Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner For Two

If you’re looking for a simple and convenient way to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner without spending hours in the kitchen, then this Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner for Two is just what you need. With this easy recipe, you’ll create a delicious Thanksgiving meal, complete with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and roasted vegetables, all on a single sheet pan.

It’s the perfect solution for a festive holiday meal for two. This recipe simplifies the traditional Thanksgiving meal preparation, making it manageable for a smaller size dinner while still retaining all the classic flavors and elements of the holiday.

Not to mention, you can enjoy a delicious, no-fuss Thanksgiving meal and have very little cleanup when you’re finished. And that is a win-win situation!

Thanksgiving Recipes Included

1. Cranberry Sauce

Although you could grab of can of cranberry sauce and slice and serve it alongside your sheet pan Thanksgiving dinner, we are going to make traditional cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries.

Combine the fresh berries with maple syrup and apple juice and then you will have a simple, yet delicious sauce to pour over the turkey or to serve as a side dish. The maple syrup provides sweetness, while the apple juice adds a bit of tartness to the sauce.

The cranberries will pop and burst as they cook, then they will release their juices and creating a thick, saucy consistency. However, if you prefer a sweeter cranberry sauce, you can add more maple syrup to taste. You can also add other warm spices to the sauce, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to add more flavor.

2. Dressing

Thanksgiving would not be complete without dressing, even when making a sheet pan dinner. A classic herb infused dressing made easy with the help of seasoned croutons.

Then the dressing is divided into two individual ramekins and placed on the sheet pan to bake with the other ingredients. Once you are ready to eat, simply add a ramekin to each plate or scoop the dressing on each plate.

3. Turkey

To keep things simple and manageable for a Thanksgiving dinner for two, a small turkey breast or tenderloin will be used as the main protein. Although you can order one from your butcher you can typically find the tenderloins prepackaged as a long and slender cut of meat in the refrigerator meat section, similar to how a pork tenderloin is sold.

Then all you have to do is add a little oil and a few seasonings and place it on the sheet pan. Once it bakes the turkey will be moist, tender and full of flavor.

4. Roasted Vegetables

To finish off the sheet pan Thanksgiving dinner for two, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts are added to the pan. But to add more flavor they are seasoned with a few basic spices.

However, instead of adding more sage and thyme to the mix, garlic powder and paprika are used to season the vegetables. Then add in a little salt and pepper to the mix to complete the seasoning.

And don’t worry if you see a little cayenne pepper in the list of ingredients. Just a dash of the hot pepper powder will help balance out the sweetness of the vegetables without providing too much heat.

However, if you prefer to leave it out, you certainly can omit it. Although I find that it enhances the flavor of the vegetables.

And feel free to switch out the roasted vegetables with others that you prefer. Although make sure that they will be able to cook properly given the time and temperature listed below.

Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner For Two

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

Cranberry Sauce

• 1/3 cup frozen or fresh cranberries
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or more for sweeter taste)
• 2 tablespoons apple juice

Dressing

• 1 large egg
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dry sage
• 1/4 teaspoon dry rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon dry thyme
• 2 cups seasoned croutons
• 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth

Turkey

• 1 pound skinless and boneless turkey breast tenderloin
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon dry sage
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Vegetables

• 1 large sweet potato, chopped into 3/4-1 inch pieces
• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, ends trimmed and halved
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Extra Seasoning

• 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 425°F.

Cranberry sauce

In a small oven-proof ramekin, combine the cranberries, maple syrup and apple juice. Then set the ramekin aside.

Dressing

In a medium bowl, whisk the egg, add the chopped green onion, parsley, seasonings, and then mix well.

Add your the croutons, broth, and then mix to combine.

Divide the stuffing mixture between two oven-proof ramekins that have been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and then set aside.

Turkey

Rub the turkey breast with the olive oil. Then in a small bowl combine all the seasonings and sprinkle all over the turkey

Place the seasoned turkey in the middle of a large sheet pan.

Vegetables

Spread the vegetables around the turkey breast in one layer. Then drizzle the vegetables with the olive oil and sprinkle with seasonings and mix well.

Sheet Pan Baking Instructions

Move the vegetables around to make space for the three ramekins. Then add a few sprigs of fresh rosemary to the tray with the vegetables and turkey.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are soft and the turkey breast reaches 165°F when checked with an instant read digital thermometer.

Store & Reheat Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Leftovers

If you have leftovers from your Sheet Pan Thanksgiving dinner it is important to store them properly to maintain their flavors and freshness.

Turkey: Slice the leftover turkey breast and then store it in an airtight container. Keep it in a refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Use the turkey for sandwiches or make Turkey Noodle Casserole.

You can also freeze it if you want to store long. If freezing, wrap the turkey in plastic wrap and then place it in an airtight freezer bag or container. Frozen turkey can be safely kept for 2-6 months.

Vegetables: Store the leftover sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts in separate containers in a refrigerator. Refrigerate for 3-4 days.

Cranberry Sauce: Transfer unused cranberry sauce to a closed container and then place it in the refrigerator. Cranberry sauce can be kept in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Dressing: Store any extra dressing in airtight containers in a refrigerator for 2-3 days. Add a drop or two of water when reheating it in the oven or microwave to help restore its texture and flavor.

Enjoy! Mary

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