Holiday Dinner Menus for Smaller Gatherings

Two Holiday Dinner Menus for small gatherings complete with the main course, side dishes, dessert, and a little extra!

This year is obviously much different and the need for scaling back the festivities is unavoidable. A whole turkey for a family of four just may be too much. I’m here to share two awesome Holiday Dinner Menus that are perfect for 4-6 people with a little leftover.

Traditional Holiday Dinner Menu

The first menu is a traditional style Thanksgiving meal with turkey wings to replace the whole bird. Not a turkey fan? Try some crispy Herb-Roasted Chicken instead. I suggest serving either with the most amazing sage gravy on the planet. No Thanksgiving menu would be complete without baked mac and cheese, collard greens, or sweet potato pie! I also asked a few friends for some drink and appetizer options that you all will love.

Baked Turkey Wings

Baked Turkey Wings — tender turkey wings with crispy sticky skin, seasoned to perfection and oven-baked; perfect with gravy.

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Sage Butter Turkey Gravy

Sage Butter Turkey Gravy —an amazing turkey gravy made with drippings and a delicious roasted garlic sage butter.

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Ginger Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Ginger Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes—oven-roasted sweet potatoes whipped with butter, ginger, maple syrup, and a touch of brown sugar.

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Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese—a bubbling baked macaroni casserole made with a blend of sharp cheeses, salty butter, and luscious cream.

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Southern Smoked Turkey Collard Greens

Southern Smoked Turkey Collard Greens— smoky flavorful Southern-style collard greens made in minutes using the Instant Pot pressure cooker.

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Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Cornbread

Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Cornbread—a cross between a warm corn muffin and a slice of sweet potato pie. Perfect for casual and holiday meals.

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Deep Dish Sweet Potato Pie

Deep Dish Sweet Potato Pie — fresh roasted sweet potatoes whipped smooth with brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and fragrant fall spices.

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A little extra!

Orange Cranberry Sauce |Christian's Cucina
Mulled Apple Cider | That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Mini Cranberry Cheese Ball | Cooking with Carlee

Less Traditional Holiday Dinner Menu

This next menu is a spin on the traditional Christmas prime rib replacing it with a tender top round roast as the main course. However, this is a wonderful menu for those who don’t care for turkey. Both of these holiday dinner menus include recipes that are relatively quick and easy to prepare for a deliciously satisfying smaller holiday feast.

Top Round Roast with Brown Gravy

This Top Round Roast recipe uses the reverse sear method for a tender juicy oven roast. Served with sheet pan vegetables and delicious brown gravy.

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Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Make creamy Mashed Potatoes under 30-minutes using the Instant Pot pressure cooker. Pure comfort food in minutes.

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Garlic Bacon Butternut Squash

Garlic Bacon Butternut Squash—butternut squash sautéed in bacon drippings with fresh garlic and red peppers then oven-roasted to tender perfection.

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Southern Green Beans and Potatoes

A satisfying vegetarian version of Southern Green Beans and Potatoes. It is the perfect side dish for a country fish-fry or a traditional holiday supper.

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1-Hour Dinner Rolls

Make soft fluffy Dinner Rolls from scratch in 1-hour. This is a quick and easy fail-proof recipe for bakers of all levels.

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Caramel Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls

Caramel Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls—soft sweet roll dough stuffed with apple pie filling topped with cinnamon caramel frosting.

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Those little extras!

15-Minute Cranberry Sauce | Persnickety Plates
Party Punch | In Fine Taste
Holiday Harvest Spread | In Fine Taste

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