26 Minimalist Thanksgiving Recipes That Only Need 5 Ingredients Each (But Still Taste Amazing) (2024)

The Crock Pot does all the heavy lifting here — and you could also easily make this in an Instant Pot.

Recipe: Five-Ingredient Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

Thanks to a mixture of Brussels sprouts, olive oil, bacon, jam, and apple cider vinegar, this festive side dish is the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, savory, and tangy.

Recipe: Bacon Jam Brussels Sprouts

There are mashed potatoes and then there are these ultra-rich, extra creamy mashed potatoes. The difference lies in one secret ingredient: cream cheese.

Recipe: Five-Ingredient Mashed Potatoes

Five ingredients plus salt and pepper, this single skillet veggie side dish is perfect for Thanksgiving or any night of the week.

Recipe: One-Pan Garlicky Green Beans with Slivered Almonds

Phyllo dough shells are stuffed with brie and topped with a blend of pecans and bourbon. Bake the shells in the oven for about 10 minutes until gooey and bubbly.

Recipe: Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites

Don't feel like roasting a whole bird this year? Who can blame you? Change things up with these comforting turkey and cheese sliders brushed with a mixture of creamy mayo and tangy whole grain mustard.

Recipe: Five-Ingredient Turkey Swiss Sliders

This decadent side dish couldn't be easier. Start with frozen corn and pulse it in the blender with half and half until it forms a purée. Then toss the corn purée into the slow cooker with cream cheese, butter, and sugar.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Chopped chipotle peppers and adobo sauce are an irresistible smoky and spicy complement to mashed sweet potatoes.

Recipe: Chipotle Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Take advantage of winter squash season with this festive recipe. Tossed with maple syrup, orange zest, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice, this acorn squash roasts under tender and sweet.

Recipe: Maple Roasted Acorn Squash

Ridiculously easy yet surprisingly flavorful, this creamy soup comes together with roasted butternut squash, cream, onion, chicken stock, and olive oil. Get fancy and top your bowl with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of pine nuts.

Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Buttermilk, butter, and self-rising flour is all you need. Don't believe it? Give these fluffy biscuits a try. Topped with more butter, they literally melt in your mouth.

Recipe: Three-Ingredient Biscuits

It may not be a traditional Thanksgiving dish, but these pinwheel sandwiches are easy to make, super affordable, and perfect for sharing.

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels

It's basically mac 'n' cheese for adults, and it belongs on your holiday table.

Recipe: Cacio e Pepe

A tangy mixture of cream cheese, sugar, sour cream and egg gets topped with melted chocolate, baked in the oven until set, then cooled in the fridge overnight.

Recipe: Chocolate Cheesecake Cups

This shortcut dessert starts with boxed cake mix, but shhh — your guests don't need to know that.

Recipe: Caramel Apple Dump Cake