31 Easy Dinners To Make The Week Before Thanksgiving

The week before Thanksgiving is chaotic, and cooking big meals usually isn’t on anyone’s wish list. You’re juggling plans, prepping dishes, finding missing ingredients and trying to keep the fridge from overflowing. No one needs a complicated dinner on top of that. This is where simple meals earn their place. If you don’t want to resort to takeout, these recipes take the pressure off so you can save your time and energy for the main event.

Gnocchi Carbonara

Gnocchi turns creamy in a quick carbonara sauce that comes together in minutes. It’s a cozy dinner that works well during the hectic pre-holiday week and doesn’t need much prep time.
Get the Recipe: Gnocchi Carbonara

Salsa Verde Chicken

Chicken simmers in salsa verde for a simple dish that works great in bowls, tacos or over rice. It cooks fast and uses pantry ingredients, which makes it helpful on nights when you want something dependable before Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Salsa Verde Chicken

Pesto Salmon

Salmon coated in pesto bakes in minutes and gives you a flavorful dinner with very little prep. It’s a great option when your week is full and you still want something balanced and easy.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Salmon

Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Ground beef and cabbage cook together in a skillet with simple seasonings for a quick weeknight meal. It’s filling and practical when you need dinner ready fast.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Skillet

Honey Orange Sesame Chicken

This chicken cooks in a sticky sauce with orange and sesame, bringing strong flavor without extra steps. It comes together fast and pairs well with rice or noodles.
Get the Recipe: Honey Orange Sesame Chicken

Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

These quesadillas use white beans and melted cheddar for a quick meatless dinner that still feels hearty. They crisp well in the pan and work great on nights when you want something fast and easy.
Get the Recipe: Smashed White Bean Quesadillas

Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Pasta cooks with lemon, feta and spinach for a simple dish that feels fresh without extra effort. It’s a fast dinner you can build on with protein if needed.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Feta Spinach Pasta

Burger Bowls

These bowls pack classic burger flavors into an easy dinner that comes together quickly. They’re flexible and help break up the week with something familiar.
Get the Recipe: Burger Bowls

Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Pork chops roast with cabbage, potatoes and apples on one sheet pan for a complete dinner with minimal cleanup. It’s a reliable pick when your schedule is tight.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Pork Chop Dinner

Creamy Pumpkin Garlic Pasta

This pasta cooks into a smooth, pumpkin-based sauce that feels seasonal without taking much time. It’s a comforting option during the busy week before Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin Garlic Pasta

Fried Chicken Breast

These fried chicken breasts cook fast and give you a reliable weeknight dinner when you need something simple before holiday prep takes over. The crust gets crisp in the pan while the inside stays juicy, and you can pair them with anything from greens to mashed potatoes. The recipe comes together quickly, which makes it a great pick during a busy stretch of cooking.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken Breast

Chicken Milanese

Chicken Milanese brings thin, breaded cutlets to the pan for a crisp finish and tender center. It cooks in under half an hour and works well when you want a dinner that feels structured but still easy. You can serve it with a salad or simple sides, which helps keep weeknight meals steady while you’re saving energy for the holiday spread.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Milanese

Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

This skillet meal brings chicken, orzo and lemon together in a way that feels bright without extra effort. Everything cooks in one pan, which helps when the week is already packed. The orzo thickens into a cozy base, making it a helpful go-to when you want something balanced before Thanksgiving hits.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta

3-Ingredient Chili Recipe

This chili uses pantry ingredients and cooks into a hearty pot without extra steps. It’s easy to stretch for lunches or a second dinner, which is helpful when the week is full and you’re trying to keep things simple. Serve it plain or build on it with toppings if you want to change it up.
Get the Recipe: 3-Ingredient Chili Recipe

Sheet Pan Bibimbap

This sheet pan version of bibimbap keeps the process simple with roasted vegetables, crispy tofu and eggs all cooked together. Everything goes onto one pan, so cleanup is light. It brings strong flavors without much prep time, making it a great option for the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Bibimbap

Easy Chicken Stroganoff

This chicken stroganoff cooks in one pan with mushrooms and a smooth sauce that pulls together quickly. It’s filling and practical on nights when you want a steady dinner but still need to reserve energy for bigger cooking later in the week. Serve it with noodles or rice for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Easy Chicken Stroganoff

Beef Tortellini Soup

This soup uses packaged tortellini and broth to create a fast, comforting dinner in minutes. It works well when you want something warm but don’t have the bandwidth for a long cooking project. The short ingredient list makes it especially handy during a busy week.
Get the Recipe: Beef Tortellini Soup

Taco Casserole

Taco casserole layers seasoned meat, beans and cheese into a simple bake that gives you a crowd-pleasing dinner with little prep. It feeds several people or carries over well for leftovers, which makes it a smart option before Thanksgiving events begin. Add toppings at the end to keep things flexible.
Get the Recipe: Taco Casserole

Beef and Broccoli

Tender steak and crisp broccoli cook together in a quick sauce that comes together in minutes. It brings strong takeout-style flavor without extra steps, which helps keep dinner easy during a busy stretch. Serve it with rice for a balanced meal that feels manageable.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli

Baked Ravioli

This casserole takes packaged ravioli and turns it into a cheesy, oven-baked dinner that feels comforting without extra work. It relies on pantry staples and comes together quickly, which is helpful when you want a no-stress meal before the holiday rush.
Get the Recipe: Baked Ravioli

Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

This skillet stir fry uses simple ingredients and cooks fast, making it great for nights when you want something filling with minimal prep. The cabbage adds volume without extra steps, and the dish reheats well if you want leftovers for lunch.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef and Cabbage Stir Fry

Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Salmon

Salmon, vegetables and a quick glaze roast together on one sheet pan for a full dinner with minimal cleanup. The honey mustard adds enough flavor to make it feel special without extra steps. It’s a practical weeknight choice before a holiday that already requires so much cooking.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Salmon

Cheeseburger Bowl

This bowl packs ground beef, cheese and pickles into a simple dinner that feels familiar and easy. Everything cooks quickly and you can adjust toppings based on what you have on hand. It’s a steady option when you want something satisfying without turning on the oven.
Get the Recipe: Cheeseburger Bowl

Honey Butter Chicken

Chicken cooks in a sweet, glossy sauce and stays tender whether you use the air fryer or oven. The recipe comes together quickly and works with simple sides, making it a consistent choice when the week is packed with extra tasks.
Get the Recipe: Honey Butter Chicken

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

Chicken simmered with paprika and a creamy sauce turns into a comforting dish that feels hearty but not complicated. It works well with noodles or rice and gives you a steady dinner before a busy holiday stretch.
Get the Recipe: Hungarian Chicken Paprikash

Pork Chop Pizzaiola

Pork chops cook fast with sauce and cheese, making this a simple skillet meal that still feels complete. It’s a great option when you want something comforting without extra prep. Serve with bread or greens to round out the plate.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chop Pizzaiola

One-Skillet Baked Ziti

This ziti cooks entirely in one pan, saving you time and extra dishes. The pasta absorbs the sauce as it cooks, giving you a filling weeknight meal that doesn’t require much hands-on work. It’s a practical choice before holiday cooking takes over.
Get the Recipe: One-Skillet Baked Ziti

One Pot Creamy Sausage Gnocchi

Gnocchi, sausage and cream cook together in one pot for a quick meal that feels satisfying. The dish thickens fast and doesn’t need much prep, which makes it excellent for nights when you want something comforting without much cleanup.
Get the Recipe: One Pot Creamy Sausage Gnocchi

Chicken Schnitzel

Thin chicken cutlets cook quickly and stay crisp, giving you a quick dinner that pairs well with salads or potatoes. It keeps your weeknight routine easy and predictable when you’re trying to save energy for the holiday ahead.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Schnitzel

Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions

Pork tenderloin cooks with apples and onions in one pan, creating a simple dinner with balanced flavor. It feels seasonal without extra work and is helpful when you want something steady during the lead-up to Thanksgiving.
Get the Recipe: Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions

Gochujang Sloppy Joes

These sloppy joes bring bold flavor from gochujang while staying easy enough for a fast dinner. They cook quickly and pair well with simple sides, giving you a reliable option on busy nights.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Sloppy Joes