10 of the Best and Cheap Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas - Meals With Maria (2024)

by contactmealswithmaria

Thanksgiving doesn’t need to be expensive. Between Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving and everything in between the food cost can really add up! I feel like everyone needs a list of cheap Thanksgiving recipe ideas. Here are my favorites that I hope you love too!

10 of the Best and Cheap Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas - Meals With Maria (1)

Cheese Pumpkin

I brought this cream cheese pumpkin ball to a birthday party this fall and people couldn’t stop commenting on it! It’s adorable and sure to cause a commotion at your next event. Get the full recipe here!

Mini Pumpkin Cheese Pies

These are so simple and just so cute! You’ll really elevate your cheese game without stretching your budget by serving these! Recipe here!

Fig Jam and Brie Bites

At 3 ingredients, these brie bites are incredibly fancy considering how easy they are to make. I’m pretty much a believer in anything made with brie. I can never get enough! Enjoy these by making this recipe!

Festive Goat Cheese Balls

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I wish I could take credit for this recipe but this one is all Ree Drummond or wherever she got the recipe from. But that doesn’t matter, what matters is they are absolutely delicious, easy to make, low ingredient, and basically all the thing I love. They really check off all the boxes and like the other appetizers, they are super cute! I know my family looks forward to me making them each year and I hope yours will too! Get the full recipe here!

Air Fryer Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts with Candied Pecans

This recipe is so beautiful but also so tasty! I guarantee your guests will be begging for the recipe! Get the full printable recipe here!

Perfect Winter Salad

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Serving a salad on a platter makes it look so much more appetizing! This one is low ingredient and is really elevated by the homemade dressing. This recipe calls for dried cherries but I just used Craisins and it was still delicious! Full recipe here!

Pioneer Woman Corn Casserole

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This one goes viral on Instagram(follow me @meals.withmaria) every year! There is always a big debate weather it’s “really a casserole.” I’m all for the questioning of the name, especially since I didn’t name it! All I know is, it’s delicious and my husband actually prefers it to the Jiffy Corn Casserole. Ree makes hers with fresh corn but I use frozen and it’s still delicious! Get the full recipe here!

Hot Crash Potatoes

10 of the Best and Cheap Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas - Meals With Maria (9)

This is a really fancy, crispy, and flavorful. Serve these on a platter and really wow guests. I think you could even smash the potatoes down ahead and then take them out to bake once guests arrive. This one is also a creation of the Pioneer Woman and you can get the recipe here!

Roasted Carrots With Vinaigrette

10 of the Best and Cheap Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas - Meals With Maria (10)

I serve these bad boys at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter and I still can’t get enough. It’s the vinaigrette that really brings it over the top! You can get the full recipe here!

Pumpkin Crunch Recipe

I saw this one go viral so I had to try it and I was not disappointed! This is like pumpkin pie on steroids. Smooth and creamy on the top with a crunchy bottom, the flavors are absolutely delicious. And it’s pretty easy to make using canned pumpkin, cake mix, and pudding pie mix. Simple and delicious! Get the full recipe here!

Watch me make all 10 recipes here:

FOR MORE INEXPENSIVE THANKSGIVING RECIPES CHECK OUT THESE VIDEOS:

MORE THANKSGIVING RECIPES TO TRY:

  • A Twist On Oprah’s Million Dollar Deviled Eggs (Deviled eggs are a must in my house!)
  • Slow Cooker Turkey Tenderloin (perfect for a smaller thanksgiving gathering)
  • Sweet Potato Crunch (this is a great inexpensive casserole)

Maria Ronan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Links on this site may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this website will make a referral commission. Thank you for supporting Meals With Maria! My videos and website are for entertainment purposes only. Any information related to food, food safety, cooking, recipes, etc. are my opinions only. Maria Ronan is not liable and/or responsible for any advice, services, or product you obtain through this video and website.

10 of the Best and Cheap Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas - Meals With Maria (2024)

FAQs

How to have a cheap Thanksgiving dinner? ›

17 more budget-friendly Thanksgiving recipes
  1. Roasted Vegan Thanksgiving Feast Platter. ...
  2. Roast Chicken and Shallots. ...
  3. Butternut Squash, Brussels Sprout, and Bread Stuffing with Apples. ...
  4. Easy "Boxes and Cans" Corn Casserole. ...
  5. Homemade Citrus Cranberry Sauce. ...
  6. Easy Mashed Potatoes. ...
  7. Vegan Mashed Potatoes. ...
  8. Crispy Sweet Potato Roast.

What are the top 20 Thanksgiving foods in America? ›

Top 20 Thanksgiving Recipes
  • Apple Stuffing.
  • Homemade Buttermilk Cornbread.
  • Asparagus Bake.
  • Creamy Green Bean Casserole.
  • Cranberry Sauce.
  • Creamy Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes.
  • Turkey Gravy.
  • Apple Pie.

What are the top 5 Thanksgiving side dishes? ›

Top 10 Must-Have Thanksgiving Side Dishes
  1. Holiday Stuffing. This easy recipe for Holiday Stuffing is our number one must-have Thanksgiving side dish!
  2. Best Mashed Potatoes Ever. ...
  3. New Green Bean Casserole. ...
  4. Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
  5. Baked Cranberry Sauce. ...
  6. Cauliflower Blossom. ...
  7. Butternut Squash Mash. ...
  8. Creamy Corn for a Crowd. ...

What is the cheapest meat for Thanksgiving? ›

While turkey and stuffed chicken breasts often take centerstage at the holidays, chicken legs and thighs are the perfect alternative. They are both significantly cheaper at $1.92 per pound on average and much easier to not overcook.

What are the 12 most popular Thanksgiving dishes? ›

Scroll through to take a look at our most popular Thanksgiving recipes.
  • 01 of 24. Perfect Turkey. ...
  • 02 of 24. Roasted Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • 03 of 24. Cranberry Sauce. ...
  • 04 of 24. Homemade Mac and Cheese. ...
  • 05 of 24. Sweet Potato Pie. ...
  • 06 of 24. Granny Kat's Pumpkin Roll. ...
  • 07 of 24. Slow Cooker Turkey Breast. ...
  • 08 of 24. Cream Corn Like No Other.
Oct 26, 2023

What are the 10 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

Here are our favorite traditional Thanksgiving dishes that are delicious and easy to make.
  • Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Serves: Up to 4 people. ...
  • Stuffing. ...
  • Green Bean Casserole. ...
  • Sweet Potato Casserole. ...
  • Baked Corn. ...
  • Mac and cheese. ...
  • Peas & Water Chestnuts. ...
  • Fresh Rolls.
Oct 28, 2021

What are the top 10 Thanksgiving dishes in America? ›

Top 10 Thanksgiving Dishes
  1. Turkey.
  2. Stuffing/Dressing.
  3. Pumpkin Pie.
  4. Sweet Potato Casserole.
  5. Mashed Potatoes.
  6. Ham.
  7. Green Bean Casserole.
  8. Cranberry Jelly.
Nov 22, 2023

What are 3 ways that you can save money on Thanksgiving dinner? ›

But there are several things you can do to save money and still create a traditional Thanksgiving dinner everyone will love.
  • Plan a Budget. ...
  • Scale Back the Menu. ...
  • Start Shopping Early. ...
  • Use Coupons & Savings Apps. ...
  • Buy In-Season Produce. ...
  • Don't Go Overboard on Appetizers. ...
  • Keep Beverages Simple. ...
  • Have a Plan for Leftovers.

How much should I budget for Thanksgiving? ›

The American Farm Bureau Federation on Thursday released its annual report on Thanksgiving dinner, putting the average national cost at $61.17 for 10 people, which is down 4.5% from 2022. That's about $6.12 per guest.

Why is Thanksgiving dinner so expensive? ›

Why are Thanksgiving ingredients pricier? Labor and food production costs contribute to the increasing cost of produce this year, and food production costs are estimated to increase by 4.1%.

How do you have a Thanksgiving dinner in a small house? ›

6 Thanksgiving tips for a small space
  1. Get an extendable dining table.
  2. Go for dining benches.
  3. Arrange a cozy seating area.
  4. Create an outdoor extension.
  5. Have a potluck-style dinner.
  6. Declutter your space.
Mar 19, 2024

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