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Thanksgiving Dinner for One: An Easy One-Pan Plan in Under an Hour

Thanksgiving Dinner for One: An Easy One-Pan Plan in Under an Hour

Turkey, potatoes, green beans and stuffing on a single sheet pan, with jarred gravy and cranberry sauce. A real holiday plate for one without a day in the kitchen.

  • Serves 1 (scales to 4)
  • One sheet pan
  • Under 1 hour
  • Store-bought shortcuts

This Thanksgiving dinner for one is the shortcut version: one pan, one hour, and a full holiday plate of turkey, potatoes, green beans and stuffing.

Quick answer

An easy Thanksgiving dinner for one is an 8 oz turkey tenderloin roasted on one sheet pan at 425°F with baby potatoes, green beans and a ramekin of stuffing, then served with warm jarred gravy and cranberry sauce. It takes about 45 minutes and leaves one pan to wash.

A single plate of Thanksgiving dinner for one with sliced turkey, roasted potatoes, green beans, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce

Thanksgiving dinner for one: turkey, potatoes, green beans, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce.

Why a One-Pan Thanksgiving Dinner for One Works

One pan

Turkey, potatoes, beans and stuffing roast together; one pan to wash.

Right-sized turkey

An 8 oz tenderloin is one generous serving.

Smart shortcuts

Jarred gravy, boxed stuffing and canned cranberry sauce save an hour.

Under an hour

From cold oven to plate in about 50 minutes.

Want the full from-scratch feast with eight dishes? See the full Thanksgiving dinner for one person, scaled down.

Turkey Dinner for One: The One-Pan Recipe

The card serves 1. Cooking for a friend or two? Tap 2, 3 or 4 and every amount updates.

A quarter sheet pan with a roasted turkey tenderloin, golden baby potatoes, green beans and a ramekin of stuffing

Everything roasts on one quarter sheet pan.

One-Pan Thanksgiving Dinner for One

A seasoned turkey tenderloin, baby potatoes, green beans and a ramekin of stuffing roasted together on one sheet pan, served with gravy and cranberry sauce. Tap a number and every amount updates.

Servings

  • Prep10 minutes
  • Cook40 minutes
  • PanQuarter sheetQuarter sheetHalf sheetHalf sheet
  • Oven425°F

Ingredients

Turkey and vegetables
  • 8 oz1 lb1½ lb2 lb turkey breast tenderloin
  • 1 tbsp2 tbsp3 tbsp¼ cup olive oil, divided
  • ½ tsp1 tsp1½ tsp2 tsp poultry seasoning (or dried sage and thyme)
  • ¼ tsp½ tsp¾ tsp1 tsp garlic powder
  • to taste salt and black pepper
  • 6 oz12 oz1 lb 2 oz1½ lb baby potatoes, halved
  • 4 oz8 oz12 oz1 lb green beans, trimmed
Stuffing, gravy and cranberry
  • ¾ cup1½ cups2¼ cups3 cups dry stuffing mix
  • ⅓ cup⅔ cup1 cup1⅓ cups hot chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp2 tbsp3 tbsp4 tbsp butter
  • ½ cup1 cup1½ cups2 cups jarred turkey gravy
  • ¼ cup½ cup¾ cup1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce

Why a tenderloin? It is a small, boneless piece of turkey breast that cooks in about 20 minutes, the same time as the vegetables.

Instructions

  1. Start the potatoes

    Heat the oven to 425°F. Toss the potatoes with a third of the oil, salt and pepper on a quarter sheet pan and roast 15 minutes.

  2. Season the turkey

    Pat the tenderloin dry and rub with another third of the oil, the poultry seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

  3. Mix the stuffing

    Stir the stuffing mix with the hot broth and butter in a buttered ramekin (one per person).

  4. Fill the pan

    Push the potatoes aside. Add the turkey, the green beans tossed in the last of the oil, and the ramekin of stuffing.

  5. Roast

    Roast 20 to 25 minutes, until the thickest part of the turkey reads 165°F and the stuffing is crisp on top.

  6. Rest and serve

    Rest the turkey 5 minutes while the gravy warms, then slice and plate with cranberry sauce.

Tools for a Thanksgiving Dinner for One

A small pan and a thermometer are all this plan needs. These make it easy.

As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.

Homikit stainless steel quarter sheet pan with cooling rack set

Quarter Sheet Pans With Racks

The right size for a one-pan dinner for one or two.

Check Price on Amazon →
vancasso porcelain ramekins with lids

vancasso 8 oz Ramekins With Lids

Stuffing, cranberry sauce or a mini pie for one.

Check Price on Amazon →
TempPro TempSwift instant read meat thermometer

TempPro Instant-Read Thermometer

Know the tenderloin is done at 165°F.

Check Price on Amazon →
Ninja Foodi DualZone XL air fryer

Ninja DualZone Air Fryer

For the air fryer version: turkey and sides at once.

Check Price on Amazon →

Your 50-Minute Timeline

TimeWhat to do
Time0:00What to doHeat the oven; halve the potatoes
Time0:05What to doPotatoes in to roast
Time0:10What to doSeason the turkey; mix the stuffing in a ramekin
Time0:20What to doAdd turkey, green beans and stuffing to the pan
Time0:40What to doCheck the turkey for 165°F; warm the gravy
Time0:45What to doRest, slice and plate

Prepared Thanksgiving Dinner for One: Buy, Make or Mix

Not cooking at all? These store-bought options make a single Thanksgiving meal in minutes.

OptionWhat to doTime
OptionGrocery store holiday plateWhat to doHeat as directed; add fresh cranberry sauceTime10 minutes
OptionDeli turkey breastWhat to doWarm slices in gravy; add instant mashed potatoes and canned green beansTime15 minutes
OptionRotisserie chickenWhat to doServe a leg and breast with boxed stuffing and a saladTime15 minutes
OptionFrozen single mealsWhat to doPick a turkey dinner and add one homemade sideTime10 minutes
OptionHalf and halfWhat to doRoast the tenderloin; buy the sidesTime30 minutes
Store-bought Thanksgiving helpers for one: deli turkey, a small tub of mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce next to a dinner plate

A few store-bought helpers plus one fresh side still feels like Thanksgiving.

More Single Thanksgiving Meal Ideas

Different cooks, different plates. Tap one:

Air Fryer Dinner for One

Air fry the seasoned tenderloin at 375°F for 18 to 22 minutes and the potatoes and beans in a second basket.

15-Minute Turkey Cutlet Plate

Pan-sear a turkey breast cutlet 3 to 4 minutes per side; serve with microwave stuffing and gravy.

Turkey Thigh Dinner

Roast one turkey thigh at 400°F for about 45 minutes; add the vegetables halfway.

No-Cook Deli Plate

Warm deli turkey in gravy, then add mashed potatoes, green beans and cranberry sauce.

Without Turkey

Swap in a chicken breast; same pan, same time, same 165°F.

Thanksgiving for Two

Tap 2 on the card; it all still fits on a quarter sheet pan.

Make a Solo Thanksgiving Feel Special

Set the table

A real plate, a cloth napkin and a candle change the whole meal.

Make one dish from scratch

Mashed potatoes or cranberry sauce: just one.

Plan dessert

A ramekin pumpkin pie or a few pecan pie cookies.

Save the leftovers

Tomorrow’s turkey and cranberry sandwich is part of the fun.

A cozy table set for one with a Thanksgiving dinner plate, a candle, a cloth napkin and a small pumpkin

A table for one, set like a holiday.

Thanksgiving Dinner for One: FAQs

What is the easiest Thanksgiving dinner for one?

A turkey tenderloin roasted on one sheet pan with potatoes, green beans and a ramekin of stuffing, served with jarred gravy and canned cranberry sauce.

What size turkey for one person?

An 8 oz turkey tenderloin or a single turkey thigh. A whole turkey is far too much for one.

How long does a turkey tenderloin take?

About 20 to 25 minutes at 425°F, until it reads 165°F in the thickest part.

Can I buy a prepared Thanksgiving dinner for one?

Yes. Many grocery stores sell single-serve holiday plates and deli turkey. Adding one fresh side makes it feel homemade.

What sides are best for a single Thanksgiving meal?

Pick two or three: mashed or roasted potatoes, green beans, stuffing and cranberry sauce cover the classics.

Can I make it in an air fryer?

Yes. Air fry the tenderloin at 375°F for 18 to 22 minutes to 165°F and the potatoes alongside in a second basket.

What if I cannot find turkey tenderloin?

Use a turkey breast cutlet (12 to 15 minutes) or a turkey thigh (about 45 minutes).

How do I make one serving of gravy?

Warm ½ cup jarred gravy with any pan drippings, or whisk 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp flour and ½ cup broth.

What dessert for a Thanksgiving dinner for one?

A ramekin pumpkin pie, a single pecan pie cookie or a slice from the bakery.

How do I make Thanksgiving for one feel special?

Set the table, use a real plate and cloth napkin, light a candle and make one favorite side from scratch.

Can I scale this for two?

Yes. Tap 2 on the card; everything still fits on one quarter or half sheet pan.

How long do the leftovers keep?

Up to 3 days in the fridge. Slice leftover turkey for a sandwich with cranberry sauce.

More Small Thanksgiving Plans

From-scratch for one, menus for a few, and dessert.

One tenderloin, one sheet pan, one hour and a full holiday plate.

Pin this Thanksgiving dinner for one so the one-pan plan and the shortcuts are ready for the holiday.

Save It on Pinterest →

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