An Ideal Thanksgiving for One | NYT Cooking

Our collective single king is back with a holiday special: A very Vaughn Thanksgiving for one. He made a truly festive spread including... stuffing, pimento mac and cheese, bacon-y Brussels sprouts, two types of potatoes, canned cranberry sauce, an adorable Cornish game hen (!) and an epic tri-pie (the Pie-fecta).
Our Thanksgiving collection: nyti.ms/3DQCVYq
The perfect pie crust: nyti.ms/3DOZSLj
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All the food that’s fit to eat (yes, it’s an official New York Times production).

[@gennyjackson7847]

STOP! I love Vaughn's videos. His last one where he made meals for himself the entire week made me extremely happy. This is the best Thanksgiving gift I could have ever asked for.

[@preetialex2431]

sooo true!!! absolutely love this video!!!

[@nightstringers]

His channel is so amazing isn't it. I wonder if he knows he has over 500k family members

[@angelafrid9762]

Thank you for normalizing that not everyone has people to celebrate with 🥰

[@lukec.9819]

Amen!!!! Thank you!!!

[@leavingitblank9363]

Refreshing to see a professional video where everything isn't perfect. It's so tired of all those blogs and vlogs in which every recipe is "the BEST" and super delicious. We know that doesn't always happen. Failed experiments are fine. The multi-pie was a great idea, and I'm sure it could be perfected with a little practice. Also, very nice to see a "Thanksgiving for one" presentation. There are probably more people looking for something like this than would like to admit.

[@recoveringsoul755]

That pie fascinates me! Maybe making 3 unbroken pie crusts, smaller, and putting them in the same pie tin. I just think about my favorite thanksgiving foods. For me it's not the turkey. It's pumpkin pie, fresh cranberry relish not cooked or canned, stuffing, (stovetop is fine), mashed potatoes, green beans. Maybe gravy. Super fast and easy if I buy a pie.

[@leavingitblank9363]

@@recoveringsoul755 The crust sections in the middle will never cook properly surrounded by filling -- it would have to be baked separately.

[@recoveringsoul755]

@@leavingitblank9363 can't you bake without filling like he did?

[@leavingitblank9363]

@@recoveringsoul755 Yes, you could blind bake it first, then fill it.

[@steveipsen6293]

I would have never thought of making three mini pies in one pan. Great for those of us who don't want three full pies hanging around for a week.

[@williammodlin2621]

Sorry to hear about Nanny; she was really special. I’m glad to have seen and heard her in some of your previous work. Great feast, too.

[@gennyjackson7847]

also, sending all the love to you as first holidays without beloved relatives or friends or mentors is so difficult. nannie may not be here, but she is present in every meal and every celebration you have.

[@virginiaf.5764]

Makes me smile. So adorable. Hey Vaughn, the pie walls may have worked better if you had par-baked them first so they were sturdier, and then "glued" them to the crust with egg wash.

[@elizabethheld3130]

Menu 1:17 Pie(s) 1:55 Potatoes 8:19 Sprouts 8:35 Stuffing 10:59 Pimento mac 12:50 Game hen 14:16 Crab 15:08 Cranberry sauce 15:54 Plating 16:30

[@natalialopes719]

This is it absolutely best idea ever. There are so many people that are alone at Thanksgiving and they need to feed themselves and not be sad about it. Thank you

[@yippeehaha24-y1y]

Looks so good! The person I'd have at Thanksgiving? My mom. She has been gone for 10 years and still miss her. She made the best turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes in her own unique Chinese style.

[@macaoron]

I love Vaughn’s cooking philosophy, and I love Vaughn!

[@DamionG1987]

He's adorable.

[@thethreejewels]

Thank you so much-I really love this and it really helped to lift my spirit today. Thanks also for recognizing that sometimes we are alone on special days. I am sorry for the loss of your nannie and I’m sure the memories keep her close to you.

[@DavidRamirez-yj5zk]

I AM SO HAPPY VAUGHN IS BACK!!!! He's so palatable and interesting. Please keep him.

[@danielwklee]

Vaughn is almost too adorable to bear.

[@Paolito0118]

I love when Vaughn is in a video. So funny and cute!

[@peadar-o]

I actually love the look of the pie. Looks even more homemade 🤗🤗🤗

[@ymb6987]

Grateful and thankful for Vaughn! That trifecta pie was the business! I'd say he nailed every bit of this Thanksgiving meal!!

[@aprilalatorre9127]

All the food on that table is worthy of the best Thanksgiving ever, not to mention the host/chef's banter and musings being entertaining.

[@willjay916]

As soon as he described the pie I thought "has he talked to Erin? she might have some ideas how to make it work." But he persevered. Now that we know that it can be done, it can be improved.

[@Mossfaerie]

"It's the gift that keeps on giving THE WHOLE YEAR ROUND, Clark." lmaoooo the reference we needed

[@emilyspencer305]

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating alone

[@shinebabyshine.]

He’s back! I need an entire series of Vaughn’s cooking 😭💗

[@vaibhav6826]

I mean let's be honest, we are here for Vaughn & just Vaughn. And I am loving the white T shirt and denim short shorts situation. I mean... You kill me Vaughn and how?

[@thenewbaguette]

I love everything about this - esp. the rustic pie and the "Hey now, hey noooow!"

[@djameson5576]

A genius video! Thank you Vaughn and NYT Cooking! Cheers to all of us single folk in the City and beyond! 🍁🎉🗽🥳

[@alexandraestela3634]

PLEASE MORE OF THESE COOKING FOR ONE VIDEOSSSSSSSS

[@ginabonina6427]

Listen I cooked this dinner today (not the pies but everything else). While I cried while prepping the shallots and began cooking I wasn't sure if it was gonna taste like Thanksgiving or even be good at all....and OMG! It was KILLER delicious!!! The tender caramelized brussel sprouts w/shallots. AND the stuffing?!? Sour dough bread w/shallots was so incredibly good...and the Better than Sex mac & pimento cheese good lord so good. The frankentater, so lovely and added a piece of sliced ham. Just cleaned the kitchen, got Roborock mopping and time to flop down. I have a pumpkin pie but I can't even mess with that right now. AMAZING recipe! Thankyou and I'm so glad I went for it!

[@stephenbayer3909]

He's so adorkable.

[@jelsner5077]

My grandmother taught me how to make pie and she had a little mini pie pan that was for me to make a little individual pie for myself. It was a fun way to get me interested in baking. I miss my grandma every time I bake a pie.

[@alexw322]

Love you Vaughn! Watching this Thanksgiving morning as my treat in the last moment of calm before the storm!

[@athebonnery6101]

I am a disaster-repairing specialist in terms of baking. To make 3 pies in one, I would have pre-baked the pie dough as a usual pie. And then I would have used long graham crackers and the remaining soft pie dough as glue to make the 3 walls. And then I would have poured the 3 fillings in the corresponding cavities quickly after so that it maintains the overall balance of the 3 walls :)

[@amyc206]

I wish this had been posted a week ago before I went grocery shopping! Loved it! Am stealing that pie idea! 😄 More solo meals please!

[@grainofsalt2113]

"i'm not driving" lmaoo

[@civilizeddiva]

1:11: Agreed! No negotiation with others. Just the favorites😅 1:54: Brilliant! 4:08-4:14: Peace pie. Everyone gets a piece of their favorite . Minimal waste. Validated! 8:09: I know we aren’t discussing this further, BUT, I wonder if one were to make three individual, triangular shaped pie crusts, if this process might be a little easier? 9:58: (past) Maya Angelou 15:57: I learned to make cranberry relish because as a home-chef, it is expected. If no one else was around I would proudly eat my preferred can of cranberry sauce. Darn peer pressure🤣 16:32: Looks perfect. AND! You can pick from each without judgement😅 18:58: Oh well. With no one else around, you know how hard you worked, so it’s fine. There are two other options. 19:12: it would have been nice to hear how you calculated the reduced portion recipes.

[@Sheerambivalence]

Can we get another week of what you eat Vaughn? Absolutely loved the last one, inspired so many dishes for myself!

[@nicolapowell7730]

I haven't lived in the States for a while now, and I miss Thanksgiving so much. Thank you. This weekend's food is sorted. Yay!

[@bripruett]

"Hilary Duff: the original ally" I have some questions, but love the energy.

[@mattheology]

Have you seen that ad where Hilary Duff defended the gays in a clothing store?

[@LydiaSugarman]

If you must have canned cranberry sauce, the secret to getting the cranberry sauce out of the can? Puncture the bottom of the can to allow air in. No more vacuum. But, I think the best and easiest cranberry sauce is a fresh version - bag of cranberries, one orange, 1/4-1/2 cup of sugar. Cut the orange into big chunks, remove that center pithy thing. Throw everything into a food processor, give it a whirl to get a small chop, empty into a container and let it chill overnight. Delicious! Refreshing! And, great to mix with mayo for Day After Sandwiches.

[@karengerber8390]

Mine also a make-ahead: no sugar, 1# cranberries, a mandarin orange & peel; grind. Refrigerate. I love it!

[@carolynfergus-callahan4194]

Omg I was just thinking about how I miss Vaughn’s videos!

[@zfischer05]

My heart broke when his pie walls fell down! He just looked so sad and forlorn looking into the oven at his broken dreams. Not only is he spending Thanksgiving all by his lonesome... now he's going to have ill-separated pies! Poor boy! 😭

[@Kathleen5429]

To get the cranberry sauce out of the can, open both sides of the can with a can opener. Take off one side and with the other side that is still sitting on the can, push it in right on to a dish!

[@alexlamm4485]

I want to be friends with Vaughn immediately

[@YukinoMayazawa]

Vaughn is the sweetest!

[@emilys9365]

I hope Hilary Duff sees his video and does a collab episode with him, it would be adorable 😁

[@omglookpoptart]

ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THESE BC I LOVE THE IDEA OF COOKING FANCY FOR ONE🥺🥺🥺

[@marylooksfineonadime]

Love the video and your energy, Vaughn!! Thank you showing us that Thanksgiving alone can still be delicious and fun!

[@dbuck7250]

Ah man brilliant work and full sentiments to your nanny. Must have been a great and fun lady just look at the title of her Mac and Cheese. But dude! Where was the gravy? Otherwise beautiful looking meal.

[@fcanazart2]

VAUGHN CONTENT, EVERYONE! The guy brings us joy in times of despair!

[@Kathleen5429]

When you feel lazy or don’t have time but you’re craving apple pie, try this… one package of frozen Pepperidge Farm puff pastry shells - one to three packages of frozen Stouffers Harvest Apples, and a pint of heavy cream for whipping with a tsp. of pure vanilla and a tsp. of superfine or regular sugar. The box has 6 shells so you will need 3+ boxes of apples, IF you are serving more than one, although if you are making this just for yourself, having the box of shells and extra boxes of apples in the freezer is always a good thing for when that craving hits you to make one at a time.😉A perfect any time dessert that is wonderful to serve even for a dinner party! I promise your guests will never guess. And when you get a chocolate craving, you can also use Kozy Shack chocolate pudding (container, 22 oz). My fave. P.S. of course, you may use whipped cream out of a can but I always make real whipped cream if I’m serving this dessert for guests.

[@josiecameron3395]

Such a beautiful meal! 💖 looks scrumptious! The pie trifecta is the best 🍂

[@GIRLINPARADISE]

16:41 *yum!!!! Amazing video! Thank you :). Hi from London the kingdom of fish and chips :)*

[@ipsilonia]

but the pie part was so relatable

[@arroncuellar9347]

Vaughn is such a cutie. Love watching his cooking videos.

[@Megclix]

This is wonderful -- being a solo homeowner, and a pie-freak too. Question - What is the crabmeat appetizer? Is the recipe included here? I hope Vaughn makes more videos.

[@ninjaspambot]

Holy shit did Vaughn bulk up in a year/18 months. Good for him.

[@Lavender-oo2gi]

Id love to see the written out recipes. 3 pies in one. Great idea!

[@scottsummers4234]

Vaughn really went from a twink to a hunk in 2 years

[@diannt9583]

Happy Thanksgiving. I still remember the one year I'd broken my ankle and had to make Thanksgiving Dinner alone at home. Since I wasn't very active, my food needs were much less - I ended up making two meals that day - one was bone in skin on turkey thighs (two) and the other was stuffed delicata squash which included onions and cranberries with whatever else I don't remember. (Also with the broken ankle my movements in the kitchen were limited.) Both meals were delicious! Your meal here is great!

[@MargoMontes]

when i tell you i am SALIVATING

[@teresabell1014]

What a wonderful meal, good for you eating alone. Sorry to hear about your grandma.

[@TheConstantSeeker]

I really need more of Vaughn. He's just too damn hot and funny.

[@lkhjason]

Vaughn is too funny & relatable !

[@genevievesmith6294]

You are the best ever!!!! Thank you

[@gerrybgood3125]

It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without the funny noises coming from a can of cranberry.

[@guilherme9674]

Sweaty Vaughn is really what we all want for Thanksgiving. But the food also looks fine.

[@johnstar323]

Vaughn in jean shorts 😍

[@ahome7948]

Love Vaughn

[@135bpmCoffee]

Can you make a series and call it „An ideal XX for Vaughn“? Thanks.

[@nightstringers]

I dare anyone to talk smack about your pie. I don't see anyone else making this pie . So they can shut their pie hole. That white wine could have helped with the pie . LOL Alway sample the wine for freshness. Fake cranberries. HELL NO. They have to be fresh made cranberries .It all looks so amazing . Hope you had a great Holiday season .Thank you for sharing all of this . I love your channel. It's so inviting ,you are so inviting . You make folks feel so at home ...

[@paperbackqueen9326]

Vaughn, you're doing Nannie proud!

[@wanniajamil]

VAUGHN'S BACK!!!!

[@theherd5830]

Just came across Vaughn’s video’s…… I’m in love!

[@ClintonBlankenship]

Vaughn FTW!! 🥰😍🤤

[@jase_allen]

Looks great, but it's way too much fuss for me. When I was a teen, there was a Thanksgiving where it was just me and my grandmother. There was one pizza parlor open, so we ordered a bacon cheeseburger pizza. There was no delivery that day and she couldn't drive, so I carried it the 5 or 6 blooks back to her apartment on my bike. Now as a single adult, I often find myself alone on Thanksgiving. I happily carry on with a bacon cheeseburger pizza ordered from that same pizza parlor. Make your own meaningful traditions, and you'll never feel left out.

[@shaunny0208]

I’d eat Vaughn’s pie 365 days a year 🤤

[@madasahatter4489]

Our Thanksgiving for one was crawfish boil, potatoes with menti, homemade biscuits and a small tarte tatin. If I could have anyone at my Thanksgiving table it would be Stephen and Evie Colbert.

[@kwatson4394]

Erin says fill it up to the top to avoid those problems 🤣 so good though

[@madamballiyilemanorogi1395]

Okay NYT cooking won Thanks giving

[@andrelevesque2405]

Cook me Thanksgiving anytime Vaughn.

[@SuzanneU]

I love the piefecta!

[@jaycarver4886]

I'm only about 3 minutes in where he's constructing dividers for the pie but that looks like it's going to be a "very dough-ey" pie. 😮 Guess I'll stay tuned...

[@RoseyRosies]

I'm definitely gonna make that pimento Mac and cheese. Pimento cheese is just sharp cheddar, mayo and pimentos, you can have it anytime you want!

[@wynn1111]

Pimiento cheese! Yes!

[@anindo73]

WHERE IS THE GRAVY G R A V Y G R A V Y

[@nicolebrown5987]

Wow!!! Totally having a turkey day for one!! The Coronavirus has increased in Buffalo,NY so my friend and I aren't going to eat with her family. Excited!!!

[@ohtallula]

love the wonky pie!

[@515aleon]

Maybe some foil/parchment to hold the walls up while cooking?? Anyway, yep know the whole single guy cooking thing. But I love food and left overs (I mean good left-overs).

[@writesmith]

How about we cook the walls separately (with the scraps for the hors d’oeuvres) and add them to the pie with the filling.

[@MelisaBalcii]

that pie is ADORABLE

[@ultrabuttercup7]

Really would love the fresh cranberry relish with orange instead of the can. please try it!

[@lauraemilyaustria4116]

I actually don't like pimento cheese (haha), but I think you can probably find it at some Filipino grocery stores! Hopefully that widens your options!

[@jaim_e]

[@erickfrago7224]

Love you, Vaughn

[@robynkrest8178]

What a cutie pie 🥧 😍 💕 he is everything 😍 ❤️ happy Thanksgiving baby doll ❤️

[@sneekypanda]

I’ll eat Thanksgiving with you, Vaughn 🥺

[@ramata1962]

I love the idea. A gallant effort by Vaughn.

[@anant7101]

Vaugnnnnnnnnn back in the front of the camera

[@nevernow7527]

The 3 in 1 pie...LOL

[@PeaceRose96]

where is the chocolate chess pie recipe!! i cant find it on the website!! anyways i absolutely LOVED this video!! vaughn's meal for one content is impressive and always looks incredible, really excited to see more of him asap!!

[@terichewbaccazulu5908]

Yes! I was hoping Vaughn would do this.

[@joanrochlin8493]

Really enjoyed the video and especially the pie!