If you’re anything like me, the days leading up to Thanksgiving are a mix of excitement, planning, grocery runs, and trying to keep everyone fed while your brain is already in holiday-host mode. This is the week where dinner needs to be easy, comforting, and satisfying without adding more chaos to your schedule. The last thing you want is to cook a full production meal three days before cooking a full production meal. So I put together my go-to list of easy dinners to make before Thanksgiving—recipes that come together quickly, taste incredible, and won’t leave you exhausted before the big day.
This is the time for one-pot meals, minimal chopping, pantry staples, and recipes you can scale for leftovers if you need to. A simple pasta night is always a win, especially when it’s creamy, flavorful, and doesn’t require a long list of ingredients. My family loves a quick weeknight pasta with garlic, butter, parmesan, and whatever protein I have on hand—usually shrimp or chicken. It comes together in under 20 minutes and feels special without the effort. Balance it with a simple salad and you have an easy dinner that keeps everyone happy before the holiday marathon begins.
Another meal that always carries me through this week is a hearty skillet dinner or one pot dish. Think boneless chicken, sautéed with onions, peppers, a little seasoning, and finished with broth and basmati rice. It cooks in one pan, feels cozy, and tastes even better the next day for lunch. If you want something that leans a little more comforting, a simple southern baked chicken will do the trick. These types of meals are ideal for busy nights because they require basic ingredients most of us already have stocked.
Sheet-pan dinners are also a lifesaver this time of year. Chicken thighs, salmon, or even sausage with roasted vegetables give you maximum flavor with minimal cleanup. Toss everything with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, and a seasonal herb like rosemary or thyme, and roast until golden. You can pair it with rice, quinoa, or even a warm loaf of bread. The beauty of sheet-pan meals is that you can customize them with whatever vegetables you need to use up before grocery shopping for Thanksgiving.
Soup deserves an entire category of its own, especially the week before Thanksgiving. A big pot of soup can carry you for two nights, and it gives you that warm, cozy feeling without being too heavy. A simple chicken noodle, a creamy tomato basil, or a bean-based soup packed with veggies all require minimal effort but taste homemade. These are the types of dinners that help you stay nourished while you’re prepping for the biggest cooking day of the year. Plus, soups are freezer-friendly, so you can store leftovers for after the holiday chaos.
Finally, don’t underestimate breakfast-for-dinner. Whether it’s a quick frittata, a breakfast bake, or a stack of pancakes with eggs and sausage, it’s an easy solution when you’re short on time but still want something warm and satisfying. Breakfast-for-dinner always hits and takes the pressure off during a busy holiday prep week.
Below I’ve rounded up 5 of my personal favorite recipes designed to keep you fed, inspired, and sane as Thanksgiving approaches. When the big day comes, you’ll still have the energy to show up in the kitchen and shine.
One-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken with Cannellini Beans and Basmati Rice
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Shrimp Scampi Linguine
View Recipe
Southern Baked Chicken
Crispy Sesame Salmon Bites Bowl
