Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner: A Simple, Stress-Free Way to Celebrate the Holiday

Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and, of course, delicious food. But when the holiday rolls around, many of us find ourselves stressed out by the thought of preparing a huge spread of dishes, all while trying to juggle the demands of hosting and spending time with loved ones. If you’re looking for a way to make your Thanksgiving dinner a little less hectic, the Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner is the solution.

This recipe simplifies the classic Thanksgiving meal by allowing you to cook everything—turkey, stuffing, vegetables, and all—on a single sheet pan. That’s right: no more multiple pots, pans, and hours of cleanup. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can create a Thanksgiving feast with minimal fuss, while still enjoying the flavors of the season.

Why Choose a Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner?

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about why a sheet pan Thanksgiving dinner is such a great idea.

1. Less Stress: A traditional Thanksgiving dinner often requires multiple dishes to be prepared at once—each with its own cooking time, temperature, and method. With a sheet pan dinner, you’re streamlining the process into one tray, making it easier to manage.
2. Time-Saving: Instead of spending hours basting a turkey or trying to keep multiple dishes warm at the same time, everything cooks together in one oven, which saves you time in the kitchen.
3. Minimal Cleanup: Since you’re only using one sheet pan, the cleanup afterward is a breeze. No need to wash every single pot and pan in the house!
4. Versatility: You can easily customize the recipe to fit your tastes or dietary preferences. Add more vegetables, swap in a different type of stuffing, or use a boneless turkey breast if you’re not into roasting a whole bird.
5. Perfect for Small Gatherings: If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving with a smaller group or just want a more intimate meal, a sheet pan dinner is perfect. It provides all the classic flavors in a smaller, more manageable package.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty details and walk through how to create the perfect Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner from start to finish.

Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Turkey:

• 2 turkey breasts (boneless, skin-on), about 2.5-3 lbs each (or 1 whole turkey breast if preferred)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (or turkey broth if available)

For the Vegetables:

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1-inch rounds
• 1 medium red onion, cut into wedges
• 1 cup Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika

For the Stuffing:

• 4 cups cubed day-old bread (preferably sourdough or a hearty white bread)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or turkey broth)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Step 1: Prepare the Turkey

First, we’ll prep the turkey. If you’re using boneless turkey breasts, the skin helps keep the meat juicy and flavorful while cooking, and it crisps up beautifully in the oven.

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C), which is the perfect temperature for roasting everything together. This temperature will ensure the turkey stays juicy while the vegetables and stuffing roast to perfection.
2. Season the Turkey: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Rub this mixture all over the turkey breasts. Make sure to get under the skin to flavor the meat directly. This will give your turkey that delicious herbaceous kick we associate with Thanksgiving.
3. Roast the Turkey: Place the turkey breasts on a large sheet pan. Pour the chicken broth around the turkey to keep the meat moist as it roasts. Place the pan in the preheated oven and roast for about 45-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer. You want the turkey to be golden brown and juicy.

Step 2: Prep the Vegetables

While the turkey is roasting, it’s time to prepare the vegetables. The beauty of a sheet pan dinner is that everything can cook together.

1. Chop the Vegetables: Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Slice the carrots into rounds, and cut the red onion into wedges. Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts.
2. Season the Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, toss the vegetables with olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika. Make sure each piece is well coated.
3. Arrange the Vegetables: Once your turkey is nearly done, take the pan out of the oven and carefully arrange the seasoned vegetables around the turkey. Try to spread them out evenly, giving the vegetables enough space to roast and caramelize. You might need to remove the turkey briefly to make room for the vegetables if your pan is too crowded.
4. Roast the Vegetables: Put the pan back in the oven and continue roasting everything for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and caramelized. You may want to give the vegetables a stir halfway through the roasting process to ensure they cook evenly.

Step 3: Make the Stuffing

While the turkey and vegetables are roasting, prepare the stuffing. Since we’re keeping things simple with a sheet pan dinner, we’ll make a stovetop stuffing, which is then transferred to the pan to cook alongside everything else.

1. Toast the Bread: If your bread isn’t already stale, cut it into cubes and spread it out on a baking sheet. Toast it in the oven for about 10 minutes, until the cubes are dry and slightly golden. This will give your stuffing a better texture and prevent it from getting soggy.
2. Cook the Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and garlic, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Then, pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
3. Combine the Stuffing: Add the toasted bread cubes to the skillet and toss to combine. Let the bread soak up the broth, stirring occasionally. If you like a bit of sweetness, you can mix in dried cranberries at this point.
4. Transfer the Stuffing to the Sheet Pan: Once the bread is soaked but still holds some structure, spoon the stuffing mixture into the sheet pan with the turkey and vegetables. Spread it evenly over the pan, and return everything to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes of roasting. This will help the stuffing become crispy on the top and absorb all the wonderful flavors from the turkey and vegetables.

Step 4: Assemble and Serve

When everything is done, take the sheet pan out of the oven. The turkey should be golden and cooked through, the vegetables perfectly roasted, and the stuffing crisped up just right. Let the turkey rest for about 10 minutes before slicing it into thin, juicy pieces.

Serve the turkey with a generous helping of vegetables and stuffing. You’ll be amazed at how easy it was to create a complete Thanksgiving meal on one sheet pan. Plus, the flavors are so rich and comforting—it’s hard to believe you didn’t spend all day in the kitchen.

Additional Tips for the Perfect Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner:

• Customize the Vegetables: Feel free to swap in or add other vegetables based on what you love. Butternut squash, parsnips, or even green beans would make great additions to this dish.
• Make it Ahead: If you’re short on time, you can prep the vegetables and stuffing the day before. Just refrigerate them and pop everything in the oven when you’re ready to cook.
• Leftovers: This dish makes fantastic leftovers. The turkey slices are great for sandwiches the next day, and the roasted vegetables and stuffing can be repurposed for a comforting soup.
• For Extra Flavor: If you’re feeling adventurous, drizzle some gravy or cranberry sauce over the turkey right before serving. A bit of fresh parsley can also add a nice pop of color and freshness.

Conclusion: A Stress-Free Thanksgiving Feast

This Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner is the ultimate way to enjoy a delicious, hassle-free holiday meal. By cooking everything on a single tray, you not only save time and energy but also make cleanup a breeze. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or just looking to simplify your Thanksgiving preparations, this recipe will become your go-to for a stress-free holiday dinner.

So, next time Thanksgiving rolls around, skip the hours of planning and cooking. Instead, make a meal that’s simple, beautiful, and full of flavor—all on one sheet pan. Your family will thank you!