Oh geez. Have you seen that thing? That cavernous bird, with its plastic baggie o’ giblets stuffed inside and its pasty skin and those bones? All those little, tiny, too-many-to-count bones?
What do you even do with it all? Where do you even begin?
Whew. Calm down. Deep, even breaths. You’ve got this. Sure, you somehow volunteered to help make the holiday feast and you’re not quite — okay, maybe not even a little bit — sure how to prepare it, but I’ll let you in on a little secret: It’s really not so difficult. Especially if you follow one of these stress-free Thanksgiving recipes that anyone can cook. They’re simple dishes with a flavorful impact. Now your only challenge is choosing what to make.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Start dinner off right with a rich, silky soup that will have guests licking the bowl. Your only problem? You may not want to move onto the main course.
Turkey Roulade with Sage Sausage Stuffing
If the thought of dealing with bones and organs turns your stomach, fear not. This recipe features the very best of the bird without forcing you to go elbow-deep in a turkey cavity.
Sweet Potato Casserole (with Cinnamon Streusel topping!)
Never underestimate the power of a brown sugar- and cinnamon-flecked helping of sweet potatoes. This side could serve double-duty as a dessert, but I like to think of it as a hint of sweetness to get me through to the indulgent final course.
Parmesan Garlic Steamed Broccoli
Regular broccoli can be a little bland for eating’s biggest day. A hearty dose of parmesan and a pinch of garlic livens things up.
Smashed Potatoes
Save time by keeping the skin on — without sacrificing creamy taste or velvety texture.
Roast Corn with Flavored Butter
Let guests customize their side dish with either Cinnamon-Honey (for the sweets-lovers) or Cilantro-Lime Butter (if you’re more of a savory/zesty person).
Garlic Cheddar Biscuits
Crescent rolls or crusty baguettes are classic, but if you’re in the mood for something fresh that’ll knock your grandmother out of her chair, this is your recipe.
Classic Apple Pie
It oozes traditional, American Thanksgiving. That and plate-scraping deliciousness.
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
There’s a playfulness to these little sweets. They’re light and fluffy, and they’re easy to transport — perfect if you’re traveling to someone’s house for Thanksgiving, or if you plan on lounging in front of the TV for a while after the big feast.