5 Thanksgiving recipies for y'all with little (or no) time

 

Thanksgiving! It is that time of year! Now for those who don't know, I can get down on some turkey, pumpkin pie, and casserole. BUT as far as cooking goes... I just don't feel like I have the time or energy since I've started working in a full time career. Unlike the school days, I do have to work the day before Thanksgiving. I miss those days dearly when I had off the day before and after holidays. RIP MY YOUTH. 

I thought it may be a cool experiment, and of course post about, cooking 5 Thanksgiving dish recipes with prep time 30 mins or less. This is dedicated to those of us who don't have the time to create gourmet meals like other do. I am with y'all completely! I feel the struggle and am hoping this can help all of you who can relate. 

I made a variety of meals ranging from sides to dessert and all are amazing (for how easy they are).

I am going to go ahead and warn you: These are NOT gourmet, high end, fancy recipes by anymeans!!! Just simple ideas for thanksgiving meals for those who don't have a lot of time. :)

Lets begin shall we?

Granny's Famous  Squash Casserole

I reached out to my beautiful Gran for this annual dish she prepares on thanksgiving every year. It is my favorite, and always seems to be a hot commodity at the family events. I highly recommend! Best part, prep time is only 20-30 mins depending on if you have a food processor.

This recipe came straight from my gran! Special shout out to her...LOVE YOU GRAN.

Required Ingredients:

• Square ceramic cooking dish
• 2 Yellow Squash - thinly sliced
• 1 cup Sour Cream
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup of onions (chopped or thinly sliced)
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese 
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups of Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix
• 1/4 -1/2 cup of melted butter
• 1/2 cup of mayonnaise 

Instructions:

1. Microwave approx. 15 minutes to reduce water content. Drain any excess water when finished.
2. Pre-heat oven for 350 degrees
3. In a separate bowl combine:
• sour cream
• mayo
• eggs
• onions
• cheese
• stuffing mix
• melted butter 
• squash when finished in microwave
4. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until lightly browned and bubbly around edges
5. Sprinkle an additional 1/3 cup of shedded cheese on top when the casserole comes out of the oven
6. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of French fried onions on top while still hot
7. Eat up !!

Easy Peasy Crockpot Greenbean Casserole

Prep time - 10 minutes

Required Ingredients

• 3 cans of French style greenbeans
• 2 cans of cream of mushroom
• A few dashes Black pepper.
• 1/2 cup of Milk
• Cooking oil spray

Instructions:

1. Dump all of your ingredients into a small crock pot
2. Cook on high for 2.5 hours
3. Top with French fried onions.
4. Enjoy :)

Turkey Pot Pie 

Prep Time - 20 minutes

Required Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds of Turkey Tenderloin (diced in small squares)
• 1 can of peas
• 1 can of sliced carrots
• 1 small jar of minced garlic
• 1 4 qt box of low- sodium chicken broth
• 1 pre-made pie crust
• 2 medium size golden potatoes
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 1 carton of sliced baby bella mushrooms
• a few dashes of salt
• a few dashes of pepper
• Unsalted butter

Instructions:

1. Cook turkey on medium-high until brown
2. Preheat oven to 475 degrees
3. In a separate large pan, place 4 tables spns of butter and melt. 
4. Once the butter is melted, add mushrooms. Let cook until they are soft. Should take only 2-3 minutes.
5. Once the mushrooms are softened, add the garlic, carrots, potatoes, flour, turkey, chicken broth, a few dashes of salt & pepper.
6. Bring to a boil and and let simmer for 35 miutes. Stir occasionally until potatoes are softened. 
7. Add peas and stir
8. Place pie crust on top and place in over for about 15- 20 minutes, or until the pie crust is brown.
9. Let cool and ENJOY :)

Super Simple Meat & Cheese Tray

Required Ingredients:

Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Prepackaged cheese assortment, or sliced cheese assortment of your choice
• Prepackaged prosciutto   
• A variety of crackers. I used Triscuits. 
• green olives
• black olives
• a wooden serving board
• glass cups for your olives

Instructions:

1. Assort cheese and crackers anyway you find most fitting on your board (example below)
2. Put olives in jars and place on board
3. Serve!

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites

Prep time: 20 minutes

Makes about 24 mini bites

• Premade pumpkin cheesecake
• Mini cupcake bake rack
• melted butter
• 1 8oz carton of cream cheeee

Instructions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Follow Libby's pumpkin cheesecake directions on the back of the box to make your pumpkin cheesecake mix and crust
3. Once you  make the crust, place a generous amount in each mini cupcake hole in the bake rack.
4. Stick in the oven for 4-5 minutes
5. Add the pumpkin cream cheese mix to each hole in the bake rack and stick in the oven for another 20 minutes.
6. Let chill and then let refrigerate over night. 
7. Bring to any party for the perfect snack-size treat

I hope this helps anybody who does not have time for a huge time consuming Thanksgiving Meal! If it helps any of y'all, tag me so I can see what you  made! HAPPY COOKING Y'ALL <3