Ever wonder how the heck you’re supposed to fit everything in your oven on Thanksgiving day? Do you run out of burners? The trick is maximizing your kitchen space and time by using these four types of space saving Thanksgiving recipes:

• Make-ahead recipes
• Slow cooker recipes
• Instant pot recipes
• Sheet pan recipes

I’ve laid out step-by-step how to pull off Thanksgiving without breaking a sweat, (or having 2 things in the oven at once) in my The Complete Guide to a Stress Free Thanksgiving for Four or you can check out some more space saving Thanksgiving recipes below.

Space Saving Thanksgiving Recipes

Make-ahead recipes

These aren’t “make ahead” recipes where you still have to cook it the day of, these are TRUE MAKE AHEAD and do nothing but serve on Thanksgiving day!

Sweet and Spicy Mixed Nuts

These can be made up to 2 days ahead of time!

Credit: Bon Appetit

Thanksgiving Cheese Board

Credit: What’s Gaby Cooking 

Cranberry Sauce with Orange and Cinnamon

Make this delicious cranberry sauce up to a week in advance, and store in the fridge! It’s great cold, so it’s no extra work for you come T-day!

Credit: Ally’s Cooking

Make-Ahead Pecan Pie

You can prep and bake the whole pie a couple days in advance! Keep it stored in the refrigerator, and then let come to room temperature the day-of Thanksgiving to serve.

Credit: Ree Drummond, Food Network

Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

Pumpkin cheesecake can be made and refrigerated for up to 2 days before Thanksgiving.

Credit: Real Simple

Earl Grey Bourbon Punch

This can be made, covered, and chilled a day ahead of time!

Credit: Bon Appetit

Slow cooker recipes

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Did you know you could just cook the turkey in a slow cooker? Game changer! This recipe is just for breasts, but you can cook a whole turkey in there if it’s 10 lbs. or less.

Credit: Taste of Home

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic

These are a major life-saver day-of. Just put them on in the morning and put them on the “warm” setting until ready to serve.

Credit: Ally’s Cooking

Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian

Creamy Crockpot Butternut Squash Apple Soup

Credit: Ally’s Cooking

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole

Credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Slow Cooker Stuffing

Credit: Taste of Home

Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese

Credit: The Country Cook

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Pecan Bread Pudding

Credit: The Gunny Sack

Instant pot recipes

Instant Pot Turkey and Gravy

Whaaaaat did you know life could even get this easy?

Credit: The Novice Chef

Instant Pot Brussels Sprouts

With bacon and almonds? OKAY

Credit: Mom Noms

Instant Pot Spinach Dip

Credit: Living Locurto

Instant Pot Mac n Cheese

This is one of those heavenly mac and cheese’s you’ll make all year round. I do.

Credit: Pinch of Yum

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Credit: Pinch of Yum

Instant Pot Apple Crisp

Credit: Center Cut Cook

Sheet pan recipes

And finally, allow me to inspire you to REALLY save some space and cook the whole damn meal on one pan. . . Are you ready for it?

Sheet Tray Thanksgiving

Credit: Tasting Table

Thanksgiving on Two Sheet Pans

Credit: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

Sheet Pan Thanksgiving

Credit: Imagelicious