Overture apartments have amazing kitchens, but you might feel a little overwhelmed if you’re hosting Thanksgiving in an apartment for the first time. To help, we’ve collected a few easy Thanksgiving recipes, whether you’re playing host or bringing a potluck to a community meal. 

Thanksgiving on a Sheet

Sweet potatoes, green beans, turkey, and gravy all on a baking sheet? And it serves four? What culinary magic is this? This sheet pan recipe is ideal for senior apartment living, with minimal cleanup after the meal. Serves four.

Ingredients

For the Turkey:

  • 2 turkey tenderloins (about 1.5-2 pounds)

  • ½ Tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 Tablespoon poultry seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary

  • ½ teaspoon minced fresh thyme

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Gravy:

  • 3 tablespoons salted butter

  • 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • ¼ teaspoon garlic, minced

  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch

  • 1 cup turkey broth (or chicken broth)

For the Sweet Potatoes:

  • 1 pound sweet potatoes, cubed

  • ¼ cup (1/2 stick) salted butter, melted

  • ¼ cup dark or light brown sugar 

  • ½ tablespoon cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

  • 1 cup mini marshmallows

  • 2 tablespoons chopped pecans

For the Green Beans:

  • ½ pound green beans, ends trimmed

  • ½ tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ cup shredded Colby-Jack cheese

  • 5 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled

Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, mix the cubed sweet potatoes with ¼ cup melted butter, ¼ cup brown sugar,  ½ tablespoon cinnamon, one teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg. Set aside.

In a second bowl, coat the green beans with ½ tablespoon olive oil, one teaspoon salt, and one teaspoon garlic powder. Set aside.

Mix 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary, ½ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Rub both sides of 2 turkey tenderloins with ½ Tablespoon olive oil and then sprinkle the seasoning mix over the turkey. Place the tenderloins in the middle of the sheet pan. Arrange the sweet potato mixtures and green beans on the sheet pan around the turkey tenderloins. 

Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, then top the sweet potatoes with the mini marshmallows and chopped pecans. Top the green beans with shredded Colby Jack cheese and cooked, crumbled bacon. Bake for 6 minutes or until the cheese and marshmallows melt. 

Check the turkey to ensure it’s reached an internal temperature of 165°F. If not, remove the green beans and potatoes from the pan and continue baking the turkey until it reaches the correct temperature. 

While the turkey and veggies are in the oven, melt three tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan. Add one teaspoon poultry seasoning, one teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon garlic. In a small bowl, mix one tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 cup of turkey broth, then add to the pan and whisk for 2-3 minutes until the gravy thickens. 

Slow-Cooked Mashed Potatoes

Overture senior apartments often throw community Thanksgiving dinners. These slow-cooked mashed potatoes are perfect for potlucks.  Serves 8 to 10. 

Ingredients

  • Butter or cooking spray

  • 5 pounds russet potatoes

  • 3 to 4 cloves of garlic

  • 1  teaspoon of kosher salt, plus more as needed

  • Freshly ground black pepper 

  • 3 to 3 1/2 cups whole milk, half-and-half, or a mixture of whole milk and heavy cream, divided

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

Lightly coat a 4-quart slow cooker with butter or cooking spray. Peel 5 pounds of russet potatoes and cut into 1-inch dice. Transfer the potatoes to the slow cooker. Smash and peel 3 to 4 garlic cloves (optional) and drop them on top of the potatoes. Add one teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground black black pepper to taste. 

Cook on High for 4 to 5 hours until the potatoes are very tender, then lower the heat to Warm. Melt a stick of butter in a medium saucepan. Add your chosen dairy to the butter, then stir it into the potatoes. The mix will look soupy at first, but quickly thickens. Taste and season to taste with salt and pepper. 

Pumpkin Dump Cake

A make-ahead alternative to pumpkin pie, it makes a lot, so save this one for community potlucks. Makes 12 servings. 

Ingredients

  • 1 29-ounce can pumpkin puree

  • 1 12-fluid-ounce can of evaporated milk 

  • 3 large eggs

  • ½ cup packed brown sugar

  • ½ cup white sugar

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 15.25-ounce pack of spice cake mix

  • ½ cup coarsely chopped pecans

  • ½ cup melted butter

Preheat the oven to 350℉ degrees and grease a 9x13-inch pan. Combine the pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, and both sugars in a large bowl, then stir in the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt. Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over the pumpkin filling. Sprinkle pecans over the cake mix, and drizzle melted butter over the top.

Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are lightly browned, about 50 to 60 minutes. Allow to cool.

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