Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, gratitude, and great food—but it can also be a bit hectic in the kitchen! Preparing dishes ahead of time can take the stress out of your day and allow you to savor the moments that matter most. We’ve rounded up 10 delicious make-ahead Thanksgiving dishes that range from starters to sides and desserts.
Let’s dive into the best dishes to make your Thanksgiving feast effortless and enjoyable!
Cranberry Sauce
Easy 15-Minute Cranberry Sauce! This fool-proof recipe is easy to make and only uses 4 whole ingredients. Real cranberries, orange juice, sugar, and maple syrup give this fresh side dish its amazing flavor that is perfect for your Thanksgiving or Christmas meal!
Get the recipe: Cranberry Sauce
Potatoes Au Gratin
Potatoes Au Gratin is a classic side dish featuring thin slices of potato layered with a rich, creamy cheese sauce, then baked until lightly crisp on the edges. Make it for a weeknight dinner or double the recipe for a crowd!
Get the recipe: Potatoes Au Gratin
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.
Get the recipe: Make Ahead Gravy
Baked Mac and Cheese
You have never had macaroni and cheese like this before! Cracker Barrel mac and cheese is seriously one of the best recipes I have ever made. The homemade cheese sauce is out of this world delicious. Luscious and creamy, it perfectly coats the cooked noodles, leaving them dripping in sauce.
Get the recipe: Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese
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.
Get the recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts
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!
Get the recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole
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!
Get the recipe: Cornbread Dressing
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.
Get the recipe: Dinner Rolls
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.
Get the recipe: Caesar Salad Dressing
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.
Get the recipe: Pumpkin Cheesecake
