Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to gather with friends and family. And the dishes that typically go with it—the casseroles, stuffing, pies, a turkey that takes over the oven—are usually designed to feed a crowd. If you find your guest list smaller this year and wonder how to honor this food-centric holiday without getting buried in leftovers, we can help. From festive drinks to classic sides, we’ve compiled perfectly-portioned Thanksgiving recipes for every part of the meal. Try dishes like our Stuffed Sweet Potato Casserole for Two and Caramel Apple Crisp for Two and enjoy a delicious dinner that’s perfect for a pair.
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Vegan Wild Rice Stuffed Squash for Two
Sourdough bread, a mix of earthy mushrooms and wild rice fill sweet acorn squash in this vegan Thanksgiving dish that’s just the right size for two people. Sweet carnival squash, with its stripes and speckles, is a fun alternative to acorn squash if you can get your hands on one.
Skillet Green Bean Casserole for Two
Green bean casserole is usually built for a crowd, but not this one! It’s perfectly portioned for a smaller Thanksgiving and done on the stovetop to free up oven space. Fresh breadcrumbs combined with caramelized onions deliver a savory alternative to the classic fried onions.
Stuffed Sweet Potato Casserole for Two
If you love sweet potato casserole, but don’t have a crowd to enjoy it with, try this stuffed sweet potato “casserole” for two. One sweet potato yields the perfect amount for two people while keeping true to the classic flavors you’d expect for Thanksgiving and other holidays.
Sausage, Apple & Herb Stuffing for Two
This easy make-ahead stuffing for two comes in its own single-serving dish. Turkey sausage and hearty whole-wheat bread combined with apples make this sweet and savory stuffing one you’ll want to turn to again and again. Serve it with turkey for a small Thanksgiving celebration or make it any night to go with a chicken dinner.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Onions for Two
Hearty Brussels sprouts pair nicely with salty bacon and onions in this quick Thanksgiving side dish for two. A sweet balsamic glaze makes a nice complement drizzled over the top, but it’s not necessary to enjoy this classic combo. For a twist on this recipe, try swapping pancetta for the bacon. If you want to have leftovers, this recipe is easily doubled.
Caramel Apple Crisp for Two
Caramel adds a sweet and salty note to this classic apple crisp designed just for two. Store-bought caramel sauce works well here, but it’s easy to make your own if you prefer. Drizzle it over the warm apple crisp right before serving if you want to make this easy dessert an extra-special treat.
Pumpkin Cheesecake for Two
Single-serving pumpkin cheesecakes are the perfect way to finish off a Thanksgiving meal for two (or any other meal, given that they take just 15 minutes of active prep time!). You can make them a day or two ahead of time and keep them tucked away in the fridge in their sturdy ramekins until you’re ready to enjoy them.
Apple Cider-Mezcal Margarita
Rachel Marek
This fall version of a margarita features apple cider and mezcal, a liquor made from agave much like tequila. Like a classic margarita, this one blends sweet and sour flavors with a hint of cinnamon and orange from triple sec.
Whipped Frozen Apple Cider
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This apple cider slushie–inspired frozen drink is the perfect mix of warm and cold, offering the comforting taste of autumn spices while being refreshing enough for any time you want a cooldown. Coconut milk adds creaminess. You can swap it out for light coconut milk but the texture will be thinner.
