Low-Stress Thanksgiving Recipes
Delightful, fuss-free favorites
I’ve heard Thanksgiving called the cooking Superbowl, but I think that puts a little too much pressure on the day. I’m personally most grateful for how gratifying a meal can be that’s made on the simpler side, where the best seasonal ingredients are allowed to shine, a meal that has delightful, special touches, but is essentially fuss-free. These recipes are testament to the idea that Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a huge to-do or highly complicated to be beautiful and memorable. Here’s to less stress and more joy! Enjoy!
Sheet Pan Turkey Breast Roulade With Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans and Shallots
Photo by Tom McCorkle and food styling by Lisa Cherkasky; for The Washington Post
This one-pan feast is ideal if you are just having a few guests for the holiday. It is a golden turkey breast stuffed with what is essentially the ingredients for a gussied-up cranberry sauce. It’s accompanied by sweet potatoes, green beans and shallots, which roast alongside the turkey and make for a delicious and colorful dish. The meal even includes a “gravy” made from the pan juices deglazed with a little boiling water.
Spinach Salad with Roasted Squash, Roasted Grapes and Pumpkin Seeds
Photo by Sreal Borunchin
This salad is a true celebration of the tastes and colors of the season, with chunks of sweet, orange squash contrasting the juicy, sweet roasted grapes and nutty, toasted pumpkin seeds, all atop fresh leafy greens dressed in a maple-sweetened vinaigrette. It’s a stunning way to start your Thanksgiving meal.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Topping
This comforting, easy-to-make sweet potato casserole is one you definitely want on your table this Thanksgiving. It is creamy and delicately sweet, with real sweet potato flavor shining through, and a crunchy topping of pecans. It’s better-for-you too, with no cream or butter at all, and a fraction of the added sugar of the typical sweet potato casserole. It’s a family favorite around here, and I think it will be for you too.