Thanksgiving is supposed to be about gratitude, family, and pretending your relatives aren’t driving you up the wall—but in reality, we all know it’s mostly about the food. The problem? Pulling off a full-blown feast without losing your mind. That’s where make-ahead recipes come to the rescue. By prepping some dishes in advance, you can spend less time juggling oven space and more time focusing on what really matters: not burning the turkey. From crowd-pleasing casseroles to appetizers that practically make themselves, these recipes will save your holiday.
Cornbread Chestnut Stuffing
Homemade cornbread forms the base of this hearty stuffing, filled with chestnuts, sausage, and cranberries. The mix of textures and flavors is perfect for Thanksgiving, and making it ahead means less stress and more flavor as everything comes together.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Chestnut Stuffing
Pumpkin Bars
These pumpkin bars are moist and packed with fall spices, making them a great dessert or snack option for Thanksgiving. Since they’re easy to bake ahead, they help take the pressure off when prepping for the holiday.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin Pie Bites
Bite-sized pumpkin pies wrapped in flaky phyllo dough are the perfect grab-and-go dessert for any holiday gathering. Easy to prep ahead and serve, they’re a fun twist on a classic Thanksgiving treat.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Bites
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
This cranberry sauce is as simple as it gets, made with just five ingredients in a slow cooker. Save precious stove space and let this side dish simmer away while you focus on the main event.
Get the Recipe: 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry Curd Tart
A cranberry curd tart is as beautiful as it is flavorful, with its vibrant filling and nutty oat crust. Make it the day before for a showstopping dessert that’s ready to go when the meal ends.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Curd Tart
Cranberry Orange Biscotti
These cranberry orange biscotti are crisp and flavorful, perfect for dunking in tea or coffee. Add them to your holiday cookie lineup or serve them as a light dessert for guests who want something sweet but not heavy.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Orange Biscotti
Pumpkin Corn Muffins
These pumpkin corn muffins strike the perfect balance of sweet and savory, making them a versatile addition to your Thanksgiving meal. They pair well with soups, stews, or as a stand-alone side, and they’re easy to bake ahead to keep things running smoothly.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Corn Muffins
Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes get a luxurious upgrade in this recipe, cooked slowly on the stove until they’re bathed in a caramel-like glaze of sugar, butter, and warm spices. This side dish is a Thanksgiving classic that you can easily make ahead, keeping your holiday prep stress-free. Its rich flavors and straightforward cooking method make it a reliable choice when planning a crowd-pleasing spread.
Get the Recipe: Stove Top Candied Sweet Potatoes
Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes
These mashed potatoes go the extra mile with a second bake that creates a golden, cheesy crust. Creamy on the inside and crispy on top, this dish is a perfect addition to your holiday menu. You can prep them in advance, making them a great way to free up time on Thanksgiving day without sacrificing flavor or quality.
Get the Recipe: Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole
Forget the marshmallows—this sweet potato casserole keeps it simple and savory. Using canned sweet potatoes makes it quick and easy to assemble, so it’s a fantastic option for keeping the holiday prep minimal. Pair it with traditional Thanksgiving mains for a side dish that fits seamlessly into the feast.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Casserole
Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries
This cranberry sauce strikes the right balance between tangy and sweet, with dried cranberries and a hint of citrus stealing the show. It’s a breeze to prepare and holds up beautifully in the fridge, making it a smart make-ahead option. Serve it alongside your turkey to add a pop of color and a burst of flavor to the meal.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries
Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole
Marshmallows and brown sugar take this sweet potato casserole straight to the top of everyone’s favorite holiday sides list. With simple ingredients and an easy prep process, this dish is perfect for making ahead and baking just before the big meal. It’s sure to please both kids and adults alike, guaranteeing you one less thing to worry about on the day of the celebration.
Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned Sweet Potato Casserole
Rustic Pear And Apple Galette
This galette is a no-fuss dessert that still looks like you spent hours in the kitchen. With spiced pears and apples tucked into a flaky crust, it’s the kind of dessert that feels both seasonal and special. Prep it in advance, bake it fresh, and serve it with a scoop of ice cream to wow your guests without breaking a sweat.
Get the Recipe: Rustic Pear And Apple Galette
Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
This baked mac and cheese is everything you want in a holiday side—rich, creamy, and loaded with cheesy goodness. It’s easy to assemble the day before and bake when you’re ready, keeping your kitchen chaos to a minimum. This dish is bound to be a hit with everyone at the table, making it a great addition to your holiday menu.
Get the Recipe: Southern Baked Mac and Cheese
Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
Combining savory sausage with the natural sweetness of apples, this stuffing is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The flavors meld together beautifully when made ahead of time, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the holiday. Whether baked in a dish or used to stuff the turkey, it’s a standout side that everyone will be reaching for.
Get the Recipe: Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna Rollups
These lasagna rollups look as good as they taste, with layers of butternut squash and spinach that make them a festive addition to your Thanksgiving spread. They’re easy to prepare ahead, so you can pop them in the oven when needed and focus on the rest of the holiday meal. Their vibrant flavors and presentation make them a great vegetarian-friendly option, too.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash and Spinach Lasagna Rollups
Apple Pecan Cheesecake
Creamy cheesecake topped with cinnamon-spiced apples and crunchy pecans makes this dessert a showstopper. It’s the perfect make-ahead treat, giving you more time to handle other holiday tasks. Serve it as the grand finale to your Thanksgiving feast, and watch as your guests line up for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Apple Pecan Cheesecake
Baked Brie With Apricot Jam
This easy baked brie combines gooey cheese with the sweet and slightly spicy flavor of apricot jam. It’s a breeze to prepare and makes an excellent appetizer for the holiday season. Bake it just before guests arrive, and serve it with crackers or bread for an elegant start to the meal.
Get the Recipe: Baked Brie With Apricot Jam
Velveeta Rotel Dip
If you need a snack to keep everyone happy before the turkey’s ready, this Velveeta Rotel dip is a great choice. With melted cheese, ground beef, and black beans, it’s hearty and satisfying. Plus, it’s easy to throw together in a slow cooker, letting you focus on the main event without distractions.
Get the Recipe: Velveeta Rotel Dip
Dauphinoise Potatoes
Creamy, cheesy, and undeniably comforting, these Dauphinoise potatoes are a side dish that fits right in on a holiday table. Prep them in advance and let the oven do the work while you tackle the turkey. Thinly sliced potatoes cooked in cream and topped with Gruyère make for a dish everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Dauphinoise Potatoes
Pumpkin Hummus
Pumpkin hummus is a seasonal twist on a classic that’s both simple to make and fun to serve. With chickpeas, pumpkin, and a touch of garlic, it’s a great appetizer for your Thanksgiving spread. Pair it with crackers or veggies for a dip that everyone can enjoy while waiting for the main course.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Hummus
Pumpkin Curry Soup
This pumpkin curry soup is rich and creamy, thanks to coconut cream, and filled with just enough spice to make it memorable. It’s quick to whip up and a great starter to warm everyone up before the big meal.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Curry Soup
Cranberry Salsa
This fresh cranberry salsa is a vibrant, unexpected appetizer that adds a little punch to your holiday menu. Serve it with tortilla chips or crackers, and watch it disappear while the turkey’s still roasting.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Salsa
Brown Gravy
This brown gravy is quick to make but brings big flavor to the table. It’s perfect for drizzling over mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or anything else on your holiday plate. Plus, it’s great for accommodating guests with dietary preferences without complicating your cooking.
Get the Recipe: Brown Gravy
Asian Cucumber Salad
This crunchy cucumber salad is tossed in a tangy sesame dressing and sprinkled with roasted peanuts. It’s fresh, fast, and ready in minutes, making it a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving lineup when you need something light to balance the richness of the other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Asian Cucumber Salad
Turkey Roulade
A turkey roulade is a clever way to serve turkey that looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for smaller gatherings, it slices beautifully and adds a touch of elegance to the table. Prep it in advance, and you’ll feel like a holiday pro when it’s time to serve.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Roulade
Green Chile Cornbread Stuffing
Cornbread gets a spicy upgrade with the addition of green chiles in this stuffing. It’s a bold, flavorful dish that’s easy to make and guaranteed to stand out among the more traditional sides. Prep it early and enjoy the compliments when it’s served.
Get the Recipe: Green Chile Cornbread Stuffing
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
