When the doorbell chimes and the house fills with cozy chatter, I reach for this easy sheet pan spread. One pan, three festive bites, and a stress-free path from oven to coffee table.
Everything roasts together with simple flavors that shine. You get juicy cranberry-glazed turkey meatballs, garlicky shrimp, and tomato mozzarella crostini that taste like a little gift in every bite.
One Pan Holiday Appetizers
Equipment
- 1 Half sheet pan (13x18-inch)
- 1 Parchment Paper
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Small bowl for glaze
- 1 Basting brush optional, for oiling bread
- 1 Tongs
Ingredients
Turkey Cranberry Meatballs
- Ground turkey
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Grated onion
- Minced garlic
- Dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper
- Olive oil
Cranberry Glaze
- Whole berry cranberry sauce
- Low-sodium chicken broth
- Grape juice
- Apple cider vinegar
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Orange zest
Garlic Herb Shrimp
- Large shrimp peeled and deveined
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic
- Lemon zest
- Parsley
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
Tomato Mozzarella Crostini
- Baguette slices
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh mozzarella pearls
- Fresh basil
- Balsamic vinegar optional
To Serve
- Lemon wedges
- Extra herbs for garnish
Instructions
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 425 b0F. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment, and lightly oil the paper so nothing sticks.
- In a bowl, combine ground turkey, panko, egg, grated onion, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix gently and form 1 tablespoon portions. Arrange meatballs over one third of the pan.
- Roast meatballs for 10 minutes to set the shape.
- Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Push meatballs to one third, add tomatoes to the second third, and leave the final third empty for shrimp and crostini. Roast 8 minutes more.
- Meanwhile, toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, parsley, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Brush baguette slices lightly with olive oil.
- Add shrimp to the open third of the pan in a single layer. Tuck oiled baguette slices along the edges where there is room. Roast 6 to 7 minutes, until shrimp are pink and opaque and bread is golden.
- Whisk cranberry sauce, broth, grape juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon, and orange zest in a small bowl. Spoon over the meatballs on the pan and toss to coat. For crostini, top each toast with roasted tomatoes, a mozzarella pearl, and a basil leaf. Drizzle with balsamic if desired.
- Transfer everything to a platter or serve straight from the pan. Add lemon wedges for the shrimp and extra herbs for color.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This One Pan Holiday Appetizers
- Three crowd-pleasers on one sheet pan, staggered so everything cooks perfectly.
- Comforting flavors with a bright, festive finish from cranberry, citrus, and herbs.
- Minimal dishes, fast cleanup, and effortless presentation.
- Easy to scale for a small gathering or a full house.
One Pan Holiday Appetizers Ingredients & Substitutions
Turkey Cranberry Meatballs
- Ground turkey
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Egg
- Grated onion and minced garlic
- Dried thyme, salt, black pepper
- Olive oil
Cranberry glaze: whole berry cranberry sauce, low-sodium chicken broth, grape juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, orange zest.
Swaps: use turkey or chicken; replace panko with crushed crackers; swap grape juice with pomegranate juice; use maple syrup instead of honey.
Garlic Herb Shrimp
- Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic, lemon zest
- Parsley, smoked paprika, salt, pepper
Swaps: use chili flakes instead of paprika; substitute firm white fish pieces and roast a few minutes longer.
Tomato Mozzarella Crostini
- Baguette slices
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olive oil, salt, pepper
- Fresh mozzarella pearls
- Fresh basil
- Balsamic vinegar, optional
Swaps: use feta instead of mozzarella; replace basil with arugula; use gluten-free baguette if preferred.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make One Pan Holiday Appetizers
Step 1: Prep the pan and heat
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment. Lightly oil the paper so nothing sticks.
Step 2: Mix and shape meatballs
In a bowl, combine ground turkey, panko, egg, grated onion, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix gently and form 1 tablespoon portions. Arrange meatballs over one third of the pan.
Step 3: Start roasting
Roast meatballs for 10 minutes to set the shape.
Step 4: Add tomatoes and toast space
Toss cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Push meatballs to stay on their third, then add tomatoes to the second third of the pan. Leave the final third empty for shrimp and crostini. Roast 8 minutes more.
Step 5: Season shrimp and prep crostini
Meanwhile, toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, parsley, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Brush baguette slices lightly with olive oil.
Step 6: Shrimp and crostini go on
Add shrimp to the open third of the pan in a single layer. Tuck oiled baguette slices along the edges where there is room. Roast 6 to 7 minutes, until shrimp are pink and opaque and bread is golden.
Step 7: Glaze meatballs and assemble crostini
Whisk cranberry sauce, broth, grape juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon, and orange zest in a small bowl. Spoon over the meatballs on the pan and toss to coat. For crostini, top each toast with roasted tomatoes, a mozzarella pearl, and a basil leaf. Add a light drizzle of balsamic if you like.
Step 8: Serve
Transfer everything to a platter or serve straight from the pan. Add lemon wedges for the shrimp and extra herbs for color.
Tips for Success
- Staggered timing matters. Start meatballs first, then tomatoes, then shrimp and crostini.
- Keep a single layer so items roast, not steam.
- Use parchment for easy glazing and cleanup.
- Season each component generously so every bite pops.
- Warm the glaze ingredients slightly if your cranberry sauce is very thick.
Variations of One Pan Holiday Appetizers
- Smoky twist: add a pinch of smoked paprika to the meatballs and glaze.
- Herb lovers: finish with extra basil, parsley, or a little rosemary.
- Swap shrimp: try small cubes of salmon roasted 2 to 3 minutes longer.
- Cheesy change-up: use feta or whipped ricotta on the crostini.
- Added crunch: scatter toasted walnuts on the crostini after baking.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with One Pan Holiday Appetizers
- Simple dips like lemon yogurt sauce or garlic aioli.
- Crisp greens with a light vinaigrette.
- Sparkling water with citrus slices or chilled sparkling grape juice.
- Olives and marinated artichokes to round out the platter.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate leftovers in separate containers for up to 3 days.
- Reheat meatballs at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, covered with foil. Warm glaze as needed.
- Reheat shrimp gently at 300°F for 5 to 6 minutes to avoid overcooking.
- Crostini are best fresh. Refresh toasts in the oven for 3 minutes, then top with tomatoes and cheese.
Memories Made Around the Table
I love setting this pan on a trivet and watching everyone reach for their favorite bite. It turns the living room into a little tasting party, and the only thing I miss is the pile of dishes that never shows up.
FAQs
Can I make parts ahead? Yes. Shape meatballs and mix the glaze up to 24 hours ahead. Slice bread and prep tomatoes and shrimp in the morning.
Can I use frozen shrimp? You can. Thaw completely, pat very dry, then season as directed.
What size sheet pan works best? A standard 13×18 inch half sheet pan fits everything. Use two if you are doubling the recipe.
How do I keep crostini crisp? Add toppings just before serving and avoid over-oiling the bread.
Final Thoughts
With a little planning and one trusty pan, these bites bring cheer to any gathering. Keep the glaze warm, the herbs fresh, and the door open for happy guests.