The Ultimate Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner (So Easy!)

The magic of Thanksgiving is undeniable. The aromas, the flavors, the feeling of gathering together. But let’s be honest, the reality of cooking it can be overwhelming. Days of prep, a mountain of pots and pans, and a complicated timeline that would challenge a professional chef. What if you could capture the entire, glorious essence of a Thanksgiving feast—the juicy turkey, the savory stuffing, the sweet potatoes, the green beans—all on one single sheet pan? It sounds like a holiday miracle, but it is absolutely real. This Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner is the ultimate game-changer for anyone hosting a smaller gathering or simply craving the classic flavors without the chaos. Everything is cleverly timed to cook to perfection on one pan. The stuffing becomes a delicious, golden-brown bed for the turkey, soaking up all the incredible juices. The sweet potatoes get crispy and caramelized, and the green beans are roasted to tender-crisp perfection. This is the recipe that lets you have it all: a stunning, traditional meal and the time and energy to actually sit down and enjoy it with the people you love.

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Why This Sheet Pan Thanksgiving is a Holiday Game-Changer!

• A Full Feast, One Pan Cleanup: This is the dream. The entire main course—turkey, stuffing, and two sides—cooks on a single sheet pan, meaning your post-dinner cleanup is an absolute breeze.
• Perfectly Timed, Stress-Free Cooking: This recipe is designed so that every component finishes cooking at the exact same time. No more juggling dishes and complicated schedules!
• Ideal for Small Gatherings: This is the perfect solution for a Thanksgiving for four to six people, giving you all the classic flavors without the overwhelming quantity of a giant bird.
• Incredible Flavor Infusion: The turkey roasts directly on top of the stuffing, meaning all those delicious, savory juices drip down and flavor the bread cubes as they bake. It’s flavor genius!
• Surprisingly Simple to Assemble: While it looks and tastes incredibly impressive, the step-by-step process is straightforward and completely manageable, even for a novice cook.

Recipe Snapshot

Your Holiday Shopping List: Gather Your Ingredients

This festive feast comes together with a wonderful mix of classic Thanksgiving flavors. Here’s what you’ll need.

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→ For the Savory Herb Stuffing

• Large Egg: 1, to bind the stuffing together.
• Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: 2 cups.
• Fresh Parsley & Soy Sauce: For freshness and a savory, umami depth.
• Unsalted Butter: 4 tbsp, for sautéing the vegetables.
• Onion & Celery: The classic aromatic base for any great stuffing.
• Herb-Seasoned Stuffing Cubes: A 12-oz. bag is the perfect shortcut.
• Dried Cranberries: For a pop of sweet-tart flavor.

→ For the Juicy Turkey Breast

• Unsalted Butter: 4 tbsp, softened for making the herb butter.
• Spices: Dried poultry seasoning, garlic powder, and smoked paprika for a flavorful rub.
• Split Turkey Breast: One 3 to 3.5 lb. breast. This is the perfect size for roasting quickly and evenly.

→ For the Spiced Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet Potatoes: 1 1/2 lbs, cut into 1″ cubes.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: 2 tbsp.
• Garam Masala or Pumpkin Pie Spice: A warm, aromatic spice blend that pairs beautifully with sweet potatoes.

→ For the Garlic-Parmesan Green Beans

• Green Beans & Crimini Mushrooms: The perfect veggie pairing.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: 3 tbsp, divided for the veggies and the final dressing.
• Parmesan, Butter, Thyme & Garlic Powder: For a savory, cheesy topping for the beans.
• Orange Zest & Juice: Creates a bright, zesty dressing for the finished potatoes.
• Crispy Fried Onions & Toasted Pecans: For the ultimate crunchy finish!

Let’s Roast! Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Stress-Free Feast

The magic of this recipe is in the timing. We’ll build our sheet pan in two stages to ensure everything is cooked to perfection.

Phase 1: Prep the Stuffing and Turkey (Time: ~15 minutes)

First, we’ll get our two main components ready for the pan.

1. Prep Oven and Stuffing Liquid. Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large measuring cup, whisk together the egg, chicken broth, parsley, and soy sauce. Season it generously with salt and pepper.
2. Make the Stuffing Base. In a large pot over medium-high heat, melt 4 tbsp of butter. Add the onion and celery, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 5 minutes until crisp-tender. Remove the pot from the heat. Add the stuffing cubes, dried cranberries, and the broth mixture. Gently stir until all the liquid is absorbed.
3. Make the Herb Butter. In a small bowl, combine 4 tbsp of softened butter with the poultry seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.
4. Prep the Turkey. Pat the turkey breast completely dry with paper towels. Using your fingers, gently loosen the skin from the meat. Spread half of the seasoned butter underneath the skin, directly on the meat. Spread the remaining butter all over the top of the skin.

Phase 2: Assemble the Pan (Part One) & First Roast (Time: ~40 minutes)

Now we get the longest-cooking items onto the pan and into the oven.

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5. Arrange the Pan. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the stuffing mixture evenly over one half of the sheet. Place the prepared turkey breast directly on top of the stuffing.
6. Prep the Sweet Potatoes. In a large bowl, toss the sweet potato cubes with 2 tbsp of olive oil and the garam masala. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange the sweet potatoes in a single layer on one quarter of the baking sheet, next to the stuffing.
7. First Roast. Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for 40 minutes.

Phase 3: Prep Green Beans & Second Roast (Time: ~30 minutes)

While the turkey and potatoes get a head start, we’ll prep our final components.

8. Prep the Green Beans. In a medium bowl, toss the green beans, mushrooms, and 2 tbsp of oil; season with salt and pepper. In a separate small bowl, combine the grated Parmesan, 2 tbsp of softened butter, fresh thyme, and 1/4 tsp garlic powder.
9. Complete the Pan. After the first 40 minutes of roasting, carefully remove the sheet pan from the oven. Arrange the green bean mixture on the remaining empty quarter of the pan. Dot the top of the green beans with the Parmesan butter mixture.
10. Second Roast. Return the sheet pan to the oven and continue to roast for another 25 to 35 minutes, until the green beans are tender and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the turkey registers 155°F.

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Phase 4: Rest, Garnish, and Serve (Time: ~10 minutes)

The final touches that bring the whole meal together!

11. Rest the Turkey. Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Carefully transfer the turkey breast to a cutting board, tent it loosely with foil, and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving. This is crucial for a juicy bird!
12. Prep the Dressings. While the turkey rests, make the potato dressing. In a small bowl, combine the orange zest, orange juice, and the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
13. Garnish and Serve. Toss the hot green beans on the pan to coat them with the melted Parmesan mixture, then top with the crispy fried onions. Toss the roasted sweet potatoes with the orange zest dressing, then top with the toasted pecans. Carve the rested turkey and serve everything hot.

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WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Perfection!

• Use a BIG Sheet Pan: For this recipe, a large, heavy-duty, rimmed baking sheet (often called a half-sheet pan) is essential. This gives all the components enough space to roast properly instead of steaming.
• Dry Turkey Skin is Key: Patting the turkey skin completely dry before rubbing it with the herb butter is the secret to getting that beautiful, golden-brown, crispy skin.
• Don’t Skip the Turkey Rest: Letting the turkey rest for 10 minutes before slicing is the most important step for a juicy result. It allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
• The Stuffing Bed is Genius: Placing the turkey directly on the stuffing is a brilliant trick. The stuffing soaks up all the flavorful juices from the turkey as it roasts, making it incredibly moist and delicious.
• Prep Your Toppings: Have the orange dressing, fried onions, and pecans ready to go. Tossing the hot vegetables with these final components right before serving makes all the flavors pop.

Creative Twists: Delicious Ways to Customize Your Feast!

• Add Sausage to the Stuffing: Brown some crumbled Italian sausage with the onions and celery for an even richer, more savory stuffing.
• Swap the Veggies: Brussels sprouts (halved) would be a fantastic substitute for the green beans. You can also use cubed butternut squash instead of sweet potatoes.
• Try a Different Spice Rub: Instead of poultry seasoning, try a smoky BBQ rub or a Herbes de Provence blend on the turkey.
• Make it Nut-Free: Simply omit the toasted pecans, or top the sweet potatoes with toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) instead.
• Herb Variations: Add fresh sage or thyme to the stuffing mixture or to the turkey’s herb butter for more classic Thanksgiving flavors.

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The Ultimate Sheet-Pan Thanksgiving Dinner

Enjoy a complete, traditional Thanksgiving feast without the stress! This easy Sheet-Pan Thanksgiving Dinner features a juicy turkey breast, savory stuffing, spiced sweet potatoes, and green beans, all cooked to perfection on one pan.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs

Servings: 4

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Stuffing

• 1 large egg
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 12-oz. bag herb-seasoned stuffing cubes
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries

For the Turkey

• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tsp. dried poultry seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika
• 1 3- to 3.5-lb. split turkey breast

For the Sweet Potatoes

• 1 1/2 lb. sweet potatoes, cut into 1″ cubes
• 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp. garam masala or pumpkin pie spice

For the Green Beans & Assembly

• 12 oz. green beans, trimmed
• 1 cup sliced crimini mushrooms
• 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 Tbsp. finely grated Parmesan
• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 orange, zest and 2 Tbsp. juice
• 1/2 cup store-bought crispy fried onions
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
• as needed Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

• Large Rimmed Baking Sheet (Half-Sheet Pan)
• Large Pot
• Instant-Read Thermometer

Method

 

Prep Stuffing, Turkey and Potatoes

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Make the stuffing mixture by sautéing onion and celery in butter, then removing from heat and combining with stuffing cubes, cranberries, and a whisked mixture of egg, broth, parsley, and soy sauce.
2. Make an herb butter by combining softened butter, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika. Pat the turkey dry, loosen the skin, and rub half the butter under the skin and the other half on top.
3. On a large parchment-lined baking sheet, spread the stuffing on one half. Place the turkey breast on top of the stuffing. In a bowl, toss sweet potato cubes with oil and garam masala; season. Arrange potatoes on one quarter of the baking sheet.

Roast and Finish

1. Roast the turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes for 40 minutes.
2. While it roasts, toss green beans and mushrooms with 2 Tbsp. oil and seasoning. Make a Parmesan butter with Parmesan, butter, thyme, and garlic powder.
3. After 40 minutes, remove the pan from the oven. Arrange the green beans on the remaining quarter of the baking sheet and top with the Parmesan butter.
4. Continue to roast until beans are tender and turkey registers 155°F on an instant-read thermometer, 25 to 35 minutes more.
5. Remove turkey to a cutting board, tent with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before carving.
6. While turkey rests, make the orange dressing. Toss green beans on the pan with the melted Parmesan mixture; top with fried onions. Toss potatoes with the orange dressing; top with pecans. Serve everything hot.

Notes

Use a Large Sheet Pan: A heavy-duty, rimmed half-sheet pan is crucial to give all the ingredients enough space to roast properly without steaming.

Rest the Turkey: Do not skip the 10-minute resting period for the turkey. This is the most important step for ensuring the meat is juicy and tender.

Dry the Skin: Patting the turkey skin completely dry before adding the herb butter is the secret to a golden-brown, crispy skin.

Keeping It Delicious! Storing Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

The best part of Thanksgiving might just be the leftovers! Here’s how to store them properly.

Refrigerator Storage

For the best results, store the components in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This will keep the vegetables from getting soggy and the stuffing from getting too dense.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven or in an air fryer until warmed through. This will help crisp up the potatoes and stuffing again. The microwave will also work, but the textures will be softer.

FAQs: Your Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Questions, Answered!

Can I use a whole turkey breast instead of a split one?

You can, but a split (or bone-in half) turkey breast is ideal for this recipe because it cooks much faster and more evenly, aligning with the cooking time of the vegetables. A whole breast will require a significantly longer roasting time.

Can I make any of this ahead of time?

Yes! To save time, you can prepare the stuffing mixture (up to the point of adding the broth) a day ahead. You can also chop all your vegetables and make the herb butter for the turkey. Store everything in airtight containers in the fridge, and then you’re ready for assembly on the day.

What if I don’t have a large enough baking sheet?

If you don’t have one large half-sheet pan, it’s best to use two separate standard baking sheets. You can put the turkey and stuffing on one, and the vegetables on the other, rotating them in the oven as needed.

Can I use my own homemade stuffing recipe?

You can, but you may need to adjust the liquid. This recipe is designed for dry stuffing cubes that absorb a lot of broth. If using a homemade stuffing with fresh bread, you might need to use slightly less chicken broth to prevent it from becoming soggy.

This Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Dinner is the ultimate expression of holiday joy without the holiday stress. It’s a complete, traditional, and deeply comforting meal that allows you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time making memories. I hope this recipe brings a little bit of ease and a whole lot of deliciousness to your celebration. Happy Thanksgiving!