Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner Food

THANKSGIVING ON 2 SHEET PANS

Steps:

• Position the oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F. Butter half of a sheet pan crosswise with 1 tablespoon of the softened butter.
• Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth, chestnuts, sage, thyme, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat and set aside.
• Whisk the egg in a large bowl, add the bread cubes and the vegetable mixture and stir to combine. Transfer the stuffing mixture to the buttered half of the prepared sheet pan, spreading it in an even layer over just the buttered part of the pan. Dot the stuffing with 2 tablespoons butter cut into small cubes.
• Generously sprinkle the turkey breasts on both sides with salt and pepper and put them skin-side up on the other half of the sheet pan next to the stuffing. Rub the skin with 2 tablespoons of the butter.
• Combine the Brussels sprouts, bacon, olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Toss to coat and spread out over half of the second sheet pan. Prick the sweet potatoes all over with a fork and arrange them on the other half of the sheet pan next to the Brussels sprouts. Combine the cranberries, sugar and orange zest in a small ovenproof ceramic baking dish, then cover with foil and put on the sheet pan next to the sweet potatoes.
• Put the sheet pan with the turkey and stuffing on the rack in the upper third of the oven, and put the second sheet pan on the rack in the lower third. Cook 30 minutes, then remove both pans from the oven. Stir the Brussels sprouts and cranberry sauce once or twice, mashing the cranberries with the side of the spoon. Tent the stuffing with foil if it has started to brown too quickly. Rotate the pans but return them to their same racks. Continue cooking until the turkey skin is golden brown and crisp, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 160 degrees F, 20 to 30 minutes more. At this point the potatoes should be tender, the stuffing browned in some areas, the Brussels sprouts browned and tender, and the cranberries softened and bubbling. (If the sweet potatoes are undercooked, take them off the pan and put them back in the oven directly on the rack to continue cooking until tender, up to 10 minutes more.)
• Transfer the turkey breasts to a cutting board to rest at least 10 minutes before slicing. Remove the foil from the cranberry sauce and set aside to cool. Use a fork to combine the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the brown sugar in a small bowl. Split the sweet potatoes, fluff with a fork and stir in the butter and brown sugar mixture; sprinkle with salt. Top with the marshmallows and return to the pan with the Brussels sprouts. Put the dinner rolls on the same pan and return to the oven to warm the marshmallows and rolls, 3 to 5 minutes. Carve the turkey breasts and return them to the sheet pan with the stuffing to serve. Serve with gravy.

ONE-PAN, ONE-POT THANKSGIVING DINNER

Steps:

• Marinate the turkey: If the turkey breast comes tied, untie it. Pat the meat dry with paper towels. Season the turkey all over with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, then rub with garlic and thyme leaves. Place turkey on a plate or in a container, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24.
• Place a rack in the top third of your oven and another rack in the bottom third. Depending on your pace, you might want to have two timers at the ready.
• As the turkey marinates, start the sweet potatoes: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Wrap potatoes individually in two or three layers of foil so they don't leak, and place them on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake on the top rack until very soft when you squeeze them (use oven mitts), 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let potatoes cool in the foil and reserve the sheet pan for the turkey.
• While the sweet potatoes bake, make the cranberry sauce: In a medium pot, combine sugar, orange juice, 1/4 cup water and cinnamon stick or star anise. Bring to a simmer and add cranberries. Cook until the cranberries burst and the sauce starts to thicken, 12 to 18 minutes. It will be thin, but will thicken as it chills. Transfer to a serving dish and let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate until serving. Remove cinnamon stick or star anise before serving.
• Clean out the pot and make the gravy: Melt 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, then add the onion and cook, stirring, until pale golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the flour and cook until the flour turns golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the wine and cook until it mostly evaporates, another 30 seconds to 1 minute. Whisk in 2 cups stock, letting it simmer until thick, 4 to 6 minutes. If the gravy gets too thick, add more stock as needed. Season with salt to taste. Transfer gravy to an insulated container, like a lidded coffee cup or Thermos, to keep warm.
• Make the stuffing in the same pot: Melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in onion, celery and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until soft and just starting to brown, about 15 minutes. Stir in thyme and sage and cook 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in bread and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup broth, egg, parsley and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Fold gently into bread mixture, letting the bread absorb the liquid. If the mixture seems dry, add more stock a little at a time, using up to another 1/4 cup. Dot the surface of the stuffing with a few thin pieces of butter. Cover pot with a lid (or foil) and bake the stuffing on the bottom oven rack until lightly springy, about 20 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until golden brown, another 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer stuffing to the top of your stove, off the heat, and re-cover to keep it warm until the turkey is ready. Wash the bowl and set aside for the sprouts.
• While the stuffing bakes, roast the turkey: Brush or spread the mustard all over the turkey, then brush with the mayonnaise. Wrap the turkey in bacon and place on a rimmed baking sheet pan. Roast turkey on the top oven rack for 20 minutes.
• Put the brussels sprouts in the medium bowl and toss with enough olive oil to coat, coriander and a pinch of salt. Add the brussels sprouts to the sheet pan with the turkey. Continue to roast until the sprouts are golden and tender, and a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the turkey registers 145 degrees, 20 to 30 minutes longer (for a total roasting time of 40 to 50 minutes). If the turkey is done before the sprouts, use tongs to transfer it to a cutting board and lightly tent with foil. Leave the sprouts in the oven until done. (If the bacon isn't as brown and crisp as you like, broil the bacon-clad turkey - but not the sprouts - for 1 to 3 minutes.) Allow meat to rest 10 minutes before slicing.
• Finish sweet potatoes: Cut a long slit in the top of the sweet potatoes, leaving them in the foil. Push their ends toward each other so that the middle opens up. Use a fork to mash their centers. Then mash 1/2 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon molasses and some grated nutmeg and salt into each potato. Divide the marshmallows among potatoes and place on the sheet pan after the turkey is done. (The potatoes can share the pan with the brussels sprouts if they need more time.) Bake for about 5 minutes while the turkey rests. Serve.

SHEET-PAN THANKSGIVING FOR TWO

Steps:

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty foil and coat with cooking spray.
• Make the turkey and squash: Toss the acorn squash, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl; arrange the squash on one-third of the baking sheet. In the same bowl, combine the parsley, rosemary, poultry seasoning, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the turkey and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss to coat; arrange the drumsticks on top of the squash.
• Make the brussels sprouts: In the same large bowl, toss the brussels sprouts, lemon zest, thyme, olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add to the baking sheet. Wipe the bowl clean.
• Make the sweet potatoes: Rub the cut sides of the sweet potato with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange cut-side up on the baking sheet. Combine the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl; set aside for topping.
• Make the stuffing: Whisk the broth and egg in the large bowl. Stir in the remaining stuffing ingredients; season with 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Arrange on the baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 425˚ F.
• Make the cranberry sauce: Combine the cranberries and sugar with 2 tablespoons water on a 12-by-18-inch sheet of heavy-duty foil. Fold into a tightly sealed packet and place on the baking sheet.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast until the vegetables are tender and a thermometer inserted into the turkey registers 165˚ F, 50 minutes to 1 hour (tent the vegetables with foil if they get too dark). Remove from the oven and mash the sweet potato flesh a bit; top with the spiced butter and pecans. Sprinkle the turkey and squash with parsley.

THANKSGIVING SHEET PAN MEAL FOR TWO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Spray an 11x17-inch sheet pan with cooking spray.
• Prepare stuffing: Stir stuffing mix and water together in a bowl. Spread out onto one side of the prepared sheet pan. Sprinkle with cubed butter.
• Prepare turkey breast: Mix butter and poultry seasoning together in a bowl; spread under and on top of turkey skin. Place beside the stuffing on the sheet pan.
• Prepare green beans: Toss fresh green beans with balsamic vinegar and olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
• Prepare sweet potatoes: Prick potatoes several times with a fork. Wrap each in a damp paper towel, ensuring all excess water has been squeezed out. Microwave each potato separately until they give a little when squeezed, 4 to 7 minutes. Start at 4 minutes and check for tenderness, adding more time if needed. Set aside.
• Prepare pumpkin pie: Cut the top off the pie pumpkin and remove seeds and pulp. Combine pumpkin pie mix, evaporated milk, and egg in a bowl and pour into the hulled pumpkin. Wrap the entire pumpkin in aluminum foil, leaving an opening at the top. Place the pumpkin on the sheet pan with the turkey and stuffing.
• Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and add the pre-seasoned green beans onto a corner of the sheet pan in a single layer. Scatter the chopped pecans and cranberries on top of the stuffing.
• Place the sheet pan back into the oven for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine melted butter and brown sugar for potatoes in a small bowl. Remove paper towels from microwaved potatoes; cut a slit down the center of each potato and add the sugar mixture evenly.
• Remove the sheet pan from the oven and place the sweet potatoes onto the pan.
• Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes more.
• Remove the sheet pan from the oven and add the frozen rolls to the pan. Top the green beans with French-fried onions. Add 3 to 4 marshmallows to each sweet potato.
• Return to the oven and continue to bake until the turkey is no longer pink in the center and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of each half reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 5 minutes more.
• Remove from the oven and transfer all dinner items to serving platter. Top turkey with warmed gravy and serve with cranberry sauce.
• Return the pie to the oven until it's slightly jiggly in the center, about 25 more minutes.