I'm Spending Thanksgiving Alone This Year—Here's What I'm Making

This year, I’m spending Thanksgiving alone for the first time. Since graduating college, I’ve made a big move across the country to Alabama to pursue my career and while I am eternally grateful for everything that has come my way post-grad, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I get homesick quite often. That’s why I love going home to Colorado for the holidays. Not only do I get to be home but I also get to indulge in the wonders that are my family’s cooking. But this year, I won’t be flying home until Christmas.

When I came to what to cook for myself on Thanksgiving, I realized there’s no way I’m making a whole turkey just for me but it would feel wrong to heat up a frozen pizza. Luckily, after one quick search on the Allrecipes site, I discovered my Thanksgiving feast for one: a sheet pan Thanksgiving cornish hen dinner.

What is a Sheet Pan Thanksgiving Cornish Hen Dinner?

Sheet pan dinners have become a favorite of mine. They’re quick, easy, and require minimal clean up. When I was searching for Thanksgiving meal ideas and came across this sheet pan Thanksgiving cornish hen dinner, I knew I hit the jackpot. This recipe includes two Cornish game hens that are cooked on a sheet pan with potatoes, carrots, and onions and are served in a gravy made from the drippings.

Why I Love it

No-Fuss Prep: The recipe calls for simple, versatile ingredients. Both the vegetables and hens are flavored with Italian seasoning, which has quickly become my pantry hero. That means I won’t have to buy a bunch of spices to make the dish. It’s also perfect for somebody who doesn’t have the time to fuss over cooking. This dish comes together in less than 90 minutes, and I can walk away from it while the hens become tender and juicy in the oven.
Something New To Try: Since I’m considered an “adult” now, I’ve tried to cook as much as possible and try out new recipes as well to broaden my horizons—and while I have never worked with Cornish hens before, why not give it a go for a national holiday? And because I’ll be alone, there’s no need to impress anybody. If I mess up, nobody will know! But the recipe seems pretty foolproof.
It’s Perfect For a Party of One: The Cornish hens make for the perfect one-person meal. The dish also includes yummy vegetables like carrots, onions, potatoes—so I don’t have to make an additional side.