Description
Celebrate Thanksgiving with this unique recipe featuring a perfectly roasted turkey stuffed with savory stuffing, complemented by classic sides of cranberry sauce, mixed vegetables, and a spiced pumpkin puree bake. This meal promises to dazzle your guests with comforting flavors and festive flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Turkey and Stuffing
- 1 turkey (12-14 lbs)
- 2 cups of stuffing
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Sides
- 1 cup of cranberry sauce
- 4 cups of mixed vegetables (carrots, green beans, and peas recommended)
Pumpkin Mixture
- 1 cup of pumpkin puree
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for roasting the turkey.
- Prepare Turkey: Season the turkey generously with salt and black pepper both inside and out to enhance its natural flavors.
- Stuff Turkey: Fill the cavity of the turkey with the prepared stuffing mixture, distributing it evenly.
- Roast Turkey: Place the stuffed turkey in a roasting pan and cover it with aluminum foil to retain moisture during cooking.
- Cooking Time: Roast the turkey in the oven for approximately 3 hours. Remove the foil during the last 30 minutes to allow the skin to brown and crisp up.
- Cook Vegetables: While the turkey roasts, cook the mixed vegetables in a pot of boiling water until tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Pumpkin Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, heavy cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar. Stir until smooth and well blended.
- Bake Pumpkin Dish: Transfer the pumpkin mixture to a baking dish and bake in the oven (can be done alongside the turkey if space allows) for 30 minutes until set and fragrant.
- Serve: Carve the roasted turkey and serve with the stuffing, cranberry sauce, cooked mixed vegetables, and the warm spiced pumpkin bake for a complete Thanksgiving feast.
Notes
- Ensure the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Let the turkey rest for at least 15 minutes before carving to keep it juicy.
- Use fresh or homemade stuffing for best flavor; avoid prepackaged stuffing mix if possible.
- The pumpkin bake can be made a day ahead and reheated before serving.
- If oven space is limited, cook the pumpkin mixture after the turkey has finished roasting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Roasting, Baking, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 8 oz turkey with sides)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: Thanksgiving, turkey, stuffing, pumpkin puree, cranberry sauce, mixed vegetables, holiday dinner
