These Quick and Healthy Recipes Will Free You Up So You Can Actually Enjoy the Holidays

This mashed potato dish technically needs four hours to cook in the slow cooker, but with very little work on your part, you'll be free to decide on the perfect hostess outfit. The white bean sage puree adds creaminess – no butter required!

Get the recipe: white bean mashed potatoes

No holiday meal is complete without a juicy, perfectly-roasted turkey on the table. Because this recipe uses a turkey breast, as opposed to the whole turkey, it cooks in just two hours (and requires only 10 minutes of prep).

Get the recipe: roasted turkey breast with garlic and herbs

Instead of the hour or more it can take to roast butternut squash in the oven, this Instant Pot version cooks in less than 30 minutes. When it's done, you can cube it, mash it, or blend it into a butternut squash soup.

Get the recipe: butternut squash

Your friends and family will be shocked when they find out this cornbread is made without butter, milk, or refined sugar (if you choose to tell them). It's still so moist and delicious.

Get the recipe: maple cornbread

Butternut squash replaces bread in this low-carb, gluten-free stuffing — but with the sausage, crunchy celery, and tart apples, you'll never miss it.

Get the recipe: Paleo Thanksgiving stuffing

These soft and fragrant mushrooms would be delightful alongside (or on top of) a beef or pork dish. The recipe cooks in just five minutes, but only makes a couple servings, so feel free to prepare additional servings as needed.

Get the recipe: garlic butter sautéed mushrooms

Brussels sprouts are a popular holiday side dish, but the addition of bacon and a little maple syrup will make them the talk of the table. These sprouts need only 30 minutes to cook, so you can toss them in the oven while the turkey is resting.

Get the recipe: roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon

Canned pumpkin helps this soup come together quickly, while almond butter and almond milk make it creamy. (There's even hidden cauliflower for added nutrition!) If you want to save even more time on the big day, make it ahead.

Get the recipe: vegan pumpkin soup

This lightly-sweetened cranberry sauce is just what your turkey needs. Instead of the high sugar content you see in most store-bought cranberry sauces, this one is made with honey and just a touch of brown sugar.

Get the recipe: cranberry sauce

If you're looking for a hearty salad that you can get on the table while you put the finishing touches on the rest of the meal, this one is sure to please. It takes only 40 minutes to prepare — a large portion of which you're simply keeping an eye on the oven — and the nutty Parmesan pairs wonderfully with the golden squash.

Get the recipe: collard green salad with roasted delicata squash

It doesn't get much easier than throwing the turkey and stuffing in the slow cooker together until you're ready to eat. This recipe calls for a loaf of bread, giving you the option to make a gluten-free or keto version.

Get the recipe: turkey breast and stuffing

These Paleo, vegan brownies have a date-sweetened chocolate "dough" topped with a rich, chocolate frosting. They're the perfect recipe to make ahead, since they only take 10 minutes to prepare but will need to chill in the fridge for at least two hours before serving.

Get the recipe: vegan raw brownies

This dish looks (and sounds) more complicated than it is. You only need half an hour to prep and cook these buttery green beans with a crunchy slivered almond topping.

Get the recipe: green beans almondine