Because sometimes the best Thanksgiving is the one where you don't have to share the leftovers with your cousins.
1. You don't need to roast a whole turkey, just go for turkey breast and season with yummy rosemary.
This recipe is also paleo-friendly and serves eight people. But cut it in half and you'll have plenty for dinner, plus fantastic leftovers!
2. To keep turkey thighs moist, roast them in broth (and then cook that broth into a gravy!).
This recipe is exactly for two, and is oh-so-flavorful.
3. For a meatless option, try acorn squash filled with STUFFING.
Actually drooling over this stuffing, tbh.
4. Or if turkey isn't your thing, try a perfect roast chicken.
Roast chicken is super simple to dress up with seasonings, and will only take you an hour to roast. (Way better than staring at the oven for four hours, right?)
5. Soak up your gravy with these buttermilk and sea salt biscuits.
This recipe makes six large biscuits, so cut in half if you're overwhelmed with happiness.
6. Cut this recipe for pumpkin cornbread in half and you each get two delicious squares to coat in buttery goodness.
7. You don't need a sweet potato casserole when you have these mashed sweet potatoes with herbed garlic butter.
8. It's hard to improve on plain mashed potatoes, but a homemade Tuscan herb blend absolutely does.
Plus this recipe will give you enough to keep some leftovers.
9. How about some truffle mac 'n' cheese?
Or better yet: covering your turkey with truffle mac 'n' cheese? Recipe here.
10. This pumpkin sage alfredo pappardelle with brown butter makes the tastiest side to your turkey.
A little pumpkin puree goes a long way in this recipe.
11. Spice things up with crispy roasted Brussels sprouts in a Thai-style fish sauce glaze.
Adds just the right flavor to kick your feast up a notch.
12. Honey-glazed carrots go great with mashed potatoes. And everything, really.
13. A green bean and feta salad is lighter than a casserole and way less of a hassle to make.
Get the recipe here.
14. Sure, you can get canned cranberry, or you can make your own cranberry apple chutney.
You know what to do. Recipe here.
15. This gluten-free and vegan stuffing has a cranberry kick that serves up a little tang with the savory.
This is a great option to make if your S.O. has any dietary restrictions. Check out the simple recipe here.
16. Or cut the ingredients in half for this savory lentil and mushroom stuffing recipe.
Sure, that means four servings, but don't we all eat two the day of?!
17. Sweeten up your meal with this warm pumpkin chocolate chip cookie!
Split one, or bake two! Either way, anything that's made with pumpkin puree and chocolate chips is all good in my book.
18. For a lighter treat, these poached pears in a red wine syrup will make your Thanksgiving très chic.
I might just start putting red wine syrup on everything, TBH.
19. These mini pumpkin-ginger cheesecakes are so small you can have more than one (or more than two, even).
Lauren Zaser / BuzzFeed / Via buzzfeed.com
Plus they're topped with a pumpkin spice latte whipped cream! Cut the recipe in half and get a yummy six to gorge on.
20. This gluten-free and vegan pumpkin pie is so cute it's almost hard to eat it, but I will.
Cute recipe for four individual pies here.
21. No need to bake a whole pie, just opt for this apple pie for two with homemade crust.
Top it with a scoop of ice cream if you're feeling extra ~fancy~. Recipe here.
22. Wash down that turkey with a pumpkin fizz co*cktail for two.
Made with bourbon, pumpkin puree, and honey, among other yummy things.
23. I can't even handle the idea of pumpkin pie with a maple hot toddy... but I'll do it.
Simmered to perfection with brandy, cloves, and lemon.
24. Can't spell happiness without "mulled hot apple cider," right?!
Cut the ingredients list into just 1/4 of what's called for to get two perfectly steaming cups.
