Thanksgiving is exactly one week away and the sooner you start planning your menu, table settings and details, the smoother your holiday will be. That’s why we rounded up the very best make ahead recipes, holiday hacks and time saving schedules to make sure your big day is on schedule and on point – as it should be.
For more tips on how to make your Thanksgiving unforgettable, check out our round up of ingenious ideas from last year.
Make one (or all) of these delicious make ahead recipes
You don’t have to make everything ahead of time but pick and choose what you want to make your Thanksgiving Thursday that much less hectic.
1. Triple Herb Overnight Dinner Rolls
These bad boys take 20 minutes to make the night before then they rise overnight in the fridge.
Check out the recipe here.
2. Frozen Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake
This frozen pie cheesecake can pass for a Thanksgiving pie just as a regular pumpkin pie would. But I think it’s even better AND its a whole lot simpler.
Here’s how to do it.
3. Bacon-Shallot Gravy
This delicious gravy is an excellent make-ahead recipe since it doesn’t require drippings from a roast turkey or chicken.
Follow these instructions and you can refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
4. Apple Pie Sangria
Let it sit overnight, add two cinnamon sticks 2 hours before serving, and enjoy!
Here’s the super simple recipe.
5. Baked Potato Casserole
Prep it, freeze it and bake it. Simple as that.
Perfect recipe for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any family get together.
6. Sausage Stuffing
Bake at 375 degrees for an hour and a half and you’re ready to go!
Here are the step-by-step instructions.
7. Stuffed Mushrooms
Need appetizers? It’s easy to feed people as soon as they come when you make these goat cheese and roasted pine nut stuffed mushrooms ahead of time.
You can prep the stuffed mushrooms and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Here’s how.
8. Orange-scented Cranberry Sauce
Stored in an airtight container, this sauce could keep in the refrigerator for a week!
This recipe also tastes great on a leftover turkey sandwich.
And more tips and tricks to get you through…
9. Grocery Shop Like a Pro
Buzzfeed put together this handy dandy shopping guide so you’re ready to feed an army of however many you have coming.
10. Time it all!
This minute-by-minute break down is absolutely perfect to help you get your Thanksgiving cooking schedule down.
If you decided to go for make ahead dishes, feel free to add in more wine breaks.
11. Set the Table with Kraft Paper
What we love about this Kraft Paper Table Runner is that it’s really easy and inexpensive (less than $10!) and still looks really festive.
You could also set out markers so people can write things they are thankful for on it or even crayons to let the kids draw! Here’s the inspiration.
12. Last Minute Gravy Save
For when things don’t go according to plan, make this emergency gravy.
13. Dress Up Paper Towels
You don’t need fancy linens to make your Thanksgiving table look great. Jus wrap silverware in a paper towel and fold it lengthwise, tied with a place card or holiday message.
14. Go Crazy With Gold Spray Paint
Leaves, acorns, pinecones, branches. You name it; you can spray it gold for a festive and fancy table.
Check out some of these gold autumn decorations for inspiration.
15. Stick to this turkey timeline so you know when it’s done to perfection
Another amazing handy break down from Buzzfeed, this will ensure the main event is cooked to perfection right on time!
