Last-minute recipes for small Thanksgiving dinners

When it comes to Thanksgiving, as Spock once said, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.”

But, for those who don’t have 127 family members and friends to accommodate and cook for, luckily all you’ll need is a menu for the few. With Thanksgiving literally just hours from now, we’ve got some suggestions—hummus, hens, squash, you name it!—that are quick, tasty and require few ingredients for your small gathering.

Curry Pumpkin Hummus
Worried about appetizers for your small-plate Thanksgiving? Worry no more. Try this recipe that brings together two great flavors perfect for fall in a super easy-to-make hummus that’ll leave you stress-free and your guests satisfied on the big day. Side note: Leigh Ann Chatagnier’s delicious recipes have been featured frequently in our sister publication, inRegister.

Fall Brussels Sprouts Quinoa Salad
There’s always at least one member of the family or friend group who’s trying to maintain a healthy diet or avoid a food coma after dinner. Why not go all in and give them and the rest of your guests this yummy sweet and salty salad made in vegan, gluten-free heaven as a side? Plus, you get to use the word quinoa unironically. It’s a win all around.

Creamy Squash Soup
For guests who love a good soup, here’s a quick and easy one tailor-made for Thanksgiving. With this simple creamy soup you can finally figure out what to do with that pretty squash you always see at the grocery store.

Cornish Hens with Gingered Brown Rice
Cornish hens are perfect for smaller gatherings, especially if you’re ditching turkey this year. Depending on how many people you’re having over, each guest can have their own little hen stuffed with gingered brown or white rice. Add your own seasonings to spice up the flavor. Want another Cornish hen idea? We featured a delicious and easy version in the November issue of 225.

Stuffed Artichoke Casserole
Impress your family and friends with a casserole dish that sounds complex, but isn’t at all. This toss-together artichoke casserole recipe will make you a culinary legend on the holiday that casseroles were invented for.

Butter Pecan Roasted Sweet Potatoes
No Thanksgiving menu is complete without some roasted sweet potatoes. Try these butter pecan roasted sweet potatoes, for which you’ll need only five ingredients. And be sure to uninvite anyone who dares to blaspheme against sweet potatoes.

Pecan Pie Bites
Instead of making several gigantic pies, try these pecan pie bites on for size. For those who love to make and eat sweets, but hate having to deal with a bunch of half-eaten pies still in your fridge for a month after Thanksgiving, these are easy no-muss, no-fuss winners. At a small gathering, there’s no doubt they’ll be gone by the end of the night. Now, no one will judge you for nearly eating an entire full-sized pie alone!