Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner Recipe

If you’re looking to simplify your holiday feast without sacrificing any of that beloved Thanksgiving flavor, this Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner is an absolute game changer. Imagine roasting a juicy turkey breast alongside savory sausage stuffing, buttery sweet potatoes dotted with marshmallows, and bright, garlicky green beans all on one pan—easy cleanup and a stunning presentation included. This recipe transforms the traditional multi-dish hustle into one effortless, crowd-pleasing celebration on a single sheet pan that tastes like a home-cooked hug to your holiday table.

Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are straightforward and classic, each chosen to build layers of comforting flavors and textures that make this Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner unforgettable. From the herb-infused turkey butter to the sweet potatoes kissed with brown sugar and marshmallows, every component plays a vital role.

  • Italian sweet sausage: 1 pound for a flavorful, seasoned base in the stuffing that adds richness and a hint of spice.
  • Butter: Total of 7 tablespoons, used to sauté, baste the turkey, and add richness to the sweet potatoes.
  • Medium onion, diced: 1 onion to add savory sweetness and depth to the stuffing.
  • Garlic cloves, minced: 5 cloves for aromatic and savory notes in multiple components.
  • Poultry seasoning: 2 teaspoons, enhancing all the savory dishes with classic Thanksgiving flavors.
  • Salt and black pepper: 2 teaspoons each, essential for seasoning to bring out the best in every ingredient.
  • Chicken stock: 1 cup, to moisten and enrich the stuffing mixture.
  • Egg, beaten: 1 egg to bind the stuffing ingredients perfectly.
  • Fresh parsley, chopped: 1 tablespoon for a touch of freshness in the stuffing.
  • Bread cubes: 4 cups, the hearty base of the stuffing, ready to soak up all those amazing flavors.
  • Turkey breast: 1 (2-pound) breast, the star protein of this simplified feast.
  • Sage and thyme, minced: Fresh herbs for the seasoned butter that will keep turkey moist and fragrant.
  • Sweet potatoes: 2 large, to roast up tender and sweet, enhanced by brown sugar and marshmallows.
  • Brown sugar: 1/4 cup, perfectly caramelizing on the sweet potatoes.
  • Mini marshmallows: 1/4 cup, for the classic sweet potato topping that adds delightful gooeyness.
  • Green beans: 12 ounces, fresh and crisp-tender for a vibrant vegetable side.
  • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons, to coat the green beans with garlic and seasonings.
  • Crescent rolls: 4 rolls, baked on the pan for an easy, buttery bread accompaniment.

How to Make Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner

Step 1: Prepare the Stuffing and Turkey

Start by browning the Italian sweet sausage in a large pot over medium-high heat. The sausage releases flavorful grease that later seasons your stuffing beautifully, so don’t rush this step. Remove the cooked sausage and set aside, then sauté diced onion and garlic in butter until soft and fragrant. Add poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper to round out those classic Thanksgiving notes. Next, stir in chicken stock, beaten egg, parsley, and bread cubes, making sure everything is well combined and the bread cubes are moist but not soggy. Meanwhile, loosen the skin from your turkey breast and coat it underneath and on top with a luscious blend of softened butter, minced sage, thyme, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic. This seasoning butter seals in moisture and infuses the turkey with herbal warmth.

Step 2: Assemble on the Sheet Pan

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Spread the stuffing evenly across half the pan, creating a cozy bed for your turkey breast in the center. Place the buttered turkey breast on top, ensuring it sits nestled into the stuffing for moisture and flavor to mingle while roasting.

Step 3: Prepare the Sweet Potatoes

Now for the sweet potatoes: slice them Hasselback-style by making thin, even cuts lengthwise—don’t cut all the way through, so they stay intact but allow that melting butter and brown sugar mixture to seep deep into every crevice. Place them beside the stuffing on the pan, then brush or spoon on the melted butter and brown sugar mix.

Step 4: Bake and Add the Green Beans

Pop the pan into a 375°F oven for 40 minutes. While roasting, toss your green beans with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper to season. After 40 minutes, add the green beans and crescent rolls around the edges of the pan. Top sweet potatoes with mini marshmallows for that classic sweet, melty finish. Continue baking for another 20 minutes, covering turkey and stuffing with foil if they start to brown too much. Once finished, allow the whole sheet pan to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before carving and serving.

How to Serve Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner

Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Fresh chopped parsley or a sprinkle of extra minced sage over the turkey adds a pop of color and aromatic freshness that brightens up the entire dish. A lemon wedge on the side can add a subtle tangy contrast if you love a hint of citrus brightness with your herbs.

Side Dishes

Consider pairing your Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner with a crisp cranberry sauce for tartness, or a simple mixed greens salad tossed with a light vinaigrette to balance the hearty flavors. These easy sides will complement the richness without overpowering it.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the turkey slices right atop the stuffing for a rustic, homey feel, letting the juices mingle on the plate. For a festive touch, garnish the sweet potatoes with extra toasted marshmallows or a sprinkle of chopped pecans for crunch. Arrange green beans neatly along the side or scattered casually to keep the presentation approachable and inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and green beans in airtight containers in the fridge within two hours of serving to keep everything fresh. This dinner holds up beautifully and tastes even better as leftovers the next day.

Freezing

If you want to save portions for later, freeze the stuffing, turkey slices, and sweet potatoes individually in freezer-safe containers or bags. The green beans don’t freeze as well due to texture changes but can be enjoyed fresh the day after.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently in the oven at 325°F to keep the turkey moist and the stuffing crisp at the edges. A quick toss of green beans in a pan with a little garlic and olive oil refreshes them nicely. Avoid the microwave when you want to maintain the best texture.

FAQs

Can I use a whole turkey instead of a turkey breast?

While this recipe is designed for a turkey breast to keep cook time manageable on one sheet pan, you can adapt it for smaller whole turkeys or turkey parts if you adjust roasting times accordingly. Just be mindful of even cooking and pan space.

Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the bread cubes in the stuffing with gluten-free bread, and check that your poultry seasoning and crescent rolls are gluten-free or omit them altogether in favor of gluten-free rolls.

Can I prepare parts of this dinner ahead of time?

(Yes, you can prepare the stuffing and seasoning butter for the turkey a day ahead. Store the stuffing mixture and turkey wrapped separately in the fridge. Assemble and bake on the day for best results.)

What can I substitute for crescent rolls?

Frozen dinner rolls or homemade bread dough both work wonderfully as an alternative, adding your own twist with different herbs or cheeses mixed into the dough if you like.

How do I prevent the stuffing from drying out?

The key is the moisture from the chicken stock and butter mixed into the bread cubes, plus the turkey resting right on top, which keeps it from drying while roasting. Covering with foil if it begins browning too fast helps, too.

Final Thoughts

This Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner has quickly become one of my absolute favorite ways to bring warmth, ease, and incredible flavor to the holiday table without the stress. It’s cozy, comforting, and mess-free, leaving you more time to enjoy your loved ones and less time tied to the stove or sink. I truly can’t wait for you to try it and see just how deliciously simple holiday cooking can be!

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Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner Recipe

This Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner is an all-in-one, easy-to-make meal perfect for the holiday season. Featuring a juicy, herb-seasoned turkey breast paired with savory sausage stuffing, sweet hasselback potatoes topped with marshmallows, and roasted green beans, this dish brings traditional Thanksgiving flavors together on a single sheet pan for convenient preparation and cleanup.

  • Author: luca
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale

For the Stuffing:

  • 1 pound Italian sweet sausage
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 4 cups seasoned or unseasoned bread cubes

For the Turkey:

  • 1 (2-pound) turkey breast
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 3 sprigs sage, minced
  • 1 teaspoon thyme, minced
  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

For the Sweet Potatoes:

  • 2 large sweet potatoes
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup mini marshmallows

For the Green Beans:

  • 12 ounces green beans
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Other:

  • 4 crescent rolls

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Stuffing: Brown the Italian sweet sausage in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once browned, remove the sausage, leaving the grease behind. Add butter, diced onion, and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until softened. Stir in poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken stock, beaten egg, chopped parsley, sausage, and bread cubes. Mix thoroughly to moisten the bread cubes. Set aside.
  2. Season the Turkey: Loosen the skin of the 2-pound turkey breast carefully. In a bowl, combine softened butter with minced sage, thyme, poultry seasoning, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. Spread this herb butter mixture under the turkey skin and over the top of the skin for full flavor coverage.
  3. Prepare the Sheet Pan: Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Spread the stuffing over half the pan, creating a well in the center. Place the seasoned turkey breast into the well atop the stuffing.
  4. Hasselback the Sweet Potatoes: Place each sweet potato between two chopsticks and make thin, even slices down the length of the potato without cutting all the way through. This technique creates the classic hasselback effect. Place the sweet potatoes next to the stuffing on the sheet pan. Combine melted butter with brown sugar and carefully brush or pour this mixture into each cut of the sweet potatoes.
  5. Bake Initial Stage: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes together on the sheet pan for 40 minutes.
  6. Prepare the Green Beans: While baking, toss green beans with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
  7. Add Green Beans and Rolls: Remove the sheet pan from the oven carefully. Add the green beans to the pan and place crescent rolls along the edge. Top the sweet potatoes with mini marshmallows.
  8. Final Bake: Return the sheet pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes. If the stuffing or turkey begins to brown too much, cover them loosely with aluminum foil. Once done, remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before carving the turkey.
  9. Serve: Carve the turkey breast and serve alongside the stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, and crescent rolls for a full Thanksgiving dinner experience.

Notes

  • You can substitute frozen dinner rolls for crescent rolls or make your own dough for a personal touch.
  • Add diced carrots, celery, mushrooms, or apples to the stuffing to customize flavors.
  • Be cautious when hasselbacking sweet potatoes to avoid cutting all the way through, which could cause them to fall apart during baking.
  • If the stuffing browns too quickly, covering with foil will prevent burning while allowing the turkey to cook through.
  • Letting the turkey rest after baking ensures juicy, tender slices.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 1061 kcal
  • Sugar: 18 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 51 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 67 g
  • Fiber: 7 g
  • Protein: 83 g
  • Cholesterol: 210 mg

Keywords: Thanksgiving dinner, sheet pan meal, turkey breast, sausage stuffing, hasselback sweet potatoes, roasted green beans, holiday recipes

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