onions and cook up an appetizing side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. One tip that recipe creator Erin Noel adds is to make sure that you use fresh onions instead of frozen.
Simple Mashed Sweet Potato Casserole
Grab some sweet potatoes, sugary maple syrup, milk, and butter, and make an appetizing casserole for your guests that will have them saying “mmm” with each bite. And, since this casserole only takes about 30 minutes to prepare, your guests won’t have to wait too long to savor this sweet casserole.
Brown Sugar n’ Bacon Green Beans
Spice up your green beans by adding bacon and brown sugar. Sweet and savory, and oh so satisfying, this Thanksgiving side dish is made with only five ingredients. If you really want to take this recipe up a notch, consider using maple bacon instead of regular bacon as reviewer Emma Montague suggested.
Whipped Butternut Squash
Nothing screams fall and Thanksgiving like nutty, sweet vegetables like butternut squash. But this luscious Thanksgiving dish doesn’t only have squash to offer; it also utilizes apple pie spice and brown sugar to amp up the fall flavor. As you dig into this light, spice-infused squash, you’ll be reminded of beautiful fall scenery.
Sandwich Rolls
These sandwich rolls are the perfect companion for any Thanksgiving dinner. Not only are these chewy rolls better than the ones at the supermarket, as Chef John says, but they are also made using only four ingredients.
Candied Yams
Sweeten the deal with these candied yams! Made with miniature marshmallows, brown sugar, and sweet potatoes, this is one sweet dish that should be on your Thanksgiving table.
Cranberry Sauce
You simply can’t beat the nice, tart flavor that this juicy cranberry sauce has to offer. With over 2,000 5-star reviews, this 3-ingredient recipe makes it easy to earn a spot on your Thanksgiving menu. Hot tip: if you have leftover cranberry sauce, try adding it to muffins for a unique, fruity fall bake.
Homemade Turkey Gravy
One absolute must-have on any Turkey Day table is homemade gravy, and this simple recipe goes back to gravy basics. Gravy has the ability to make your mashed potatoes even more appetizing and your turkey even more flavorful. This recipe uses just three ingredients, but recipe creator Travis Strean suggests you can amp up the flavor by adding other spices such as rosemary and thyme or cooking wines like Marsala.
Watergate Salad
Allrecipes/Qi Ai
“Watergate salad is an American classic. This delightful side dish salad or dessert is made with pistachio-flavored instant pudding mix, canned pineapple, mini marshmallows, nuts, and whipped topping,” says recipe creator Jennifer. “It comes together in minutes and after one to two hours in the refrigerator, this chilly treat will impress your dinner guests with it’s light and fluffy texture and colorful appeal. Garnish with crushed pistachios and maraschino cherries.”
Simple Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
If you need an easy side that everyone will love, what’s better than pulling out the air fryer to make some Brussels sprouts? This recipe is simple to start but can be changed to fit your preferences.
Simple Pumpkin Pie
Because no Thanksgiving meal would be complete without pie! Savor the classic fall flavor of pumpkin in this delectable pumpkin pie that’s ready in just an hour. To really complete this picture-perfect pie, top each slice with some velvety whipped cream.