Small Batch Thanksgiving Dinner For Two Recipes
Introduction
A small batch Thanksgiving dinner for two keeps the holiday spirit alive without overwhelming amounts of food or preparation. Perfect for couples, roommates, or anyone looking to enjoy the season’s flavors on a smaller scale, this menu delivers all the classic holiday favorites—turkey, stuffing, sides, and dessert—right-sized for an intimate celebration. Enjoying a full spread is possible, even when you’re only cooking for two!
Deliciously Cozy Small Batch Thanksgiving Dinner for Two
The beauty of a miniature Thanksgiving feast is in the details: perfectly roasted turkey breast, a handful of fluffy mashed potatoes, crisp green beans, and a petite portion of stuffing. These scaled-down recipes ensure every dish is fresh, hot, and loaded with comforting flavor—no bland leftovers, no waste, just delicious celebration in every bite.
Essential Small Batch Thanksgiving Menu
Below is a simple yet complete menu for two, featuring manageable portions of each classic dish:
- Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast
- Classic Bread Stuffing
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Simple Turkey Gravy
- Green Beans Almondine
- Mini Pumpkin Pie
How to Prepare Your Small Batch Thanksgiving Dinner
Each dish can be prepared with minimal fuss and overlap in cook times, making multitasking in the kitchen a breeze. Roast a boneless turkey breast with herbs and butter, while classic bread stuffing bakes alongside in a small dish. Creamy mashed potatoes and turkey gravy come together on the stovetop, and green beans almondine delivers a pop of color and crunch. Finish the meal with an adorable mini pumpkin pie, sized just right for two.
Serving Suggestions for a Special Thanksgiving Table
Serve your meal family-style on small platters for a cozy, festive atmosphere. For an extra touch, garnish dishes with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of toasted almonds. Enjoy your meal by candlelight or share a toast to celebrate the holiday in comfort and style.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This menu is designed to serve two generous portions per dish. Each serving (including turkey, stuffing, potatoes, green beans, and dessert) averages around 650–750 calories, varying slightly based on specific ingredients. It’s a satisfying, balanced meal without heaps of extra food.
Deliciously Cozy Small Batch Thanksgiving (Recap)
From juicy turkey to a perfectly portioned dessert, this small batch menu brings classic Thanksgiving flavor into a warm, homey setting. Perfect for couples or small households, this meal emphasizes comfort and flavor without waste or excess.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this meal plan and automatically generate a categorized shopping list—perfect for a quick and efficient pre-holiday grocery run. CookifyAI sorts ingredients by store section, making meal prep and shopping a breeze.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Turkey: Pat turkey breast dry. Rub with olive oil, butter, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Place in a small roasting pan. Roast for about 40–50 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160°F. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Make the Stuffing: While the turkey roasts, melt butter in a skillet. Sauté onion and celery until translucent. Add herbs and bread cubes; toss well. Pour in broth, season, and stir. Transfer to a greased 6×6 inch baking dish. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until golden.
- Mashed Potatoes: Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 10–12 minutes. Drain, add butter and milk, and mash until smooth. Season to taste.
- Turkey Gravy: In a small saucepan, melt butter (or use turkey drippings) over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually pour in drippings or broth, whisking until smooth. Simmer until thickened. Season as needed.
- Green Beans Almondine: Blanch green beans for 2–3 minutes in salted water, then drain. Melt butter in a skillet, toss in almonds for 1 minute, then add beans. Sauté until just tender, season, and serve.
- Mini Pumpkin Pie: Preheat oven to 350°F (if baking separately). Whisk pumpkin, brown sugar, egg yolk, milk, spice, and salt. Pour into small pie crust. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until set. Cool before serving.
Weekly Meal Planning
This small batch Thanksgiving menu is ideal for intentional meal planning. Save and schedule this entire meal plan to arrange each course, and CookifyAI will compile a master shopping list—no duplicate ingredients or forgotten spices.
Planning Benefits:
- Consolidates overlapping ingredients (butter, herbs, eggs, etc.)
- Groups items by grocery store section for efficient shopping
- Makes portioning and leftovers easy, reducing waste
- Perfect for planning a cozy holiday meal for two or scaling up for guests
Pro tip: If you add other recipes for the week with overlapping staples (like potatoes or broth), let CookifyAI manage your full grocery list so you always buy the perfect amount.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
With this easy small batch Thanksgiving dinner for two, you can savor the holiday at home—no matter the guest count!
