Ask MHS
Info: Verification of critical info from AI generated responses is recommended
Skip to Main Content

Gratitude on a Budget: Thanksgiving Recipes For Everyone

Date: 11/05/25

Thanksgiving is a special time to be with your family and friends. It’s all about sharing, saying thank you and making happy memories together. 

You don’t need a fancy feast to enjoy the holiday. Making a Thanksgiving meal on a budget—or even using help from a food bank—is nothing to be ashamed of. What really matters is being together with the people you love. 

MHS wants to take your stress out of meal planning this year. We’ve put together some easy and tasty recipes that won’t cost a lot, but will still help you enjoy a cozy, traditional Thanksgiving meal. Let’s make this holiday special without breaking the bank! 

Main Dish 

Turkey Stuffing Casserole 

Ingredients 

  • 2 – 28 ounce Canned Turkey Meat  

  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste 

  • 18 ounce Jar Roasted Turkey Gravy 

  • 6 ounce Package Stove Top Stuffing (do not follow package directions) 

  • 4 tablespoons Butter melted 

  • ½ cup Chicken Stock or broth 

Directions 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F 
  2. Drain the canned turkey meat and transfer the turkey to a deep square baking dish, or smaller rectangle casserole dish. 
  3. Use a fork or spoon to gently break apart the turkey breast. 
  4. Next, add the jar of roasted turkey gravy, pouring it over the turkey meat. Gently stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper if desired. 
  5. Add the Stove Top stuffing mix to a small mixing bowl then pour the melted butter over the mix and gently stir.  
  6. Add the chicken stock and stir until the stuffing mix is moistened.  
  7. Transfer the stuffing mixture into the casserole dish and spread to top the turkey layer. 
  8. Place the casserole into the pre-heated oven. Bake for 45 minutes until golden brown and hot and bubbly. 
  9. Serve and enjoy! 

 

Side Dishes 

Mashed Potatoes 

Ingredients 

  • 1 Package of Instant Mashed Potatoes 

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder (optional) 

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional) 

  • Bacon (optional) 

  • Cheese (optional) 

  • Gravy (optional) 

Directions 

  1. Make the instant mashed potatoes based on the package directions. 
  2. Add bacon, cheese, gravy and any other optional spices as desired for a unique, flavorful taste! 
  3. Whip lightly with a fork and serve! 

 

Green Bean Casserole  

Ingredients  

  • 2 (15 ounce) cans cut green beans, drained 

  • 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup 

  • ¾ cup milk 

  • 1 (2.8 ounce) can French fried onions 

  • Salt and pepper to taste 

Directions 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F 
  2. Mix green beans, condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk and 1/2 of the fried onions in a medium casserole dish. 
  3. Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and bubbly, about 25 minutes. 
  4. Sprinkle the remaining onions on top and return to the oven for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.  
  5. Serve hot and enjoy! 

 

Dessert 

Baked Apples 

Ingredients 

  • 4 apples (any variety) 

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar 

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

  • Chopped walnuts (optional) 

  • Drizzle of honey (optional) 

Directions 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
  2. Wash, halve and core apples. 
  3. Using a small knife, cut slits in the apples. 
  4. Place apples in an oven-proof dish, skin side down. 
  5. Mix together brown sugar and spices, then sprinkle over the apples. Sprinkle walnuts and honey if desired. 
  6. Pour water, about a 1/2″ high in the pan around the apples. (This will help soften the apples.) 
  7. Bake 25-30 minutes or until apples are soft and warmed through. 
  8. Serve and enjoy! 

 

Pumpkin Pie 

Ingredients 

  • 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree 

  • 1 (14 ounce) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk 

  • 2 large eggs 

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger 

  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg 

  • ½ teaspoon salt 

  • 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust 

 

Directions 

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 
  2. Whisk pumpkin puree, condensed milk, eggs, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt together in a medium bowl until smooth. 
  3. Pour into crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. 
  4. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking until a knife inserted 1 inch from the crust comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.  
  5. Let cool before serving. Enjoy! 

 

Need to skip the grocery store? Check with your local food bank, nonprofit or community center. They may hand out free pre-made Thanksgiving meals or food baskets filled with turkey and all the yummy fixings. 

Not sure where to start? Go to our Community Connect website to find food banks, community centers and helpful services near you. Just enter your zip code and start searching for what you need. It’s that easy! 

Everyone deserves a tasty meal to celebrate and give thanks. We at MHS hope you have a great holiday celebrating with family and friends. 



Last Updated: 11/05/2025