The holiday season is officially here, and Thanksgiving is right upon us. With the holidays comes stress. Stress over having to host any number of loved ones, and stress over providing delicious food to enjoy around the table. This season, don’t let it bog you down. With these fun, easy, Thanksgiving dinner recipes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), you are sure to be setting the table with a smile on your face!

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Roast Turkey Breast with Rosemary, Sage and Thyme

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

• 3 pounds turkey breast half (with skin and bone)
• 1 onion, large quartered
• 1 carrot, large quartered
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• chicken broth (or margarine, for basting, optional)

 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Place turkey breast in roasting pan along with onion and carrot.
2. Mix spices with olive oil. Rub turkey with olive oil.
3. Roast turkey at 400 F for 15 minutes. Baste with margarine and chicken broth (optional).
4. Reduce turkey temperature to 350 F and roast turkey, basting every 20 minutes with pan juices (or margarine or chicken broth), 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until meat thermometer inserted in thick part of meat registers 165 F.
5. Remove to carving board and let rest for 10 minutes.

For nutrition information visit Roast Turkey Breast with Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme(link is external) at What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl.

 

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Grandma’s Stuffing

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

• 10 cups whole wheat bread cubes ( or white bread or buns, dry)
• 1/3 cup water
• ½ cup onion (chopped)
• ½ cup celery (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon parsley, dried (or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 1 egg (lightly beaten)
• 2 apples (optional – medium, pared, cored, and chopped, or ¼ cup raisins)

 

Directions

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees.
2. Put cubes in a large bowl. Set aside.
3. Put water in medium saucepan. Add onion, celery, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes. Do not drain. Pour over bread crumbs.
4. Stir in milk and egg. Gently stir in apples, and raisins, if desired.
5. Spoon into a greased 2-quart baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

 
For nutrition information visit Grandma’s Stuffing(link is external) at What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl.

 

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Hearty Mashed Potatoes

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• 4 potatoes (baking, peeled, and cut in chunks, about 2 pounds)
• 1 can garbanzo beans (15 ounce, drained)
• ¾ cup milk, non-fat (or fortified soy milk)
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• black pepper (to taste)

 

Directions

1. Place the potatoes in a large sauce pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce to simmer.
2. Add the garbanzo beans 10 minutes after potatoes start cooking. Continue cooking until potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes.
3. Drain water and place the sauce pan back on the stove. Mash the beans and potatoes using a potato masher or hand beater.
4. Add the milk, cheese, and seasonings.
5. Reheat if necessary. Serve hot.

For nutrition information visit Hearty Mashed Potatoes(link is external) at What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl.

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Green Bean Sautée

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup onion (chopped)
• 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
• 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
• 1 can green beans (16 ounces, drained, cut)

 

Directions

1. Spray a skillet with non-stick cooking spray
2. Sauté onions, mushrooms, and garlic.
3. Add green beans and heat thoroughly.

 

For nutrition information visit Green Bean Saute(link is external) at What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl.

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Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

• 3 cups fresh cranberries (12 ounces, can also use frozen)
• 1 orange
• 1 cup sugar

 

Directions

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until mixed well.
2. Heat up and serve over turkey, ice cream sandwiches, etc.

Note: 1 cup white grape juice concentrate can be substituted for 1 cup sugar.

 

For nutrition information visit Homemade Cranberry Sauce(link is external) at What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl.

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Now that you have all the essentials covered in quick and easy recipes, you can sit back and put on those stretchy pants. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and happy family time!

For more food tips check out USDA.gov.