With the holiday turkey still thawing, dinner still needs a plan for the nights before the big meal. These 23 recipes cover soups, casseroles, pizzas, pasta, and meat or meat-free mains, with a mix of quick options and longer dinners. Choose a recipe that fits the evening, then save the turkey for the main event.
Spicy Udon Noodles
Glossy sauce and measured chili heat give Spicy Udon Noodles a quick, lively finish for a busy night before Thanksgiving. The recipe card lists 25 minutes total, with thick udon tossed with green beans, carrot, red chilies, soy, hoisin, and ginger, then finished with toasted peanuts. You can adjust the heat with the chilies, so it works for a milder family meal or a spicier bowl while the turkey thaws.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Udon Noodles
Chicken Pot Pie
Crisp, flaky pastry over a creamy filling gives Chicken Pot Pie its familiar supper look, with the card listing 1 hour 20 minutes total and four servings. Chicken breast, carrots, celery, peas, and thyme cook beneath two puff pastry sheets. It makes a substantial meal for one of the longer evenings before Thanksgiving, and leftovers can cover lunch while the turkey continues to thaw.
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Beet Soup
Deep ruby color and a rosemary-scented broth give Beet Soup a distinctive bowl for a cool pre-holiday dinner. The card lists 95 minutes total and four servings, with beets, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, and rosemary in the pot. A spoonful of yogurt and parsley are optional finishes. Serve it with bread at dinner on an evening before the holiday cooking begins.
Get the Recipe: Beet Soup
Elegant Mushroom Wellington
Wrapped in golden pastry, Elegant Mushroom Wellington encloses mushrooms, spinach, and toasted pecans for a centerpiece-worthy meat-free dinner. The recipe uses vegan puff pastry, herbs, red onions, and four Portobello mushrooms, and its listed total time is 60 minutes for four servings. Slice it at the table for a filling pre-holiday meal without turkey, and keep any extra leftovers for next-day lunch.
Get the Recipe: Elegant Mushroom Wellington
Walking Taco Casserole
Crunchy taco-style topping over a cheesy baked base makes Walking Taco Casserole a family-style supper that takes 32 minutes and serves six. Ground beef, taco seasoning, pasta, salsa, black beans, and Cheddar bring the main flavors together, with lettuce, pico de gallo, and sour cream added on top. It gives the nights before Thanksgiving a casual dinner option that goes straight from the dish to the table.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole
Mushroom Pizza
Savory toppings on a crisp-edged crust make Mushroom Pizza a simple dinner in 25 minutes, with two servings listed on the card. Fresh mushrooms, garlic, shallot, herbs, pizza dough, and mozzarella build the topping, while arugula goes on after baking. It works for a smaller meal before the holiday, or you can double the recipe if others at home want a slice too.
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Oven Baked Ribs
Sticky, paprika-coated edges and tender meat make Oven Baked Ribs a hearty choice for a slower dinner night. The recipe lists 205 minutes total and four servings, with baby back ribs seasoned with cumin and smoked paprika before a ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and vinegar glaze. Start these when you have time for a long bake, and enjoy a full supper while the turkey stays in the fridge.
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Cauliflower Steaks
Thick, browned slices turn Cauliflower Steaks into a vegetarian main. The live card lists 40 minutes total, and the cauliflower is paired with honey, lemon, garlic, and smoked paprika before pistachios and pomegranate are added. Serve it with a grain or soup for a filling meal during the holiday countdown, especially on a cold weeknight when you want a meat-free dinner.
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Chickpea Curry
Rich curry sauce coats tender potatoes and chickpeas in Chickpea Curry, a one-pot dinner with a listed time of one hour and four servings. Coconut milk, chopped tomatoes, curry powder, mango chutney, and spinach bring sweet, savory, and creamy notes. Spoon it over rice for supper on a busy night when you want something warming before Thanksgiving without adding another turkey meal.
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Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders
Hand-held sandwiches on a tray make Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders an easy dinner to set out for everyone. The cache lists 10 minutes total and 12 servings, using leftover pulled pork, Hawaiian rolls, coleslaw, pickle chips, and barbecue sauce. Since the pork is already cooked, these are practical for a quick meal while the holiday turkey stays in the fridge. Extra sliders can go into lunches.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian Pulled Pork Sliders
Butternut Squash Risotto
Creamy, tender bites make Butternut Squash Risotto a filling meat-free dinner for a quiet night before Thanksgiving. Arborio rice, butternut squash, onion, garlic, and vegetable broth build the base, while vegan Parmesan and parsley finish it. The card lists 1 hour 10 minutes total and four servings. It takes time at the stove, so plan it for an evening when you are not rushing between other tasks.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Risotto
Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes
Hot, fluffy centers split around spicy chicken make Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes a filling dinner for a chilly evening. The live card lists 1 hour 5 minutes total, with shredded chicken, Buffalo sauce, butter, green onions, blue cheese, and ranch in the toppings. Bake the potatoes while you handle other holiday prep, then finish each one before serving for a hearty meal without the turkey.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Baked Potatoes
Marry Me Butter Beans
Slow-simmered tomato-herb sauce gives Marry Me Butter Beans a satisfying meat-free supper in 30 minutes. The recipe combines butter beans with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, shallots, vegetable stock, cream, Parmesan, and basil, and the card lists four servings. Serve it with crusty bread to catch the sauce on a weeknight, especially when holiday planning leaves little room for a longer dinner.
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Chicken Tamale Pie
Golden, bake-set crust over chicken and seasoned sauce makes Chicken Tamale Pie a casserole-style dinner with a one-hour total time and four servings. Cooked chicken, corn, enchilada sauce, taco seasoning, and Colby Jack bring familiar flavors beneath the muffin-mix crust. Cut it into squares for a sit-down supper before the holiday, with leftovers easy to warm for family lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Tamale Pie
Mushroom Soup
Earthy, paprika-seasoned broth gives Mushroom Soup a savory depth, with 40 minutes total and four servings listed on the card. Butter, onion, mushrooms, vegetable broth, soy sauce, garlic powder, dill, and sour cream round out the pot. Serve it with bread or a side salad for dinner on an evening when the turkey is still thawing and you want a lighter meal in bowls.
Get the Recipe: Mushroom Soup
Roasted Whole Cauliflower
Caramelized edges and a softened center make Roasted Whole Cauliflower a substantial vegetarian main for a no-turkey dinner. The live card lists 1 hour 5 minutes total, with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, lime juice, and fresh herbs. Bring the whole head to the table and cut it into wedges, or serve it with soup for a fuller meal during the days before Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Whole Cauliflower
Vegetable Frittata
Tender, browned wedges make Vegetable Frittata an adaptable dinner that takes 40 minutes and serves four. The card lists mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, cherry tomatoes, green onions, mozzarella, and Parmesan alongside eggs and milk. Cut it into wedges and pair with toast or salad for a quick supper before the holiday meal, with slices useful for breakfast or lunch the next day.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Frittata
Sweet Potato Soup
Velvety orange soup with spinach and pumpkin-seed topping makes Sweet Potato Soup a 45-minute dinner for four. Sweet potatoes simmer with carrots, onion, garlic, sage, nutmeg, and vegetable stock, while a little half-and-half adds creaminess. Its smooth texture and gentle spices suit a quieter meal on the nights before Thanksgiving, especially with bread alongside for dipping and a salad on the side.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Soup
Marry Me Tortellini
Silky, tomato-rich sauce coating stuffed pasta gives Marry Me Tortellini a rich weeknight dinner in 20 minutes. The dish includes spinach, garlic, Parmesan, and heavy cream, with four servings listed on the card. It cooks quickly enough for an evening of holiday errands, and the sauce clings to each tortellini so every bowl is complete. Serve it with a side salad.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Tortellini
Artichoke Pizza
Colorful slices with spinach and artichokes top Artichoke Pizza, a quick option with an eight-minute total time and two servings listed. The toppings include spinach, marinated artichoke hearts, tomatoes, mozzarella, vegetarian Parmesan, garlic, and basil, giving each slice a mix of savory vegetables and cheese. Use it for a smaller dinner before Thanksgiving or set out slices for a shareable meal when family arrives early.
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Cowboy Casserole
Browned edges crown the seasoned beef-and-corn filling in Cowboy Casserole, a one-dish dinner. The recipe takes 37 minutes total and combines ground beef, bell pepper, onion, crushed tomatoes, corn, taco seasoning, and Mexican cheese beneath tater tots. Let it rest before serving so portions hold together, then bring the baking dish to the table for supper while the holiday turkey thaws.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Casserole
Gnocchi
Pillowy, hand-shaped dumplings give Gnocchi a homemade dinner feel, with the recipe listing 1 hour 45 minutes and four servings. The dough uses potatoes, flour, egg, and salt, then the finished gnocchi are served with butter, basil, and Parmesan. Make them on an evening when there is time for shaping, and serve a filling meal before the Thanksgiving turkey is ready.
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi
Copycat Smash Burger
Crusty, browned edges and melted Cheddar make Copycat Smash Burger a diner-style dinner. The live card lists 53 minutes total, including a 15-minute chill, with ground beef, brioche buns, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and spicy mayo. The chilling step means you can plan the patties ahead, and the burgers make a familiar alternative while the holiday turkey finishes thawing. Serve them hot.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Smash Burger