12 Easy Make Ahead Thanksgiving Recipes for a Stress-Free Holiday

This Thanksgiving, you should be with the people you love, not getting stuck in the kitchen while everything is happening without you! That’s why I want to tell you all about my favorite make ahead Thanksgiving recipes and easy Thanksgiving side dish ideas that let you prep early and actually enjoy the day.

We all know how hectic the cooking schedule can get, so having your Thanksgiving side dishes ready to go is a total game changer. These recipes will help you stay organized, stress less, and still serve the cozy, traditional dishes everyone looks forward to year after year. Let’s make this Thanksgiving delicious and relaxed!

If you want to make your Thanksgiving meal even more unforgettable and easy, I highly recommend my crockpot turkey breast, cranberry fluff and slow cooker green bean casserole.

Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes

1. Cranberry Sauce

Homemade cranberry sauce is a total holiday game-changer. It is so much better than anything you can get in a can. Just one bite and you will never go back to jarred cranberry sauce ever again.

2. Cheesy Potatoes

While cheesy potatoes are fantastic for the holidays, they are really a perfect dish to make all year long. Once you try the tender potatoes covered in melted cheese with a crisp topping, you will want to eat this all the time. I’m warning you now that cheesy potatoes are addictive!

3. Make Ahead Gravy

So many gravy recipes use turkey drippings which tastes fantastic but requires you to wait until the turkey is done to even start preparing the gravy. This easy recipe can be made ahead of time without the drippings and tastes incredible. Don’t wait to make the gravy! Make it ahead of time with this tasty recipe.

4. Baked Mac and Cheese

Make a big tray of this mac and cheese a few days before Thanksgiving, and just pop it in the oven to reheat on the big day. All that cheese and crisp topping tastes even better when you make it in advance.

5. Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Don’t think you have to wait until the last minute to roast some veggies for Thanksgiving. You can make this dish days in advance and then simply heat them up for your family meal. They are fresh, flavorful, and a fantastic way to serve up some tasty, healthy veggies on the holiday.

6. Sweet Potato Casserole

This is one of my all time favorite Thanksgiving dishes that you have to try! This sweet potato casserole is so good you could actually eat it as a dessert. But that’s one of the best things about holidays- desserts count as real meals!

7. Cornbread Dressing

If you are looking for a new kind of stuffing to make this Thanksgiving, you need to give this recipe a try. This cornbread dressing is the perfect balance of sweet and savory, making it the perfect addition to your holiday table. Plus, you can make it in advance, so you will save time!

8. Dinner Rolls

Homemade dinner rolls will be the star of your Thanksgiving table this year. Everyone will be so impressed by your baking skills and you will actually enjoy making this simple recipe. Make the rolls the day before, then reheat them in the oven for warm, fresh rolls that no one will be able to resist.

9. Caesar Salad

I always like having a salad option on Thanksgiving. You will be surprised by how many people in your family gravitate toward the lighter salad instead of the other heavy side dishes. Make the Caesar dressing in advance, and then the salad is super quick to put together.

10. Pumpkin Cheesecake

Everyone in my family goes crazy for this pumpkin cheesecake. Give this recipe a try, and I promise you will be hooked, too. It is a delightful, unexpected alternative to pumpkin pie that will give your Thanksgiving a bit of a modern twist.

11. Sweet Potato Souffle

I don’t know if this should be considered a Thanksgiving side dish or an easy Thanksgiving dessert. It is perfectly sweet with a nutty crunch that is ideal for any Thanksgiving table.

12. Turkey Gravy Without the Drippings

When you don’t need the turkey drippings to make gravy, you can prep your gravy ahead of time! This make ahead gravy recipe is easy and very tasty. No one will miss the drippings at all!

FAQs

More Easy Thanksgiving Recipes

Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Turkey and Stuffing Casserole

Quick & Easy Desserts

Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe

Side Dishes

Easy 5-Ingredient Corn Casserole

Side Dishes

Classic Mashed Potatoes