So when preparing your big holiday meal, making sure you have enough turkey has to be the first priority. The general rule is to plan for 1½ pounds of turkey per guest, says FoodNetwork.com. Now let's break this down.

A turkey roulade is an excellent choice if you prefer not to cook an entire bird. You get to serve the traditional turkey stuffed with seasonal flavors in a beautifully presented dish, but it takes less time and effort to prepare. The smaller dish is also perfect if you have a more intimate gathering or don’t want a lot of leftovers.

In a Butterball Togetherness Report, respondents said they expected to have an average of nine people over for Thanksgiving this year.