It’s no secret that people want to save money while on vacation without sacrificing taste. With these Thanksgiving dishes, you can tick both boxes without the stress. Thanks to a few smart swaps and simplified sides, you can make this Thanksgiving the easiest (and cheapest!) menu ever. No one could be wiser. Whether you’re still planning your Turkey Day menu or just looking for some recipes to cheaply supplement your traditions, these are the perfect cheap and easy dishes to add to your holiday table.
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vegan mashed potatoes
There are many reasons to love this mashed potato. First, it’s suitable for all dinner guests, whether vegan, lactose intolerant, or allergic to dairy. It’s also secretly a great budget-friendly alternative to traditional dairy-filled mashed potatoes. A combination of olive oil and starchy cooking water creates a silky, creamy mash without any butter.
quick yeast rolls
dotdash meredith food studio
One of the best money-saving tips is to make your own versions of store-bought favorites from scratch. Rather than buying bread or tubes of dough, you can make these quick yeast rolls with ingredients you probably already have on hand. If you’ve never made bread before, this is a great beginner recipe and takes less than a day to make. Note: The dough will be quite sticky, but resist the urge to add more flour. This changes the texture of the dough from light and fluffy to dense. Coat two spoons with cooking spray or dust them with a little flour and use them to scoop the batter into baking dishes.
butternut squash soup
All Recipes / Kim Shupe
If you’re looking to keep your birds on a budget this year, seasonal soup starters are one of my favorite ways to bulk up any menu for just a dollar. This simple butternut squash soup is rich and flavorful, even though it uses only a few budget-friendly ingredients. For even more fall flavor, one reviewer suggests adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon each) and a small apple.
sausage balls
If you choose a lighter main dish than usual, you can also choose a heartier appetizer to keep your guests’ hunger at bay (especially if they arrive early while you finish cooking). Instead of an expensive charcuterie board, try these satisfying sausage balls made with just three simple ingredients (hint: one is biscuit mix). Tip: To give it a Thanksgiving feel, add a little chicken seasoning mix (or dried sage) to the sausage balls.
Easy and quick corn muffins
Your guests will never guess that such delicious muffins started with a box of mix and a can of creamed corn. Unlike most Thanksgiving cornbread or corn casserole recipes, this recipe doesn’t call for tons of sour cream, milk, or butter, all expensive ingredients that can quickly add up to your grocery bill. You can make them as muffins, but if you want a more homey presentation, bake them in a 9×13-inch pan for about 40 minutes, as creator Marcy suggests.
Homestyle Turkey, Michigan Darway
Of course, you can find cheaper alternative entrees, but if your family is anything like mine, you insist on turkey for Thanksgiving. Once you have your bird, some recipes will require a complex brine, lots of expensive butter, and fresh herbs and citrus for roasting. Rather than choosing one of these, opt for this ultra-simple driveline that packs maximum flavor with minimum fuss. Or try this home-style turkey, which supplements the butter with a broth made with affordable bouillon cubes. Either way, you’ll end up with a picture-perfect turkey that’s worth every dollar spent.
best green bean casserole
Sticking to a budget doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice tradition. This classic casserole is proof of that. Made with canned (or frozen) green beans and cream of mushroom soup, this green bean casserole tastes exactly like a childhood favorite. “This recipe has the classic flavors that come to mind when you think of green bean casserole, and the added cheese is a great addition,” says Hiram Wigand.
bread and celery stuffing
Photographer: Jason Donnelly / Food Styling: Shannon Goforth / Prop Styling: Kristen Schooley
Another Thanksgiving classic simplified. Of course, you can use whatever spices you like, but poultry seasoning blends usually contain all the spices you need and cost the same as individual dried spices. Tip: Ask your store or local bakery if they sell day-old bread. These are usually sold at a deep discount and can save you time when making stuffings that require dry or stale bread like this one.
quick and easy spinach casserole
All Recipes / Sonia Bozzo
With shortages occurring everywhere, grocery stores may run out of traditional Thanksgiving items or increase prices. If you’re short on green beans, try this comforting four-ingredient casserole. It tastes like a cross between your favorite steakhouse-style creamed spinach and green bean casserole, right down to the perfectly fried onions on top. Put this on the table and no one will ask where the green beans are…because they’ll be busy complimenting the chef.
honey roasted carrots
All Recipes / Diana Chistruga
Carrots may not be a Thanksgiving staple, but you might be craving some after eating these. It’s surprisingly simple, but far more delicious and sophisticated than the sum of its caramelized and sweetened parts. If you’re out of sweet potatoes at the grocery store, try substituting these carrots on your menu. PS You can also use frozen carrots, as one reviewer suggested. “I had to use frozen carrots that I had on hand for last-minute dinner guests. I wouldn’t change anything about this recipe.”
Mom’s baked macaroni and cheese
If macaroni and cheese is non-negotiable for your family’s Thanksgiving table, take a cue from mom with this recipe. Technically, this is due to creator Courtenay’s mother, who has a genius hack of using a can of cheddar cheese soup instead of making cheese sauce from scratch. To make it even thicker, reviewer Shari Berry suggests using two cans of soup and mixing in additional dairy. If you have it on hand, try adding 1 to 1 1/2 cups milk and 1/2 cup sour cream. Additionally, if your family likes a crunchy surface, try adding seasoned breadcrumbs on top.
Air fryer roasted Brussels sprouts with maple mustard mayonnaise
These aren’t traditional Thanksgiving Brussels sprouts. These are very good. Using the airfryer for side dishes is a great way to free up space in your oven and Relieve your holiday stress. The appliance works well here, turning the normally soggy and boring brussels into crispy, delicious little nuggets. If you’re on a budget and don’t have those ingredients on hand, you don’t need maple mustard mayonnaise. You can also sprinkle a little honey and your favorite spices before cooking to enhance the flavor.
easy mushroom rice
Lutzful Cat
This hearty casserole may not be your traditional Thanksgiving side dish, but it has all the comforting and familiar flavors. With just a few pulls from the pantry and a little butter, you can serve up this flavorful and satisfying rice without spending a fortune. A can of French onion soup is a shortcut to getting great flavor quickly. Of course, you can replace fresh mushrooms with canned ones if it’s within your budget.
Pumpkin cake made with 2 ingredients
Who said it was Thanksgiving? have Want to eat pie? no one! Feel free to get creative with your desserts and make something the whole family will love. A simple pumpkin pie may not cost a fortune, but this two-ingredient cake is a super easy dessert. And the best part? Unlike most desserts, this one actually tastes better when made ahead of time.
apple dump cake
dotdash meredith food studio
Affordable and hassle-free, Apple Dump Cake lets you get all the comforting, warm flavor of apple pie right in the skillet without any cutting or fuss, and with a much smaller grocery list. Using pantry staples like canned apple pie filling, boxed cake mix, and melted butter, this three-ingredient dessert delivers big flavor in less time and money than the traditional route.
candied yam
With these easy candied yams, you can enjoy all the sweet goodness of a holiday classic without the hassle or cost of starting from scratch. With just four ingredients: canned yams, butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows, this version skips the peeling and lengthy prep time while still delivering decadent flavor.
2025-10-30 22:00:00
