There are so many reasons to downsize Thanksgiving. Perhaps you live in an apartment or are skipping the big holiday party and celebrating in a new city with friends instead. Either way, Thanksgiving dinner should be a celebration of gratitude and connection, rather than a multi-course dinner for 20 people. That’s why we love these recipes that are specifically designed for a smaller group. They’re just as festive and certainly don’t skimp on flavor or holiday feel.

If you don’t have the time, space or company to cook a whole turkey this year, opt for a smaller chicken instead. This one pan meal mimics a lot of those same holiday flavors on a smaller scale. Plus, the roasted vegetables make an easy, approachable side. The best part? There’s only one dish to clean up afterwards!

These mini sweet potato casseroles ensure that you get all of the Thanksgiving flavor while serving less people. Plus, cooking them in a smaller container means you get more crispy, crunchy sides in every bite. The mini marshmallows toast up beautifully, too.

We love cooking this green bean casserole in a pie plate because it’s a great way to get an evenly-distributed ratio of green beans to topping. We’ve bulked up the typical crispy onion topping here with buttery saltines, so there's a decadent crunch to every bite.

Timing homemade dinner rolls for Thanksgiving dinner can be tricky, but because this recipe needs to rise overnight, it’s actually a great way to prep them in advance. That way you can pull the rolls from the fridge a couple of hours before dinner, bake them right when the meal is almost ready, and serve your guests a heaping pile of fresh, warm bread.

If you’re cooking a small holiday meal for just you and a guest, you don’t want to have weeks of leftovers laying around. That’s why we love this scaled-down apple cobbler recipe. It makes just enough for two people, so you won’t feel guilty about the second half of a pie going to waste in your refrigerator.

If you’re working with a smaller crowd this year and don’t want to spend half the night washing dishes, try a sheetpan-style Thanksgiving. In this version, we’ve employed two sheet pans to cook turkey breasts and a few sides. It’s a genius hack for a low maintenance holiday dinner that won’t leave you drowning in dishes.

Roasted sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple — and for good reason. They’re affordable, easy to prep and super versatile. That’s why we love this recipe that calls for just five ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your pantry. Sweet potatoes get tossed with honey, cinnamon, olive oil and black pepper, then roasted until caramelized and tender.

Even if you’re not hosting a ton of people, it’s a good idea to put out a few snacks before Thanksgiving to take some pressure off of the big dinner. Spinach and artichoke dip is a classic, but it’s usually designed to feed a crowd. This pared-down version is ideal for a small group because it’s just enough for a light snack without overpowering the main event.

Anyone who likes Brussels sprouts knows that the crispy outer bits are the best part, but there never seems to be enough of them to go around. This recipe solves that problem by using shaved Brussels sprouts instead of whole or halves, so every bite is perfectly crispy. You can either slice your Brussels sprouts super thin at home or buy them pre-shredded.

Cheesy, rich and totally creamy, this scalloped potato recipe deserves a spot at your Thanksgiving table. We love that it’s cooked in the air fryer, because it saves space in the oven for all the other dishes you have going on. Be sure to slice the potatoes thinly and evenly to help each piece cook consistently.

If you're serving a smaller crowd this Thanksgiving, take a cue from Ina and opt for a turkey breast (instead of the whole bird). She coaxes incredible flavor from hers with a simple mix of garlic and fresh herbs — so it's every bit as impressive as a larger roast.

This crunchy salad is a great way to lighten up your Thanksgiving feast. We wilt the Brussels sprouts gently in a pan so they’re not too tough but still retain some toothsome texture. Cranberries add bright pops of sweet, tart flavor.

For guests who want to pack in some extra nutrients this Thanksgiving, try this mock mashed potato recipe. The creamy, garlicky mash is made from cauliflower instead of potatoes. We use garlic and thyme for complex, layered flavor as well as nonfat Greek yogurt and a little Parmesan for dairy richness and tang.

This fancy gratin is a total showstopper. A mixture of sliced potatoes, sweet vidalia onions, fresh herbs, cream and butter, it's decadent and elegant all at once. If you're looking for a potato side dish that's more elevated than the standard mash, let this be your go-to.

You’ve heard of creamed spinach, but this creamed kale is an even heartier version of the classic side dish. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a quick, easy dish that’s perfect for a small dinner. Caramelized shallots on top add a savory crunch.

Earthy, savory and just a little sweet, these mushroom steaks are a hearty side dish to complement your Thanksgiving dinner. Brown sugar, wine and chili garlic paste make a complex and balanced sauce that's packed with flavor. Garnish with chives for even more freshness.

If you don't feel like going to the trouble of peeling, boiling and mashing potatoes on Thanksgiving, this twice-baked version is just as delicious and much more hands-off. Plus, it's packed with creamy, tangy ingredients that make every bite totally irresistable.

Brussels Sprouts are a holiday classic, but they're not always a crowd-pleaser. There are plenty of people who don't like them, so it can be a good idea to make a smaller batch if you're feeding folks with mixed preferences. This version is easy, simple and ready in just about 30 minutes.

Vegetarians will love this hearty dish. The roasted cauliflower is filled with classic stuffing then roasted, which makes for a holiday-worthy main. Serve family-style for a dish to make even the turkey eaters jealous.

This loaf pan dessert is everything you love about classic pumpkin pie baked into a cozy, sliceable shape. It’s perfect for smaller gatherings, no pie plate or pastry rolling required, and it’s a snap to serve. The silky pumpkin filling is warmly spiced and poured into the loaf pan over a super-easy speculoos cookie crust for extra fall spice. Slice and dollop with vanilla whipped cream for the perfect autumn dessert or a charming twist on the Thanksgiving favorite.