Thanksgiving Side Dishes for Small Gatherings

Introduction

Thanksgiving Side Dishes for Small Gatherings are all about maximizing flavor and celebration with just the right amount of food—no crowded tables, no overwhelming leftovers. These dishes are perfectly portioned, easy to prepare, and deliver bold tastes that make your holiday meal memorable without all the fuss. Designed to shine on a cozy Thanksgiving table, these sides ensure everyone gets their favorite bites without waste or stress.

The Secret to Memorable Small-Batch Thanksgiving Sides

When you’re cooking for a smaller group, it’s an opportunity to focus on quality and thoughtful presentation. These side dishes are not only scaled down in quantity, but they also pack unique flavor combinations—think creamy mashed potatoes with roasted garlic, maple-glazed Brussels sprouts, and individual stuffing cups that nestle perfectly beside your main course. The result: a curated spread that’s both simple and indulgent.

Perfectly Portioned Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Small gatherings mean you can experiment and add personal flair to each dish. Roasting, glazing, and baking in smaller batches lets each ingredient’s flavor shine. For example, caramelized butternut squash can be finished with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, and individual ramekins of creamy mac and cheese ensure every guest enjoys a bubbly, crisp topping.

Serving Tips for an Intimate Thanksgiving Table

Set your table with smaller dishes and single-serve portions for a charming presentation. Use colorful napkins, autumnal flowers, and small platters to make the meal feel special. Each dish—whether a tangy cranberry relish or a luscious green bean almondine—will entice your guests and pair beautifully with your Thanksgiving main.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This Thanksgiving side dish collection serves 4, perfect for a small holiday group. Each side averages 100–250 calories per serving, depending on portion size, ingredients, and optional toppings.

Small-Batch Thanksgiving Sides: The Crowd Pleaser Recap

Serving Thanksgiving Side Dishes for Small Gatherings lets you explore festive flavors in just the right quantity. With bold tastes and beautiful presentation, these sides guarantee a cozy, crowd-pleasing holiday meal.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient, stress-free grocery shopping for your small Thanksgiving gathering.

Instructions

1. Prepare mashed potatoes: Boil potatoes in salted water until fork-tender. Drain and return to pot; mash with butter, cream, roasted garlic, salt, and pepper.
2. Roast Brussels sprouts: Toss halved sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F for 20–25 minutes. In the last 5 minutes, drizzle with maple syrup and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
3. Caramelized butternut squash: Toss squash cubes with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and fresh thyme. Roast at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until golden, tossing halfway through.
4. Individual mac and cheese: Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour, cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly, until thickened. Add cheese, stir until melted. Fold in macaroni and portion into four ramekins. Top with panko crumbs; broil until golden.
5. Mini stuffing cups: Sauté onions and celery in butter until soft. Add cubed bread, pour in broth, and toss with parsley. Spoon into small muffin tins or ramekins. Bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, until golden and slightly crisp.
6. Optional: For green bean almondine, blanch green beans, then sauté with a little butter and almonds. Garnish with lemon zest.
7. Serve each dish in small bowls or ramekins for an inviting feast, with cranberry sauce or relish on the side.

Weekly Meal Planning

These Thanksgiving side dishes are also great for meal prep! Save and schedule this recipe to organize your menu for the big day or stretch leftovers into the week. CookifyAI will combine your ingredients and generate shopping lists, so you’ll shop more efficiently and prep with confidence.

Planning Benefits:

• Consolidates kitchen staples across multiple recipes
• Organizes shopping lists by store section, saving you time
• Prevents missed ingredients and duplicate buying
• Keeps your post-holiday cooking streamlined and waste-free

Pro tip: If prepping more than one holiday meal, schedule your dishes so CookifyAI calculates how much butter, broth, or herbs you’ll need overall, keeping your pantry stocked—no overbuying or last-minute trips.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes