12 Thanksgiving Dump Recipes for Your Simplest Holiday Menu Ever

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
Photo: Caitlin Bensel/Southern Living

When it comes to cooking a Thanksgiving spread for your family, we think recipes should be both easy and delicious. The holidays are all about gathering together to spend time with your family and loved ones, so we're taking the stress out of meal prepping for you. Rather than working over the stove all day on intricate dishes, we have some easy-to-make dump recipes that everyone around the table will love. The hardest thing you'll have to do is pour the ingredients for these recipes into your slow cooker, onto a sheet pan, or into a casserole dish and let them cook away while you focus on the more time-intensive dishes. There's no prep work or large amounts of hands-on time required for any of these easy Thanksgiving recipes. From sides to desserts to main dishes, these stress-free dump recipes will become mainstays and new crowdfavorites on your holiday menu.

01 of 12

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
Southern Living

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

Free up some space in the oven by allowing your slow cooker to handle the sweet potato casserole this year. Cook on high for about three hours or low for six or seven.deaz

02 of 12

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast

Citrus-Grilled Turkey Breast
Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast

If you aren't tied to the idea of serving a whole bird for Thanksgiving, this is the ultimate no-fuss turkey breast. Mix all your ingredients in the crock pot, and about five hours later, you'll have delicious turkey with plenty of seasonal flavor.

03 of 12

Apple and Pear Crisp

Apple and Pear Crisp
Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Recipe: Apple and Pear Crisp

Toss the ingredients for this crisp in your slow cooker before dinner, and it'll be warm and ready to serve once your guests are ready for dessert.

04 of 12

Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots

Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Honey-Glazed Spiced Carrots

Roasting carrots enhances their naturally sweet flavors for a beautifully colorful and delicious dish.

05 of 12

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
Caitlin Bensel/Southern Living

Recipe: Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

This slow-cooker version of green bean casserole uses Alfredo sauce instead of the classic mushroom soup for an extra creamy texture.

06 of 12

Pineapple Casserole

Pineapple Casserole
Southern Living

Recipe: Pineapple Casserole

In our opinion, there can never be too many casseroles on the menu. Virtually zero prep and a short ingredient list make this recipe an easy addition to your holiday meal.

07 of 12

Slow-Cooker Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Sauce
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Cranberry Sauce

Add the ingredients for this cranberry sauce to your slow cooker, and just three hours later it'll be ready to accompany your homemade dressing. It's almost easier than opening a can.

08 of 12

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Pumpkin Dump Cake
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Pumpkin Dump Cake

Dump cakes are known for their no-fuss approach to baking. This cake has a creamy filling that's similar to pumpkin pie and can be served warm or chilled.

09 of 12

Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Whether you want to offer an additional main or want to skip the turkey altogether, a comforting pot roast is always a good idea.

10 of 12

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

Recipe: Cranberry Upside-Down Cake

This easy treat is a great post-dinner option for anyone with a sweet tooth.

11 of 12

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks Recipe
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

The best collard greens take time. They need to cook on low for nine hours, but can be made up to two days ahead and returned to the slow cooker to reheat on the day of the holiday meal.

12 of 12

Lemon Bar Cake

Lemon Bar Cake
Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

Recipe: Lemon Bar Cake

Citrus desserts are always a welcome addition to the after-dinner spread, especially when they're this easy to prepare.

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