If you don't have a large family, or your guest list is not that big this year, there is no need to cook a whole turkey and spend a fortune on lots of dishes more suitable for a big party. These fabulous small Thanksgiving dinner recipes can help you decide on you best menu for the most awaited holiday of the Fall. Mouth-watering recipes of appetizers, main courses, sides and desserts to make your Thanksgiving the best one ever!
Thanksgiving, like other important holidays, gives you the best opportunity to show off your cooking skills by creating spectacular dishes that will impress your family and guests.
But, if you don't have a large number of people at the table, better save yourself some effort, time and money by cooking smaller dishes that still look and taste great.
My family is small, so I never cook tons of dishes anyway, and I can show you my favourite recipes that are absolutely delicious, and are very easy to make with simple ingredients. Let's have a look!
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Thanksgiving Appetizers
The best way to start your Thanksgiving dinner right is by choosing the perfect appetizers to spoil your taste buds and prepare you for the main dishes. Whether you go for a nice, heart-warming soup, or some fantastic bites, you know you have made the right choice here.
Roasted Pumpkin Soup
Roasted pumpkin soup, a heat-warming and comforting soup bursting with Fall flavours, this roasted pumpkin soup is creamy and fiery, with a lovely earthy touch. So good!
Check out this recipe
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins
Jalapeno ceddar cornbread muffins, incredibly easy to make and bursting with amazing flavours, plus a chilly kick, these muffins will not be on the table for long, so grab some before they are gone.
Check out this recipe
Brie and Fig Jam Crostini
Brie and fig jam crostini, a gourmet appetizer to impress all your guests, these brie and fig crostini are a fantastic party food that everyone will love.
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Mini Cheese Balls
Mini cheese balls, quick, easy and delicious, and loaded with all the good ingredients, these bites are going to go down amazingly well with everyone in the family.
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French Fromage Fort Canapes
Fromage fort canapes, some exquisite French appetizers that will be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner! Easy to make, but so impressive!
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Curry Coconut Butternut Squash Soup
Curried coconut butternut squash soup with chili oil, a wonderfully warming and nutritious soup that will make everyone ask for seconds.
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Green Bean Bundles
Green bean bundles with bacon, some wonderfully delicious Thanksgiving appetizers that every fussy eaters will enjoy. Easy to put together with simple ingredients, but so delicious!
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Brie and Cranberry Bites
Brie and cranberry bites made with puff pastry and a touch of rosemary, these delicious bites make a spectacular appetizer for your Thanksgiving dinner. Super easy to make, ready in no time.
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Butternut Squash Arancini
Butternut squash arancini, Â a fantastic appetizer for your Thanksgiving table. Filled with creamy butternut squash risotto and mozzarella, and deep fried to perfection, these golden bites make the perfect finger food.
Check out this recipe
Thanksgiving Main Dishes
So, the yummy appetizers have been demolished, now it's time for the fun part. Hearty, delicious mains that are the star of your Thanksgiving dinner, no matter what you choose.
Roast Turkey Crown
Roast turkey crown, juicy, melting in your mouth, and a nice crispy skin, this is a great option if you are not cooking for a large number of people, and don't need a whole turkey. Plus, it's so easy to make, and ready in about 2 hours.
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Roasted Turkey Drumsticks
Roasted turkey drumsticks, moist, delicious, and so easy to make, a great alternative to the whole roasted turkey. Plus, a lot easier and quicker to cook too!
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Sausage-Stuffed Turkey Breast Roulade
Sausage-stuffed turkey breast roulade, a wonderful alternative to a whole roasted turkey, this savoury roulade is moist and juicy, and utterly delicious
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Whole Roasted Chicken
Whole roasted chicken, the next best thing after roasted turkey, this roasted chicken is ideal if you have a small gathering for Thanksgiving.
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Pumpkin Mac and Cheese
Pumpkin mac and cheese, a fabulous twist on the classic mac and cheese recipe, but even better, perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner!
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Baked Mac and Cheese with Bread Crumbs
The ultimate comfort food for your Thanksgiving dinner, this macaroni smothered in a rich and creamy white sauce that has 3 types of cheese: cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan, then topped with buttery breadcrumbs, and baked in the oven for the final touch. The very best dinner for your Thanksgiving party!
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Stuffed Butternut Squash
Couscous-stuffed butternut squash, a delicious and healthy vegetarian dish inspired by the colours of Fall. A great dish for your Thanksgiving dinner, but also fantastic all year around.
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Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
Roasted butternut squash risotto with a good helping of parmesan cheese, a filling and comforting dish that tastes of Fall, harvest and cosy days.
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Pumpkin Chili
Pumpkin chili made with ground beef and fresh pumpkin for a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner that everybody loves. This is the best comfort food to enjoy on the big day, it uses earthy spices for a depth of flavour, and it's hearty and heart-warming too.
Check out this recipe
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Side dishes are so underrated! But, believe me, they are the ones that make the main dishes stand out, so I whole-heartedly think they should be given the same appreciation. They are quick and easy to make, and so delicious.
Pan-Fried Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Parmesan
Pan-fried brussel sprouts with bacon and parmesan, a quick and easy way of cooking brussels sprouts in under 10 minutes. No more boring brussels sprouts, this is a delicious side dish, perfect for your Thanksgiving menu.
Check out this recipe
Sausage Stuffing Balls
Sausage stuffing balls, a delicious recipe made from scratch with very little prep and effort. They can be served as appetizers or a nice side dish for you Thanksgiving dinner. So easy to make, a big hit with everyone.
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Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice
Cranberry sauce with orange juice, the best sauce to serve with your Thanksgiving turkey. Ready in just 10 minutes from scratch if you use fresh cranberries, or 20 minutes if you use frozen ones. So easy, and so flavourful, with only 3 ingredients.
Check out this recipe
Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
Parmesan mashed potatoes, the best side dish you could possibly ask for. Velvety, smooth, seasoned to perfection, the ideal side for your Thanksgiving roast. Comfort food at its best!
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Broccoli Cheese Bake
Broccoli cheese bake made with bechamel sauce, a comforting vegetarian side dish that goes well with any roast or meat substitute. It’s creamy, cheesy, and rich, and makes a great alternative to the good old cauliflower cheese.
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Roasted Rainbow Carrots
Roasted rainbow carrots with a simple blend of seasoning, these carrots make a great side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner.
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Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls
Sage and onion stuffing balls, a delicious vegetarian side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. The classic combination of sage and onions might be simple, but heavenly tasty. The stuffing balls can be made from scratch in about 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Cheesy scalloped potatoes, the best side dish for any roast. Slices of potatoes smothered in a garlicky creamy white sauce, then baked in the oven until tender, hot and bubbly; pure heaven!
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Bread Stuffing
Bread stuffing, a classic side dish for Thanksgiving, this dish can either be used on the side or to stuff the turkey. It's super easy to make, and so delicious.
Check out this recipe
Crispy Roast Potatoes
Crispy roast potatoes, a side dish after my own heart. Are you looking for the best side dish for the Thanksgiving dinner? Well, here you have one of them.
Check out this recipe
Fluffy Dinner Rolls
The best dinner rolls, so light and pillowy, you won’t believe you’ve made them with so little effort and preparation. It might be a small batch, but it is so delicious!
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Roast Pumpkin Quinoa Salad with Feta
Roast pumpkin quinoa salad, a healthy and nutritious dish that makes a fantastic side dish for your Thanksgiving roast. A light alternative to the carb-loaded sides.
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Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Sweet Potatoes
Maple-roasted brussel sprouts with bacon and sweet potatoes, super easy to make, and super flavourful, this dish has a festive touch. Only one tray needed, to save you time and effort. A family-favourite side.
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Waldorf Salad
Waldorf salad, the perfect recipe when you want something quick and easy, but also healthy for your Thanksgiving dinner.
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Baked Parsnip Fries
Baked parsnip fries or parsnip chips, a great side dish alternative to the good old roast potatoes for your Thanksgiving dinner or any other occasion.
Check out this recipe
Thanksgiving Desserts
So, all those yummy dishes are gone, but there is always room for dessert, right? Nothing like a sweet treat to finish the Thanksgiving dinner in style. From classic recipes, to my favourite Fall desserts, there is a bit for everyone to enjoy.
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie with sweetened condensed milk, one of the best Fall desserts that can be made from scratch at home. It's super simple to make, absolutely delicious, and always the star of the Thanksgiving dinner.
Check out this recipe
Mini Pumpkin Pies
Mini pumpkin pies made in a muffin tin with a buttery shortcrust pastry, and a filling made of pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, sugar and spices, then topped with whipped cream- delicious mini beauties for your Thanksgiving celebration.Â
Check out this recipe
Pumpkin Tiramisu
Pumpkin tiramisu, a delicious twist on the classic Italian dessert, this pumpkin spice tiramisu is bursting with Fall flavours. A briliant no-bake dessert for your Thanksgiving dessert menu.
Check out this recipe
Crustless Pumpkin Pie Bars
Crustless Pumpkin Pie Bars: if you like the classic pumpkin pie, you will love these no crust pumpkin pie bars. You basically get the same autumnal flavours, minus all the hassle of making a crust.
Check out this recipe
Apple Crumble with Oats
Apple crumble with oats, an old-fashioned Autumn dessert that is the very definition of perfection. Perfectly juicy apples with a lovely hint of cinnamon and crispy oat topping; it really can’t get better than that.
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Lattice Apple Pie
Lattice apple pie with fresh apples and a touch of cinnamon, a fabulous dessert for your Thanksgiving party. Impressive, delicious, what else can you ask for?
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Honey Cornbread with Greek Yogurt
Honey cornbread with Greek yogurt, moist, made with a few simple ingredients, and so easy to whip up. One of the best Fall recipes to celebrate harvest, and one of the most awaited holidays of the year: Thanksgiving.
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Old-fashioned Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet potato pie made with a homemade buttery shortcrust pastry and decorated with cream, a delicious dessert be to enjoyed throughout the Fall season. Particularly nice for your Thanksgiving menu, this pie is so easy to make, and a big winner with everyone.
Check out this recipe
Pumpkin rolls with cream cheese filling
Pumpkin roll with cream cheese filling, the best Fall dessert that will be the star of your Thanksgiving dinner party. A light sponge made with pumpkin puree and a nice blend of pumpkin pie spice, plus a silky maple cream cheese filling, what a treat!
Check out this recipe
Pecan-Crusted Pumpkin Pie
Pecan-crusted pumpkin pie, a twist on the classic pumpkin pie recipe, this pecan-crusted variation adds a lovely touch of the dessert. It has a lovely crunch coming from the pecans, minus zero fuss of making the crust.
Check out this recipe
These are my best Thanksgiving dinner recipes that are suitable for small families or gatherings. They are incredibly delicious, easy to make, and a hit every single year.
If I was to choose a small Thanksgiving menu with only a few dishes, I'd definitely go for:
- appetizer: Brie and Fig Jam Crostini
- main: Sausage-Stuffed Turkey Breast Roulade
- sides: Roast Potatoes, Sage and Onion Stuffing Balls, Cranberry Sauce and Pan-Fried Brussels Sprouts
- dessert: Pumpkin Pie with Sweetened Condensed Milk
If you’ve liked the SMALL THANKSGIVING DINNER RECIPES or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.
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