Sometimes, life doesn’t stick to the script. I’ve been there. Standing in my kitchen, overwhelmed by the stress of a looming event, while it felt like things are falling apart. If that’s you this Thanksgiving, then I’ve got you covered. You can still pull off a terrific holiday meal and keep it as low-stress as possible.

I can’t fix the bigger picture. I wish I could. But, I can help with the meal. I developed this Last Minute Thanksgiving guide so that you can enjoy a wonderful dinner, even if you’re starting the day before. It even has a printable shopping list. You’ve got this.

Last Minute Thanksgiving

First, let’s agree that a last minute thanksgiving meal doesn’t try to do ALL the things. Focus on the most important sides. I asked around, and these are the ones that my community agreed were at the top of their “I want it homemade” list: mashed potatoes, creamed corn, green beans, and cranberry sauce.

You might want something else. Stuffing is one of the most popular side dishes, but it takes a bit more time to go through all the steps to make it homemade. And, I know a lot of us need rolls at the table (so buy them at the store this time). Maybe sweet potatoes are your family’s thing (swap for mashed potatoes or green bean casserole).

If you take the time to customize the list, it will probably looking a little different than mine. That’s ok. The structure of it still works with light adaptations. The point is that for a last minute Thanksgiving to work, it has to put the focus on the people first. It will be less stress, less cooking, and more connection.

There’s a full grocery list and a timeline at the bottom of this post outlining exactly how to get things done with a minimum of stress on Thanksgiving Day.

Turkey or Ham (or Chicken!)

The first decision will probably be your easiest. Will you make a turkey or a ham? My family LOVES this ham, so we make it every year. But, your family might need a bird for it to feel like Thanksgiving. If you don’

You know that moment when you walk into a kitchen, and the air itself feels thick with flavor? The smell of onions caramelizing, peppers softening, and sausage browning until it’s just shy of crisp on the edges? Roasting sausage with peppers and onions isn’t complicated. It’s not trendy. But, it is 100% absolutely that dish.

Sausage and Peppers

If you haven’t tried it before, roasting onions and peppers brings out additional sweetness that is much more flavorful than their raw counterparts. My oldest and youngest have been hooked on onions since we started roasting them this way.

What I love most about this sausage and peppers recipe (and you will too!) is how real it feels. It’s a deeply sensory experience. The sizzle of the ingredients, the steam rising from the pan, the scents wafting through the kitchen, all of it draws you in. There’s nothing fussy here. It’s just a handful of ingredients that all pull their own weight.

If I’m being honest, food like this is why I started sharing my kitchen in the first place. Because, it’s not just about recipes. It’s about how good food can bring people together and create a sense of presence. With a meal like this on the table, people are more likely to put their phones away and dine together.

That’s the beauty of food. It breaks down the distance. It builds connection. Here on the blog, I find that what motivates me is often that I am connecting to readers all over the world, to feed our friends and family from the same shared space.

And, maybe that’s the lesson hidden in this dish. The things that resonate most, be it food, content, or connection, aren’t always the most complex. They’re the ones that feel the most true. So, this recipe was a reminder for me, that simple fare can be just as delicious as complicated food.

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Soup season is officially here, and I don’t know about you, but I could happily live on cozy bowls of soup all fall and winter long. To make things easy (and extra delicious), I’ve gathered the top 10 fall soup recipes people are cooking right now.

Fall Soup Recipes

We’re talking creamy favorites, vegetable-packed goodness, and a few hearty classics you’ll definitely want on repeat. So, grab your favorite pot, you’re going to want to try them all!

Italian Vegetable Beef Soup​

Hearty ​Italian Vegetable Beef Soup​ is filled with chunks of ground beef, plenty of vegetables, and generous Italian spices. This soup has been a family favorite for over 20 years.

Lasagna Soup

With spicy

This recipe for Dutch Oven Pot Roast is a timeless classic. Carrots and onions simmer in the rich broth for hours, while the beef gets so tender that it practically falls apart on its own. How could we say no?

Dutch Oven Pot Roast

I’ve used slow cookers for years. I’ve got crock-pots of every size. They are so incredibly handy for getting dinner (like these pork carnitas) on the table during the week. But, a Dutch oven pot roast is absolutely magnificent.

First of all, everything comes together in the same pot, which cuts down on dishes. But, the real difference is in the level of control you have over the temperature. Because it starts on the stove, you can do things with a Dutch oven that you just can’t do with a slow cooker.

This recipe braises the chuck roast, searing it on the stove before letting it simmer for hours at low heat in the oven. This helps lock in those flavorful juices that we want. So, if you don’t have a Dutch oven yet, what are you waiting for?

Potatoes with Pot Roast

Let’s address the fact that this recipe does not include the potatoes. Why is that? Because personally, I can not stand overcooked potatoes and pretty much every time you cook potatoes along with a roast they run the risk of over cooking if you aren’t watching closely.

If you’d like to cook potatoes with your pot roast, that isn’t a problem. You’ll need to add them to the pot with the roast about an hour and a half to two hours from the end of the cooking time. Or, do what I do and mash some potatoes instead when the roast is nearly done and serve them alongside it. (I LOVE these buttery herb mashed potatoes!)

Dutch Oven Chuck Roast

This recipe calls for a chuck roast. This cut of meat comes from the shoulders of the cow, and is actually quite tough. So, if you didn’t know how to cook a chuck roast in the oven, you might end up with a meal that is very difficult to chew.

But, the magic is in long hours of low heat. Thi

Sweet and savory teriyaki chicken is topped with fresh pineapple and all the classic taco fillings to make these Pineapple Chicken Tacos a major win at the dinner table.

Teriyaki Chicken Tacos

You know how sometimes a flavor combo just sticks in your brain? I have been stuck on these pineapple tacos ever since my friend Jill told me about her family’s take on them.

There’s something simply divine about teriyaki chicken with sweet pineapple. Add in the experience of eating it as a taco, with all the other classic toppings in the mix, and it’s truly amazing.

Easy Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

While my crew normally eats tacos with hot sauce, we all enjoyed these tacos with a drizzle of this easy homemade teriyaki sauce on top. It packs so much sweet and savory flavor, and you can make it in just minutes.

If you’ve never made teriyaki at home, then you definitely should give it a try! The flavors are perfectly balanced, and it’s such a simple recipe. This sauce is way better than anything you can find bottled and for sale on grocery store shelves.

Pineapple Chicken Tacos

Listen, I know that pineapple in savory dishes can be divisive. But, I have to admit that I am unapologetically on team pineapple. I adore Hawaiian pizza. And, I love these pineapple chicken tacos for the same reasons.

If you have someone w