15 Last-Minute Thanksgiving Recipes Sure to Impress

Updated on 11/19/2014 at 4:00 PM

For many, Thanksgiving is a monthlong production that involves plenty of planning ahead when it comes to oven space, refrigerator space, and day-of preparation. But even if you're not much of a planner — or you've suddenly been put on the spot to pull off a Turkey Day feast! — I promise that you can still host a meal worth boasting about afterward. The key to a successful last-minute feast is to choose snappy dishes with only a few ingredients, many of which you'll already have on hand. Rest assured, however, that the menu will be anything but mundane.

— Additional reporting by Anna Monette RobertsPhotos: Susannah Chen, Nicole Perry, and Anna Monette Roberts

Bourbon Old Fashioned

A bourbon old fashioned is classic and as good as it gets. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Classic Mimosas

In addition, offer mimosas to those who prefer something lighter earlier in the day. Photo: Lauren Hendrickson

Baked Goat Cheese

The world's easiest appetizer — baked goat cheese with thyme and olive oil — is an unstoppable gobble. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Mushroom and Brie Bruschetta

Mushroom and brie bruschetta are rustic yet elegant. Photo: Camilla Salem

Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad

This shredded brussels sprouts and kale salad exemplifies Fall salads at their best. Photo: Susannah Chen

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Add soup to the menu with a smooth, creamy, and subtly sweet butternut squash recipe. The best part is it takes minimal time and effort to yield great results. Photo: Nicole Perry

5-Minute Cranberry Relish

Cranberry relish — just cranberries, sugar, Grand Marnier, and orange — is as fast and easy as it gets. Photo: Susannah Chen

Turkey Roulade

Prosciutto-wrapped turkey roulade is the no-muss, no-fuss turkey recipe that still aims to impress. Photo: Susannah Chen

Tofurky

Vegetarians (and those unopposed to meat substitutes) will love a Tofurky, roasted atop some chopped veggies. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Honey

Basic pantry items like honey, cinnamon, and olive oil come together in a restrained roasted sweet potato dish. Photo: Susannah Chen

Wild Rice Stuffing

Wild rice stuffing — tossed with mushrooms and parsley — goes with just about everything. Photo: Nicole Perry

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

If shredding a salad seems too complicated, no one can deny the simple pleasure of roasted brussels sprouts. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Mashed Potatoes

If oven space is an issue, turn to mashed potatoes, an easy Thanksgiving staple that you can make on the stove top. Photo: Nicole Perry

Pumpkin Pie With Graham Cracker Crust

If you can score a can of pumpkin puree and a premade graham cracker crust, then you're almost a third of the way to baking up an easy seven-ingredient pumpkin pie. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts

Pecan and Honey Whiskey Bundt Cake

You know what most grocery stores will be out of? Pumpkin puree. You know what they probably will have a surplus of? Pecans, whiskey, yellow cake, and pudding mix. Gather those ingredients, and then you can make this impressive whiskey bundt cake, which bakes in under an hour. Photo: Anna Monette Roberts